The AIACC Project was completed in 2007.

Assessments of Impacts and Adaptations to Climate Change (AIACC) is a global initiative developed in collaboration with the UNEP/WMO Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to advance scientific understanding of climate change vulnerabilities and adaptation options in developing countries. By funding collaborative research, training and technical support, AIACC enhanced the scientific capacity of developing countries to assess climate change vulnerabilities and adaptations, and generate and communicate information useful for adaptation planning and action. AIACC was implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme and executed jointly by START and The Academy of Sciences for the Developing Worlds(TWAS). In addition to funding from the Global Environmental Facility, collateral funding was provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Agency for International Development, World Bank, and participating institutions in developing countries.

AIACC filled gaps in scientific knowledge and capacity by funding, training, and mentoring developing country scientists to undertake multi-sector, multi-country research of priority to developing countries.

AIACC provided financial support to 24 regional study teams to conduct three-year investigations of climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability in 46 developing countries. The studies were selected from more than 150 submitted proposals through a competitive peer review process. Participating in these studies are 235 developing country scientists and more than 60 graduate and undergraduate students. The research activities addressed a range of questions about vulnerabilities to climate change and multiple other stresses, their implications for human development, and policy options for responding. The information, knowledge, tools and skills produced by AIACC research enhance the ability of developing countries to assess their vulnerabilities and adaptation options. This program of research-driven capacity building was supplemented by a program that includes training, mentoring and networking.

The AIACC regional studies were diverse in their objectives, and scientific methods in the sectors and systems that were investigated. These include, among others; food security, water resources, livelihood security, and human health. Despite this diversity, the studies share a common “second generation” assessment approach that places understanding vulnerability at the center of the assessment, engages stakeholders in the assessment process, and gives priority to strengthening the information base for making decisions about adaptation to climate change.

Outcomes of AIACC:

• Publication of peer-reviewed scientific articles by participating scientists that significantly expand understanding of developing country vulnerabilities and adaptation options
• Increased numbers of developing country researchers, particularly young researchers, who are actively engaged in global change research
• Increased participation of developing country scientists in future assessments of the IPCC
• Wider understanding of climate change issues among stakeholder groups in developing countries.
• Use of information generated by AIACC studies in National Communications and for planning adaptation actions

For more information, contact Jon Padgham, jpadgham@start.org or visit http://www.aiaccproject.org/