The Climate Proofing tool aims to reduce climate change risks in development programmes. It consists of two steps:

Step 1: Pre-Screening: a rough and rapid assessment of climate risks. Projects with a low risk are allowed to pass. All other programmes must proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Detailed programme assessment: This more comprehensive risk assessment is conducted during the appraisal mission of a programme.

The objectives of this step are

• to identify and analyse climate risks for development programmes (on all levels: outputs, outcomes and impacts);
• to suggest and prioritise potential adaptation measures that increase programme flexibility;
• to raise awareness and to encourage development practitioners to include measures that will meet increasing climate risks;
• to provide guidance for monitoring the adaptation measures.

During the pilot applications this tool proved very useful for partners as well as for GTZ staff. They were able to identify climate risks and adaptation options. Furthermore, use of the tool has significantly contributed to raising awareness of climate change impacts. Some partners have also requested support in developing similar tools for their own projects and organisation. It has thus been possible to translate experience gained directly into consulting activities.

The main challenge in developing the method is acquiring local and regional climate information, including data on climate stimuli and possible direct or indirect impacts. Manuals are being prepared to provide information about typical climate impacts and possible adaptation measures.

The needs to be satisfied by a tool vary considerably in different project contexts. A set of possible extended instruments should therefore be identified allowing varying depths of analysis. This step depends on the resources and time available for literature evaluation, participatory workshops, or detailed expert examination.