1. INTRODUCTION, PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

What is Climate and Disaster Risk Screening?

Climate and Disaster Risk Screening (CDRS) is an essential step to ensure that natural disaster risks are assessed and managed to support mainstreaming of adaptation and resilience into key development policies, programs, and projects. Considering climate and disaster risks in today’s development planning, can increase the long-term success of development efforts. It is done at an early stage of investment projects/programmes design to inform on the risk(s) a project might face so as to inform follow-on assessments and integrate appropriate resilience measures to cope with the risks.

Why Screen for Climate and Disaster Risks?

The physical context: Aspects of local and regional climate, such as the frequency and intensity of floods or drought are changing. These changes have implications for infrastructure, communities, natural resources, and ecosystems. Based on the report, “Economic Assessment of Impacts of Climate Change in Uganda”, (MWE/CCD, 2015), a doubling frequency of extreme events every 25 years under climate change would result in damages of around US$77 - 467 million by 2025 and US$738 - 3,294 million by 2050. The report warns that if no adaptive action is taken, annual costs could be in the range of US$3.2 - 5.9 billion within a decade, with the biggest impacts being on water, followed by energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. According to the report, the total annual cost of inaction to climate variability and climate change for over 40 years from 2010 - 2050 on infrastructure alone ranges between US$273 and US$437 billion.
The national development context: Changes in climate conditions or the effects of climate change (e.g., drought and floods), possess new challenges for developing countries, and threaten progress toward development goals or rollback development gains. Climate change risks can roll back development gains in Sustainable Development Goals, Green Growth Development Strategy and the National Development Plan.The project context: Investments that do not consider existing or future climate risks may fail to accomplish their goals.

When should screening be done?

It’s most advisable to screen at concept stage because then, you know the project location and the type of investments (both physical and nonphysical). By this time, you are also well versed with sector information.

Who should screen?

The project team, with input from subject matter experts. In case significant risks are identified, discuss them with your client and make adjustments in the project design.

Purpose of screening

Screening helps answer questions such as: are there short and long-term climate changes or disaster risks that could affect the sustainability of my project? After identification of the risk(s) the project team should propose resilient measures in the project design, including more in-depth assessments. Discuss these measures and reflect them in the project design document.

Why did the World Bank and Ministry of Water and Environment develop these Climate and Disaster Risk Screening Tools?

The Climate and Disaster Risk Screening tools have been prepared to help users identify climate and disaster related risks at early stages of project/program design. Customization of the Climate and Disaster Risk Screening tools has been done in consultation with specialists in the five focal sector Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Which sectors do the project level tools cover?

The customized project level tools so far cover six (6) sectors: Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Transport, Water and Health. They are based on the framework of the World Bank Climate and Disaster Risk Screening Tools – available https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/uganda/

Where can I find information?

Information for country-specific data, and online reference resources for Climate and Disaster Risk Screening includes: 1) https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/uganda/,a one-stop shop for global level geo-referenced climate data, climate-related information and tools for policy makers, development practitioners, and researchers. It underpins the World Bank’s Climate and Disaster Risk Screening tool by providing access to climate and climate related information at country, region, and watershed level. A dedicated training for the CCKP can be arranged upon request. The CCKP provides access to the summarized World Bank Country Risk and Adaptation Profiles. 2) World Bank Country Climate Risk Profile is the key knowledge product of the CCKP which synthesizes the latest contextual information, climate trends, sectoral impacts, and adaptation priorities. While the profile is anchored at a country-level, it includes national and regional trends and is embedded with sub-national information (district) with specific impact assessment provided to primary sectors: Agriculture, Energy, Health, Water, Transport. Please note that link to CCKP and Country Profile are directly provided through climate and disaster risk screening tools.
Other resources can be found here.

Who are the screening tools meant for?

