Climate change risks and adaptation options for Madagascar

Abstract

Climate change poses an increasing threat to achieving development goals and is often considered in development plans and project designs. However, there have been challenges in the effective implementation of those plans, particularly in the sustained engagement of the communities to undertake adaptive actions, but also due to insufficient scientific information to inform management decisions. Madagascar is a country rich in natural capital and biodiversity but with high levels of poverty, food insecurity, population growth, and exploitation of natural resources. The country faces development and environmental challenges that may be intensified by climate change. The objective of this review is to provide a synthesis of the best-available information regarding climate change impacts on sectoral interests in Madagascar. To do this, we conducted a review of recent literature and conducted formal discussions with development agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders. Climate risks in Madagascar include increasing temperatures, reduced and more variable precipitation, more frequent droughts, more intense cyclones, and rising sea levels. We synthesized the observed and projected impacts of climate change on water resources, agriculture, human health, coastal ecosystems, fisheries, and terrestrial ecosystems and ecosystem services, and we discuss ongoing climate adaptation and mitigation activities. Because sectoral challenges and opportunities are linked, coordination among development organizations would be beneficial as they create new climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives.RÉSUMÉ. Le changement climatique présente une menace croissante pour atteindre les objectifs de développement et est souvent pris en considération dans les plans de développement et les conceptions de projet. Toutefois, certains défis sont survenus dans la mise en oeuvre effective de ces plans, en particulier dans l'engagement durable des communautés à adopter des mesures d'adaptation, mais aussi en raison d'un manque d'information scientifique pour étayer les décisions de la direction. Malgré sa richesse en ressources naturelles et en biodiversité, Madagascar est un pays accablé par une grande pauvreté, l'insécurité alimentaire, une forte croissance démographique et l'exploitation de ses ressources naturelles. Le pays fait face à des défis en termes de développement et d'environnement qui pourraient être intensifiés par le changement climatique. Ce document a pour but de présenter une synthèse des meilleures informations disponibles concernant les impacts du changement climatique sur les intérêts sectoriels à Madagascar. Pour ce faire, nous avons réalisé une analyse des articles récemment publiés et organisé des entretiens formels avec des agences de développement, des organisations nongouvernementales (ONG) et d'autres parties prenantes. Les risques climatiques à Madagascar comprennent une hausse des températures, des précipitations plus rares et plus variables, des sécheresses plus fréquentes, des cyclones p...

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