Advancing inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development (ISARD) necessitates improving the resilience of rural communities. This involves making sure that agriculture and other natural resources are conserved and sustainably managed while reducing the risks of natural disasters. Livelihoods and habitation in agricultural and natural resource ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to climate change. The aftermath of extreme weather events due to changing climate has wrought much disaster and grave threats to the sustainability of efforts toward rural poverty reduction and food security.

Adaptation has been recognized as one of the key strategies to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change. The challenge is to come up with various adaptation strategies to strengthen the coping capacity of communities and the adaptive capacity of natural ecosystems. However, climate-induced disasters have become even more frequent, drawing decision-makers’ attention towards disaster risk management (DRM) in addressing the challenges wrought by changing climate.

SEARCA has previously collaborated with UPOU and UPOU-FI in the offering of the Non-Formal Course on Responding to Climate Risks in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (RCRANRM). At present, UPOU is already on its third offering of the online course on RCRANRM. SEARCA believes that offering the online course on ICCADRM4ISARD through the UP Open University would allow a wider reach to learners who may benefit from the course.

Course Description

This online course is designed as a foundational introduction into the functional elements of inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development (ISARD) as reframed through the interaction of policies, strategies, and projects involving climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk management (DRM). The course provides an update on the discourse of CCA and DRM and further introduces specific CCA and DRM methodologies and tools for practical applications.

Course Objectives

Specifically, the online course aims to:

  1. Review the evolving frameworks, approaches, and initiatives in CCA, mainstreaming CCA, and DRM vis-à-vis inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development (ISARD);
  2. Describe and explain generic processes and requirements integrating CCA and DRM toward ISARD; and
  3. Appropriate the application of specific methodologies and tools for integrating CCA and DRM toward ISARD.

Course Modules

The course will cover three main modules. Each module has several topics.

Module 1: Evolving Discourses, Approaches, and Initiatives on Climate Change Adaptation and Climate Risk Management in Agricultural and Rural Development
Module 1 Topics

  1. Evolving Views, Approaches and Efforts in Dealing with Climate Change in the Context of Agricultural and Rural Development
    1. The Context of ISARD
    2. Global Discourses and Efforts
    3. National Policies and Local Initiatives on Adaptation
    4. Strategies and ProjectsMainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Development Policies, Plans and Investments
  2. Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Development Policies, Plans and Investments
Module 2: Generic Processes and Requirements in Climate Change Adaptation and Climate Risk Management toward Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development
Module 2 Topics

  1. CRM as an Approach to Climate-Sensitive Decision Making
    1. DRM Process and Perspective
    2. Risk Assessment (Identification, Analysis, and Evaluation)
    3. Risk Treatment Measures
    4. Key Elements of CRM Processes
    5. Risk Management Strategies (Technological, System, and Policy)
    6. Loss and Damage
  2. Merging DRM and CCA
    1. DRM and CCA Policy Frameworks for ISARD
    2. DRM and CCA Adaptation Strategies for ISARD
    3. DRM and CCA Adaptation Projects for ISARD
  3. Vulnerability Assessment (Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity)
    1. Prerequisites for Conducting Vulnerability Assessments (Process/Scope, Budget and Political Support, and Technical Dimensions)
    2. Steps to Performing a Vulnerability Assessment
    3. Tools and Resources for Conducting Vulnerability Assessment
    4. Risk Assessment (Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability)
  4. Information Systems and their Impact on Decision Making
  5. Agricultural Insurance
  6. Financing Climate Change Adaptation and Climate Risk Management (Case Studies)
Module 3: Methodologies and Tools for Climate Change Adaptation and Climate Risk Management toward Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development
Module 3 Topics

  1. Economic Assessment of Adaptation Options
    1. Multi-Criteria/Cost-Benefit Analyses
    2. Economic Models and Impacts of Climate Change
    3. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs)
    4. Case Studies
  2. Participation as a Methodological Approach
    1. Climate Hazard Mapping
    2. Climate Hazard Trend Analysis
    3. Climate Hazard Impact Assessment
    4. Participatory Vulnerability Assessment
    5. Vulnerability Matrix
    6. Strengths and Limitations of Participatory Methods
    7. Case Studies
  3. Community-based Adaptation
    1. Integrating Participatory Planning and Development Processes at Local Levels
    2. Strategies for Capacity Development
    3. Establishing Mechanisms for Communication of Climate Information
    4. Tools and Resources for Building Institutional Adaptive Capacity
    5. Case Studies
  4. Monitoring and Evaluation
    1. Key Elements for Monitoring and Evaluation
    2. Effective and Equitable Adaptation
    3. Poverty Reduction and Sociological Dimensions
    4. Sustainability of Land and Water Management
    5. Enhancing Existing Monitoring and Evaluation Systems thru CCA and DRM
    6. Case Studies

Enrollment

Interested participants may register online using the Online Sign-up form, or visit the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, UPOU HQ, Los Baños, Laguna. Details of course offering will be emailed a month before the start of class. (This includes the admission form with the assessment of fees and payment procedures.)

Schedule of Course Offerings

For inquiries, please email FMDS at fmds[email protected] or call us at (049) 536-6010.

CEP Enrollment Details

Interested participants may register online using the Online Sign-up form, or visit the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, UPOU HQ, Los Baños, Laguna. Details of course offering will be emailed a month before the start of class. (This includes the admission form with the assessment of fees and payment procedures.)

Schedule of Course Offerings

For inquiries, please email FMDS at fmds[email protected] or call us at (049) 536-6010.

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