Project Description
The Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative (CCAI) was launched by the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in 2009 as a regional response to the growing climate risks faced by the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) countries. Designed as a 16-year program running through to 2025, the CCAI aimed to strengthen the resilience of the region to climate change-induced hazards such as floods, droughts, sea-level rise, and storms. Supported by ICEM, the initiative began with an Intermediate Phase (2009–2010) focused on laying institutional foundations, building awareness and capacity, and conducting basin-wide impact assessments to inform adaptation planning.
Objectives, Activities and Results
ICEM provided technical support to review the CCAI’s Intermediate Phase and update the CCAI Framework in preparation for Phase 1 (2011–2015). This included producing a comprehensive review report, an improved framework document, and a draft operational document outlining concrete timelines, budgets, and activities. These outputs were developed through regional consultations and aligned with the MRC Strategic Plan (2011–2015). The Phase 1 Operational Document, finalized for submission to the MRC Council, provided a detailed roadmap for implementing climate adaptation strategies at local, national, and basin-wide levels, helping to institutionalize climate change adaptation within development planning across the LMB.
