UNESCO Intersectoral Platform: UNESCO Action to address climate change

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The intersectoral platform on climate change is conceived to support the implementation of the UNESCO Strategy to Address Climate Change that aims to develop an effective response to climate change and calls for action in all of the Organization’s fields of competence. The Strategy recognizes that an integrated approach to climate change is essential to address the range of environmental, economic, social, educational, informational, gender, attitudinal and behavioural issues involved. The intersectoral platform on climate change will subsequently benefit from and further enhance UNESCO’s potential to address interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral challenges; in line with the Medium-Term Strategy 2008-2013. The platform will take advantage of and facilitate collaboration among the over 40 already ongoing climate- relevant activities in all sectors of the Organization. This concerns especially the contributions to build the global knowledge base on climate change issues provided by UNESCO in the areas of oceanography, hydrology and ecological and earth sciences, as well as policy-relevant research on the human welfare dimensions of climate change. Examples of these dimensions are the impacts on the livelihoods of different social groups, on human settlements, and the prevention or management of climate-driven massive migrations. Improvements in the availability and sharing of such a knowledge base will greatly assist countries in developing long-term adaptation strategies and integrating these into national development/energy/poverty-reduction policies and plans.

More specifically, the activities of the intersectoral platform on climate change will focus on three major themes: (a) climate research and assessments, (b) monitoring aspects of climate change, and (c) adaptation and mitigation. In this framework, the intersectoral platform will maximize contributions from the Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Education and Communication Sectors to develop capacity-building and technical advice to design and implement evidence-based policies and projects at the local, national, regional and global levels, drawing on two principal pillars: (a) the sound and unbiased generation and use of data, information and research concerning climate change (the knowledge base); and (b) the application of educational tools, specific sectoral measures and public awareness activities. The intersectoral platform will then support the UNESCO strategy by assisting Member States to build and maintain a requisite knowledge base on climate change, help adaptation to the impacts of climate change, contribute to a mitigation of its causes, and strengthen sustainable development.

Expected results at the end of the biennium

• Enhanced scientific understanding of climate processes, drivers, and impacts for improved climate projections, with research and models scaled down to provide regional and subregional projections of climate change impacts;
  
• Improved understanding of the causes of vulnerability of social systems to climate change impacts, and the consequences of this vulnerability, in particular, social migrations and urban development;
  
• Increased Member State commitment to building and sustaining the Global Ocean observing systems for climates, including monitoring networks, coordination mechanisms, data systems and the creation of data products and information;
  
• Strengthened climate monitoring activities at UNESCO sites (Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage sites and Geoparks);
  
• Increased volume of and access to high-quality climate data and information for Member States, including regular analyses of needs, gaps and barriers;
  
• International agreement on priorities for implementation of global networks and development of policy-relevant information for observing the impacts of climate variability and change on ocean, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems and the biodiversity contained therein;
  
• Improved information on the impacts of climate change on World Heritage which will contribute to priority setting for management action;
  
• Improved understanding of climate change impacts and of adaptive capacities with particular emphasis on vulnerable societies, cultures, and ecosystems, including in World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Geoparks;
  
• Increased use of integrated climate change adaptation measures and policies that respond appropriately to environmental, economic, cultural, social, gender, educational, attitudinal and behavioural factors;
  
• Enhanced education, training, and public awareness of climate change and its impacts, and strategies for adapting to change and mitigating its causes;
  
• Wider dissemination of knowledge and information on climate change, and to increase awareness of potential mitigation actions and strategies that elicit long-term behavioural change, especially through emphasis on environmental ethics, market mechanisms and dissemination of quality information through mass media that targets both women and men.