10 May 2016
Adaptation Futures 2016

Home » Events » Coasts and Deltas » Coastal wetland conservation » Adaptation Futures 2016
Event Date: 10/05/2016
Venue: Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Wetlands International will be participating in the biennial conference of the Global Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation – Adaptation Futures.

What if we could go Back to the Future?

If we could travel back in time, to the year 1900, 65% of all wetlands in the world have not yet been lost. Society would be more resilient to disasters and the impacts of climate change. It might not be possible to go back in time, but we can restore many of our wetlands, and do more to safeguard those that are still in a healthy state.

If we restore and protect wetlands we will have:

  • Better flood control
  • Fewer droughts
  • Clean water
  • Prosperous communities
  • Plentiful food and fish
  • Less carbon emissions
  • Diverse and beautiful nature

The good news is, we already have the knowledge and innovative approaches to make this vision a reality. We are eager to share our ideas and experiences with you. Attend our sessions at the Adaptation Futures conference to find out more about our vision for the Future of Adaptation…

From islands of innovation to a sea of change: how can we sustainably build resilient livelihoods and food security in the Sahel at scale

Tuesday 10 May, 13.30-15.15, Goudriaan Room I
Rural communities in the Sahel are heavily reliant on natural resources and especially wetlands. But with climate change and large scale development investments negatively impacting water reliant ecosystems, they are increasingly facing water insecurity. How to achieve real impacts to overcome this? This session will explore the challenges and the roles and actions that government and the wider development community can undertake to bring innovations in this field to scale.

Wetlands International, Wetlands International Mali, CARE, Altenburg and Wymenga, ICT4D information and communication technologies for development  

Liquid assets and adaptation futures

Tuesday 10 May, 15.45-17.30, Antwerp Room
How can we improve the recognition and integration of wetlands in climate change policies and programmes? Through case studies and moderated discussion, the session will explore pathways for better recognition of wetland values in adaptation planning by government, private sector and investors.

Wetlands International South Asia, Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Government of Kenya, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, India, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, European Investment Bank

Scaling up the role of wetlands in climate change adaptation

Wednesday 11 May, 08.45-10.30, Goudriaan Room II
Wetlands provide major potential to buffer impacts of climate change in river basins, catchments and in coastal areas through their ecosystem services. How can the climate change adaptation potential of wetlands best be sustained and enhanced? Priorities for improved practice, policies and investments will be explored through case studies from Malaysia, Mali and Panama and through a debate between private sector, NGOs, government and knowledge institutes.

Wetlands International, Global Water Partnership South East Asia, Wetlands International Malaysia, Wetlands International Africa, Vice Mayor of Panama City

Integrated risk management: community evidence as a catalyst for adaptation policies and investments

Wednesday 11 May, 15.45-17.30, Tokyo Room
This session discusses the roles of civil society, private sector, government and scientists in Integrated Risk Management (IRM) practice, based on various case studies. We identify outstanding joint challenges for further research regarding the way Integrated Risk Management practices can positively feed the adaptation policy and -investment agenda at local, national, regional and global level.

Chief of Potrero in Malabon City (Metro Manila), KARINA (Caritas Indonesia) national office, Cordaid, Overseas Development Institute, Partners for Resilience International Secretariat

Increasing resilience through Building with Nature along tropical coasts

Thursday 12 May, 13.45-15.30, Antwerp Room
All across the tropics, coastlines have become increasingly vulnerable. Engineered solutions such as dykes are often expensive and unsustainable. It is time for a new way of working: from fighting nature, to working with nature. This requires an inclusive planning approach combining engineering with restoration of ecosystem. This session will map the drivers to coastal vulnerability in the tropics, explore case examples from rural and urban environments and discuss requirements to adopt inclusive Building with Nature solutions.

Wetlands International, Deltares, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesia, Anton de Kom University, Vice Mayor of Panama City, Witteveen+Bos, Ecoshape

If you have any questions you can also talk to us at our stand – stand 4.4 in the Ecosystems and ecosystem based adaptation pavilion.

Downloads

What if we could go back to the future?

download