Consulting

The Global Climate Adaptation Partnership (GCAP) is a new private sector initiative that provides demand driven services to meet clients’ unique needs. Our networks of professionals enable us to provide effective global leadership and technical backstopping in a range of areas.

The principals leading GCAP have specialist experience and a track record in a range of consulting services. Our proprietary methodology effectively addresses practical climate change adaptation and environmental issues. In addition to our staff, we have a large network of partners and consultants who can effectively deliver these services. Our services are outlined below.

National Adaptation Strategy

 

Do you have a national adaptation strategy in place?
Does it take into account the uncertainties of climate change for different sectors and regions?
Does it consider the region’s geographical diversity and the different responses? Who is most vulnerable?
What current policies and programmes will be influential in planning your national adaptation strategy? What level is taking action?

 

We work with stakeholders across a range of policy areas to develop robust, flexible national adaptation strategies and build institutional capacity that are aligned with the unique context of the implementing country. 

Economics of Climate Change Adaptation

 

Do you know the economic impact of climate change on your country and region?
How can adaptation reduce the economic impact of climate change?
What are the costs and benefits of adaptation strategies and measures?

 

We use advanced climate models and climate data along with a range of economic models to analyse the effects of climate change on your country and/or region. Our experts understand the uncertainties of climate change and focuses on the unique aspects of your target region to provide relevant analyses of the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation. 

Screening Projects for Climate Change Adaptation

 

How do you include climate change adaptation into your projects?  
What projects need adaptation? What sectors are highest priority?
How can you do this in a transparent, accountable way that does not require huge time commitments and is financially feasible? What is the role of private-sector partners?

 

GCAP has developed a customised screening tool for the African Development Bank to better identify and access the vulnerabilities and risks of a project to climate change. The service is designed to fit within your organisation’s current policies and practices in order to smooth the transition in which project managers adjust to the new system. 

National Adaptation Investment and Finance

 

What sectors will be affected the most and where do countries need to invest in order to reduce loses and seize opportunities related to climate change?
How will the decisions you make influence future decisions in respect to climate change?
Who needs to invest early—banks, large corporations, SMEs?
What is the range of budgets required? How does adaptation change trade agreements?

 

We develop national adaptation investment strategies by combining the physical and social sciences with an understanding of major country and regional policies, key sectors and geographical areas. Monitoring of sources of finance leads to effective strategies. Understanding the geophysical settings and the consequences of environmental changes allows an effective planning and reduces damages from natural disasters.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation

 

How do you reduce disaster risk in the face of climate change?
What are win-win solutions?
What are the costs and benefits, barriers to implementation and practical next steps?

 

We understand the synergies between disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Our experts work in both the disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation communities performing and managing research, building capacity through conducting training programmes and developing effective solutions.

Baseline Social and Environmental Vulnerability Assessment

 

What is the region´s vulnerability to climate change from an environmental perspective?
What groups of society are more vulnerable to climate change?
What consequences of climate change will increase communities’ vulnerability to extreme events?
What ecosystems services are vulnerable to climate change?

 

In order to achieve successful adaptation strategies it is crucial to have a proper understanding of drivers of social and environmental vulnerability.  Our approaches consider the regional physical, social, environmental, economic and policy vulnerability and the constraints related with the urgency of solutions and shortage of sound information. We are experts in the standard approaches and techniques that are used in social and environmental assessments: we are currently developing innovative tools to offer our clients.

Communication

 

Who is your target audience?
What excites and drives them?
How do they process information and learn?
What do you want them to do with your communication?
What are the appropriate avenues for communicating your message?

 

We understand the importance of communication in creating awareness and driving action. Partnering with Strand, a marketing and design company, we address both the science and social side of communication and have developed a unique approach for effective communication: the Adaptation Big Picture.

Services under Development

MicroAdaptation and Investment Risk

 

Are governments aware of the impacts of climate change on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? How can SMEs be incorporated in the climate change adaptation agenda?
How does climate change affect the supply chain?
Are trade associations geared up for action? Could the final consumer be included in adaptation strategies?
 

The world is changing in the way we communicate, access to information, transferring money, and will continue to do so as people become increasingly mobile. Mobile technology has allowed the world’s poorest individuals and families to better connect with the rest of the world and consequently, has opened a new market that was previously inaccessible. Building on the growth of mobile technology, we are designing services to directly target companies and individuals on a mass scale. Business solutions for SMEs require a sound understanding of their constraints: our experts help them grow in a sustainable way.

Ecosystem Based Adaptation

 

How can the natural environment provide adaptation services?
What will be the impacts of climate change on the provision of ecosystem services?
Which ecosystem services could be compromised by climate change?
Which ecosystem services will allow a more efficient adaptation?
 

We understand the need for ecosystem-based approaches and the importance of assuring the provision of ecosystem services in the region.  We are aware of the benefits and limitations of EBAs and are working towards increasing awareness and importance at the local, regional and global level, our multidisciplinary team and understanding of the regional settings and realities makes our approach innovative and unique.

Sectoral Expertise

 

We are developing serviced dedicated to three high priority sectors: health; water, agriculture and land management; urban planning and critical infrastructure.