Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries A Case for Adaptation Governance and Leadership in Building Climate Resilience

by Verner, Dorte

• ISBN13: 9780821394588
• ISBN10: 0821394584
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-11-16
• Publisher: World Bank Publications
• More Book Details

Summary

In the Arab countries, climate change is a risk to poverty reduction and economic growth, threatening to unravel many of the development gains that have been achieved. The Arab Region is already suffering adverse consequences from climate variability and change. This book provides information on climate change and its impact in the Arab Region, as well as technical guidance on climate adaptation options for policy makers. The areas addressed include the economic impacts of climate change (as measured by the reduction in household income and GDP); the impacts of climate change on the water, health, and tourism sectors; livelihoods and well-being in rural and urban areas; biodiversity; disaster risk management; as well as gender and other social relations. The report is written through a participatory and collaborative process, led by the World Bank in partnership with the League of Arab States, incorporating both regional and international experts on the topics.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xix
Contributors	p. xxv
Abbreviations	p. xxxi
Overview	p. 1
Climate Has Shaped the Cultures of Arab Countries	p. 1
Climate Change is Happening Now, and People Are Affected in Arab Countries	p. 9
A Harsh Environment Has Shaped the Cultures in the Region	p. 9
Climate Change Is Happening Now	p. 11
The Effects of Climate Change Are Socially Differentiated	p. 14
Climate Change Adaptation Is about Reducing Vulnerability	p. 25
Climate Change Adaptation Should Be an Integrated Part of Public Sector Management for Sustainable Development	p. 28
Notes	p. 33
References	p. 36
Ways Forward for Climatology	p. 39
Despite Sparse Observational Data, the Projections Are That Most of the Arab Region Is Becoming Hotter and Drier	p. 42
IPCC AR4 Projects Warming and Aridity	p. 53
Downscaled Projections Are Available for the Region	p. 60
Sea Levels Will Continue to Rise	p. 72
A New Round of Improved Projections Is Coming	p. 75
Annex 2C: Dealing with Climate Risks-A Checklist	p. 86
Notes	p. 92
References	p. 92
Climate Resilience Disasters Risk Management Increases Climate Resilience	p. 100
Climate Disasters Are Increasing in Frequency	p. 100
Disaster Risk Management Increases Climate Resilience	p. 100
The Hazard Risk Profile of the Arab States Is Changing	p. 101
Arab States Are Responding to Mitigate Climate Threats	p. 102
Gaps and Constraints Exist in Arab DRM Policies	p. 103
Recommendations to Build Resilience in the Arab Countries	p. 104
Notes	p. 106
References	p. 106
Climate Change Contributes to Water Scarcity	p. 109
Climate Change Will Have Diverse Impacts on Hydrometeorological Conditions	p. 110
The Arab Region Is Water Scarce	p. 114
Managing Water Resources Is Critical in a Changing Climate	p. 128
Long-Term Adaptation Strategies Can Reduce the Water Gap	p. 144
Notes	p. 147
References	p. 148
Spotlight 2: Climate Adaptation Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Have a Role in Climate Adaptation	p. 152
Biodiversity in the Arab Region is of Global Importance for Agriculture and Adaptation	p. 152
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services are Important for Economies and Livelihoods	p. 153
Managing Risks from Climate Change and Other Pressures Is Imperative	p. 156
Management of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Is Essential	p. 159
References	p. 159
Agriculture, Rural Livelihoods, and Food Security Are Stressed in a Changing Climate	p. 163
Agriculture Is Essential for the Economy, Food Security, and Livelihoods in the Region	p. 163
Agriculture Is under Stress from Water Scarcity and Population Growth	p. 164
Climate Change Affects Farming Systems and Rural Livelihoods	p. 169
A Range of Adaptation Options Are Available	p. 173
Effective Adaptation Requires Policy Reforms and Support Programs	p. 185
Ways Forward to Reduce Climate Stress	p. 190
Note	p. 202
References	p. 202
Climate Change Affects Urban Livelihoods and Living Conditions	p. 207
Climate Change Threatens Cities	p. 208
Cities Are Changing and Becoming More Exposed	p. 209
Cities Struggle to Provide Water for an Increasingly Difficult Scenario	p. 218
Arab Cities Are Responding to Climate Changes	p. 221
Weak Governance Contributes to Lack of Adaptation Action	p. 223
Policy Makers Have Opportunities to Make Cities More Resilient	p. 225
Note	p. 234
References	p. 234
Tourism Can Promote Economic Growth and Climate Resilience	p. 241
Tourism Is Important for Economic Growth, Foreign Exchange, and Employment	p. 241
Climate Change Has a Significant Impact on the Tourism Industry	p. 249
The Tourism Industry Depends on Climate Adaptation	p. 257
Private and Public Sector Interventions Are Needed for Sustainable Tourism	p. 267
Notes	p. 269
References	p. 270
Gender-Responsive Climate Change Adaptation: Ensuring Effectiveness and Sustainability	p. 277
Background	p. 278
Gender Roles and Relations Help Shape Responses to Climate Change in Arab Countries	p. 281
Regional Case Studies Demonstrate How Gender Consideration Makes a Difference in Adaptation	p. 290
Multiple Approaches Are Needed to Incorporate a Gender Perspective in Adaptation	p. 295
Key Messages	p. 299
Notes	p. 304
References	p. 305
Human Health and Well-Being Are Threatened by Climate Change	p. 309
Climate Change Threatens Human Health in the Region	p. 312
Some Population Groups Are Particularly Vulnerable	p. 320
Data and Research Are Needed to Fill Gaps	p. 323
Adaptive Strategies Exist to Improve Human Health and Strengthen the Health Sector	p. 325
Upgrading of Public Health Systems Is Necessary	p. 334
Key Messages	p. 335
Notes	p. 336
References	p. 336
Implement Policy Responses to Increase Climate Resilience	p. 347
Adaptation Is an Integrated Part of Public Sector Management for Sustainable Development	p. 348
Leadership Is Central for Successful Adaptation	p. 352
Policy Options Are Available to Support Climate Change Adaptation	p. 352
Facilitate the Development of Publicly Accessible and Reliable Information and Analyses Related to Adaptation	p. 353
Provide Human and Technical Resources and Services to Support Adaptation	p. 358
Build Climate Resilience of the Poor and Vulnerable through Social Protection and Other Measures	p. 361
Develop a Supportive Policy and Institutional Framework for Adaptation	p. 363
Build Capacity to Generate and Manage Revenue and to Analyze Financial Needs and Opportunities	p. 368
Applying Policy Recommendations to Address Key Climate Change Issues	p. 369
Note	p. 378
References	p. 378
Index	p. 381
Boxes
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Definitions: Climate, Climate Change, and Climate Variability	p. 13
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