This online, interactive training resource has been developed by the Western Norway Research Institute (WRNI)/ Vestlandsforsking. Designed to promote a comprehensive approach to climate change adaptation, it aims to enhance awareness of available planning tools and processes that will promote the development of sustainable adaptation measures. We use the word sustainable over successful, because many projects can achieve short term success, but lasting viability is essential for communities to cope with current and long-term impacts of a changing climate.

1. Training for Adaptation
Online Training Resource:
Introduction

2. Introduction
The climate is changing
Two significant responses have emerged to deal with the issue of climate
variability and change - mitigation and adaptation.
Until recently climate policy has focused on mitigation through
instruments such as the Kyoto Protocol, the first phase of
which expires in 2012.
However, climate processes are complex and positive
feedbacks into the system are still not fully understood.
Current research, as synthesised in the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publications, acknowledges
that the thermal inertia of the oceans causes warming to
lag behind changes in radiative forcing from greenhouse gases
So, in spite of current mitigation measures, some degree of climate
change will be experienced over the next 30-50 years…
making adaptation to climate change unavoidable.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

3. Introduction
Countries and communities already feeling the effects know
that climate adaptation is necessary.
The challenge is in knowing what the potential options are
and which will be the most effective and sustainable to
choose.
Climate change will affect all sectors of society, nationally,
regionally, and locally, and will present planners and decision-
makers with a new set of challenges and uncertainties.
As such, there is a great need to share competence and
information - this ‘Online Training Resource’, has been
designed with this goal in mind.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

4. Background
This online, interactive training resource has been developed by the Western Norway Research
Institute (WRNI)/ Vestlandsforsking. Designed to promote a comprehensive approach to climate
change adaptation, it aims to enhance awareness of available planning tools and processes that will
promote the development of sustainable adaptation measures. We use the word sustainable over
successful, because many projects can achieve short term success, but lasting viability is essential
for communities to cope with current and long-term impacts of a changing climate.
The resource is broken down into a
series of modules. Initially designed for a
2 day training event, the ‘entry point’
nature of the content affords trainers the
flexibility to adapt the package for
bespoke training events, and can also
be used by individual learners for self-
guided study.
Western Norway Research Institute (WNRI)/ Vestlandsforsking.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

5. Inventing or Re-inventing the Wheel?
A number of training packages in the field of climate change adaptation already exist.
• These have been produced by different national and international organisations and provide
materials for online and/or workshop/ group training.
• So the question has to be asked:
Are we supplying anything new?
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

6. Other Training Resources
Climate Change Capacity Development (C3D) online
vulnerability and adaptation training tool. United Nations
Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) http://www.c3d-
unitar.org/c3d/
•Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Co-
operation. A Practice-Oriented Training Based on the OECD
Policy Guidance.http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/11/61/45986415.pdf
•Climate Change Adaptation training. UK Climate Impacts
Programme (UKCIP) http://www.ukcip.org.uk
•CHAMP. The objective of CHAMP is to train and support local
and subregional authorities in implementing an integrated
management system for climate change mitigation and
adaptation http://www.localmanagement.eu/index.php/ champ:home?language=en
•Adaptation Learning Mechanism. A knowledge sharing
platform funded by UNDP http://www.adaptationlearning.net
•Climate Change Adaptation Norway. An important part of the
Norwegian Climate Change Adaptation Programme
www.klimatilpasning.no
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

7. This Online Training Resource
There is a wealth of information out there.
This online training resource provides guidance on how
to address the impacts of climate change and
incorporate adaptation measures into the development
cycle.
The information provided is free-to-use and can be
adapted to suit the following contexts:
• As a transnational service that can provide relevant
information irrespective of country of origin
• As an all-sector service that can provide relevant
information irrespective of sector
• As a information service that can be utilised
irrespective of the level or degree of climate policy
development
This initial online training service has been specifically
developed for sub-national levels of government.
Source: WRNI/ Vestlandsforsking, 2011.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

8. This Online Training Resource
This training resource consists of 4 sections each representing a stage of the policy making cycle.
• Each stage is made up of a series of modules covering the fundamental knowledge needed in the
planning and process of climate change adaptation.
• These modules link to topic specific resource banks where more in depth case-studies, reports,
power-points etc can be found.
• This is reflected in the entry point nature of the modules which allow both trainers and end users to
select what they need when they need it, enabling them to pursue specific areas of interest or
professional obligation as and when required.
• The information provided is non-sector specific, although some sector examples are provided. It is
hoped that a later version of this training resource will cover affected sectors more systematically
and in more detail.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

9. Training Modules
Module 1
Process Stage 1: Analysing Climate Vulnerability
This module includes the following:
An over view of the following key concepts
• Impacts
• Vulnerability
• Exposure
• Sensitivity
An introduction to climate data and how to effectively use it, with particular emphasis on interpreting
regionalised climate data and communicating uncertainties.
A more in-depth review of the different types of vulnerability, including natural, socio-economic, and
institutional forms and how these should be considered in combination.
A differentiation between vulnerability to todays climate and potential vulnerability to future climates
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

10. Training Modules
Module 2
Process Stage 2: Developing Adaptation Strategies
This module includes the following:
Detailed definition of adaptation
A general overview of the main strategies for climate change adaptation, including how to prioritise
between different adaptation measures.
A discussion on the three main approaches to handling risk, namely;
• Risk seeker
• ‘Best shot’
• Risk Averter
An in depth account of ‘uncertainty’, including how uncertainties affect vulnerability assessments and
how to conduct a local uncertainty analysis.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

11. Training Modules
Module 3
Process Stage 3: Implementing Adaptation
This module includes the following:
A general overview of the different types of adaptation measures. This includes a typology of
adaptation, as well as, how to prepare for adaptation and actual active measures.
A guide on how to move from assessing options to implementing measures. Particular emphasis is
placed on how to incorporate actions into existing projects and strategies.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource

12. Training Modules
Module 4
Process Stage 4: Monitoring and Evaluation
This module includes the following:
An introduction to the value of monitoring and evaluation processes and how to critically evaluate
adaptation actions.
A detailed look at the issue of maladaptation that takes in consideration
- the links and conflicts between mitigation and adaptation
- adaptation and sustainable development
- how to identify and avoid maladaptation
- the potential for mal-mitigation
A typology of the barriers to adaptation, and how to assess and avoid such barriers.
Climate Adaptation
D.Davies 2012
Online Training Resource