University of Waterloo

Purpose

Indonesia is one of the most vulnerable countries impacted by climate change. Over the past decade, rising sea levels, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss have underlined the complexity and urgency of the challenge. This contributes to scaling up Indonesia’s climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in key areas. This includes support for climate change-focused disaster-risk reduction, peatland and mangrove restoration, and the strengthening of relevant policy frameworks. Project activities include: (1) developing modelling tools that accurately assess the damage and costs of climate change-exacerbated flooding and inform policy development; (2) developing nature-based solutions to peatland and mangrove restoration and biodiversity conservation that incorporate women’s knowledge, skills, and roles; (3) conducting gender-responsive research and developing policies and programs for climate change mitigation and adaptation, including carbon pricing; and (4) exploring and piloting of innovative social support mechanisms to address climate risks. Direct beneficiaries include 30,000 university faculty members, researchers, and government officials receiving capacity-building support. Indirect beneficiaries include many communities – particular women, youth and poorer populations. Also, disaster risk reduction mitigation measures help improve and provide more sustainable environmental resource management.