The screening tools are designed to be used by Public Sector Authorities who are responsible for making public sector investment decisions. They include policy makers and technocrats in Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Local Governments, State Owned Enterprises and all other institutions involved in the formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Public Investments. It can also be used by parliamentarians, financial/ economic analysts, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations and the general public. Other key users can include Sector Project Preparation Committees (PPCs) within the vote (sectors), the Sector Working Group (SWG) as well as the Development Committee at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and all other institutions involved in the formulation, evaluation and implementation of public investment projects.
The tools may also be used for awareness raising, general training and capacity building particularly for understanding the relevance of climate and disaster risks in development planning and the design of investments.

What do the tools do?

The tools provide a structured and systematic way to undertake due diligence and flag potential risks at the national/policy level and at the project level. At all these levels, the tools follow a user-friendly step-by-step approach so that users can understand the potential risks to which programs and investments may be vulnerable

What can the tools tell or not tell?

The tools are a logic framework that combines climate information, a user's understanding of a project/programme and country context, to generate a characterization of risks to help inform dialogue, consultation, and planning processes. These tools can be applied to a range of development sectors in support of: a) national plans and strategies and b) project level investments. The greatest value of these tools is that they provide a self-paced, structured and systematic process for understanding climate and disaster risks to programs and investments. The ratings, while instructive, should be seen as informing further consultations and dialogue and as helping to determine the need for further studies in the course of project design or planning at the national/sector level. The tools neither provide a detailed risk analysis, nor suggest specific options for increasing the project’s resilience.

2. GETTING STARTED USING THE TOOLS

What do I need to apply the tools?

The following are required to use the tool: 1) Project concept: For the project-level tools, the user should have some initial understanding of the project components and location. 2) Subject matter expertise: The users of the tool are not expected to have specialized knowledge of climate change and disasters. However, the tools rely on an understanding of the country or project context as well as professional expertise, knowledge, and judgment to evaluate the impacts and risks of climate change and disasters. Users will be provided with relevant climate and disaster information through the Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP). 3) Consultations: Where needed, it’s recommended that users engage in a consultative process with relevant sector and country specialists. 4) Time: Time requirements will vary depending on the user’s knowledge and consultations.

Which tool should I use?

The six project level tools target a range of sectors. Once inside of the tool, you will be prompted to select the relevant subsectors that apply to your project. Select the tool that your project predominantly covers. Each investment should require the application of no more than one tool. If your project is multisectoral, select the tool that covers the predominant work of your project.

Is there a way to get trained in using the tools?

You can view current training offerings at https://olc.worldbank.org/ You may also consult the CCKP introductory video to familiarize yourself with the tools and the main knowledge resources before you start to screen. You may further reach out to CCD with an on-demand training request.

What other tools are available for climate and disaster risk assessment?

There are many tools available within and outside the World Bank and Ministry of Water and Environment that can support the climate and disaster risk screening process. Click here to learn about the types of tools that can complement the Climate and Disaster Risk Screening Tools.

3. TOOLS DETAILS AND TECHNICAL HELP

Do I have to create a log in account?

Yes – to begin using the tools, you must register and create your own user name and password, which is your “user information.” You will not be required to provide any other personal information and indeed you are not encouraged to do so. You are encouraged, however, not to add any sensitive information to the tool, since there is no absolute guarantee of security on any website.

Who else will have access to my account information?

Your application information and other information submitted will only be accessible to you and the Climate Change Department (CCD) at the Ministry of Water and Environment as Administrator of the account. The department will comply with the provisions of the Department’s Data Policy with respect to your user information. Your user information, but not the content provided, may be used by the CCD to generate statistics of usage and coverage of the screening tools. User information will not be disclosed by CCD to third parties, nor will it be used for any purpose other than in connection with the screening tools.

What should I do if I have trouble using or completing a tool?

You may email the help desk at info@ccd.go.ug

How can I provide feedback?

We invite you to provide feedback on the tools through an evaluation form that will appear after you have completed your screening. You can also provide feedback through emailing the help desk: info@ccd.go.ug