6GG501: Climate change:

Adaptation and Mitigation perspectives

Part One – NAPA

Assignment workshop
21 March 2024
This year there is a choice of two contrasting essays:

National Adaptation Programmes of Action can offer a potentially effective solutions for
reducing the risks that climate change poses for societies in Least Developed Countries.

Critically evaluate this contention using case studies to support your answer.

Or

Discuss the contention that the Medieval Climatic Anomaly was distinctive in terms of the
prevailing climate, factors controlling climatic variations and impacts upon society
 Some key points to note moving forward:

1. The assessment comprises an essay

- no side headings
- continuous prose comprising logically ordered thematic paragraphs.

2. The word limit for the assignment is 2500 words (± 10%)*

* Include the word count at the end of the essay

This excludes information contained within:

- Tables, graphs, location maps (but not captions for each);

- Reference list;
- Appendices.

3. The assignment must be submitted via Turn-It-In by 1200-hrs* on 24 April 2023

* Submission is during ‘normal office hours’ since IT Services are on-site to assist with any uploading issues!
Essential resources uploaded to Udo:

In the Week 6 (14 March) learning folder (National Adaptation Programmes of Action)
you will find:

1. Lecture 6;

2. NAPA posters from a previous years’ class activity in the Napa case-studies_2022 file;

In the Week 7 (Assessment workshop) folder you will find:

3. Examples of essays from 2022.

National Adaptation Programmes of Action offer potentially effective solutions
for reducing the risks that climate change poses for societies in Least
Developed Countries.

Critically evaluate this contention using case studies to support your answer
Climate adaptation week 5: Defining terminology

“ a process through which societies make themselves better able to cope…”

(UNFCCC, 2007, p.10)

“Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected

climatic stimuli, or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial
opportunities.”
(IPCC, 2007, p. 749)

“…adjustments, whether passive, reactive, or anticipatory, that is proposed as

a means for ameliorating the anticipated adverse consequences associated
with climate change.”
(Stakhiv, 1993, p.20)
Climate adaptation week 6: National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs):

A series of strategies that allow LDCs to respond to climate change based upon their urgent and
immediate needs


enhances adaptive capacity
to climate
variability

increases societal
resilience


decreases vulnerability
and costs at a later
stage
(Source: Adger et al., 2010)
 Low income
Av. per capita GNI
<US$1025

Least
Developed
Countries
‘High economic (World Bank, 2019) ‘Weak human
vulnerability’ assets’
Low nutrition;
Low agricultural
production; poor health;

low levels of
Minimal export of
goods and services. adult literacy.
The NAPA dimensions (UN, 2016):

Focus The urgent and immediate needs of local communities

(working at ‘grassroots’ level);

Aims i. Build upon existing coping strategies;

ii. Draw upon existing knowledge;

iii. Reduce vulnerability (increase resilience) to current (and

short-term) climate change (no scenario-based modelling)*.
(*see NAPs)

Stakeholders Local stakeholders, NGOs, and civil society form the ‘local’
elements of a national NAPA team.

“Adaptation solutions operating at the ‘local’ scale”? (Klein et al., 2007)

Check it out:
https://unfccc.int/topics/resilience/workstreams/national-adaptation-programmes-of-action/background-information
Check it out: https://unfccc.int/topics/resilience/workstreams/national-adaptation-programmes-of-action/napa-background
Check it out: https://unfccc.int/topics/resilience/workstreams/national-adaptation-programmes-of-action/napas-received
 What are the key themes for this question?

National Adaptation Programmes of Action offer potentially

effective solutions for reducing the risks that climate change
poses for societies in Least Developed Countries.

Critically evaluate this contention using case studies to support your answer
 Theme 1

National Adaptation Programmes of Action offer

potentially effective solutions for reducing the
risks that climate change poses for societies in
Least Developed Countries.

Theme 3 Theme 2

Critically evaluate this contention using case studies to support your answer
 Advice on structure and content:
1. A proper structure is an absolute must!

Introduction

Thematic sections
(organised in a logical manner)

Conclusion

Full reference list

(Harvard referencing protocols)

Appendices (if deemed appropriate)

Structure and content:
Introduction

i. Definition and understanding of key terms:

What are National Adaptation Programmes of Action?

https://unfccc.int/topics/resilience/workstreams/national-adaptation-programmes-of-action/background-information

Why were NAPAs were introduced?

- recognition of the vulnerability of LDCs

What are their overarching aims?

- addressing immediate & urgent needs linked to short-term climate change
- seeking to strengthening societal resistance (reduce vulnerability) (slides 7 and 9).

Useful context in Adger et al. (2006) and Adger et al. (2010)

List your country-specific NAPAs

Main body of the essay

Question: How many case-studies?

Answer: Three is an optimal number (given the word count)!

LDC priorities and projects are linked to:

i. climate (arid vs. semi-arid vs. sub-tropical)

ii. location (island vs. land-locked vs. lowland vs. mountainous);

e.g. Sudan  Bhutan  Bangladesh  Nepal  Kiribati  Ethiopia

Question: How can I ‘squeeze in’ a few more words?

Answer: Be creative! Put ‘text’ in tables e.g. climate background, NAPA priorities and projects?
But don’t go overboard e.g. including 15 tables in your essay is excessive!
Three tables maximum per case-study is a realistic number!
Main body of the essay
Question: What are the essential components of each case-study?

i. Climate change context:

current and short-term climate change

(temperature, rainfall & extreme events)

Climate in Ethiopia: (L) mean annual temperatures, and (R) total

Frequency/magnitude of extreme events annual precipitation. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018).

Number of people affected annually by flooding events

in Ethiopia. Source: FDRE (2019).

impacts
(flooding, drought, storms and coastal
surges and sea-level change
Main body of the essay
Question: What are the essential components of each case-study?

ii. Adaptation needs and priorities: Est Cost

Rank Project
linked to sectors impacted (US$ Mil)
e.g. agricultural Promoting drought/crop insurance
1 8
program

Strengthening/enhancing drought
linked to communities impacted 2 10
and flood early warning systems
(vulnerability & resilience)
Development of small-scale
3 irrigation and water harvesting 30
schemes
discussion of NAPA priorities Improving rangeland resource
4 management practices in pastoral 2
areas
review of projects & priorities Community based sustainable
5 2
management of wetlands
Main body of the essay
Question: What are the essential components of each case-study

iii. Adaptation projects moving forward:

Rank Project Reference
discussion of projects selected
(including selection criteria)
Promotion of reforestation
and agroforestry to reduce
1A MoE (2016)
likely costs vulnerability to droughts and
floods

review of possible barriers

to implementation Breeding drought and

1 disease resistant crops MoLWE (2007).

evaluation of perceived
outcomes (reduced vulnerability)
Main body of the essay
Question: Have programmes been effective in the short-term?

For example:

The enhancement of early warning flood systems?

The development of efficient small-scale irrigation and water harvesting schemes?

The sustainable management of ecologically sensitive wetlands?

The development of robust community preparedness plans?

Have projects increased resilience and adaptive capacity?

Is there tangible evidence of decreased vulnerability?

Main body of the essay
Question: What are the essential components of each case-study

location map of the country 

(or specific regions)

precipitation/temperature data 
(in tabular or graphical form)*

Any data that emphasizes 

vulnerability!

*Included data from journal articles and reliable web-based resources!

Napa references:

To note:

NAPAs listed on the UNFCCC website = practical working documents!

Refer to references cited in each NAPA!

Background to the NAPA;

Theoretical concepts;
extract from textbooks and journal literature
Aims and objectives; (additional references uploaded to Course Resources
next week)
Criticisms of the NAPAs

LDCs that provide brilliant NAPA case-studies include:

Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kiribati, Malawi, Tanzania!

Napa references:
Adger, W.N., Huq, S., Brown, K., Conway, D., Hulme, M. (2003) Adaptation to climate change in the developing world.
Progress in Development Studies, 3, 3, 179-195.

