Risks, Policies, Measures and Actions for Climate Change Adaptation in Developing Countries

Abstract

This chapter investigates climate change adaptation in developing countries. In line with the fact that Africa is the most vulnerable continent, therefore Egypt, as one of the developing countries, is selected as a case study since it is one of the most exposed countries to climate change risks. Climate change impacts, adaptation policies and adaptation measures in developing countries were reviewed, presented and discussed. The chapter is laid out in three main folds: the first part discusses climate change risks on urban and coastal areas, infrastructure and related economic sectors including agriculture, public health, ecosystem, fishing, tourism and politics; and the second and third folds highlight the adaptation policies and measures adopted by government authorities and civil society. These policies, strategies and measures include building up the scientific capacity, developing adaptation strategy to increase energy and water efficiency, enhancing land use management, improving public health and retrofitting vulnerable buildings and infrastructure. It is important to note that this chapter examines how the action plans address the risk of climate change in order to cope with the impacts or consequences of climate change in the short or medium term.