MUNITY SOUTHERN M CO AF T VE N DE LOPM EN CA RI RE REGIONAL STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN IV (2016 - 2020) T U W TO AR D SA C O M MO N FU PROGRAMME 7: CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE OBJECTIVE: Enhance resilience of Member States to the impacts of water resources related challenges and disasters brought about by climate variability and change based on the best available science and incorporating local and indigenous knowledge and practices. PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS P7.1 PROMOTE THE APPLICATION OF LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES P7.1.1 ASSESSING LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES There is need to undertake validation, through research, of the body of indigenous knowledge for climate change adaptation. This will be done by comparing local and indigenous climate forecasting and facts, myths and beliefs of occurrence of the seasons. Activities will include undertaking research and documentation to verify the accuracy of local and indigenous knowledge for climate forecasting and adaptation measures as well as stablishing a body of local and indigenous knowledge on weather and seasonal climate prediction and adaptation measures in the SADC region. P7.1.2 DISSEMINATION AND APPLICATION OF LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES Information about effective climate change adaptation needs to be communicated in a credible and relevant manner in order to build determination across society to address risks. Local and indigenous knowledge is best useful when it is packaged in a manner that it is useable to the rural farmer and other users. Activities will include packaging key messages and best practices in the application of local and indigenous knowledge for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in a comprehensible form, as well as implementing demonstration projects on local and indigenous knowledge best practices for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. 7.2 COASTAL RESILIENCE AGAINST FLOODS AND DROUGHTS There is need to promote resilience against floods, storm water ingress and droughts in coastal areas. Coastal areas are vulnerable to extreme climatic events such as hurricanes leading to floods, storm water ingress, and droughts in dry periods. Activities include: a) undertaking demonstration projects to understand and address resilience against flood flows and storm water ingress in coastal areas in particular Island States; b) facilitating the development of water security through energy efficient desalination technologies; c) facilitating the development of a Policy/Protocol for the management of coastal and ocean waters in line with the International Law of the Sea; d) assessing the impacts of sea level rise in coastal areas including Island States; and e) supporting the incorporation of sea level rise projections into regional planning processes, including adaptation measures in the various sectors and planning processes. P7.3 CAPACITY BUILDING FOR SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATIONS, RESEARCH AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES AND DISASTERS P7.3.1 FLOW FORECASTING AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM Floods and droughts cause severe damage to infrastructure and the economy of the SADC region including loss of human life. Forecasting and early warning can help Member States improve disaster management. There is need to develop methods for flow forecasting and early warning systems. Activities include: a) developing innovative methodologies forecasting and early warning systems; for flow b) expanding, maintaining and integrating the SADC Hydrological Cycle Observing Systems (HYCOS) into the SADC Disaster Management Framework within the SADC Climate Services Centre; and c) capacitating the SADC Climate Services Centre as SADC Flow Forecasting Centre. 27 A Vehicle to implement the Water Component of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)