International 
Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation: strengthening the evidence and informing policy
As of: September 2021
Ecosystem services can make an important contribution to increase resiliance against the impacts of climate change. The project examines the effectiveness of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to the impacts of climate change. It creates a basis for making decisions on international agreements, makes the development of national adaptation plans (NAP) available and influences their design. The project focuses on EbA projects in up to twelve countries in Asia, Central America, Africa and South America. Based on this analysis, appropriate policy recommendations are developed in cooperation with local partners, who are closely networked with the national planning processes. Among other channels, the dissemination of the results takes place via the Nairobi Work Programme the UNFCCC Adaptation Committee. The results are also shared at NAP events, in scientific journals, on existing knowledge platforms and in adaptation networks, ensuring that EbA measures are included in the broad international discussions.
State of implementation/results
- Published the following policy brief:
- ‘Nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation’;
- ‘Ecosystem-based adaptation: a win–win formula for sustainability in a warming world?’;
- ‘Nature-based solutions: delivering national-level adaptation and global goals’;
- 7 targeted country policy briefs: Bangladesh, Chile, China, El Salvador, Kenya, Nepal, Uganda;
- ‘Building resilience in rangelands through a natural resource management model: a case study’;
- ‘Is ecosystem-based adaptation effective? Perceptions and lessons learnt from 13 project sites’;
- ‘A Framework for Assessing the Effectiveness of Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Adaptation’;
- ‘Finance for resilience building and ecosystem-based adaptation in Kenya: a comparative study of local and national funds’;
- 13 national case studies published: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, Nepal, Peru (ANDES), Peru (Mountain EbA), Senegal, South Africa, Uganda
- Project methodology adopted by project partners and shared widely with BMU current/potential grantees. Methodology published as a research paper: ‘Ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation: strengthening the evidence and informing policy. Research overview and overarching questions’ which provides background information to the research framework. It is also published as a tool titled ‘Ecosystem-based adaptation: question-based guidance for assessing effectiveness’ to enable wider use by practitioners and researchers (available in English, Spanish and French). Published the following blogs:
- Women ally with nature to adapt to climate change;
- Effectivenss of Ecosystem-based Approaches for Adaptation: from concept to practice;
- Time to team up with nature to adapt to climate change;
- Nature-based solutions to climate change: stories from Chile
- 'EbA in rural and urban ecosystems';
- 'Can I eat EbA?' and 'EbA Tools Navigator'
- Published three EbA Panorama Solutions including: Burkina Faso, Nepal, Peru
- Released an excel version of EbA Navigator of Tools
- Project website and project flyer in English, Spanish & French.
- Published a paper on EbA standards and criteria with GIZ titled ‘Making ecosystem-based adaptation effective: a framework for defining qualification criteria and quality standards’
- Country-level activities and achievements detailed in 12 country webpages: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda
- Project findings and publications referenced and reflected in CBD’s Guidelines for Ecosystem-based Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Project was featured in IKI newsletter; Learning brief developed by GIZ and FEBA newsletter and outreach.
- Podcast: America Adapts host Doug Parsons interviews CBA11 attendees from across the world, including IIED project lead
- Published a blog on project progress and policy environment on IIED website and on www.climateprep.org
- Published a Dhaka Tribune article on need to improve EbA evidence base, April 2016: www.dhakatribune.com/…
- Project results featured in Climatelinks’ Community Spotlights on EbA: www.climatelinks.org/…
- The application of the project research methodology was included in the final report of the Ecosystems Protecting Infrastructure and Communities (EPIC) project in Chile.
Further Links
Project data
- Country:
- Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda
- Political partner(s):
- Andean Association - Peru
- Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) - Kenya
- Ministry of Environment (MMA) - Chile
- Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) - Costa Rica
- Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) - El Salvador
- Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation - Nepal
- Ministry of Water and Environment - Uganda
- National Office of Protected Areas (SERNANP) - Peru
- Implementing partner(s):
- International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) - Switzerland
- BMU grant:
- 2.215.355,14 €
- Duration:
- 07/2015 till 12/2022
- Website(s):
