UN Environment Programme and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre have developed a series of briefing notes to guide programming on ecosystem-based adaptation.
The EbA Briefing Note Series aims to foster a common understanding of key concepts, issues and considerations to help design, plan and implement successful EbA initiatives. It highlights issues, trade-offs and tensions that need to be addressed to enable EbA to form part of – and contribute to – the wider landscape of climate change adaptation in the context of sustainable development.
The series comprises seven briefing notes:
This briefing note serves as an introduction to the series, with a focus on creating conceptual clarity on EbA and its relation to other approaches.
2. Navigating the adaptation challenge
This briefing note introduces how resilience thinking, which considers interactions within a coupled socio-ecological system, can help to navigate the adaptation challenge and explore the use of ecosystems as part of the solution to the overall challenge.
3. EbA in different ecosystems: placing measures in context
This briefing note provides an overview of EbA measures commonly implemented in particular ecosystems (mountains, dryland, wetlands, coasts and urban systems).
4. Selecting complementary adaptation measures
This briefing note provides an overview of the range of adaptation approaches that can be implemented alongside EbA measures to form a holistic adaptation strategy. It explores complementarities and limitations between measures, as well as how to bring together the various approaches effectively under one strategy.
5. Developing the economic case for EbA
This briefing note highlights the range of information that should be incorporated in making an economic case for EbA, and the relevance of compiling it for all adaptation solutions to help ensure that EbA options are fairly compared with other adaptation approaches.
6. Integrating EbA into national planning
This Briefing Note covers why, where, when and how to integrate EbA into national adaptation strategies and other sectoral policy, planning and budgetary processes.
This briefing note highlights UN Environment’s key strengths in relation to EbA and outlines some of UN Environment’s priorities for EbA work going forward while drawing on its extensive network and resources.
In October 2022, UNEP expanded the Briefing Note Series with 4 new publications:
8. Urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation: Regreening Cities To Tackle Climate Change
This briefing note explores the strategy of EbA in urban environments. It includes two case studies from Thailand and a project in Latin America and the Caribbean.
9. Coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation: How Nature Protects Our Shores
This briefing note explores the strategy of EbA on coasts. It includes two case studies from Tanzania and Madagascar.
10. Ecosystem-based Adaptation and Forestry
This briefing note explores the strategy of EbA in forest ecosystems. It includes two case studies from Mexico and the Gambia.
11. Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Agriculture: A Path to Climate-resilient Food Systems
This briefing note explores the strategy of EbA in agricultural systems. It includes two case studies from Cambodia and Sudan.
To explore UNEP's EbA projects, please follow the link.
For more information, please contact marcus.nield[at]un.org
