Experts push for locally driven adaptation and improved climate risk management

Experts at a high-level policy dialogue at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, emphasized the importance of strong institutions, reliable climate data, and effective coordination among government agencies in managing climate risks and building resilient communities. The dialogue, which focused on Operationalising Comprehensive Risk Management for Climate-Resilient Development, highlighted the urgent need for countries to strengthen their approaches to managing climate risks. The increasing frequency of storms, floods, and droughts underscored the need for proactive measures.

Charlotte Norman, Director for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction at NADMO, noted that Ghana's experiences with flooding, particularly in farming communities and urban areas, demonstrated the urgency of investing in climate resilience. She stressed that comprehensive risk management was necessary to help countries anticipate climate-related disasters, strengthen preparedness, and reduce losses associated with extreme weather events. Flooding remained one of Ghana's most persistent climate-related hazards, with recurring impacts on communities, livelihoods, and economic activities.

Norman emphasized the importance of treating climate risk management as a central component of development planning, rather than responding to disasters only after they had occurred. She highlighted the need for a proactive approach, citing the devastating consequences of inaction. "The storms, floods, and droughts we see across Ghana remind us every season that the cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of innovation," she said. This approach would enable countries to reduce the losses associated with extreme weather events and build resilient communities.

Alexandra Mussino of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources added an international perspective, noting that effective climate adaptation depended on strong institutions with technical expertise and capacity to collect reliable climate data at source. She identified Kazakhstan's Ministry of Water, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, hydrometeorological services, and Ministry of Emergency Situations as key institutions whose work was essential to identifying climate risks and supporting effective responses.

Mussino explained that Kazakhstan was developing its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) using an approach that cascaded adaptation priorities from the national level to regional, local, and sectoral levels. The plan aimed to ensure that adaptation efforts were communicated directly to the agencies and communities affected by climate-related disasters, rather than being confined to policy documents. This approach would enable Kazakhstan to develop a comprehensive and effective adaptation plan.

Citing the devastating floods in northern Kazakhstan in 2024, Mussino noted that changing climate patterns were making it increasingly difficult for communities to anticipate extreme weather events. She emphasized that climate risk management required collaboration beyond the institution responsible for climate policy. "There should be communication across the institution, but also with our neighbours," she said. This collaboration was essential to developing effective responses to climate-related disasters.

Kazakhstan's cooperation with neighbouring Kyrgyzstan through a joint emergency centre focused on disaster management was cited as an example of effective collaboration. The centre enabled the two countries to share information and coordinate responses to climate-related disasters. Experts stressed that such cooperation was essential to building resilient communities and managing climate risks effectively. Effective climate adaptation and risk management required a comprehensive and collaborative approach.

Key points

• Experts stress need for strong institutions and reliable climate data to manage climate risks.
• Comprehensive risk management is necessary to anticipate and prepare for climate-related disasters.
• Climate risk management requires collaboration beyond the institution responsible for climate policy.