Climate change poses a risk to development as there can be trade-offs between them, particularly when the two are considered separately. Progressively, countries are recognizing the importance of supporting climate change adaptation with an integrated, cross-cutting policy approach. In this respect, on October 15th IUC Asia Helpdesk and CCROM participated in a virtual discussion to integrate the Climate Action Plan into Palembang’s Development Plan (RPJMD).
The meeting acted as a follow up of the previous meeting organized in May 2020. Various official agencies, local and international partners as well as distinguished experts were in attendance. The meeting aimed to find inputs from the participants to explore mainstreaming climate change considerations into Palembang’s development programs, policies, and management strategies.
Mainstreaming climate change adaptation describes a process of considering climate risks within development projects, and of adjusting project activities and approaches to address these risks. The assumption is that the project has a goal related to poverty reduction, livelihood security, or improved well-being for target populations and that the sustainability and impact of the initiative can be increased by integrating climate change aspects. In other words, mainstreaming can increase the likelihood of success of development under a changing climate.
Palembang is in the final stage to revise the existing RPJMD (2018-2023) as the final draft is being reviewed by The House of Representative of Palembang (DPRD). Under IUC Asia’s assistance, Palembang has developed its mitigation target and adaptation goals. The current version of CAP has pledged to cut 16% of emission by 2030 compared to a Business as Usual (BAU) scenario. Meanwhile, the final draft of the revision of the RPJMD has included the target of emission reduction by 9% by 2023, adjusted to reflect the RPJMD period.
A day before, on October 14th, a meeting with the city stakeholders was held to review the adaptation goals suggested by CCROM which are to reduce the number of vulnerable villages and poor households in the Level-I-Priority category by 50%. The meeting intended to formulate the adaptation goals so that it would be in line with the main priorities of the RPJMD. The responsible city agencies related to the adaptation goals were also discussed in the meeting.
