Norbert Röttgen and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner launch new programme on ecosystem-based adaptation
The Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have jointly launched a programme to support measures for adapting to climate change. Federal Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner announced this move in Cancún yesterday evening. The concept of ecosystem-based adaptation will initially be applied in the mountain regions of Nepal, Uganda and Peru with funding from the BMU, which will provide 10 million euros for the programme. This is part of the commitment to fast-start financing for climate protection measures made one year ago in Copenhagen. As a further step, further donors are to be secured for the programme in 2011 and the concept will be expanded, for example to coastal regions.
The programme will be run by UNEP, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The three organisations will bring their respective experience, local expertise and networks to the programme.
Measures for adaptation to climate change and conservation of biological diversity can supplement each other very well. Resilience against weather extremes can be strengthened if sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, mountain forests and natural river flows are protected. This improves the living conditions and economic development opportunities of the local population. This innovative approach of 'ecosystem-based adaptation' is increasingly proving to be a successful strategy for effectively driving forward adaptation to climate change and protecting valuable ecosystems.