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Major Action Plans of United Nations Framework for Climate Change

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As a result of increasing concerns about the escalating impacts of climate change all over the world, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was negotiated and launched twenty years ago. Paragraph 1e) of Article 4 of the Convention commits Parties to the Convention to co-operating in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change and developing integrated plans for agriculture, coastal zone management and water resources (United Nations, 1992). It also commits them to saving and rehabilitating zones affected by floods, drought and desertification (United Nations, 1992). Adaptation refers to modifications in socio-economic or ecological systems in response to existing or potential climatic stimuli and their impacts (UNFCCC, 2014a). It includes adjustments in structures and processes in order to reduce expected damage or to gain from opportunities caused by climate change (UNFCCC, 2014a).

Against the above background, this solution examines the five major adaptation action steps. Next, it considers adaptation in practice at the international level and then highlights some country specific approaches. Finally, this solution ends with a series of conclusions.

This solution is a useful introduction to the major international environmental conventions. It would be particularly informative to students in environmental management, environmental law, environmental studies and international development programmes.

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Solution Summary

The aim of this solution is to examine the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's impact on planning for adaptation to climate change. Key climate change documents and links are included in the reference list. 662 words.

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Adaptation activities

According to the UNFCCC (2014b), adaptation activities include the following five general action steps:

1. Observation of noan-climatic, climatic, environmental and socio-economic variables.
2. Assessment of climate change impacts.
3. Planning (this is further elaborated in the following section).
4. Implementation of adaptation plans.
5. Monitoring and evaluation of initiatives for adaptation.

In order to enable the sharing of learning and knowledge, the ongoing engagement and involvement of stakeholders are vital (UNFCCC, 2014b).

Adaptation in practice: international milestones

The International Institute for Environment and Development (2014) reports that the UNFCC Secretariat predicts the costs for adaption projects in developing countries to be between US $ 28-67 billion annually by 2030. The IIED (2014) also notes that it is expected that the Green Climate Fund will allocate almost half of its yearly budget to initiatives focussed on adapting to climate change.

The UNFCCC (2014a) notes that many critical action steps have been taken in order to develop a regime for adaptation within the framework of UNFCCC and that the ...

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