Building and sharing knowledge for adaptation: Lessons from the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia

The Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia (AKP) operated from 2009 to 2012 to build adaptation capacity and knowledge across Asia. The project utilized a three-tiered approach involving knowledge sharing, research, and pilot projects across 13 countries. While successful in creating a diverse network of local experts and producing over 50 knowledge products, the initiative struggled with high staff turnover and a lack of consistent leadership. A primary barrier to impact was the reliance on English-language publications, which limited reach among local stakeholders. The document argues that linear project planning is insufficient for measuring social learning and adaptive capacity, calling for more complex evaluation frameworks.

• AKP successfully established a broad regional network by supporting research and pilot projects in 13 countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam, with additional analysis in Myanmar.
• The project produced over 50 knowledge products, including journal articles, policy briefs, and toolkits, and established the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forums in 2010 and 2012 to facilitate regional expert gathering.
• A significant weakness of the program was the lack of consistent leadership and coordination caused by high staff turnover, which led to compromised quality and timeliness in some sub-projects.
• The impact of AKP's research was limited by a language barrier, as most outputs were published in English rather than national or local languages, hindering dissemination to target audiences.
• Mainstreaming adaptation into development plans is hindered by sectoral isolation, limited coordination across government levels, and power imbalances that exclude vulnerable groups such as women and the poor.
• Standard linear project planning frameworks are inadequate for measuring the long-term impacts of adaptation, such as social learning and increased adaptive capacities.

APA

Salamanca, A., & Davis, M. (2013). Building and sharing knowledge for adaptation: Lessons from the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/SEI-AKP-PB-2013-Lessons-from-AKP-experience.pdf

Chicago

Salamanca, Albert, and Marion Davis. Building and sharing knowledge for adaptation: Lessons from the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2013. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/SEI-AKP-PB-2013-Lessons-from-AKP-experience.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Salamanca |first1=Albert |last2=Davis |first2=Marion |title=Building and sharing knowledge for adaptation: Lessons from the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2013 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/SEI-AKP-PB-2013-Lessons-from-AKP-experience.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{salamanca2013building, author = {Salamanca, Albert and Davis, Marion}, title = {{Building and sharing knowledge for adaptation: Lessons from the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2013}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Climate/SEI-AKP-PB-2013-Lessons-from-AKP-experience.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }