Project
Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation
July 2015 - December 2022
Ecosystem-based adaptation
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) involves people using biodiversity and ecosystem services to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and promote sustainable development. IIED, the International Union for the Conservation of nature (IUCN) and the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) are implementing a project called 'Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation: strengthening the evidence and informing policy' (EbA Evidence and Policy). Working with local partners in 12 countries, the project aims to gather practical evidence and develop policy guidance on how EbA can best be implemented.
Ecosystem management and restoration can be a very important part of climate change adaptation, and communities can play a central role in the process, but the evidence base needs strengthening. IIED and partners are working in 12 countries to promote effective EbA and sustainable development.
Like community-based adaptation (CBA), eBa has people at its centre, and it uses participatory, culturally appropriate ways to address challenges, but there is a stronger emphasis on ecological and natural solutions.
We believe EbA has great potential to increase people's resilience and ability to adapt, but it's being overlooked in national and international policy processes.
This programme of work aims to show climate change policymakers when and why EbA is effective – the conditions under which it works, and the benefits, costs and limitations of natural systems compared to options such as hard, infrastructural approaches – and promote the better integration of EbA principles into policy and planning.
- Find out more on our ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation programme of work.
Contact: Xiaoting Hou Jones (xiaoting.hou.jones@iied.org), senior researcher (biodiversity), Natural Resources
Find out more about IIED's Natural Resources research group.