IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Most donor countries fund activities that aim to reduce poverty and that therefore have long-term development objectives. Yet, climate change is likely to make poverty reduction goals more difficult to achieve unless aid recipient countries are assisted in learning how to become more response-capable.  Development interventions have to be designed in a way that helps to reduce vulnerability and enhance adaptive capacity. This means that the possibility for a change in climatic conditions must be taken into account in any intervention, and ways to adapt to those potential new conditions should be identified and supported.

Working with multilateral institutions and bilateral donors, the Forest Conservation Programme ensures that their investments and development programmes fully integrate adaptation and risk reduction strategies. The Forest Conservation Programme also assists national governments in developing and implementing climate change adaptation plans that are community-based, participatory and build on traditional knowledge.