Reducing exposure and sensitivity, increasing adaptive capacity

Based on the information generated through the risk assessment in Step 2, Ecosystem-based Adaptation options can now be identified. These should aim to reduce exposure and sensitivity or increase adaptive capacity as well as maintain or enhance ecosystem services supply. If an impact chain approach was applied to assess risk, the impact chains can be used to structure an initial brainstorming on potential adaptation measures. Most measures applied for EbA will not be new measures. In fact, there are numerous well known approaches from e.g. integrated watershed-, sustainable land-, forest- or coastal zone management that can be applied in the climate change and EbA context. Here, particular attention is paid to nature-based solutions that support the restoration, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems. With regards to e.g. infrastructure, “grey” (infrastructural)measures are equally relevant and can often be used in combination with “green” (ecosystem-based) measures (hybrid adaptation) – for instance to protect infrastructure from climate change related hazards.

Suggested sources

For an overview of different categories of EbA options, please see the EbA in Practice page. The following databases and inventories provide an additional source of information on Ecosystem-Based Adaptation options and measures (adapted from the Voluntary guidelines for the design and effective implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (CBD, 2019). Furthermore, if you are looking for tools to support the planning and implementation of EbA measures, please use the EbA Tools Navigator, which is a database for tools that can help you implement EbA measures.