Summary (by Konrad):

IPAM was finally launched after a series of events on the topic of Adaptation Metrics, which had been promoted in consequence of the COP22 by the Morrocan Government.

The overall idea is to make climate change adaptation efforts measurable through a set of defined indicators/metrics in order to increase projects’ credibility and access to financing. The development is very similar to our efforts to objectively quantify C sequestration through defined MRV protocols only that adaptation might not be as easily quantifiable as mitigation efforts and hence the development in this area is still a bit behind. Accordingly, IPAM is just starting to brainstorm and collecting ideas on suitable indicators. For this purpose they plan to send out a questionnaire to potential partners and participants of today’s webinar. IPAM is organized through 4 subcommittees: Agriculture (Rias Balaghi, AAA Initiative), Water (Driss Quazar), Cities (Marta Olazabel, Basque Center for Climate Change)), Techniques and Tools (Karl Schultz, The Higher Ground Foundation).

For me it seems obvious that SOC should be one of the adaptation metrics regarding the agricultural sector as it is probably the most important manageable factor determining water infiltration and water holding capacity of soils. This means that our efforts to establish accurate monitoring approaches regarding SOC are not only of relevance in light of funding opportunities targeting mitigation, but at the same time might be essential to tap on funds directed towards adaptation.

A first apporach towards quantification of climate change adaptation has been undertaken by the The higher Ground Foundation in form of a Vulnerability Reduction Credits (VRCs™) Standard Framework. For more information see: https://www.thehighergroundfoundation.org/

IPAM Welcome Web Seminar

organized by:

International Platform for Adaptation Metrics (IPAM)

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