Summary of "Climate Change Adaptation Training (Intermediate Course) in FY2021" and report on the results of the questionnaire survey
I. The training program Outline of Training
| Date of event |
Thursday, February 10, 2022 10:00～15:05 |
| Holding method |
Held online (Zoom meetings) |
| Organizer |
Center for Climate Change Adaptation, National Institute for Environmental Studies |
A lecture-based training session by experts was held for local government officials and Local Climate Change Adaptation Center officials to acquire the scientific knowledge necessary for developing Local Climate Change Adaptation plans and promoting Adaptation measures. Continuing on from last year, this year's workshop featured lectures by experts in the four areas of Fisheries, Natural Ecosystems, Disaster Prevention, and Thermal Management.
Approximately 200 people from about 100 local governments and Local Climate Change Change Adaptation Centers across Japan participated in the lively discussions. The participants from the local governments included not only members of environmental departments but also members of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries departments, disaster prevention departments, and other departments. Approximately 100 people responded to the post-event questionnaire.
Below is a summary of each lecture and some of the survey results.
| Participant's affiliation |
Attributes of participants from the prefecture and municipality of which |
 |
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II. About each lecture
In [Lecture 1], Dr. Kaoru Nakata, Director of the Fisheries Research and Education Organization, explained about the rise in sea water temperature around Japan and the resulting effects on fish species (changes in distribution, etc.), and gave an easy-to-understand lecture on the concept of Adaptation measures in the fishery industry sector.
In [Lecture 2], Dr. Hiroya Yamano, Director of the Biodiversity Field at the National Institute for Environmental Studies, explained the basic concept of climate change adaptation in the field of Natural Ecosystems, and gave hints for promoting Adaptation measures, including the use of existing efforts and mechanisms for departmental collaboration as a path to implementation. The lecture also provided hints for the promotion of adaptation measures, such as the use of existing initiatives and mechanisms for departmental collaboration.
In [Lecture 3], Mr. Shingo Toride, Assistant Director of the Integrated Disaster Prevention Information Center of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, explained the disaster response of the NIED and gave an easy-to-understand lecture with specific examples on how to communicate information to improve the ability of local governments to receive aid.
In [Lecture 4], Mr. Yasunobu Ashie, Research Specialist at the Building Research Institute, gave an explanation on urban heatstroke and the role of local governments in guiding urban development that takes measures against heatstroke, as well as heat stroke countermeasures based on regional characteristics such as dense wood-frame districts.
III. Results of the Questionnaire
| Respondent Affiliation |
Of which, respondent attributes from local governments |
 |
 |
| Was it appropriate for the purpose of the course? |
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| Which lectures do you think would be useful for your future work? (Multiple answers allowed) |
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| How satisfied were you throughout the entire training? |
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| What topics would you like to see covered in future intermediate level training? |
- Examples of Adaptation measures implemented at the basic municipality level overseas, etc.
- Climate change impact projections, climate change modeling, and dynamic downscaling.
- Climate change impacts and future Adaptation measures in agriculture and forestry.
- The impact of global warming on the fisheries industry.
- Specific examples of initiatives that can simultaneously achieve biodiversity conservation and climate change countermeasures.
- The trade-offs between renewable energy development and conservation of the natural environment.
- Heat-related Adaptation measures.
- Adaptation measures for the Industrial / Economic Activity sector [tourism], especially for the "leisure industry using natural resources".
|
| What are some of the things that can help municipalities promote climate change adaptation in the form of training, distribution of materials, etc., regardless of the level of the program? |
- Practical training on future impact forecasting that can be conducted in a simplified manner.
- We would like to see a collection of case studies that may be of interest to other departments. It would be good to have case studies of projects that have been implemented by other departments in the past and have already become Adaptation measures.
- Materials compiled by sector in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, disaster prevention, urban development, water supply, civil engineering and construction, welfare, etc.
- Useful information for hazard mapping.
- Information on climate change is constantly being updated with new technologies, initiatives, and their results. It is difficult to keep up with new information all the time, so we would like to see information disseminated through training programs.
- How to interpret meteorological data.
- Lectures and materials on the differences and characteristics of climate change impacts by region.
- Methods and know-how to reflect "climate scenarios" on maps of each region in order to clearly indicate climate change impacts and future projections in each region and provide them to residents in an easy-to-understand manner.
- Free dissemination of information via SNS, not limited to conventional information provision via e-mail, etc.
|
| Free comment |
- We would like to see a plan for a program structure that is divided by urban and rural municipalities, etc.
- The content was a bit difficult because it was very technical, but it was great to learn what impact and Adaptation measures are available in each field.
- It was easy to understand the specialized research content, which was explained in simple language.
- We would like to see regular training opportunities in the future, even if the lecture content is similar.
- Web-based training is easy to participate. It would be good if video clips could be viewed later by those who could not participate on the day of the training.
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The following are excerpts from the free-entry sections of the questionnaire. We appreciate your comments and requests beyond those listed above, and we will use them to improve A-PLAT and the next training, as well as to promote climate change adaptation in the future. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
(Posted on April 11, 2022)
