Training-workshop on iterative risk management for climate change adaptation policy and practice

Rationale

Governments around the world are starting to acknowledge and prepare for the impacts of climate-related risks. During the last decade, climate change adaptation policies are being established and integrated in disaster risk reduction and/or development programs. However, many of these strategies remain relatively ‘static’ vis-à-vis the varying complexities and uncertainties surrounding climate change. To address this, the IPCC highlights the concept of iterative risk management. Accordingly, decisions in relation to climate change are not a once-and-for-all event. They are likely to take place over decades in what is called an iterative risk-management process, learning from and taking advantage of new information for midcourse corrections.

The concept of iterative risk management is not new, but its application in climate change adaptation policy and practice remains limited. This training, therefore, builds on, and expands, the use of the concept in present and future planning and policy decisions. Frameworks and principles from such disciplines as disaster risk reduction and development are integrated in a risk-based approach to guide policy and action.

Objectives

The training shall assist participants in designing and implementing iterative and flexible risk management plans. It specifically helps them:

- Understand the iterative risk management process in view of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in climate-related risks; and
-  Establish ways to ensure continuous re-evaluation of their risk management plans so that new information is considered and incorporated at regular intervals

Structure

The 5-day training features: i) a 3-day series of presentations and discussions, and ii) a 2-day guided planning workshop aimed at helping participants design Iterative Risk Management Plans for their respective organizations.

Part 1: Lecture and Presentation Series. These sessions are designed to introduce the risk-based approach to climate-related risks. It orients participants to the process, with the aim of equipping them with concepts and strategies in planning for and designing risk management plans.

Day 1, Module 1: Risk-Based Approach to Climate Change Adaptation
-  Climate-society Interactions
-  Status of Climate Change Science
-  Evolution and Convergence of Frameworks: Development, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaption and Iterative Risk Management

Day 2, Module 2: The Iterative Risk Management (IRM) Approach
-  The Iterative Risk Management Process
-  Application of IRM in Development and DRR
-  Case Studies

Day 3, Module 3: IRM and the Policy Environment for Climate Change Adaptation
-  IRM and the International and National Policy Environment for Adaptation
-  Opportunities and Issues for Using IRM at International, National and Local Levels

Part 2: Guided Planning Workshop. This intensive workshop assists participants in understanding and addressing the risks that their organizations face through the design of a flexible risk management plan.

Day 4, Designing an Iterative Risk Management Plan
-  Steps in the Iterative Risk Management Process
-  Identifying and Prioritizing Critical Climate Risk Issues
-  Iterative Risk Management in Planning, Policy and Practice

Day 5, Towards a Sustainable and Disaster-Resilient Future
-  Integration of IRM Plans in Adaptation Programs/Projects

Method and Scope

The training will be conducted in English. It will involve presentations that highlight case studies and good practice examples, interactive discussions among participants, and panel discussions with leading experts and practitioners from RIMES and partner agencies. The guided planning feature of the training ensures that participants go back to their respective organizations with tangible outputs, in this case, a draft of an iterative and flexible risk management plan, tailored to the needs of the participant’s organization.

Resource Persons

The Training will be delivered by leading experts and practitioners from RIMES and partner agencies. Participants have the option to collaborate with RIMES further for help in resource mobilization, technical assistance, and in refining and implementing their risk management plans and/or strategies.

Target Participants

This training is designed for different organizations and entities. It is particularly useful for:

-  Policymakers, administrators and officials at various governmental levels
-  Practitioners such as planners, disaster risk managers and development workers at provincial and local levels
-  UN agency and/or other international/regional/local NGO staff working in the fields of climate change adaptation, risk management, disaster risk reduction and development

To ensure the quality of the 2-day guided planning workshop, the training is limited to 25 participants. Registrations are, therefore, accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

Fee

The training cost is USD1,500 per participant. This covers the training fee, resource materials, and meeting package. Participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements such as airport transfers (and visa application, where necessary), food and accommodation, health/accident insurance, and other personal expenses. Please email rimes@rimes.int for more information, and/or to request a quote if sending three or more participants to the training.

Substitution and Cancellation

If you are unable to attend, a substitute applicant is welcome to attend in your place provided the latter meets training as well as visa processing requirements (where necessary). On the other hand, cancellations of attendance must be advised in writing to RIMES at least 3 weeks prior to commencement of training; in which case, a refund less 15% of training cost for banking charges and administrative fees will be made. No refunds are available for cancellations within 3 weeks prior to training commencement.

About RIMES

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution that is registered with the United Nations and owned and managed by its Member States, through National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, for the generation and application of early warning information of different time scales from hours to centuries. RIMES interfaces with global centers of excellence to bring the best of science to the doorsteps of at-risk communities in 31 Member States and collaborating countries in Africa and Asia. RIMES helps build capacity of Member States in the observation and monitoring of seismic, tsunami, oceanic, meteorological, hydrological, and climate phenomena, and in the communication of associated risks, for appropriate and timely responses to warnings.

RIMES experts and scientists conduct regular and tailored trainings, based on their extensive programme experience in the fields of early warning, disaster risk reduction, climate risk management, climate change adaptation and development. RIMES’ Trainings are:

-  Innovative and the first of their kind in introducing novel frameworks, strategies and practices
-  Comprehensive in that they integrate the latest developments in climate change science to established concepts and principles from various communities of practice and/or disciplines including disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and climate risk management
- Practical for their focus on the application of concepts in the design of plans, programs and strategies, ensuring that participants return to their respective organizations with tangible outputs
-  Engaging as they include a support network with which participants can optionally avail of for help in relation to resource mobilization, technical assistance, and implementation of plans and programs
-  Expert-driven in that they are facilitated by an institution (i.e., RIMES, and its partners) that relate scientific, institutional and societal aspects of disaster risks and climate change