Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: Status, Progress and Challenges

Abstract

Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) has been gaining attention in science, policy and practice as an effective way to address climate change and contribute to sustainable development. In Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), EbAs are implemented to enhance resilience of mountain communities to the harsh realities of climate change. However, very little documentation exists on nature and progress of EbA in the region, which are often fragmented and scattered. We analyzed the status, progress, benefits and challenges in EbA implementation. EbAs are focused on restoration (17%), mainstreaming in policy and plans (17%), ecosystem conservation (14%), flood risk management (12%), livelihoods (10%), capacity building (10%) and ecological risks assessment (7%). Though EbA varies across the countries, ecosystem conservation and livelihoods diversification is the focus. Major drivers of changes considered are climate change, floods, drought and landslides. Improved resilience through restoration, capacity building, better networking and better wellbeing are some of the notable benefits. However, awareness and mainstreaming of EbA in policies and plans are limited. Limited cooperation among the countries and stakeholders and short-lived donor-driven agendas are also the challenges. An effective and impactful EbA requires an integrated approach encompassing different sectors with vertical and horizontal cooperation and collaboration at the regional scale.

Annex

Annex 1: Links between Aichi Targets and EbA and Eco-DRR

Strategic goal	Aichi target	Link to EbA and Eco-DRR
B. Reduce direct pressures biodiversity and promote sustainable use	Target 5: By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced	Forests and coastal vegetation can serve as a protective buffer from extreme events
	Target 7: By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity	DRR is a core element of sustainability for forestry and agriculture; forests serve as a protective buffer from erosion and landslides
	Target 10: By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs and other vulnerable ecosystems impacted by climate change or ocean acidification are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and functioning	Coral reefs can be effective in protecting against coastal hazards, such as by reducing wave energy
C: Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity	Target 11: By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes	Protection of ecosystems, which allows them to keep providing services that are important for adaptation and disaster risk reduction, even beyond the boundaries of the protected area
	Target 13: By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other socio economically as well as culturally valuable species, is maintained and strategies have been developed and implemented for minimizing genetic erosion and safeguarding their genetic diversity	Reduces risks of climate change affecting food security and livelihoods
D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services	Target 14: By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water and contribute to health, livelihoods and wellbeing, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities and the poor and vulnerable	Ensures provisioning of essential ecosystem services, including those underpinning DRR
	Target 15: By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15% of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification	Resilient ecosystems are a key component of DRR, e.g. restoration of coastal vegetated ecosystems contributes to mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction through shoreline stabilization

1. Source Lo (2016)