Harmonising Climate Risk Management

The report examines a sample of nine climate risk screening and assessment tools used by bilateral/multilateral donors and international NGOs. It categorizes adaptation tools into process guidance, data provision, and knowledge-sharing types, noting a dichotomy between top-down, impacts-driven donor approaches and bottom-up, vulnerability-driven NGO approaches. Key findings highlight a 'usage gap' where practitioners prefer synthesis documents over complex data tools, and a difficulty in moving from risk assessment to concrete adaptation action. The authors recommend continued training, better integration between data and process tools, and the development of a common risk management framework and terminology to reduce duplication and confusion in the development community.

• Adaptation tools are categorized into three functional types: Type 1 (Process guidance tools) which guide users through CRM steps; Type 2 (Data and information provision tools) which generate climate data; and Type 3 (Knowledge-sharing tools) for sharing experiences.
• Climate risk screening processes are largely consistent across different agencies, focusing on geographic location, climate-related hazards, and impacts to determine if further assessment is required.
• A 'usage gap' exists where users of process guidance tools (Type 1) rarely use data and information tools (Type 2) directly, preferring instead to rely on summary or synthesis documents.
• Practitioners report a significant challenge in transitioning from the analysis of climate risks to the actual design and implementation of adaptation options.
• Training and facilitation are critical for the successful application of these tools; without proper guidance, there is a risk that tool use could lead to maladaptation.
• The development of these tools often serves as a catalyst for organizational change, raising awareness and shifting the mindsets of staff and partners regarding project design.
• Harmonization is recommended through the creation of common terminology, a generic risk management framework, and a centralized, navigable clearinghouse for tools to reduce practitioner confusion.

APA

Hammill, A., & Tanner, T. (2011). Harmonising Climate Risk Management. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/5kg706918zvl.pdf

Chicago

Hammill, Anne, and Thomas Tanner. Harmonising Climate Risk Management. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2011. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/5kg706918zvl.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hammill |first1=Anne |last2=Tanner |first2=Thomas |title=Harmonising Climate Risk Management |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=29 July 2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/5kg706918zvl.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hammill2011harmonising, author = {Hammill, Anne and Tanner, Thomas}, title = {{Harmonising Climate Risk Management}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/5kg706918zvl.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }