ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION

FACTSHEET

Ecosystem-based Adaptation
An approach responding to climate hazards
April 2014

@Anelí Gómez

Climate change is a reality and adaptation to it a need. such as livestock farming and the lack of community
Some of the adverse impacts on natural and human organization or migration, are factors that can accen-
systems of this phenomenon include climate ex- tuate the negative impacts of climate change.
tremes such as the increased frequency of droughts,
storms and frostings, as well as more intense and/ Adapting to climate change means the process of
or unpredictable rains. Extreme events will also have adjusting ecological, social or economic systems in re-
great consequences in the sectors with close links to sponse to actual or expected climate changes and their
climate, such as water, agriculture and food security, impacts. It refers to changes in processes, practices
forestry, health and tourism1. and structures facing potential damage or in order to
benefit from the opportunities of climate change (IPCC,
The most vulnerable populations to the adverse im- 2007).
pacts of climate change live in developing countries;
experiencing lower abilities to respond to the pressures Therefore it becomes clear that adaptation is not an
caused by climate variability and climate changes2 . In option but a necessity. According to the UNFCCC,
South America, the diversity and agro-ecosystems of adaptation measures are vital in order to reduce the
the Andean and Amazon ecosystems are being highly impacts of climate change and increase resilience to
threatened; therefore, populations face problems re- future impacts. Successful adaptation is a process
garding availability and access to natural resources. that requires the commitment of a wide range of
stakeholders, at various levels and in multiple sec-
It is worth mentioning that climate change adaptation tors; it does not only depend on governments but
(CCA) is not a novelty. For generations, indigenous also on the active and sustained involvement of a
peoples and local communities have developed many variety of actors.
practices and traditional knowledge that has allowed
them to adapt to environmental and climatic changes. Thus, adaptation approaches are wide-ranging,
However, the socio-ecological systems are dynamic; focusing on the role of communities, infrastruc-
for instance the transition to other livelihoods such ture to reduce the risk of extreme events, or eco-
as the intensification of certain productive activities systems. The ecosystem approach, understood
1
IPCC, 2012: Summary for Policymakers. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and 2
IPCC,2007: Cambio climático 2007:Informe de sí[Link]ón de los Grupos de
Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation [Field, C.B., et al. (eds.)]. A Special trabajo I, II y III al Cuarto Informe evaluación del Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos
Report of Working Groups I and II of the IPCC. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, sobre el Cambio Climático, Ginebra,Suiza, pp. 104.
UK, and New York, USA, pp. 1-19. 3
CBD COP5 Decision V/6: [Link]

UICN - Oficina Regional para América del Sur

 @Doris Cordero

as a strategy that favors the integrated manage- Principles of the EbA approach 6
ment of land, water and natural resources, pro-
motes conservation and sustainable use in a fair 1. Promotes multi-sectorial approaches.
and equitable way3 , setting the premises and prin- 2. Operates at multiple geographical scales.
ciples for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA). 3. Integrates flexible management structures that allow an
EbA is defined as the use of biodiversity and eco- adaptive management.
system services, as part of a broader adaptation 4. Minimizes the trade-offs and maximizes the benefits related
strategy. It should be cost-effective and generates
to development and conservation objectives to prevent unde-
social, economic and cultural co-benefits, while con-
tributing to biodiversity conservation. It integrates sirable environmental and social impacts.
sustainable management, conservation and resto- 5. It is based on the best scientific and local knowledge; it
ration of ecosystems to provide services that allow
people to adapt to climate change impacts4. It aims should create further knowledge and its dissemination.
to maintain and increase ecosystems and people’s 6. Promotes resilient ecosystems, using nature-based solu-
resilience and to reduce their vulnerability to climate tions promoting benefits for people, especially for the most
change impacts.
vulnerable.
The role of ecosystems and the traditional knowledge 7. It should be participatory, transparent, responsible, and
of local communities are crucial in the design of CCA, culturally appropriate, while actively considering equity and
EbA and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures.
gender issues.
EbA actions that are planned and designed appropri-
ately can improve livelihoods, assure food security, re-
duce impacts of extreme weather events, and promote Among the nature-based solutions promoted by
biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration. IUCN, the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA)7
in mountain ecosystems Programme is being im-
Some examples of EbA5 actions include: plemented. This is a collaborative initiative of UNEP,
- Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), IUCN and UNDP, financed BMUB. In Peru, the EbA
recognizing the important role of watersheds, forests programme8 is commissioned by the Ministry of En-
and vegetation associated to the regulation of water vironment of Peru (MINAM for its Spanish acronym)
systems. and is implemented in the Nor Yauyos Cochas Land-
- Establishment and effective management of pro- scape Reserve with the support of the National Ser-
tected areas to ensure the provision of ecosystem vice of Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP for its
services. Spanish acronym). The activities under IUCN’s re-
- DRR through ecosystem restoration or the assur- sponsibility are implemented in partnership with The
ing water availability through infrastructure such as Mountain Institute (TMI) in the communities of Can-
reservoirs or water channels. chayllo and Miraflores.
4
CDB, 2009. Connecting Biodiversity and Climate Change Mitigation and Adapta- Approaches to Adaptation in Project and Policy Design: a discussion document. IUCN-
tion: Report of the Second Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Biodiversity and Climat CEM, CATIE. Turrialba, Costa Rica. XXp.
Change. Montreal, CBD Technical Series No. 41. 7
Página Web del Programa AbE: [Link].
5
Mayor información sobre AbE: [Link] 8
UICN-Sur, información proyecto AbE: [Link]
6
Andrade, A, et al. 2011. Draft Principles and Guidelines for Integrating Ecosystem-based sudamerica/sur_proyectos/?11615/AbEPeru

UICN - Oficina Regional para América del Sur

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