Adger, W.N., Lorenzoni, I., O'brien, K. (2009) Adapting to Climate Change:Thresholds, Values, Governance.
Cambridge, MA: MIT Press (551.6/ADA). Check out pages: 137, 351,363-6, 401, 408, 413, 451.
Also available as an e-book

Adger, W. & Paavola, J., Huq, S., Mace, M.J. (2006) Fairness In Adaptation to Climate Change. Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (363.73874/FAI). Check out pages: 11, 16-18, 60, 132, 181, 199, 276,
201-204, Bangladesh case-study 196-199, guidelines 60, 182, 189, 192, 204 and process 210, 217, 220.
Also available as an e-book

Ayers, J. (2011) Resolving the adaptation paradox: exploring the potential for deliberative adaptation policy-making in
Bangladesh. Global Environmental Politics, 11, 1, 62-88

Hardee, K., Mutunga, C. (2009) Strengthening the link between climate change adaptation and national development
plans: lessons from the case of population in National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs). Mitigation and
Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 15, 113-126.

Huq, S., Khan, M.R. (2006) Equity in National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs): The case of Bangladesh. In:
Fairness in Adaptation to Climate Change [Adger, W.N., Paavola, J., Huq, S. and Mace, M.J. (eds.)]. Cambridge,
MA: MIT Press,131-153.
Napa references:
Huq, N., Hugé, J. (2011) National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)– An assessment of workers’ rights.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228468206_National_Adaptation_Programme_of_Action_NAPA-An_Assessment_of_
Workers'_Rights

Field, C.B., Barros, V.R., Dokken, D.J., Mach, K.J., Mastrandrea, M.D., Bilir, T.E., Chatterjee, M., Ebi, K.L., Estrada,
Y.O., Genova, R.C., Girma, B., Kissel, E.S., Levy, A.N., MacCracken, S., Mastrandrea, P.R., White, L.L. (eds.)]
(2014) Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects.
Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 1132 pp.
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/
For information on NAPAs check out pages: 215, 816, 836, 852, 873, 880, 1111.

Lal, P.N., Mitchell, T., Aldunce, P., Auld, H., Mechler, R., Miyan, A., Romano, L.E., Zakaria,S. (2012) National systems
for managing the risks from climate extremes and disasters. In: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and
Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. A Special Report of Working Groups I and II of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Field, C.B., Barros, V.R., Stocker, T.F., Qin, D., Dokken, D.J., Ebi,
K.L., Mastrandrea, M.D., Mach, K.J., Plattner, G.-K., Allen, S.K., Tignor M., Midgley, P.M. (eds.)]. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, pp. 339-392.
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/managing-the-risks-of-extreme-events-and-disasters-to-advance-climate-change-adaptation/
Napa references:
LDC Expert Group, 2009: The Least Developed Countries National Adaptation Programmes of Action: Overview of
Preparation, Design of Implementation Strategies and Submission of Revised Project Lists and Profiles. United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UNFCCC Secretariat, Bonn, Germany, 32 pp.
https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/publications/ldc_tp2009.pdf

Liberia’s National Adaptation Plan Process Stocktaking report and preliminary road map for advancing Liberia’s NAP
process (2015) UNDP
https://www.adaptation-undp.org/sites/default/files/downloads/liberia_stocktaking_report_for_nap_and_road-map_for_cambodia_nap_gsp_and_giz_21_0.pdf

Meybeck, A., Azzu, N., Doyle, M. and Gitz V. (2012) Agriculture in National Adaptation Programmes of Action
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department. FAO Conference: Building resilience for adaptation to climate
change in the agriculture, Rome, 23-24 April . Available at: http://www.fao.org/3/i3084e/i3084e00.htm

Nwagbara, G. (2013) Review of the Liberia National Adaptation Programme of Action [Online]
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309845807_Review_of_the_Liberia_National_Adaptation_Programme_of_Action

Saito, N. (2013) Mainstreaming climate change adaptation in least developed countries in South and Southeast Asia.
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 18, 6, 825-84

