Synergies between adaptation and mitigation
The main difference between adaptation and mitigation lies in the objective that each option pursues.
While mitigation focuses on the causes of climate change by decreasing greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere or enhancing the sinks of greenhouse gases, adaptation addresses the impacts of
climate change through an ‘adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities’
(IPCC 2001).
In the past, both mitigation and adaptation have evolved along different pathways.
However, addressing climate change challenges through only one lens (either mitigation or
adaptation) can lead to tradeoffs
and one could undermine the other. Even if strong efforts are put
on mitigation, the climate will still continue changing in future decades; hence, adaptation efforts are
also greatly needed. But if the focus is only on adaptation, all the negative impacts will not necessarily
be reduced, so mitigation actions are also needed to limit changes in the climate system (Klein et al,
2007; Locatelli, 2011).
Great potential exists for creating synergies between mitigation and adaptation and implementing
climate policy options in a more costeffective
way. Some progress has been made in this regard.
This initiative aims to capture experience and evidence related to the cobenefits
of adaptation and
mitigation in the areas of low carbon development, climatesmart
agriculture, waterenergyland
nexus, bioenergy, blue carbon and so on.
There may be value in looking at synergies in similar processes and/or shared stakeholders. Illman et
al. (2013) highlights the similarities in processes and capacities (‘behind’ adaptation and mitigation
measures) as key areas where synergies could be identified and harnessed. In many cases,
synergies are examined in a broader sustainable development context and reference is often made
to developing adaptive and mitigative or even response capacity, climate compatible development,
reducing vulnerabilities, seeking cobenefits
with development policy and enabling sustainable
livelihoods.
References:
IPCC 2001. Climate Change 2001. Synthesis report. Cambridge University Press.
Klein, R.J.T., S. Huq, F. Denton, T.E. Downing, R.G. Richels, J.B. Robinson, F.L. Toth, 2007: Interrelationships
between adaptation and mitigation. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and
Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der
Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 745777.
Locatelli, B. 2011. Synergies between adaptation and mitigation in a nutshell. CIFOR.
The main difference between adaptation and mitigation lies in the objective that each option pursues.
While mitigation focuses on the causes of climate change by decreasing greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere or enhancing the sinks of greenhouse gases, adaptation addresses the impacts of
climate change through an ‘adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or
expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities’
(IPCC 2001).
In the past, both mitigation and adaptation have evolved along different pathways.
However, addressing climate change challenges through only one lens (either mitigation or
adaptation) can lead to tradeoffs
and one could undermine the other. Even if strong efforts are put
on mitigation, the climate will still continue changing in future decades; hence, adaptation efforts are
also greatly needed. But if the focus is only on adaptation, all the negative impacts will not necessarily
be reduced, so mitigation actions are also needed to limit changes in the climate system (Klein et al,
2007; Locatelli, 2011).
Great potential exists for creating synergies between mitigation and adaptation and implementing
climate policy options in a more costeffective
way. Some progress has been made in this regard.
This initiative aims to capture experience and evidence related to the cobenefits
of adaptation and
mitigation in the areas of low carbon development, climatesmart
agriculture, waterenergyland
nexus, bioenergy, blue carbon and so on.
There may be value in looking at synergies in similar processes and/or shared stakeholders. Illman et
al. (2013) highlights the similarities in processes and capacities (‘behind’ adaptation and mitigation
measures) as key areas where synergies could be identified and harnessed. In many cases,
synergies are examined in a broader sustainable development context and reference is often made
to developing adaptive and mitigative or even response capacity, climate compatible development,
reducing vulnerabilities, seeking cobenefits
with development policy and enabling sustainable
livelihoods.
References:
IPCC 2001. Climate Change 2001. Synthesis report. Cambridge University Press.
Klein, R.J.T., S. Huq, F. Denton, T.E. Downing, R.G. Richels, J.B. Robinson, F.L. Toth, 2007: Interrelationships
between adaptation and mitigation. Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and
Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, M.L. Parry, O.F. Canziani, J.P. Palutikof, P.J. van der
Linden and C.E. Hanson, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 745777.
Locatelli, B. 2011. Synergies between adaptation and mitigation in a nutshell. CIFOR.
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