o     Research Study on Climate Change & Climate-Related Disaster Risk Management

§         The Disaster Management Programme of Sungi is going to conduct a research study on climate change & climate-related disaster risk management during the month of February & March 2010. The objective of the study is to assess the climatic change, its effects and causes in Abbottabad, Swat & Gilgit-Baltistan. It will mainly emphasize on recommendations to be considered for future planning & implementation. Specific recommendations will be conveyed to relevant policy makers for consideration.

§        The study will focus on:

1.   To assess the causes of climatic change in the region specifically human influences, plate tectonics, orbital variations etc.

2.  To analyze the physical evidence for climatic change that would include historical & archaeological evidence; sea level change; decrease in rain fall etc.

3.   To assess the impacts of global and national climate change at localized level.

4.   Effects of climate change on geomorphic processes and increase in vulnerability due to creation of disasters like landslide, soil erosion etc. Analyze the effect of climate change on different sectors and how to cope them.

5.   Effects of climate change on women in the area.

6.   To identify and assess the existing institutional structures and mechanisms for climate change adaptation and climate-related disaster management activities and initiatives in various socioeconomic sectors, and explore how best to bring synergies between these two elements at all levels.

7.   To explore the need for developing a climate change adaptation and climate-related disaster risk management strategic framework, including the need for further capacity building that may lead to better coordination and harmonization between the two elements, as appropriate.

8.   Recommendations for lessening the effects of climatic change in the region and consideration required in future planning.