Seyhan River Basin will now combat the effects of climate change more easily. Within the framework of the UN Joint Programme Enhancing the Capacity of Turkey to Adapt to Climate Change Capacity in Turkey the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Seyhan River Basin Grant Programme is paving the way for the implementation of new projects that will improve the capacity of inhabitants and institutions of the river basin in adapting to climate change.

18 out of the 150 project proposals submitted in the fields of fisheries, animal husbandry and forestry were selected. While the long term objectives include enhancing the capacity to adapt to climate change and awareness raising, 12 projects in Adana, 4 in Kayseri and 2 in Niğde, aim to improve agricultural techniques, secure food supplies, determine flood risks, use alternative irrigation techniques and prevent sea levels from rising.

Within the context of the Grant programme, local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic communities and other related groups were asked to submit proposals until June 14, 2009 under the infrastructural headings of agriculture and food security, water resources and quality, public health, disaster risk management, management of the river basin and shores, management of natural resources, and infrastructure. Proposals were evaluated based on 28 criteria under the titles of the capacity of the organization applying, the suitability of the subject proposed, method, impact and sustainability. At the end of the evaluation projects which implemented innovative compliance methods, developed adjustment capacity and concentrated on the social, environmental and economic dimensions of the adaptation to climate change took precedence.

Based on three interlinked long-term goals, the grant programme focuses on mitigating the negative effects of climate change, while taking maximum advantage of the positive effects of climate change and securing the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In addition to being one of the priorities of the Joint Programme, the first goal is to contribute to the mitigation of the risks of climate change in the process of achieving MDGs. The second goal aims to determine priorities in climate risk management and take adaptation precautions for the development of the capacity of adjustment. Reinforcing the first two goals, the third goal encourages the implementation of sustainable development policies in accordance with climate risks and adaptation requirements. While developing the Seyhan River Basin’s capacity to adapt to climate change, the goals will create new social and institutional perspectives to the area through providing support to innovative adaptation activities in the area.

Contrary to the management of greenhouse gases which fall under international policies, adaptation to climate change - based largely on geography, the area’s development and human resources in the area – presents a topic that should be covered regionally and locally. Adaptation requires timely and accurate changes and modifications to reduce the negative effects of climate change, especially for the poorer sections of society. Taking center stage in combating the inevitable effects of climate change, adaptation not only presents opportunities in regulating economic activities in highly sensitized sectors like agriculture based on natural resources, forestry and animal husbandry but also in supporting sustainable development in changing climate conditions.

Following the scientific world, international political platforms are also looking for solutions to reduce the effects of climate change manifesting themselves in increasing temperatures, droughts, forest fires, rising sea levels, increased outbreaks of disease, extinction of species, damages to ecosystems, the rise of climate migration among others. Despite the difference in opinion among countries and solutions offered, the 2009 Copenhagen summit revealed once again that climate change and climate change adaptation need to be addressed at a global level. It appears likely that these issues will remain on the global political agenda in 2010 and perhaps in years following. Societies need to take concrete steps in order to cope with unusual climate conditions and the uncertain future ahead.

Launched in 2008, Enhancing the Capacity of Turkey to Adapt to Climate Change Capacity in Turkey UN Joint Programme was developed in partnership with the Ministry Environment and Forestry with the foresight that the achievement of the MDGs will fall under risk caused by climate change. The Joint Programme run by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) consists of goals and activities to manage climatic risks, develop human resources, scientific research and a political framework to ensure that the poorest are least affected by climate change and a grant programme to demonstrate that precautions against climate change can be applied at the local level.

Projects supported under the Adaptation to Climate Change in the Seyhan River Basin Grant Programme are: