Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change (CC) and regional sustainable development by empowerment of Ukrainians

Ukraine features diverse ecosystems indispensable for sustaining human livelihoods. Such ecosystems are already facing over-exploitation, unsustainable land use and are increasingly affected by climate change, driving stresses on ecosystem functionality and increasing vulnerability. This directly affects human well-being and economy. In the face of such developments, both protection and restoration of ecosystems buffering and regulating capacities is urgently needed. Currently, ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to climate change (CC) is not yet integrated consistently into national and regional environmental policy, strategic planning and mainstream land use practices.

In rural Ukraine, the project will operate in three target areas. These are the Desna Biosphere Reserve, the Roztochya Biosphere Reserve and the Shatskyi Biosphere Reserve.

Project Content & Activities:

Activities on site with project partners and / or regional actors

• Familiarization-tour (people & region) and citizen workshops
• Participatory, ecosystem-based situation analysis & strategy development (stakeholder workshops, MARISCO-method)
• Publication of information materials
• EbA training for Ukrainian BR staff
• Initiation, implementation and monitoring of concrete pilot projects (EbA to CC)
• Participation at international conferences (EuroMAB, Adaptation Futures)

Research:

• Basic research and GIS data analysis
• Visualization of GIS-based strategy maps

Policy development:

• Dialogue and continuous work exchange with political partners including political events and steering committee meetings
• Analysis of relevant political and juridical framework
• Development of draft strategy paper for integration of EbA into planning and legal framework (on national level)
• External project evaluation and final event with political partners