It is well established that there are complex interactions which contribute to vulnerability and adaptive capacity in our communities.  We also know that the rural poor in developing nations such as the Philippines are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 

This presentation explores the notion that people are central to effective climate change adaptation, drawing upon a two year capacity building assignment in a peri-urban community in the Philippines.  

At first glance, the community’s exposure and sensitivity to climate change impacts seemed immense: high poverty incidence, insecure livelihoods, mono-crop farming, estuarine landscape, high proportions of makeshift housing, expanding river-front informal settlements and seasonal typhoon/flood hazards.

Working with government officials, politicians and members of the community over a two year period revealed a number of other characteristics that are central to adaptive capacity, such as flexibility, strong place-based local connections and openness to new information.  This was demonstrated in both the adaptation planning and the experience of two typhoons that interrupted this work. 

The experience taught that formal/informal networks and social norms are assisting communities in taking action to reduce vulnerabilities and adapt to projected changes in the climate.   The experience also raised a number of questions for local authorities about the best ways to strengthen the adaptive capacity of their communities given the rapid social and economic transformation that is and will be experienced with urbanisation.