The Climate Change Symposium is an essential activity in the Action Plan on Food Security approved by the Ministers in the Niigata meeting, particularly on the dissemination of promising farming practices to cope with climate change. The symposium will build on the premise that agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change and is always exposed to a lot of risks. The adverse impacts that these risks may cause could greatly reduce agricultural productivity due to yield reduction, increase in crop losses, destruction of agricultural systems and infrastructure. Several adaptation and mitigation strategies have been identified to address these adverse impacts. A lot of adaptation technologies and practices could have mitigation potential, depending on how they are being developed and adopted. The symposium intends to initiate and sustain information exchange among resource speakers and participating APEC economies and identify adaptation strategies in crop and livestock production with mitigation potential, which will be disseminated to the farm level for adoption. The symposium will also discuss and elicit recommendations on effective governance strategies towards the widespread adoption of these strategies in APEC economies. To promote region-wide dissemination and adoption, establishment of networks and linkages with international organizations will be explored. Policy makers and implementors, researchers/scientists and practitioners from APEC economies and selected organizations will be invited to participate in the forum.
The symposium will be held in the Philippines in January 2012 for three days.
During the First APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security in Niigata in 2010, the Ministers acknowledged in the Niigata Declaration on APEC Food Security that global food security is “at a crossroads” as the population continues to grow, and agricultural production continues to be constrained due to several factors including the adverse effects of climate change. The Declaration further points out that agriculture depends heavily on natural resources such as land and water, and generates both positive and negative environmental externalities in terms of land, soil, water, landscape and biodiversity.
Agriculture is also highly vulnerable to climate change and is always exposed to a lot of risks. The accompanying adverse impacts that these risks may cause could greatly reduce agricultural productivity due to yield reduction, increase in crop losses, destruction of agricultural systems and infrastructure. Several adaptation and mitigation strategies have been identified to address these adverse impacts. While agriculture has been identified as a significant GHG contributor, it may also be contributory to GHG reduction through mitigation technologies and management practices. A lot of adaptation strategies in agriculture could have mitigation potential, depending on how they are being developed and adopted.
The Climate Change Symposium will be an appropriate venue to examine climate change adaptation strategies with mitigation potential in agriculture, particularly crop and livestock, within the APEC region as it fulfills an essential activity in the Action Plan on Food Security approved by the Ministers in the Niigata meeting, which is the dissemination of promising farming practices to cope with climate change. The symposium intends to initiate and sustain information exchange among resource speakers and participating economies and identify these climate change adaptation strategies with mitigation potential specifically in crop and livestock. Discussions on the sources of GHG will provide more emphasis on corresponding mitigation technologies and practices that have been proven effective. Finally, the symposium results will have more value if widespread dissemination of the identified strategies on the national and regional level could be enabled. On the national level, the symposium will discuss and elicit recommendations on effective governance strategies towards the widespread adoption of adaptation strategies with mitigation potential in APEC economies. To promote region-wide dissemination and adoption, establishment of networks and linkages with international organizations working on climate change will be explored. Policy makers, researchers/scientists and practitioners from APEC economies and selected organizations will be invited to participate in the forum.
· To have an increased understanding and promote information exchange on climate change adaptation strategies with mitigation potential in crop and livestock production, as well as identify sources of green house gas (GHG) emission in agriculture and corresponding strategies with mitigation potential. · To come up with recommendations on effective governance frameworks for wider dissemination and adoption of adaptation strategies with mitigation potential at the national and local levels in APEC economies. · To promote region-wide dissemination and adoption of these strategies through the establishment of networks and linkages with international organizations and regional organizations.
· To come up with recommendations on effective governance frameworks for wider dissemination and adoption of adaptation strategies with mitigation potential at the national and local levels in APEC economies. · To promote region-wide dissemination and adoption of these strategies through the establishment of networks and linkages with international organizations and regional organizations.
· To promote region-wide dissemination and adoption of these strategies through the establishment of networks and linkages with international organizations and regional organizations.
As a major concern of APEC member economies, APEC Leaders have tasked the ATCWG to enhance agriculture's ability to adjust and mitigate the impact of climate change. More recently, during the First APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security in Niigata, Japan in October 2010, the Ministers expressed in the Niigata Declaration their agreement “to work together to assist the agricultural sector to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change through the development and transfer of new and existing technologies, exchange of information, research collaboration and capacity building, in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.”
The project is seen to be contributory to the achievement of food security, which is an APEC priority aptly included in the ATCWG 2011 Annual Work plan and Medium-Term (2010-2015) Work plan. Moreover, the symposium is an important commitment in the APEC Action Plan for Food Security approved by APEC Ministers in the Niigata Ministerial Meeting.
The objectives of the project will work towards the accomplishment of Shared Goal 1 of the APEC Food Security Action Plan, which is on sustainable development of the agricultural sector, specifically by confronting challenges in climate change and natural resource management. One of the identified activities to achieve this end is through the dissemination of promising farming practices to cope with climate change. The strategies on climate change adaptation with mitigation potential which the symposium aims to elicit as an important output will be disseminated to APEC economies for possible adoption. To enable widespread dissemination and adoption, the forum will also identify and discuss governance frameworks at the national and local levels in APEC economies. Linkages and networking that will be established or strengthened during the workshop will further enhance regional cooperation within APEC to address capacity building needs of member economies. As such, APEC developing economies will directly benefit from this symposium.
· Policy makers, planners will use the symposium output to formulate policies and plans for a mandated and organized adoption of climate change strategies with mitigation potential. · Agri-technical practitioners/scientists will use the symposium output as basis for determining research gaps, as well as identifying promising technologies that can be fine tuned for adoption under local conditions of specific economies.
· Agri-technical practitioners/scientists will use the symposium output as basis for determining research gaps, as well as identifying promising technologies that can be fine tuned for adoption under local conditions of specific economies.
Symposium results will be disseminated through publication of hard copies of the report and through the APEC website. All APEC symposium participants will be assured of copies. Non-participants who will express interest will be directed to the website developed for this project. Target users of the report are farm practitioners, researchers/scientists, government policymakers, planners and implementors. Possible collaboration with other international organizations to link the project outputs with their on-going related activities to broaden dissemination will be explored and worked out. Outputs of the project will be made available freely through the website and will not be intended for sale
There will be no discrimination in determining the participants. Expertise rather than gender will be the basis for selection of resource speakers. A balance representation in terms of gender is expected, as women are seen to have major contribution in agricultural activities, from decision making to actual farm operations. It therefore follows that women will benefit as much as men from the symposium results.
Schedule Activity Associated Outputs Role of Project Beneficiaries and APEC Member Economies April 2011 Project Concept Note submission and approval Approved Project Concept Note Member economies will help evaluate and prioritize the project prior to approval in principle by BMC Agreement of Thailand and Chinese Taipei to co-sponsor May – July 2011 Full project development based on approved concept note. Presentation of project fund for APEC approval; identify other possible sources of funds/contributions in cash or in kind from other economies. Coordination with ISTWG for possible collaboration with their project on Climate Change Adaptation in Asia Pacific Approved project proposal Approved APEC funding Identification of other funding sources for expenses not covered by APEC Arrangements finalized Project beneficiary to prepare and submit project proposal; member economies to provide QAF Project beneficiary to prepare budgetary requirements October-December 2011 Coordinate with APEC Secretariat Communications Team for the use of the APEC website to disseminate forum materials Identification of consultants, resource persons/technical experts – each member economy shall have selected presenters for each topic. Participants from non-member economies are also welcome. Topics will include climate change adaptation strategies in crop and livestock with mitigation potential, sources of GHG emission and corresponding climate change mitigation strategies, governance towards the widespread dissemination and adoption of adaptation and mitigation strategies, and establishing networks and linkages for region-wide adoption. · prepare venue, accommodation, transportation arrangements & other logistical support · finalize arrangements for participating economies Link with APEC website established Set of consultants and resource persons/technical experts identified Finalization of all logistical arrangements Finalization of arrangements in connection with participation of member economies Project beneficiary to relay information to APEC for uploading to website; member economies to access information from this website Project beneficiary to coordinate and firm up participation of consultants, resource persons/technical experts, and selected presenters from member economies; member economies are expected to provide timely confirmation of their respective participation and willingness to present. Project beneficiary to handle logistical arrangement; member economies to firm up participation Member economies to provide timely confirmation of their participation, logistical needs, and other necessary information January 2012 Conduct of the Climate Change Symposium (3 days) Preparation of reports & necessary documentation Synthesis of symposium results to be packaged into a report Project beneficiary to take the lead February 2012 · website posting of symposium results · e-copies circulation Accessibility of symposium results in website Project beneficiary to take the lead March 2012 Preparation of proposal for follow-up symposium Project Concept Note for submission Project beneficiary to prepare project concept note
Schedule
Activity
Associated Outputs
Role of Project Beneficiaries and APEC Member Economies
April 2011
Project Concept Note submission and approval
Approved Project Concept Note
Member economies will help evaluate and prioritize the project prior to approval in principle by BMC
Agreement of Thailand and Chinese Taipei to co-sponsor
May – July 2011
Full project development based on approved concept note.
