This report is the product of a regional consultation project initiated by IDRC and DFID, and carried out by the Fundacion Futuro Latinoamericano, a non-profit organisation based in Quito, Ecuador. The objective of this project is to identify the information gaps, knowledge requirements of relevant stakeholders, and the state of existing capacity and needs of the most vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), to cope with the impacts of climate change. Specifically, the project’s aims are:
- to understand local, national, and regional priorities
- to identify the major knowledge gaps and information needs as recognised by a range of stakeholders (including vulnerable communities)
- to identify the constraints to make optimal use of existing and new knowledge and of known good practices.
Key recommendations as a result of the consultation process include:
- IDRC and DFID should not adopt a geographic focus for their new climate change initiatives
- new international efforts should be concentrated on research proposals that can demonstrate early engagement of communities and/or decision-makers in the research process and that are submitted by an inter-disciplinary group of researchers
- unfortunately, the consultation process was not able to fully assess the research needs of Brazilian stakeholders and it is suggested that this gap be filled through a specific country consultation
- an additional consultation is needed to incorporate the views of the energy sector, considered key by almost all participants
- IDRC and DFID should consider putting together an Advisory Board for their Programs. This Board could be integrated with recognised members of vulnerable communities and sectors, researchers, governments, and local authorities, linked to the research projects. Annual meetings could be held to assess impact of the Program and provide ideas for further research
- following up with recommendations made by participants, it would be convenient to include young people in the Advisory Board as well
- a knowledge management mechanism that would allow for early systematisation of tools and methodologies developed by projects under the Program should be put in place to aim at obtaining comparable results and replicating successful experiences.
