CDRSC
CDRSC
UPLB Climate Change and Disaster Risk Studies Center
Vision
A world-class research center that provides science-based knowledge for building climate resilient communities.
Mission
Develop national and local climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate resilient agriculture, environment, natural resources and communities.
Historical Background
The Philippines is among the Asian countries that are vulnerable to climate change impacts. It ranked sixth among the 170 countries in terms of vulnerability to climate change and is classified under extreme risks. All the regions of the Philippines fall under the top quartile of the regions that are most vulnerable to climate change due to its exposure to numerous climate hazards like tropical cyclones, floods, landslides, rising temperature, more erratic rainfall, more intense typhoons, sea level rise, saltwater intrusion and droughts. An average of 20 typhoons enter the country annually with increasing intensity. The big challenge to the research community is to develop and inform stakeholders about science-based climate change adaptation strategies for them to be able to respond to these emerging environmental problems. In response to this, UPLB initiated the UPLB Interdisciplinary Program on Climate Change (UPLB IdPCC) through Administrative Order No. 69, Series of 2007 of the Office of the Chancellor.
On its 7th year, Chancellor Rex Victor O. Cruz issued an Admin¬istrative Order No. 140, Series of 2013, mandating the UPLB IdPCC to develop a program proposal for its elevation into a Climate Change and Disaster Risk Studies Center (CCDRSC).
Goals
- Identify climate risk hotspots;
- Develop adaptation and mitigation framework and innovative science-based climate risk management strategies; and
- Improve the adaptive capacity and climate resilience of agriculture, natural resources, environment, and communities.
Objectives
- Identify areas and sectors vulnerable to climate risks;
- Develop methodologies for climate risk prediction, assessment and management;
- Develop decision support systems for policy formulation, governance, and program implementations on climate risk management;
- Generate innovative technologies for the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change and natural and human aggravated hazards;
- Increase adaptive capacity and enhance climate resilience of different vulnerable sectors and areas;
- Mainstream climate change and disaster risk reduction science and management in relevant sectors at all levels; and
- Improve the adaptive capacity and climate resilience of local stakeholders.
Program and Thrusts
- Develop vulnerability assessment tools and methodologies for climate risk prediction and management strategies;
- Generate innovative adaptation and mitigation technologies to improve adaptive capacity and resilience of communities to climate change;
- Develop and conduct capacity building programs on disaster risk management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation for different stakeholders in the agriculture and natural resources, academe, local government units, and civil societies;
- Establish a systematic repository of science-based knowledge on climate change as basis for informed decision making;
- Documentation of indigenous knowledge and good practices on climate change adaptation;
- Establish climate change mitigation and adaptation demonstration sites;
- Establish networks and linkages with local and international organizations working on climate change adaptation research and development; and
- Conduct of scientific conferences to promote exchange of knowledge among local and international scientists.
Current Activities and Services
- Providing technical knowledge and assistance to the national and local agencies;
- Integrating and systematizing information from different units of UPLB and making them accessible to the wider public;
- Assisting LGUs and other national agencies through capacity building programs and development of their Local Climate Change Action Plans (LCCAP), Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan (DRRMP) and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP);
- Assisting the education sector in mainstreaming climate change to its National Service Training Program (NSTP) and other relevant courses;
- Strengthening the participation of various disciplines through research and development programs and policy advocacy; and
- Actively participating in the conduct and preparation of national environmental assessment report.
CONTACT INFORMATION
UPLB-CDRSC Coordinator
c/o SESAM, UPLB
College, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
- +63 49 536-2836
- +63 49 536-2251
- [email protected]