Presentation of project fund for APEC approval; identify other possible sources of funds/contributions in cash or in kind from other economies.
Coordination with ISTWG for possible collaboration with their project on Climate Change Adaptation in Asia Pacific
Approved project proposal
Approved APEC funding
Identification of other funding sources for expenses not covered by APEC
Arrangements finalized
Project beneficiary to prepare and submit project proposal; member economies to provide QAF
Project beneficiary to prepare budgetary requirements
October-December 2011
Coordinate with APEC Secretariat Communications Team for the use of the APEC website to disseminate forum materials
Identification of consultants, resource persons/technical experts – each member economy shall have selected presenters for each topic. Participants from non-member economies are also welcome.
Topics will include climate change adaptation strategies in crop and livestock with mitigation potential, sources of GHG emission and corresponding climate change mitigation strategies, governance towards the widespread dissemination and adoption of adaptation and mitigation strategies, and establishing networks and linkages for region-wide adoption.
· prepare venue, accommodation, transportation arrangements & other logistical support · finalize arrangements for participating economies
· finalize arrangements for participating economies
Link with APEC website established
Set of consultants and resource persons/technical experts identified
Finalization of all logistical arrangements
Finalization of arrangements in connection with participation of member economies
Project beneficiary to relay information to APEC for uploading to website; member economies to access information from this website
Project beneficiary to coordinate and firm up participation of consultants, resource persons/technical experts, and selected presenters from member economies; member economies are expected to provide timely confirmation of their respective participation and willingness to present.
Project beneficiary to handle logistical arrangement; member economies to firm up participation
Member economies to provide timely confirmation of their participation, logistical needs, and other necessary information
January 2012
Conduct of the Climate Change Symposium (3 days)
Preparation of reports & necessary documentation
Synthesis of symposium results to be packaged into a report
Project beneficiary to take the lead
February 2012
· website posting of symposium results · e-copies circulation
· e-copies circulation
Accessibility of symposium results in website
March 2012
Preparation of proposal for follow-up symposium
Project Concept Note for submission
Project beneficiary to prepare project concept note
Schedule Activity Risks Risk Management April 2011 Project Concept Note submission and approval May – July 2011 Full project development based on approved concept note. Presentation of project fund for APEC approval; identify other possible sources of funds/contributions in cash or in kind from other economies. Project may not be approved in principle Accuracy of budget preparation APEC approval of budget as submitted Incorporate comments from QAFs to address possible loopholes of the project proposal Preparation of budget based on actual costs with reasonable allowance Follow APEC guidelines as closely October-December 2011 Coordinate with APEC for the use of the APEC website and upload information Identification of consultants, resource persons/technical experts – each member economy shall have selected presenters for each topic. Participants from non-member economies are also welcome. · prepare venue, accommodation, transportation arrangements & other logistical support · finalize arrangements for participating economies Timely uploading of necessary information to website Identified consultants, resource persons/technical experts may not be available Availability of selected venue; selection of appropriate accommodation facilities within reasonable budget Economies may not respond to the invitation on time Obtain necessary information needed by participants on time and upload these immediately to website Close coordination and networking to obtain the consultants and resource persons/technical experts needed and ensure their willingness and participation Undertake selection of venue and accommodation of participants and finalize booking as early as possible to have ample lead time Send invitation and request economies to respond promptly within the deadline provided to help the host economy be able to efficiently and effectively firm up logistical arrangements early Enjoin participants to firm up their accommodation requirements within the deadline provided so that the booking will not be cancelled January 2012 Conduct of the Climate Change Symposium (3 days) Preparation of reports & necessary documentation Last minute cancellation of participants and speakers Sustaining interest of participants Effectiveness of resource speakers Accuracy in documentation Constant coordination and re-confirmation of participation Preparation of effective symposium design to elicit and sustain interest of participants Invite appropriate and effective resource speakers Assign documentation officers and install recording equipment that will record the proceedings clearly
Risks
Risk Management
Project may not be approved in principle
Accuracy of budget preparation
APEC approval of budget as submitted
Incorporate comments from QAFs to address possible loopholes of the project proposal
Preparation of budget based on actual costs with reasonable allowance
Follow APEC guidelines as closely
Coordinate with APEC for the use of the APEC website and upload information
Timely uploading of necessary information to website
Identified consultants, resource persons/technical experts may not be available
Availability of selected venue; selection of appropriate accommodation facilities within reasonable budget
Economies may not respond to the invitation on time
Obtain necessary information needed by participants on time and upload these immediately to website
Close coordination and networking to obtain the consultants and resource persons/technical experts needed and ensure their willingness and participation
Undertake selection of venue and accommodation of participants and finalize booking as early as possible to have ample lead time
Send invitation and request economies to respond promptly within the deadline provided to help the host economy be able to efficiently and effectively firm up logistical arrangements early
Enjoin participants to firm up their accommodation requirements within the deadline provided so that the booking will not be cancelled
Last minute cancellation of participants and speakers
Sustaining interest of participants
Effectiveness of resource speakers
Accuracy in documentation
Constant coordination and re-confirmation of participation
Preparation of effective symposium design to elicit and sustain interest of participants
Invite appropriate and effective resource speakers
Assign documentation officers and install recording equipment that will record the proceedings clearly
1. Rate of response and timeliness (i.e., within the deadline specified) of participating economies and resource speakers based on responses received
2. Timely preparation of symposium program identifying speakers and their respective topics for presentation/discussion based on timely confirmation of invited speakers
