The Guidelines for Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Urban Areas of the Arab Region aim to support the mainstreaming and uptake of the EbA approach in the Arab region. Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is a nature-based solution that helps people adapt to climate change by employing ecosystem and biodiversity services as part of a holistic adaptation strategy. EbA aims to maintain and increase the resilience of ecosystems while reducing the vulnerability of ecosystems and individuals to the adverse impacts of climate change.
These guidelines contribute to familiarizing urban stakeholders with the EbA approach by presenting relevant definitions, case studies, and examples from urban areas in the Arab region; showcasing EbA as an effective approach to climate change adaptation that can yield multiple co-benefits; providing insight into the drivers and enablers of mainstreaming EbA into development planning; and outlining necessary steps for their integration. These steps include climate change risk and vulnerability, followed by stakeholder engagement, identification of EbA options and priorities, designing adaptation options, raising awareness and knowledge, funding EbA initiatives, implementation of prioritized EbA options, and monitoring and evaluation.
The development of these guidelines has been a comprehensive process, keeping in mind the importance of caterering to a wide range of urban stakeholders, including national and local governments, academics, researchers, urban development practitioners, non-governmental organisations, managers of climate adaptation programs, international organisations, the private sector, and other institutions interested in sustainability practices. Their purpose is to offer valuable insight and support to these entities in their efforts to effectively incorporate EbA measures.”
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