Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRASILIA963
2009-08-04 15:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brasilia
Cable title:  

USG SPONSORED WORKSHOP ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLACIAL MELT

Tags:  SENV EAGR EAID TBIO KSCA ECON SOCI XR BR 
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DE RUEHBR #0963/01 2161550
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041550Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4813
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 7619
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 1700
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASH DC
RHEBAAA/DOE WASHDC
RUEHC/DOI WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC
RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC
RUEANAT/NASA HQ WASHDC
RUCPDC/NOAA WASHDC
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
RUEHRC/USDA WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRASILIA 000963 

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USAID TO LAC/RSD, LAC/SAM, G/ENV, PPC/ENV
TREASURY FOR USED IBRD AND IDB AND INTL/MDB
USDA FOR FOREST SERVICE: LIZ MAHEW
INTERIOR FOR DIR INT AFFAIRS: K WASHBURN
INTERIOR FOR FWS: TOM RILEY
INTERIOR FOR NPS: JONATHAN PUTNAM
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR INTERNATIONAL: J WEAVER
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL: CAM HILL-MACON
USDA FOR ARS/INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH: G FLANLEY
NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL: HAROLD STOLBERG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAGR EAID TBIO KSCA ECON SOCI XR BR
SUBJECT: USG SPONSORED WORKSHOP ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLACIAL MELT
IN THE ANDES RESULTS IN ADAPTION RECOMMENDATIONS

BRASILIA 00000963 001.2 OF 003



UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BRASILIA 000963

SIPDIS

DEPT PASS USAID TO LAC/RSD, LAC/SAM, G/ENV, PPC/ENV
TREASURY FOR USED IBRD AND IDB AND INTL/MDB
USDA FOR FOREST SERVICE: LIZ MAHEW
INTERIOR FOR DIR INT AFFAIRS: K WASHBURN
INTERIOR FOR FWS: TOM RILEY
INTERIOR FOR NPS: JONATHAN PUTNAM
INTERIOR PASS USGS FOR INTERNATIONAL: J WEAVER
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL: CAM HILL-MACON
USDA FOR ARS/INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH: G FLANLEY
NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL: HAROLD STOLBERG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAGR EAID TBIO KSCA ECON SOCI XR BR
SUBJECT: USG SPONSORED WORKSHOP ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLACIAL MELT
IN THE ANDES RESULTS IN ADAPTION RECOMMENDATIONS

BRASILIA 00000963 001.2 OF 003




1. SUMMARY. In July 2009, a USAID and NSF-sponsored workshop
brought together U.S. and Peruvian experts on climate change impacts
on highland mountain zones and they identified six major weaknesses
impeding the development and implementation of adaptation
strategies. These weaknesses included the lack of adequate
information on climate change and water resources in Peru and the
lack of funding for mid and long term adaptation strategies.
USAID/Peru has committed USD 1 million to implement over the next
three years some of the recommendations made by the working groups
formed at this workshop. END SUMMARY.


2. The recession of tropical glaciers has an enormous impact on the
Andean hydrologic cycle, a situation that raises grave concerns for
future water resources - especially in Peru where 70% of the
population lives on the Pacific coast and only 2% of the country's
water supply is available. The anticipated increase and risk of
increased flooding, catastrophic events, and loss of water storage
will likely force major changes upon Andean communities. In
response, USAID sponsored an international, multidisciplinary,
inter-sectoral, and university-based workshop in Lima and Huaraz,
Peru, entitled "Adapting to a World without Glaciers." This
workshop was designed to facilitate discussion among scientists,
practitioners, and policy makers about climate change
vulnerabilities and risks; catalyze thinking that formulates
innovative approaches that facilitate adaptation to changing
environmental and climatic conditions; and identify priority

research, collaboration, and action needs. Besides USAID
(Washington and Peru),the workshop was also supported by the
National Science Foundation, the International Resources Group
(IRG),, The Mountain Institute, University of Georgia, Catholic
University of Peru, Peru's Science and Technology Council
(CONCYTEC),and Peru's Ministry of Environment.


3. Throughout the workshop (July 7-15, 2009) recommendations and
concrete plans for future collaborative research and development
projects between U.S and Peruvian scientists were elaborated and
prioritized through dialogue with government officials and Peruvian
researchers. USAID/Peru committed to investing USD 1 million over
the next three years to implement the research and action priorities
recommended throughout this workshop.