Smit, B. & Wandel, J. (2006) Adaptation, adaptive capacity and vulnerability. Global Environmental Change,16, 3,
282-292.
Napa references:
UNFCCC National Adaptation Programmes of Action – The NAPA documentation submitted by each LDC can be
found at:

https://unfccc.int/topics/resilience/workstreams/national-adaptation-programmes-of-action/napas-received
 6GG501: Climate change:
Adaptation and Mitigation perspectives

Part Two – The MCA

Assignment workshop
22 March 2024
Essential resources uploaded to Udo:
In the week 2 (15 February) learning folder you will find:

1. Lecture 2 slides and extensive reference list;

2. Medieval Climatic Anomaly references;

In the Week 7 (Assessment workshop) folder you will find:

3. Examples of essays from the 2022 class.

For a south American perspective check out the information and references at:
https://sites.google.com/site/medievalwarmperiod/ (you may need to create an account)
What are the key themes? Consider the following

Theme 1

Discuss the contention that the Medieval Climatic Anomaly

was distinctive in terms of the prevailing climate,
factors controlling climatic variations and
impacts upon society

Theme 2
Theme 3
 Structure and content:
1. A proper structure is an absolute must!

Introduction

Thematic sections
(organised in a logical manner)

Conclusion

Full Reference
(Harvard referencing protocols)

Appendices (if deemed appropriate)

Structure and content:
1. Introduction: I would expect you to:

i. Explain the term ‘Medieval Climatic Anomaly (MCA)’

e.g. O’Hare et al. (2005), Lamb, (1982), Diaz et al (2011)

ii. Outline the MCA’s temporal and spatial dimensions

i.e. the timeframe(s) and perceived status - hemispherical vs. global

iii. List the case-studies you will include in your essay

(you could include a Google Earth image showing the specific location of each case-study but think about
an appropriately scaled image)
 Structure and content:

2. The main body of the essay:

Question: How many case-studies?

Answer: That’s tricky! Three might be an optimum figure?

Note the following:

- very few case-studies focus on all three themes!

- you could draw upon different case-studies for each theme!

- present a ‘global’ perspective

i.e. case-studies drawn from the Northern and Southern hemispheres
Structure and content:

2. Theme 1: the prevailing climate(s)

Distinctive regional climates evolved in the Northern & Southern hemispheres

i. Review what evidence was used to infer the prevailing climate:

- tree rings
- oxygen (δ18O) isotopes from speleothems or ice cores
- pollen data
- written records

ii. Include graphs and tables that illustrate the climate:

Data might suggest a warm and humid climate or warm and dry climate (compared to modern
day)
Data may suggest increasing or decreasing regional rainfall (compared to modern day)
Explain what the graphs/tables tell us about the climate.

Remember data does not speak for itself you need to explain the emerging trends!
 Examples of graphs used in previous essays

12th and 13th century warming The end of the MCA in New
between A.D. 1150 and 1250. Zealand around A.D. 1500.

Figure 1: A graph presenting the Oroko Swamp temperature reconstruction, showing the start and end date of the
MCA in New Zealand (Source: Cook et al., 2002).
 The MCA period of A.D. 1000-1200, with
the peak at approximately A.D. 1016.

Figure 2: A graph to present the temperature reconstruction of the El Triunfo wetlands,

showing the start and end date of the MCA in Colombia (Source: Luning et al., 2019).
The period of the MCA between A.D. 950-1250, showing variations in temperature anomalies

EPS refers to ‘replication’ value

Figure 3: A graph presenting the Jamtland temperature reconstruction and anomalies,

showing the start and end date of the MCA (Source: Linderholm and Gunnarson, 2019).
Structure and content:
Theme 2: factors controlling the prevailing climate:
iii. Critically discuss:
i. external forcing mechanisms:
- total Solar irradiance (TSI)

ii. internal forcing mechanisms:

- the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO)
- thermohaline circulation + changes in sea surface temperatures (SSTs)
- El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Make sure you describe the trends in graphs and tables!

Don’t leave me to guess the significance of graphs or tables you’ve included!

