Experiences

SHARE YOUR Experiences!

If you have a story to tell about using CRiSTAL—how it was applied, what the benefits and challenges were, and how you have modified the tool to meet your own needs—and would like to share it with others, please go to our Forum, complete our reporting template (DOC - 74 kb), or contact the CRiSTAL team directly.

STORIES FROM THE FIELD

Beginning in 2005, the project screening tool CRiSTAL has been used in a variety of contexts to identify strategies for reducing the vulnerability of communities to climate change. Some of these experiences are described below. As the number of shared experiences grows, relevant reports will be organized into a searchable database.

In Africa

Ethiopia	Pastoral livelihoods	This report provides a comparative analysis of the climate-related vulnerability and adaptive capacity of Borana and Somali pastoralist communities in Ethiopia, how they have changed over time and how they relate to climate change. The results of this analysis are intended to provide the Government of Ethiopia, civil society organizations and international donors a basis for improved development programming and advocacy. Sources: Care International (CARE); International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Save the Children UK Publication date: 2009	Climate related vulnerability and adaptive capacity in Ethiopia's Borana and Somali communities - Final Assessment Report (PDF - 3.31 MB) Policy Brief and Personal Testimonies(PDF - 1.16 MB)
Mali	Introduction et développement du thème Changement Climatique dans la Délégation Intercooperation-Sahel au Mali	Ce document s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une phase initiale du thème Changement Climatique dans la Délégation Intercooperation - Sahel au Mali. Des analyses ont été faites avec l’outil CRiSTAL dans la région de Ségou. L’application de CRiSTAL avait pour objectif d’analyser les risques et vulnérabilités au niveau local liés au changement climatique. Source: Intercooperation April 2008	Mali CRiSTAL application report (PDF - 1.53 MB)
Mali	Flood and forest Management	The first field test of CRiSTAL took place in Mali in September 2005. The tool was applied to an IUCN project focused on decentralization of flood and forest management in the Inner Niger Delta. Sources: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Intercooperation; Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) September 2005	Mali field test report (PDF - 289 kb)
Tanzania	Rural income-generating activities	Intercooperation was supporting a sustainable livelihood project in Dodoma, Tanzania, which seeks to promote new income-generating activities in rural households. CRiSTAL was used with participants in this project as part of its third field test. Sources: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Intercooperation; Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) February 2006	Tanzania field test report (PDF - 414 kb)
Zambia	Rural climate change adaptation	As part of the UNITAR project called C3D+ (Capacity Development for Adaptation to Climate Change and GHG Mitigation and Non-Annex I Countries) , IISD applied CRiSTAL in Western Province, Zambia, in July 2009. The objectives were to improve the capacity of local non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations to gather local information on climate change vulnerability and adaptation and integrate this information into project design and management. Sources: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); Environmental Development Action in the Third World (ENDA TM) July 2009	IISD-ENDA CRiSTAL training and application report (PDF - 318 kb)
Zambia	Forest and water management	CRiSTAL was applied in four field project sites located in 3 agroecological zones of Zambia, as part of an IUCN climate change adaptation pilot project. The information collected with CRiSTAL was communicated to decision-makers to complete Zambia’s NAPA. This pilot project led to a full-size IUCN climate change adaptation project in Eastern and Southern Africa, focusing on the role of forest and water resources in climate change adaptation. Source: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) March-April 2007	Zambia CRiSTAL application report (PDF - 815 kb)

In Asia

Sri Lanka

Coastal ecosystem management

CRiSTAL was field tested as part of an IUCN integrated coastal ecosystem management project in the southwest region of Sri Lanka.

Sources: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Intercooperation; Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)

July 2006

Sri Lanka field test report (PDF - 786 kb)

In Latin America

Guatemala

River basin management

The present report concerns the application of the CRiSTAL Tool in the San Pablo village, Department of San Marcos, Guatemala; in the framework of the Tacana II Project developed by IUCN with the support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Guatemala.

Source: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

September 2009

Guatemala CRiSTAL Application Report (PDF - 757 kb)

Nicaragua

Hillside agriculture

Intercooperation led a field test of CRiSTAL in conjunction with a sustainable hillside agriculture project being undertaken in northwestern Nicaragua.

Sources: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Intercooperation; Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)

May 2006

Nicaragua field test report (PDF - 1.4 mb)

Environmental management

An IUCN project on capacity-building for environmental management in the southeastern part of Nicaragua was the basis for the fourth CRiSTAL tool field test.

Sources: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD); International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Intercooperation; Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)

May 2006