Welcome to the Climate Change Corner, a new column dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and inspiring action on one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, it is crucial for individuals, communities, and businesses in Lesotho to stay informed and engaged. Our goal is to offer you valuable insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories to help you understand and address the challenges posed by climate change.
Why Climate Change Matters
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a global challenge that affects every aspect of our lives. From extreme weather events and rising temperatures to shifts in agricultural productivity and biodiversity loss, the consequences of climate change are far-reaching. In Lesotho, communities are already experiencing the impacts, making it essential for us to take action now. The Climate Change Corner aims to be your trusted source of information and support, helping you navigate this complex issue.
What’s in store for you:
Each week, the Climate Change Corner will bring you a diverse range of content designed to inform, educate, and inspire.
This week we discuss CONCEPTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION
Adaptation and mitigation are two interconnected approaches to addressing climate change on both natural and human systems. Adaptation deals with the impacts and vulnerabilities that result from climate change, while mitigation focuses on reducing the emissions of GHGs to limit the extent of future climate change. An effective response to climate change often involves a combination of both strategies tailored to specific contexts and challenges.
ADAPTATION
Refers to the adjustment or changes made in response to the actual or expected effects of climate change. It involves actions taken to reduce vulnerability, enhance resilience, and cope with the adverse impacts of changing climate conditions. Examples of adaptation activities include: Construction of sea walls in coastal regions to protect against rising sea levels, farmers changing crop varieties or planting schedules to adapt to altered growing seasons, and urban planners designing physical infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.
Key Aspects of Climate Change Adaptation These include:
» Flexibility: Adaptation strategies are often flexible and context-specific, recognizing that the impacts of climate change can vary widely across regions and sectors.
» Local and Community Focus: Adaptation efforts are often tailored to local needs and involve collaboration with communities to understand their vulnerabilities and strengths.
» Long-term Planning: Adaptation involves long-term planning to address the gradual changes and uncertainties associated with climate change.
“It is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.” – (attributed to) Charles Darwin
MITIGATION
Refers to actions and strategies aimed at reducing or preventing the emission of GHGs and thereby limiting the extent of future climate change. It involves addressing the root causes of climate change by making changes to those activities that contribute to the build-up of GHGs in the atmosphere. Examples of mitigation activities include: Using different technologies, different business models and different processes and practices.
This includes, for example, transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency in buildings and transportation, afforestation (planting trees to absorb CO2), and implementing sustainable agricultural practices.
Key Aspects of Climate Change Mitigation. These include:
» Global Focus: Mitigation efforts often have a global perspective, as reducing GHG emissions requires coordinated action on an international scale.
» Technological Innovation: Mitigation strategies involve the development and deployment of new technologies that promote cleaner and more sustainable ways of producing energy and conducting various human activities.
» Policy and Regulation: Government policies, regulations, and international agreements play a crucial role in shaping mitigation efforts, encouraging industries and individuals to adopt cleaner practices.
» Complementary Nature: While adaptation focuses on dealing with the impacts of climate change that are already occurring or expected, mitigation aims to prevent further climate change by addressing its root causes. Both adaptation and mitigation are seen as complementary strategies in a comprehensive approach to climate action.
CASE STORY: Addressing Climate Change and Biodiversity in South Africa
CONTEXT & CHALLENGES
Climate change is likely to become one of the most significant drivers of biodiversity loss by the end of the century. Current global warming is already affecting species and ecosystems around the world, particularly the most vulnerable ecosystems such as coral reefs, mountains and polar ecosystems.
Recognizing the importance of genetic resources for climate action, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified by 141 parties and entering into force in 2014, aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way.
In South Africa, UNIDO promotes indigenous, essential and vegetable oils value chain development as well as various environmental, social and economic sustainability dimensions of the Nagoya Protocol to conserve South Africa’s rich biodiversity and support indigenous communities with livelihood development. With a focus on biotrade, UNIDO supports the training of farmers to select the relevant genetics of the species so as to prevent economic and environmental losses, especially for indigenous peoples, and to conserve natural resources.
Moreover, UNIDO considers the Department of Environmental Affairs (DFFE) list of indigenous species for economic development and the South African list of endangered species. The 2nd South African essential and vegetable oils (hybrid) conference held in July 2022 with the theme of “New horizons and innovations for the essential and vegetable seed oil industry” attracted numerous in-person and remote delegates. The interactive sessions focused on climate change and environmental policies, diversity and ecological state of aromatic plants, resource-effective practices such as regenerative agriculture/organic farming and community involvement. Moreover, in the course of the project, some of the farmers have successfully transitioned to renewable energy by running farms that are fully solar-powered, thereby contributing to an overall reduction in carbon footprint.
INTERVENTION
UNIDO continues to promote the role of QI and other support organizations for sustainable industrial development, while also taking into account environmental concerns, particularly climate change and energy supply. In addition to continuing to strengthen SMEs’ awareness of market requirements, UNIDO’s support in South Africa (SA) focuses on SMEs’ responsiveness to the effects of rising natural disasters (such as flooding) and increasing energy shortages.
The impact of climate change on the industry is to be assessed, and the awareness of climate change-responsive smart-farming technologies could further enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the SMEs. The intervention in SA continues to build innovative partnerships through the BioTrade Stakeholder Forum and hopes to address various climate dimensions affecting the industry.
IMPACT & RESULTS
Through its actions, UNIDO supports the conservation of SA’s biodiversity, livelihood development for indigenous communities, and the prevention of further endangerment of species. The transition of some farmers to renewable energy contributes to a reduction in carbon footprint, aligning with broader environmental sustainability goals. Additionally, by promoting awareness of market requirements and climate-responsive technologies among SMEs, UNIDO’s intervention in SA aims to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry as a whole.
Through partnerships and forums, it seeks to create a lasting impact on the industry, considering the challenges posed by climate change and energy supply issues. This project is part of the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP), implemented by UNIDO and funded by Switzerland through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
In the upcoming issue, we get to know more about HOW A FOCUS ON TRADE CAN HELP
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