While climate change is a global phenomenon, nations differ both in their contribution to the problem and in their vulnerability to its impacts. Ironically, many of the countries least responsible for the growing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, particularly those in the developing world, are likely to be among those most heavily impacted by climate change. The prevalence of poverty and a lack of adequate public infrastructure are two elements that will work to magnify the ecological, social and economic impacts of climate change in developing countries. Climate change will make it even more difficult for developing countries to break out of their current situations and achieve their poverty eradication and sustainable development objectives.
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The poor in developing countries are least able to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, which include economic decline and loss of life. To reduce poverty and achieve development objectives, developing countries must integrate climate change into national and local policy-making.
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Although there is general agreement on the impacts of climate change at a global and continental level, uncertainty remains regarding how people and ecosystems at the local and regional level will be affected. As a result, researchers and policy-makers are focusing on how to increase the capacity of communities, regions and countries to respond to a range of possible impacts. This focus on adaptive capacity has led to a growing recognition of the links between adaptation to climate change and sustainable development; that lessening pressure on natural resources, improving environmental risk management and increasing the social well-being of the poor not only reduces the vulnerability of developing countries to climate change, it also puts them on a solid path towards sustainable development. These ideas are explored further in the accompanying backgrounder on vulnerability and adaptation in developing countries.
IISD is working with its partners to better understand the challenges facing developing countries, the strategies communities are using to cope with an increasingly uncertain climate and the policy responses needed to integrate climate change into routine decision-making.
Featured Content
Other Activities
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Adaptive Policy-making
As climate change is expected to increase uncertainty, change and surprise, IISD is exploring how to design and implement agriculture and water policies in Canada and India that can adapt to circumstances as they emerge over time and are robust across a variety of possible futures.
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Climate Change and Adaptation
One of four papers contained in IISD's publication Which Way Forward? Issues in developing an effective climate change regime after 2012 (PDF - 1 mb), "Climate Change and Adaptation" examines research and policy developments relevant to determining how a future regime could support a long-term, integrated approach to addressing adaptation to climate change by all countries.
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Climate Change, Vulnerable Communities and Adaptation
Now in its second phase, this project aims to better understand and address the links between environmental management and climate-related vulnerability. It also seeks to strengthen the use of ecosystem management and restoration activities in reducing the vulnerability of communities to climate-related hazards and climate change.
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Decentralized Renewable Energy and Adaptation to Climate Change
IISD co-authored and led the development of a Climate Change Knowledge Network publication that explores the dual mitigation and adaptation benefits that may be realized through decentralized renewable energy projects.
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IISD is also engaged in research examining vulnerability and adaptation concerns in Canada's prairie and Arctic regions.
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