How Can Information for Adaptation Decision Making be Collected and Disseminated?

The document argues that information for adaptation is not a readily available resource to be collected but must be generated through a structured process of monitoring, target setting, and progress assessment. It proposes a conceptual model that links a 'CC/CV Observatory' (data collection) to an 'Information System' (processing) and finally to decision-makers at policy and operational levels. For Africa, the author emphasizes the need for long-term time series data, which is often lacking, and suggests involving the private sector and local populations (e.g., farmers using SMS) to sustain monitoring networks. The paper highlights the OMVS Environmental Observatory in Senegal as a successful participatory model for data collection. Regarding dissemination, it suggests tailored strategies: for mitigation, targeting industry and the informal sector (such as motorcycle users and cooling technicians); for adaptation, using National Action Plans for Adaptation (NAPA) to identify vulnerable groups and employing FAO's 'Information for Action' approach to deliver actionable, language-appropriate guidance.

• Information for adaptation decision-making is not a pre-existing resource for collection but must be produced through a generation process involving climate monitoring, strategic target setting, and progress assessment.
• Developing countries, particularly in Africa, struggle to produce climate analysis information because it requires long-term time series data, which are often unavailable due to low socio-economic and infrastructural development.
• The OMVS Environmental Observatory in Dakar, Senegal, serves as an effective model for participatory and decentralized data collection within the Senegal River basin, utilizing a two-level regulatory framework of policy agreements and technical memorandums.
• To improve climate monitoring in Africa, the author suggests involving the private sector through climate-based service markets and utilizing local populations, such as farmers, to collect basic data like rainfall and temperature via SMS.
• Mitigation information dissemination in Africa should specifically target the informal sector, including cooling technicians who may release CFC gases and motorcyclists in cities like Ouagadougou, Cotonou, and Lomé who contribute to urban air pollution.
• Effective adaptation information dissemination requires identifying the most vulnerable populations via National Action Plans for Adaptation (NAPA) and using tailored communication channels, such as the FAO's Information for Action Programme, which emphasizes language selection and actionable material.

APA

Bassolé, A. (2010). How Can Information for Adaptation Decision Making be Collected and Disseminated? World Resources Institute. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-5-response-1.pdf

Chicago

Bassolé, André. How Can Information for Adaptation Decision Making be Collected and Disseminated? World Resources Institute, 2010. https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-5-response-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bassolé |first1=André |title=How Can Information for Adaptation Decision Making be Collected and Disseminated? |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=2010 |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-5-response-1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bassol2010how, author = {Bassolé, André}, title = {{How Can Information for Adaptation Decision Making be Collected and Disseminated?}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2010}, url = {https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/2023-02/wrr-2010-11-question-5-response-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }