Climate Risk Assessment for Ecosystem-based Adaptation: a guidebook for planners and practitioners

This guidebook aims to support both governmental and non governmental organizations involved in the planning of adaptation and risk reduction measures by providing a standardised methodology for assessing climate risks in the context of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and to showcase potential co-benefits of EbA based on direct and indirect linkages to other sectors. The socio-ecological systems of river basin and coastal zone management are considered as examples to assess risks.

Planners and practitioners could find in this guidebook dedicated tools for the design and implementation of climate risk assessments in the context of EbA projects. It includes the following modules:

1) Preparing the risk assessment;
2) Developing impact chains;
3) Identifying and selecting indicators for risk components;
4-7) From data acquisition to risk assessment;
8) Presenting and interpreting the outcomes of the risk assessment;
9) Identifying adaptation options.

The guidebook can be applied at different stages of adaptation planning, from initial baseline assessments to repeated assessments in the implementation or monitoring and evaluation phase.