Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into a Multilateral Development

Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into a Multilateral Development Bank-funded Project in Cambodia Source: Own 2014 Australia Aid and International Development Workshop Bunlong LENG , Ph. D Candidate University of Melbourne 25 February 2021 1

Presentation Outline 1. Problem Statement 2. Research Significance 3. Research Aim and Questions 4. Conceptual Framework 5. A Project Case Study 6. Methodology & Findings 2

1. Problem Statement Development “project-as-usual” may increase vulnerability to climate change. (Adger, Lorenzoni, & O'Brien, 2009, p. 2; Boakye-Agyei, 2011) Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) investments are in climatesensitive sectors and in regions highly exposed to climate extreme events. (Sietz, Boschütz, Klein, & Lotsch, 2008, Source: Own p. 493) Evidence of little research on mainstreaming climate change adaptation into MDB investments (Matus Kramer, Prudent-Richard, Sainsbury, & Schreitter, 2012; Boakye-Agyei, 2011) 3

2. Research Significance Climate-resilient (adapted) development in theory and practice. Building on theories of environmental impact assessment (Agrawala, et al. , 2012; Stephen, 2013) & institutional change (Inderberg & Eikeland, 2009, Source: Own Goldman, 2005; Sietz, et al. , 2008; Tang, 2011). 4

3. Research Aim & Questions How climate adaptation has been mainstreamed? 1. How environmental safeguards address adaptation? 2. What adaptation is in the Strategic Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR)? 3. How to mainstream adaptation into the project decisionmaking? 4. What are the institutional challenges and opportunities? 5. What are the implications at the local level? 5

4. Conceptual Framework Multilateral Development Banks Government Partner/ Implementing Agencies Environmental Assessment Safeguards & Strategic Program for Climate Resilience Appraisal Climate Change Adaptation Identification Design E. g. Infrastructure Project Implementation Monitoring Drivers of institutional change Climate. Resilient Development 6

5. A Case Study. Provincial Road Improvement Project (PRIP) 7

6. Methodology & Findings 57 individual & 30 focus group respondents • • Government staff Government consultants ADB staff & Donors (UNDP, WB) Community people. Source: Own 8

How MDB environmental safeguards address adaptation? Findings Govt MDB Consu Comm ltant unity A mixed answer & confusion for a x separate adaptation tool x x Adaptation and EIA are separate in the current practice x x x 9

What adaptation is in the Strategic Program for Climate Resilience? C Uncertain/unpredictable impacts vs. Cost $$ C Adaptation is risks management. C Donors to finance the adaptation costs. Source: SPCR workshop 2013 10

How to mainstream adaptation? Findings Ownership to the government, the most important stakeholder and the decision-maker Due diligence through supervisions– the project has to follow MDB guidelines Govt MDB Consu Comm ltant unity x x x 11

What are the institutional challenges? Findings Power relation—who should be on the decision making. Pressure—not enough time for consultations & compliance Fixed Budget vs. higher costs Govt MDB Consu Comm ltant unity x x x x x 12

What are the implications to local level? Findings Govt MDB Consu Comm ltant unity MDBs do not do much communitybased adaptation consultation x MDB funding is for big-scale infrastructure investments. x MDBs will not lend to govt that does not follow environmental and social safeguards. x x 13

Thank You Source: Own Who should make a final decision on adaptation 14