Strengthen Resilience And Adaptive

Capacity To Climate Related Disasters

Course name: Environmental Economics

Course ID: ECN350
Semester: Autumn 2023
Submitted to: Dr. Md. Khaled Saifullah

Submitted by :
Mohammed Showharwade Neshad - 2010398
Shayla Islam Shorola - 2110319
Zayan Zaman - 2110540
Sazin Bin Noor - 2110806
 Mubashwara Mehzabeen - 2210555
Introduction
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One of the most acute issues faced by the world today is climate change. There is no country in
the world that has not undergone the serious consequences of this leading issue. According to a
UNDP report, “Over the last ten years, 83 percent of all disasters in the world have been caused
by extreme weather and climate change-related phenomena such as flooding and extreme heat.”
On top of that, scientists have forecasted that global average temperatures will rise by 2-5
degrees Celsius over the next century. This pace of global warming is bound to threaten
ecosystems and increase the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters. These will
directly and indirectly economic development and growth as well. As we know, the economic
impacts of such disasters include infrastructure damage resulting in property damage and loss
and disruption of economic operations, impacting country’s production, goods market, financial
market, and labor market, increase in government spending and resulting in them taking out
loans which further destabilize their position, impact on agriculture, increase in healthcare costs,
etc. The effects of disasters are most severe or visible in smaller, less developed, vulnerable, non
diversified economies which are highly dependent on natural resources or on environmental
services. Addressing these impacts requires a combination of mitigation and adaptation strategies
to enhance resilience and reduce the frequency and severity of such events. Not only must we
target the mitigation of the immediate effects of climate change, we must also strengthen the
resilience and capacity to adapt to the long-term effects of climate change. It is then imperative
to realize the need for sustainable development approaches and building resilience. Hence,
strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters should be a major
focus point in every national Sustainable Development Goal framework, under SDG 13 ‘Climate
Action’.

Literature Review
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Climate change is a global concern, manifesting through an increased frequency of climate-

related disasters that pose significant threats to communities worldwide. A comprehensive
review of existing literature collectively offers insights into the imperative task of strengthening
resilience and adaptive capacity to mitigate the impacts of climate-related disasters.

Resilience is “the ability of a system, community or society at risk to withstand, absorb, adapt
to, and recover from the effects of disaster in a timely and effective manner, including by
preserving and restoring basic structures and functions through risk management.” (UNDP,
2021).

Adaptive capacity is “the potential or ability of a system, region, or community to adapt to the
effects or impacts of climate change. Enhancement of adaptive capacity represents a practical
means of coping with changes and uncertainties in climate, including variability and extremes.”
(Goklany, 1995; Burton, 1997; Cohen et al., 1998; Klein, 1998; Rayner and Malone, 1998;
Munasinghe, 2000; Smit et al., 2000).

The urgency of assessing and improving urban resilience is often highlighted, emphasizing the
need for a more diverse assessment that includes various climate-related disasters. The
importance of governance and institutions in resilience assessments is underscored, advocating
for a comprehensive approach that covers all five dimensions of resilience assessment.
Unfortunately, there is a recognized lack of consistency in implementing and assessing urban
resilience.

The literature also emphasizes the importance of a unified framing for resilience assessments
based on agreed-upon characteristics, aiming to facilitate comparisons across studies. Shifting
focus to the policy response to climate change, it is argued that neglecting capacity-building and
resilience in climate change risk management may hinder efforts to reduce vulnerability.
Anticipatory adaptation to inland flood risks is explored, highlighting the role of social capital
attributes and mitigation measures in alleviating flood risks. There is a call for greater
collaboration between disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, emphasizing the
need for frameworks that holistically engage socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities.

Existing research also investigates how disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
contribute to understanding cities' responses to climate change risks. The increasing synergy
between the two fields and their impact on urban climate risk analysis and management are
emphasized. Integrating vulnerability and resilience for adaptation thinking is critically
reviewed, proposing a framework for advancing adaptation thinking by clarifying the
relationship between vulnerability and resilience. Insights from adaptive and community-based
resource management are drawn, advocating for social learning and the acceptance of strategies
enhancing social and ecological resilience.

Emphasizing that over 75% of disasters globally are triggered by climate-related hazards, there is
a stress on the need to develop the capacity of all countries to combat hazards, connecting
climate change adaptation with disaster risk reduction. A critical review of debates surrounding
vulnerability, capacity, and resilience in the context of development and disaster policies
highlights the need for integrating bottom-up and top-down actions. Emerging insights from
adaptive ecosystem management and new institutional economics suggest that building resilience
in both human and ecological systems is optimal for dealing with future surprises, stressing the
importance of social acceptance of strategies that promote social and ecological resilience in
responding to anthropogenic climate change.

Studies synthesize key findings, providing a comprehensive overview of the current discourse on
strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters. The multidimensional
nature of this task is underscored, emphasizing the need for integrated, holistic approaches that
bridge gaps between research, policy, and practice. As climate change continues to pose
unprecedented challenges, the insights gathered from these publications serve as valuable guides
for future research, policy formulation, and on-the-ground resilience-building efforts.

Furthermore, the literature explores foundational concepts of vulnerability and resilience,

revealing widespread adoption but highlighting confusion regarding their relationship. A
proposal emerges for a framework seamlessly integrating vulnerability and resilience to advance
adaptation thinking, planning, and implementation. Insights advocate for the integration of
adaptive capacity and community-based resource management to cope with environmental
change, emphasizing the importance of social learning and strategies enhancing both social and
ecological resilience.
The role of networks in building resilience is a recurring theme, essential at both the community
and decision-making levels. Networks, combined with localized spaces of dependence, form a
multi-dimensional approach to bolstering adaptive capacity. Historical gaps between
development, climate change, and disaster risk reduction are addressed, demanding a holistic
approach recognizing shared vulnerabilities and capacity-building needs. Capacity development
is a recurring theme, extending beyond physical infrastructure to include knowledge-based
reduction of hazards and disaster risks. The integration of diverse forms of knowledge becomes
imperative for developing comprehensive strategies that balance present needs with future
sustainability.

The literature converges on a critical point – the urgent need to fortify resilience and adaptive
capacity to climate-related disasters. This requires a paradigm shift towards integrated,
interdisciplinary approaches that acknowledge the interdependence of human, ecological, and
institutional systems. Whether through community-based resource management, bridging
disciplinary divides, or embracing adaptive ecosystem management, the path forward
necessitates collective efforts to navigate the complexities of a changing climate and build
resilience in the face of uncertainty. The synthesis offers a roadmap for future research and
policy development in the quest to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.

Factors Influencing Resilience and Adaptive Capacity

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Resilience

● Preventive measures and readiness: Some communities exhibit higher resilience due to
their proactive approach, implementing preventive measures to mitigate the impact of
hazards like drought.
● Adaptation and response capability: Resilience involves the ability to adapt and respond
effectively to adverse conditions, allowing communities to withstand, cope with, and
recover from the impacts of natural hazards.
 ● Structural conditions: Resilience is not solely reliant on individual characteristics but also
on structural conditions within a community. These conditions encompass social and
economic factors, governance systems, and infrastructural support that contribute to a
community's ability to bounce back from disasters.
● Coping capacities and responsiveness: Capacities for coping and responsiveness to crises
significantly influence resilience. Communities that possess robust mechanisms for
responding to hazards tend to exhibit higher resilience levels.
● Understanding of risk factors: A clear understanding of the factors contributing to
increased endurance and resilience to risk is crucial in enhancing community resilience
against natural hazards.
● Community engagement and collaboration: Resilience is often encouraged through
community engagement, collaboration, and support networks. Communities that work
together and support each other tend to demonstrate higher resilience in challenging
situations.

These factors collectively contribute to a community's resilience and its ability to effectively
manage and mitigate the impacts of natural hazards brought upon due to climate change.

