Focusing on Adaptation:  Ian Burton, Scientist Emeritus, Environment Canada

Ian Burton, a well-known Canadian and international expert on climate change adaptation, is attending and speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference in Montreal.  “Canada: Daily Highlights” caught up with him earlier this week as he left a Canadian Delegation meeting.

Question:  What is your main message to this Conference?

Ian Burton:   I have three messages that I am bringing to the Montrealmeeting:

• First, the adaptation agenda needs to be more practical for developing countries;
• Second, it is important to build on the synergies between adaptation and mitigation.  For example, when we are considering adaptation projects we also need to look at the links with mitigation activities and opportunities; and
• Third, an agreement on the five-year work program on adaptation is essential to advance the knowledge and understanding of the science and make it accessible and available, especially to developing countries.

Question:  What are the key adaptation issues to highlight at this UN Climate Change Conference?

Ian Burton:  To date, we have taken a predominantly regional approach to adaptation.  We also need to think about adaptation in terms of sectors.  For example, if we were to think about infrastructure issues, then we would look at issues such as the design of highways, docks, airports, buildings, sewer systems to consider how they can be made “climate safe”. 

Hurricanes such as Katrina show up the inadequacy of existing infrastructure. Now think about what the impact of Katrina might have been on a developing country where the infrastructure is even more fragile!  Permafrost and Arctic melting, both regional and sectoral problems, need attention.

Some sectors have been particularly responsive such as health, where we are working both at the international and domestic levels.  I would like to see agriculture, water, forests, and infrastructure get more on board with climate change and consider adaptation, impacts and vulnerability issues.

Disaster and emergency planning and management are also sectors that are looking at climate change, both domestically and internationally.  Disaster reduction initiatives are becoming more active.

Question: How do we link international and domestic adaptation?

Ian Burton:   As we move forward, there are three dimensions to consider:

1. Canada’s role in official international development assistance:  we need to recognize that these activities and projects are increasingly at risk and climate change considerations need to be strategically considered.
   
2. Transboundary aspects of adaptation: migration of wildlife, pests and diseases that are driven by climate change will arise as will changes in water resources and distribution.  We need to begin thinking how adaptation measures play into such transboundary issues.
   
3. As we look into the future the impact of adaptation on international trade is important.  For example, think about agricultural commodities such as food grains and the potential impacts of climate change.  The impacts may lead to health risks and therefore trade challenges.  We could look at such issues from a reactive perspective only, or we could look at them and consider innovative approaches that enable us to adapt.

Question:  What one adaptation issue do you believe needs more attention?

Ian Burton:  The losses from extreme climate change related events are going up rapidly; however the share that is covered by insurance is declining.  Insurance and re-insurance are concerned about exposure to catastrophic loss and more people and property are at risk due to climate change.

However, insurance is not available or accessible to all.

What we need is an international approach to expand the availability of insurance to climatic events.  It will take public-private partnerships initiatives to enhance the availability of insurance for climate change events and this is an area for innovation. 

Unless we get it right collectively, we all loose. From this perspective, the greater benefit is realized when we look at climate change co-operatively.  Trust is essential if we are to make progress in the both the short- and long-term.