Synopsis

Data underlying the Atlas helped stakeholders understand upcoming hazards, agricultural exposure, and the economics of response options in four African countries, outlining adaptation rationale and responses.

Use Case: Linking climate risks to responses to inform effective and efficient programming
Stakeholder Group: Government, International Finance Institution, NGO
Impact: Shape plans
KPI: 4 plans influenced
Geography: Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire

Connecting risks to economically-viable responses

At CoP22 in Marrakech, the spotlight was cast on the critical need to adapt African agriculture to the challenges posed by climate change. In response, the Moroccan government, together with the World Bank, committed to facilitating the creation of a series of 'Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plans (CSAIPs). These plans aim to pinpoint actionable strategies that governments can adopt to enhance climate-smart agriculture. This includes identifying opportunities for investment as well as designing and implementing relevant policies.

Data from the Atlas was indispensable for developing CSAIPs in four countries. Atlas analysis provided information to identify the risks and help prioritize investment opportunities including a comprehensive compilation of climate-related data, including detailed analyses of upcoming hazards, the extent of agricultural exposure, similarly to the data in the Spotlight, “What’s at Risk”.

Uniquely the Atlas was able to also provide information on the economics of many adaptation options, which will later be highlighted in a forthcoming Spotlight, “Economics of Adaptation”. This critical data was used as an input into cost-benefit models (Yet et al.; Rosenstock et al.) and helped stakeholder understand the potential costs and benefits of various options. This economic rationale was pivotal in securing buy-in from governments, donors, and the private sector, each of which plays a critical role in scaling up adaptation.

Featured image credit: @2009CIAT/NeilPalmer