3. Number of participants and resource speakers who actually attended based on actual attendance
4. Feedback from the participants with regard to the attainment of the objectives of the forum.
This proposal will complement previous APEC projects related to climate change, as well as The Hague Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change October 31- November 5 2010, which looked into policies and best practices of many countries around the world.
The project will be in fulfilment of the Action Plan on Food Security approved by the APEC Agricultural Ministers during their First Ministerial Meeting in 2010, to confront challenges in climate change and natural resource management through the dissemination of promising farming practices to cope with climate change. The symposium will specifically focus on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies in crop and livestock with mitigation potential, which differs with most previous or existing work on climate change that mainly deal with adaptation and/or mitigation. This activity will complement other activities under the action plan to be undertaken by other APEC member economies to attain the shared goal on sustainable development of the agricultural sector such as the conduct of a workshop by Thailand to improve farmers’ adaptive capacity to climate variability and change and Japan’s commitment to hold a workshop to share adaptation and mitigation measures adopted by each economy and discuss applicability to other economies. These activities are seen as a continuum in the APEC Action Plan on Food Security to achieve the afore-mentioned shared goal, and are not to duplicate each other in terms of objectives and expected outputs.
Collaboration with ISTWG proposal on Climate Change Adaptation in Asia-Pacific is being explored to maximize efficiency and resource utilization while taking into consideration possible synergies in terms of topics, resource persons, and target audience. Both events can be held back to back in the Philippines in January 2012.
APEC is the best source of fund for this project because APEC economies are expected to benefit primarily from the project. It will also be more effective to focus on strategies within the APEC region because studies have shown that “the most appropriate agricultural mitigation response will vary at the regional level and different portfolios of strategies will be developed in different regions and in countries within a region.” APEC economies will be able to select from an array of strategies within the APEC region and fine-tune these according to their respective local conditions.
Future collaboration with other international organizations with the same agenda will be explored, such as the UN, Asia-Pacific Adaptation Network and Global Research Alliance for Agricultural Greenhouse Gases as follow-up activities are identified in the process such as the need for capability building.
Project Overseer:
Director Alicia Ilaga
APEC Desk, Policy and Planning Office, Department of Agriculture
Director Ilaga is also the focal point for climate change in the Philippine Department of Agriculture.
Under normal conditions, services of experts are relatively expensive. Under this project, selected member economies will be requested to send participants who can also be tapped as experts/resource speakers.
The linking of the project information to the APEC website will drastically cut printing, publication and distribution costs as well as disseminates a large amount of information more widely.
Looking at the benefits of the project holistically, the exchange of information on technologies, tools, and best practices among APEC member economies will significantly shorten the research cycle because researchers/scientist can go directly to technology verification and adaptation under actual field conditions. Technologies can likewise be generated by selecting from farmers’ best practices which can just be verified or fine tuned. The reduction in research cost by APEC member economies could be cut significantly.
1) Short-term clerical fees – for the general secretariat functions for the duration of project organization until event completion 2) Contractors - 1 Project Organizer – in charge of the event organization and management 3) Contractors - 3 Researchers – shall provide the research services required for the technical inputs to the symposium contents and proceedings 4) Contractor’s secretary – shall be responsible for the general administrative support.
2) Contractors - 1 Project Organizer – in charge of the event organization and management 3) Contractors - 3 Researchers – shall provide the research services required for the technical inputs to the symposium contents and proceedings 4) Contractor’s secretary – shall be responsible for the general administrative support.
3) Contractors - 3 Researchers – shall provide the research services required for the technical inputs to the symposium contents and proceedings 4) Contractor’s secretary – shall be responsible for the general administrative support.
4) Contractor’s secretary – shall be responsible for the general administrative support.
We would like to request for waiver to fund Government Officials’ travel (per diem & airfare).