 Figure 4: Reconstructions of key drivers of natural climate variability.
The MCA timeframe is A.D. 1000-1200 (Source: Luning et al., 2019).
Note: Southern Annular Mode (SAM); Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO); Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)
 Structure and content:
Theme 3: impacts upon society:
iv. Critical discussions can be found in journals and texts listed in the lecture slides
NW Europe well covered (+ve impacts on society) - Vikings
North America (-ve impacts on society)
South America (-ve impacts on society) – final Mayan collapse
North Africa (-ve impacts on society)
South Africa (+ve impacts on society)

Fewer detailed climate case-studies from N & S Africa – extrapolate data from nearest
study site!
In text-citations and the reference list:

You are familiar with Harvard citation and referencing protocols!

All arguments must be fully cited 

All sources cited must be included in your Reference list 

Checkout ‘Cite them right’ on the library website:

https://www-citethemrightonline-com.ezproxy.derby.ac.uk/  

There is NO excuse for not getting in-text citations and your reference list 100%
correct 
Selected references for impacts on humankind:
Aimers, J. (2007). What Maya Collapse? Terminal Classic Variation in the Maya Lowlands. Journal of Archaeological
Research, 15, 4, 329-377. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41053243

Arnold, J E. (1992) Complex Hunter Gatherer Fishers of Prehistoric California. Chiefs, Specialists and Maritime
Adaptations of the Channel Islands. American Antiquity, 57, 60-84.

Curtis, J., Hodell, D., Brenner, M. (1996). Climate Variability on the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) during the Past 3500
Years, and Implications for Maya Cultural Evolution. Quaternary Research, 46,1, 37-47. doi:10.1006/qres.1996.0042

Goodwin, I., Browning, S., Anderson, A. (2014) Climate windows for Polynesian voyaging to New Zealand and Easter
Island. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111, 41,14716-14721.

Huffman, T.N. and Herbert, R. K. (1994) New Perspectives on Eastern Bantu, Azania: Archaeological Research in
Africa, 29-30, 1, 27-36. doi: 10.1080/00672709409511659

Kennett, D., Breitenbach, S., Aquino, V., Asmerom, Y., Awe, J., Baldini, J., Bartlein, P., Culleton, B., Ebert, C., Jazwa,
C., Macri, M., Marwan, N., Polyak, V., Prufer, K., Ridley, H., Sodemann, H., Winterhalder, B. and Haug, G. (2012)
Development and disintegration of Maya Political Systems in Response to Climate Change. Science, 338, 6108, 788-
791.
Selected references for impacts on humankind:
Lamb, H. H. (1990) Climate: Past, Present and Future (1st edition). London: Routledge.

Lamb, H. H. (1995) Climate, history and the modern world (2nd edition). London: Routledge (551.6/LAM).

Le Roy Ladurie, E. (1988) Times of Feast, Times of Famine: A History of Climate Since the Year 1000. Farrar Straus &
Giroux

Nunn, P. (2007) The A.D. 1300 Event in the Pacific Basin. Geographical Review, 97, 1, 1-23
https://www-jstor org.ezproxy.derby.ac.uk/stable/30034040?seq=8#metadata_info_tab_contents

Parsons, N. (1993) A New History of Southern Africa. London: Macmillan.

Pearce, C. and Pearce, F. (2010) Oceanic Migration: Paths, Sequence, Timing and Range of Prehistoric Migration in
the Pacific and Indian Oceans (online). London.: Springer Science & Business Media.

Ruddiman W. F. (2008) Earth’s Climate Past and Future (2nd edition) New York: W. H. Freeman and Company.

Turner, D. (2020). How Weather Ruled the Vikings (online). Medievalists.

https://www.medievalists.net/2017/09/weather-ruled-vikings/
Selected references for impacts on humankind:
Xoplaki, E., Fleitmann, D., Diaz, H., Gunten, L., Kiefer, T. (2011) Medieval Climate Anomaly Pages news, 19, 1, 1-40
[Online] Available at URL: http://www.pages.unibe.ch/download/docs/newsletter/2011-1/NL2011-1_lowres.pdf