Volume 1
Global climate change and sustainable development : third report of Session 2001-02 / International Development Committee.
- Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. International Development Committee
- Date:
- 2002
Licence: Open Government Licence
Credit: Global climate change and sustainable development : third report of Session 2001-02 / International Development Committee. Source: Wellcome Collection.
71/92 page 69
![issues that have short-term impacts and solutions. Loss of biodiversity, desertification and loss of habitat have long-term consequences in the same way that climate change does and they too might lose out to competing short-term environmental priorities if they are treated just as a number of environmental issues. Climate change must maintain a distinct identity within DFID’s programmes and the Environmental Policy Department should seek to mainstream and integrate it into other policy areas. We do not believe that DFID needs to make any major change in its development policies to address climate change. Actions on governance, institution building and capacity building should continue but DFID needs actively to promote consideration of climate risk and adaptation to climate change. DFID believes that economic growth and strengthening institutions will reduce developing countries’ vulnerability to climate change but given the pattern of economic development over recent years we doubt that it can occur fast enough to make a difference. Priorities 141. The next two decades are critical to establishing an effective mitigation regime and ensuring sustainable development is on track. Priorities in several areas have emerged from this inquiry: ¢ Scientific uncertainty Significant effects are possible but much uncertainty remains despite good monitoring programmes. Actions need to be guided by the precautionary principle and donors and recipient countries need to adopt flexible approaches to keep options open. ¢ Policy agendas There is a need to put climate change on the agenda of developing countries and aid agencies. ¢ Policy integration Developmental, environmental and social goals need to recognise climate change and take account of likely impacts. Recognising climate change offers an opportunity to adapt and reform current sub-optimal systems using a ‘no-regrets’ approach. ¢ Building capacity Human and institutional capacity needs strengthening. DFID should focus on helping developing countries to identify their needs and to develop their own capacity to carry out analysis and planning based on their own priorities, rather than responding to donor fashions.*”’ Linkages between developed and developing countries for training and research will be helpful. Capacity should be built within existing institutions that already have responsibilities for resources likely to be affected by climate change. There 1s little need to build separate capacity devoted solely to climate change. There is a need for institutional capacity building at local and national levels and the focus for capacity building work will have to be wider than national government level. Research institutes and NGOs can form a bridge between local action and international policy/markets, especially in relation to building resilient communities. But those institutions and NGOs will also have their own capacity building needs. ¢ Monitoring progress on climate change Indicators on climate change, for measurement of capacity building, and for the evaluation of the effectiveness of DFID programmes and projects will have to be developed. ¢ Disasters and extreme events The increased frequency and magnitude of extreme events poses risks to life and health, and could lead to significant social and macroeconomic 357By 72 [para 15]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b32221356_0001_0071.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
