re recent issue with less clear guidance, especially for mainstreaming of the issue.
A World Bank View (Burton and Aalst, 1999)1
A highly vulnerable system would be one that is highly sensitive to modest changes in climate, and one for which the ability to adapt is severely constrained. Projects include those where direct impacts of climate change may affect the viability of the project itself, or projects where consideration of climate change should be incorporated to avoid risks. Examples of vulnerable projects include coastal infrastructure, large hydro plants, or agriculture vulnerable to drought. Projects where risk could be reduced include agricultural research designed to increase output or irrigation projects – these projects may not be vulnerable themselves, but can be used to reduce vulnerability of the sector. Education and health projects were excluded, because such a broad definition would include almost all projects.
Climate change issues identified:
- low lying coastal lands periodically inundated by sea water driven inland by cyclonic storms (Bangledesh, Papua New Guinea)
- small size and limited portfolio (Samoa)
- floods and flash floods (Guyana, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe)
- drought (Bangledesh, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe)
- El Niño (Ecuador, Guyana)
- rigid sea defenses (Guyana)
In some cases, climate change is being incorporated in projects, and in other, specific climate change studies have been implemented. However, few sectors and few countries have the capacity to deal with the anticipated extremes in climate.
A follow-up climate change assessment was prepared by Burton and Aalst in 20042
, which emphasize the need for risk management in development practices. A scan of Country Assistance Strategies and project documents reaffirmed their earlier conclusions and suggested that climate risks had yet received due attention. They concluded a coherent system is needed that will consider together both current risks from climate variability and extremes as well as longer-term climate change. They also noted a growing interest in the potential of public involvement and public-private partnerships in insurance.
Climate change can be related to sustainable development and thus linked to the Equator Principles. These Principles, recently adopted by many International Finance Institutions (IFIs), provide an example of a comprehensive approach to IA for development projects. They require:
- assessment of baseline environmental and social conditions,
- requirements under host country laws and regulations,
- applicable international treaties and agreements,
- sustainable development and use of renewable natural resources,
- protection of human health, cultural properties, and biodiversity, including endangered species and sensitive ecosystems,
- consideration of use of dangerous substances, major hazards, occupational health and safety, fire prevention and life safety,
- assessment of socio-economic impacts, land acquisition and land use, involuntary resettlement, impacts on indigenous peoples and communities,
- assessment of cumulative impacts of existing projects, the proposed project, and anticipated future projects,
- participation of affected parties in the design, review and implementation of the project,
- consideration of feasible environmentally and socially preferable alternatives, efficient production, delivery and use of energy, pollution prevention and waste minimization, pollution controls (liquid effluents and air emissions) and solid and chemical waste management.
They do not, however, specifically mention climate change. Lawrence (2009)3
provides a recent review of the Equator Principles and their application in EIA and sustainability.
In March 27, 2008 the World Bank produced a Concept and Issues Paper for broad consultation entitled "Towards a Strategic Framework on Climate Change and Development for The World Bank Group". In this paper, Pillar 1 was identified as Scaling Up Operational Approaches to Integrating Adaptation and Mitigation in Development Strategies. This 46-page document descri