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Challenges and lessons learnt
- The most serious obstacles we were faced with were misunderstanding and lack of environmental thinking among Chinese authorities.
- Organizing the Nature Protected Area at the boundary segment of Argun river is hampered by failure to understanding the local communities shortages and the adventures it gives them.
- Popularization of the project is necessary for better understanding from local people and authorities.
- The project primary management must be as thought-out and detailed as possible.
- Natural climate fluctuations indigenous to the area may mask presence of linear climate change
Change in water temperature may affect river ecosystems earlier than change in flow volume (loss of habitat of native species and invasions of exotics)
- Poorly planned human activities initiated in anticipation of climate change (including some adaptation measures) may drastically hurt ecosystem much earlier and more severe than consequences of actual global climate change
- Riverine wetland conservation is an essential component in any basin-wide adaptation Progamme and should first of all focus on protecting natural refugia during most unfavorable climate conditions and sustaining environmental flows.
Difficulties encountered
- Very difficult communication with officials on China side, to the point they officially refuse to recognize that Hailaer (Upper Argun) is a part of transboundary watercourse.
- High level of uncertainty in prediction of future conditions due to simultaneous action of 30-year climate cycle and global climate change
- Lack of awareness on climate cycle and climate change among stakeholders: officials and local population
- Lack of funding (failed to secure governmental contract on environmental flow research)
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Guidance and tools
Contacts
External links
News And EventsWorkshop on climate change adaptation in the Neman river basin. Vilnius, Lithuania, 16 May 2013,
Workshop and expert meetingRiver basin management and climate change adaptation in the Neman river basin. Minsk, Republic of Belarus, 19 March 2013,
MRC-CCAI study visit to Europe «Transboundary Adaptation to Climate Change» Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Luxemburg, 25 November 2012 - 7 December 2012
Expert meeting «Promoting Cooperation to Adapt to Climate Change in the Chu and Talas Transboundary Basin» Almaty, 5 November 2012
Sixth Dniester meeting: The Working Group on Flood Management and Adaptation to Climate Change under the Dniester project. 14 December 2012, Kiev
Field trip and workshops “River basin management and adaptation to climate change in the Neman”. 15-19 October 2012, Hrodna and Druskininkai
Working meeting Chu Talas «Assessmant of Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Chu-Talas Transboundary Basin». 19-20 July 2012 , Almaty, Kazakhstan
Fifth Dniester meeting: The Working Group on Flood Management and Adaptation to Climate Change under the Dniester project. 7 June 2012, Chisinau
Fifth Task Force meeting: The Task Force on Water and Climate. 27 April 2012, Geneva
Third workshop on water and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins: Making adaptation work. 25-26 April 2012, Geneva
Meeting on the Neman project “River basin management and adaptation to climate change in the Neman”. 06 March 2012, Grodno
Fourth Dniester meeting: The working group on flood management and climate change adaptation. 1 December 2011, Kiev
Second core group meeting : The core group of pilot projects on climate change adaptation in transboundary basins. 23 - 24 November 2011, Geneva
Side event at the Seventh Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe”. 23 September 2011, Astana
Fourth Task Force Meeting: Meeting of the Task Force on Water and Climate. 14 April 2011, Geneva
Second workshop on water and adaptation to climate change in transboundary basins. 12-13 April 2011, Geneva
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