In Central America, during the last 50 years, the experienced economic
losses due to natural events are equivalent to 2% of the region's GDP per year. Consequently, reducing vulnerability to climate variability and climate change has become an urgent issue for at least a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are significant omissions in the way in which they face up to the impacts and economic and social effects of these changes. Secondly, the economies of these countries are heavily dependent on highly sensitive sectors to natural disasters and climate variations and changes, such as agriculture, coastal resources, water resources and infrastructures. Consequently, adapting to natural disasters, climate variability, and climate change is a major concern of any policy agenda toward sustainable development, for these countries.
Objective
What are the main vulnerabilities and risks to climate variability and climate change at local, regional and national scale? What are the best mitigation and adaptation options?
Participants
United Nations Environment Program Climate change and adaptation team and all REGATTA project(UNEP, 2013)members for latin America
Setting
One month expert desk study with regular feedback rounds from decision makers.
Data
Population and agricultural census data, 1 x 1km2 resolution:land cover,land se,temperature and precipitation (both actual and projections),topography,elevation, administrative areas,accessibility to markets
Impact
Strengthened capacity on how to do a vulnerability assessment.
References
QUICKScan Guidelines 3.0 (2016)