4. The workshop was a rare opportunity to increase collaborative
exchange between U.S. scientists and Peruvian researchers on
challenges related to climate change adaptation, water resources
management, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, and
agricultural practices.

RESEARCH PROPOSALS


5. The workshop created three working groups that dealt with: water
and hazards, ecosystem and biodiversity, and agriculture. Proposals
for research on the processes and impacts of climate change in
Peru's water sector include: 1) determining (natural and artificial)
water availability; 2) determining current and future uses of water;
and 3) evaluating past and current water management practices. For
ecosystems and biodiversity, research priorities are: 1) identifying
vulnerable communities and areas; 2) understanding how people value
biodiversity and ecosystems from a cultural and economic perspective
and study interactions between human and biophysical systems; and 3)
understanding social, cultural, economic, and environmental links
between high and lowlands. For the agricultural sector, research
needs include: 1) evaluating changes in land use, vegetation cover,

BRASILIA 00000963 002.2 OF 003


and productive ecosystems due to climate change; 2) recovering and
reassessing traditional knowledge on climate change, with
representation of the country's cultural diversity; and 3)
evaluating current and potential capacities of sub-basins as
suppliers of environmental services. These recommendations will
inform the development of a research agenda by CONCYTEC and may lead
to further research support from the US National Science
Foundation.

PRIORITY ACTIONS


6. Priority actions for climate change adaptation in Peru's water
sector are: 1) develop and strengthen platforms for participation
and decision-making by stakeholders in the water basins; 2) capacity
building and information exchange for participation and
decision-making; and 3) education, communication, and information
dissemination (i.e. improve communication and education on climate
change). With respect to ecosystems and biodiversity, suggested
priority actions are: 1) biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and
management; 2) strengthen public awareness on impact of climate
change on ecosystems and biodiversity; and 3) improve, implement,
and develop new policies and environmental laws with respect to
biodiversity conservation and environmental services. For the
agricultural sector, suggested priorities are: 1) strengthen
governmental institutions - namely the ministries of Environment
(MINAM) and Agriculture (MINAG),Meteorology and Hydrology Service
(SENAHMI),Agricultural Research Institution (INIA),and
Agricultural Health Service (SENASA) - in order to carry out more
effective actions in response to climate change; 2) develop and
implement a National Program for Intercultural Education on Climate
Change; and 3) elaborate and implement mechanisms for the mandatory
payment of environmental services. These recommendations will
inform the follow on work sponsored by USAID/Peru.

BARRIERS TO DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ADAPTION STRATEGIES


7. Six main points that impede the development and the
implementation of strategies to adapt to these changes were
identified throughout the event: 1) Lack of sufficient information
and research on climate change and water (e.g. studies on
paleoclimate and climate history); 2) weak institutional structure
in Peru in general and in the agricultural sector in particular
(i.e. lack of cooperation between governmental agencies and need for
a governmental, multisectoral data base on climate change); 3) gap
between society in general and indigenous and native communities
(i.e. difficulty in incorporating traditional knowledge into
official strategies for climate change adaptation); 4) indigenous
and native populations are losing control over their natural
resources and their capacity to manage their territories (i.e.
increased dependence on outside organizations); 5) gap between the
scientific community, decision makers, and society as a whole (e.g.
data is seldom shared publicly and free of charge); and 6) lack of
funding for mid and long term adaptation strategies.


8. Peru is currently developing a series of initiatives that will
strengthen the country's capacity to support research on climate
change and implement actions to adapt to these changes. Some
highlights are the creation of a Ministry of Environment, the
elaboration of a new law for water resource management and risk
management, and growing interest of local authorities in
incorporating environmental policies into their regions. The
existence of national protected areas and the country's current
attempt to motivate the creation of private protected areas

BRASILIA 00000963 003.2 OF 003


strengthen Peru's capacity to conserve biodiversity. NOTE: During
his speech at the event, Minister of Environment Antonio Brack,
highlighted the need for international researchers working in Peru
to share information with Peruvian entities and increased
participation from local communities in decision-making. The new
water resources management law was criticized by other event
participants for not involving local communities in its elaboration
and for looking at Peru as a homogeneous country (which it is not).
END NOTE.


9. COMMENT. This USAID-funded workshop and the commitment by
USAID/Peru to support follow up activities have visibly demonstrated
the USG's interest in and concern about the impact of receding
glaciers in the Andeans. This environmental problem represents a
major challenge to the region for the millions that depend on the
glaciers for the water supply. END COMMENT.

SOBEL