Adaptive capacity

Adaptive capacity refers to a system's ability to modify its behavior to deal with existing or
future climate conditions. It involves implementing effective adaptation strategies and
responding to evolving climate-related challenges to reduce harmful outcomes. Communities
dealing with climate-related natural disasters need to consider many important things to be better
prepared and handle tough situations.

First, how people live and support each other, their money, education, and how they help one
another are all important for their strength.

Good leaders and clear rules are also crucial to get ready for and deal with disasters well. Having
good roads, buildings, and using technology to know about disasters early can help stop natural
calamities from occurring.
Resources like natural, financial, institutional, and human factors play a role in facilitating
adaptation. Also, keeping nature healthy, like forests and coastlines, can make disasters less
harmful.

People knowing about climate dangers and getting ready for them is a big part of staying safe.

Making plans and acting, such as finding different ways to make a living or reducing risks, can
make communities stronger.

Having enough money, insurance, and help from others is really needed to get better after a
disaster.

Lastly, using what people have known for a long time, like traditions and wisdom, along with
learnings from past experiences with current climate conditions to better prepare for and cope
with future climate changes, can make communities even better at dealing with these tough
times.

All these things together can help communities recover and deal better with problems caused by
climate change.

Issues Regarding Strengthening Resilience and Adaptive capacity

And Their Causes
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A Case Study of Countries with Lowest Resilience and Most

Resilience To Climate-Related Disasters
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The Middle East and Central Asia are suffering greatly from climate change, with impoverished
and conflict-affected nations bearing the weight of rising temperatures and extreme weather.
Temperatures have increased by one and a half degrees Celsius in the last thirty years, which is
twice the 0.7 degree Celsius increase seen worldwide. This has been especially detrimental to
nations experiencing high temperatures.

Low-resilience nations have suffered greatly, with several individuals killed or impacted. These
nations include vulnerable, conflict-affected countries like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sudan, and
even Pakistan, a lower-middle livelihood nation, which is exposed to and vulnerable to climate
hazards.

Furthermore, a large portion of the region happens to be in harsh climate conditions, where
aridity, shortages of water, and sea level rise are being made worse by global warming. Living
Conditions and lives are in danger. For example, coastal areas in Tunisia are susceptible to
erosion and future sea level rise.

The world's most climate-vulnerable or the least prepared countries to adapt to climate change-

Afghanistan is among the least climate-resilient countries; in addition to war, terrorism, and
instability, the country is being destroyed by climate change. Every year, over 200,000 people in
Afghanistan are impacted by climate-related disasters that result in property damage and
fatalities, such as flash floods, avalanches, and heavy snowfalls.

From a geographical perspective, the countries that are closest to the Equator—central America,
Africa, and the northern regions of South America—are among those that remain to be most
impacted by changes in the climate.

The Central African Republic is among the countries least prepared to deal with the effects of
climate change. Considering the lack of access to food and the inadequate healthcare and
sanitation systems in the Central African Republic.
The majority of nations have begun addressing climate-related issues after realizing how urgent
it is to be responsive to climate change.

For example, Tunisia has increased its desalination capacity for obtaining freshwater. By
increasing intended cash transfers, Pakistan has fortified its economic safety net. Additionally,
across borders early alert systems for catastrophic events have been improved by Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.

Climate change is bound to have an impact on every place and person on the planet. But some
nations are more likely to be spared than others; these are climate-resilient countries, which are
better positioned to withstand climate change due to geographic area, legal frameworks, good
fortune, or possibly all three.

The number of fatalities from climate change has typically decreased in nations with better-
constructed structures and climate-resilient infrastructures such as effective irrigation systems or
resistant to heat buildings.
A country's greenhouse gas emissions, use of renewable energy, energy consumption, and
climate policy can all be used to determine how well they are doing in meeting their climate
change objectives.

