Explainer | 21 November 2024

6 lessons learned from a decade of climate adaptation

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
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When people think of climate action, they often think of mitigation. These measures – like reducing emissions, transitioning to clean energy and capturing carbon – slow the climate crisis and prevent worst-case scenarios. Currently, most climate funds go towards mitigation efforts. 

But mitigation does not address the tangible and destructive climate impacts already happening around the world. For the rural communities whose lives are being upended by the climate crisis, measures to respond and adapt to climate change are equally critical and urgent.

Since 2012, IFAD’s flagship climate finance fund has been bridging the gap.

The Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP) has invested in climate adaptation projects in more than 40 countries around the world. These have increased climate resilience for nearly seven million small-scale farmers and brought 1.6 million hectares of land under sustainable practices.

Through innovative financing mechanisms and an inclusive, cross-sectoral approach, ASAP has been successful in creating a lifeline for rural communities. Let’s take a look at some of the critical lessons our experience holds for climate adaptation around the world.

1. Build on existing financing

Despite the devastating impact and high costs climate change has for small-scale farmers, they currently receive just 0.8 per cent of available climate finance flows.

Luckily, driving climate adaptation in rural communities doesn't have to mean starting from scratch. ASAP has shown that by boosting existing investments, we can build climate resilience at scale and maximize impact.

For example, ASAP injected US$11 million into the PASDIPII program in Ethiopia, enhancing climate-smart practices and leveraging over US$100 million of existing funding. The project achieved 106 per cent of its climate resilience target, with more than 18,000 hectares of land developed for irrigation and more than 70,000 hectares of watershed areas conserved.

2. Make forecasts reliable and accessible

Accessible, accurate weather data remains out of reach for many rural communities. Yet this information is crucial if small-scale farmers are to adapt to changing weather conditions and prepare for extreme weather events.

Together with Kenya's meteorological department, the KCEP-CRAL project expanded climate information services for people living in arid and semi-arid areas. Rain gauges and volunteer weather observers now contribute to timely and accurate weather forecasts.

At the same time, this information has finally been made easily accessible via SMS, WhatsApp and radio advisories. Kenya’s small-scale farmers are finally getting the information they need to farm in a changing world.

Farmers in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya can now receive weather advisories via mobile phone. © IFAD/Isaiah Muthui

3. Centre gender equality

ASAP has supported nearly three million women in coping with the effects of climate change. Our experience has taught us that when women are involved in decision-making, climate adaptation and gender equality are both strengthened.

In Chad, the PARSAT project embedded gender considerations into its national climate policy using the Gender Action Learning System. This system, which is applied to all ASAP+ projects, promotes gender equality from the bottom up through workshops, training and other tools.

PARSAT didn’t just meet its target for female representation: it surpassed it by over 42 per cent, with each woman involved in the project reporting an increase in their decision-making power.

4. Boost private sector engagement

The private sector has often been reluctant to invest in small-scale agriculture due to the perceived high risk involved. ASAP has shown that when risks are clearly communicated and mitigated, this reluctance can give way to enthusiasm.

For example, the ProDAF programme in Niger partnered with banks and microcredit institutions to drive climate adaptation. Encouraged by a cost-sharing finance mechanism, private investment flowed in to establish small-scale irrigation and veterinary services.

This de-risking proved pivotal to building climate resilience – and boosting the local economy. Farmer productivity rose by 338 per cent, with incomes projected to more than triple over five years.

In Niger, ProDAF's investments in small-scale irrigation have allowed farmers to fight desertification. © IFAD, FAO, WFP (RBA)/Barbara Gravelli

5. Leverage Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge

Our planet’s Indigenous Peoples have extensive knowledge of the natural environment that surrounds them. ASAP proves that recognizing and leveraging this knowledge can drive climate adaptation and Indigenous resilience alike. 

For example, the Indigenous Peoples of Kalimantan in Indonesia helped develop the RESOLVE project. Their centuries-old practices in watershed and forest management were used to establish a micro-hydropower system.

Now, the area’s water sources are safeguarded for future generations, while Indigenous Peoples have a source of clean, renewable energy. And with the new power source boosting small-scale agri-business, local communities are economically more resilient too.

6. Let rural people lead

IFAD always puts rural people at the heart of our work. That’s why, when planning climate adaptation efforts, ASAP has focused on tools and methodologies that promote local engagement.

The HILIP project encouraged rural people in Bangladesh to play a leading role in climate adaptation efforts. Nearly 60,000 villagers in the Haor Basin were trained in climate-smart practices, including aquaculture and forestry.

With rural communities in charge of managing climate risks, crop losses and damage to infrastructure were significantly reduced.

Small-scale farmers in the Haor Basin, in Bangladesh, now engage in aquaculture. © © IFAD/GMB Akash

These are just a few of the lessons we've gleaned from 10 years of climate adaptation. Explore our latest ASAP publication and learn more about how the fund is changing things for small-scale farmers.

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