IFAD’s response to climate change through support to adaptation and related actions

Strengthening IFAD’s capacity to mainstream climate change adaptation in its operations, comprehensive report, final version:

This study explores ways to build in-house capacity on climate change issues and effectively mainstream adaptation to climate change within the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) operations, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the activities it supports and strengthen the adaptive capacity of poor rural communities whose farmers have to deal with a new range of uncertainties (i.e. rainfall and seasonal distribution, change of growing seasons, unavailability of water, droughts, floods, etc.).

It analyses the range of actions supported by IFAD that either deliberately, or unintentionally but fortuitously, contribute to strengthening responses to climate change. It identifies lessons that can be used to enhance the mainstreaming of adaptation in IFAD operations, both centrally and at the project level.

The chapter five specifically addresses extreme events and climate-related risk preparedness, linking climate change and disaster risk reduction.

The study seeks to strengthen IFAD’s knowledge on areas of support most relevant in addressing climate change, in order to highlight any gaps in IFAD’s response, and to develop strategic recommendations that build on the organization’s comparative advantage. While the primary focus was on climate change adaptation, efforts in support of mitigation were also included.