Countries with strong initiatives for adaptation, or nations that are resilient to climate change, for
instance -

Norway in the year of 2017 pledged to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and
shift to an emission-free society by that time.Norway presently leads the world in the number of
electric vehicle owners ,with 98% of its electricity derived from renewable sources. Eight
percent of its citizens drove electric cars in 2020.

Policy Recommendations
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Strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters is a multifaceted
challenge that requires targeted policy recommendations. According to a World Bank 2020 news
feature, “Climate risk cannot be reduced to zero, which means governments must take decisive
action to help households and businesses manage them.” To foster sustainable development in
the face of these disasters, it is crucial to consider a range of strategies that encompass
institutional, infrastructural, community level, and international dimensions.

“Adaptation cannot be an afterthought to development. Instead, by integrating it into policy

thinking up front, governments can catalyze robust economic development while also reducing
vulnerability to climate change,” says Lead Economist, Stéphane Hallegatte, who co-authored
the report with Jun Rentschler and Julie Rozenberg, all of the World Bank. Following are some
recommendations that align with the principles of adaptation and resilience outlined in the report
of World Bank:

Strengthening Institutional Frameworks for Disaster Risk Reduction:

● Establishing and reinforcing robust institutional frameworks is fundamental for effective

disaster risk reduction. Governments should focus on creating and enhancing agencies
dedicated to disaster management, equipped with adequate resources and authority.
● Incorporating risk reduction into national development plans and policies ensures that
resilience-building measures are integrated into broader economic strategies.

Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure:

● Infrastructure plays a pivotal role in enhancing resilience. Governments and private

sectors should invest in sustainable infrastructure that can withstand and recover from
climate-related disasters. This includes constructing resilient buildings, developing
climate-resilient transportation networks, and investing in renewable energy sources.
● Utilizing nature-based solutions, such as green infrastructure and ecosystem restoration,
can contribute to both climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. These
approaches enhance natural defenses and promote sustainable development.

Enhancing Community-Level Resilience Through Education and Awareness Programs:

 ● Empowering local communities through education and awareness programs is key to
building resilience at the grassroots level. Initiatives should focus on providing
knowledge about disaster preparedness, response mechanisms, and sustainable practices.
● Community-based early warning systems and training programs can significantly reduce
the vulnerability of communities to climate-related disasters. Education empowers
individuals to take proactive measures and participate in resilience-building efforts.

International Cooperation and Collaboration for Climate Change Adaptation:

● Given the global nature of climate change, international cooperation is indispensable.

Countries should actively collaborate in sharing knowledge, technology, and resources to
enhance adaptive capacity.
● Participating in international agreements and initiatives, such as the Paris Agreement,
facilitates joint efforts in tackling climate change impacts. Supporting vulnerable
countries with financial aid and technological assistance fosters a collective response to
climate-related disasters [6].

Moreover, embracing nature-based solutions is paramount. Policies should encourage the

preservation and restoration of ecosystems as a central strategy for climate resilience. This
involves measures such as afforestation, sustainable land management, and the protection of
biodiversity, contributing to both ecological health and community well-being.

Simultaneously, innovation in early warning systems should be prioritized. Governments should

invest in research and development to enhance meteorological capabilities, incorporating cutting-
edge technologies. Leveraging artificial intelligence and data analytics can significantly improve
the accuracy and timeliness of disaster warnings.

Furthermore, inclusive and equitable policies are essential. Policymakers should actively involve
diverse stakeholders, including marginalized communities and indigenous groups, in the
decision-making process. This ensures that resilience-building initiatives are equitable and
address the unique vulnerabilities of all societal segments.

In conclusion, a comprehensive approach to policy recommendations involves addressing

challenges at different levels national, community, and global. Strengthening institutional
frameworks, investing in sustainable infrastructure, empowering communities through education,
and fostering international collaboration are integral components of a resilient and adaptive
strategy. These recommendations aim not only to mitigate the immediate impacts of climate-
related disasters but also to lay the foundation for sustainable development in the long run.

Conclusion
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