The Adapting to Climate Change in China (ACCC) project brings together Chinese policy makers, research and policy institutions, as well as international organizations and experts, to develop practical approaches to climate change adaptation policy planning. The ACCC phase I (2009-2013) was designed as a “research-into-use” project, and focused on developing evidence-based climate change adaptation policy in China, at both the national and provincial levels. It made notable contributions to the formulation of the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) through building on cross-sectorial partnerships, capacity building work and scientific and policy advances. However, significant support is still required in order to achieve more in-depth and ambitious mainstreaming progress on adaptive planning.
ACCC phase II (2014-2017) builds on the work of phase I and aims to mainstream climate change adaptation into development policies at national and provincial levels; and to support the formulation and implementation of integrated Provincial Adaptation Plans (PAPs) across priority work sectors and share these experiences and lessons with other developing countries.
Humans have been adapting to changes in the climate for millennia but never in the short time frames are we currently facing. The impacts of climate are both global and local, they affect individuals and whole communities, and they demand both small adjustments and great tides of change to our way of life. There is no single solution but instead, a new way of working together for holistic response.
Nowhere is this clearer than in China. The country is many worlds within one. Ranging from the subtropics in the south to the snow-covered north, the arid west and the lush costal east. Across that intricate terrain, China’s vast population have along borne the brunt of the elements, living on the edge of water shortages in some areas, for example, while battling deluges in others. Now China is facing head on the very real challenges climate change brings.
To build a safe, secure and flourishing future, decision makers need to know just who and what is at greatest risk from climate change, why they are vulnerable and what they can do. They need robust, locally relevant and up to date scientific, social and economic information to lay a solid foundation for adaption responses.
The ACCC phase II is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation. The main institutional Chinese partner is the National Development and Reform Commission. The project is undertaken in partnership with nearly 20 international, national and provincial bodies. The policy-research work spans climate impacts, vulnerability and risk across six provinces and municipalities (Ningxia, Inner-Mongolia, Jilin, Jiangxi, Guizhou and Qingdao) covering the following sectors:
- Agriculture
- Desertification Control
- Grassland / Animal Husbandry
- Coastal zones management
- Water Resource Management
- Human Health
