Using data and research to inform climate change resilient food systems in Palestine

Background

In Palestine, maximum and minimum temperatures have risen since the 1950s and are projected to further increase. Observations on rainfall indicate a reduction in annual precipitation, coupled with changing precipitation patterns. As 97% of field crops are rainfed, climate change impacts on food production and rural livelihoods are increasingly severe.[i] In its 2016 NAP and 2021 NDC, Palestine recognises its agriculture sector as highly vulnerable to CC. To improve its climate change adaptation planning across sectors, Palestine’s NAP specifies the need for improved national weather and climate observation and modelling capacities. In addition, Palestine underlines climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as key adaptation option in its NAP and NDC, with the latter promoting the conversion of 50% of Palestinian farms to climate smart agriculture by 2040.[ii]

Activities

Under implementation since 2022, the GCF NAP Readiness project ‘Enhancing Adaptation Planning and Adoption of Climate Resilient Agriculture in Palestine’[iii] was co-designed by FAO and Palestine to enhance national adaptation planning. The project strengthens the inter-institutional coordination required for mainstreaming climate smart agriculture into national and local initiatives. Additional core activities include the technical upgrade and expansion of the agro-meteorological network. Weather data collection is improved and its automatic dispersion to all stakeholders introduced. Furthermore, the project sets-up demonstration plots where climate smart agriculture practices, such as improved soil management, are being tested by farmers, for adoption on their own land. The farmers are also being trained to use the newly available weather data to inform the timing of sowing, watering, and harvesting of crops. Based on the data and results made available through the upgraded agro-meteorological network and demonstration plots, public-private sector engagement is facilitated to discuss and evaluate climate change risks and opportunities for food production, as per Palestine’s agro-ecological zones.[iv]

Impact

This project is geared towards enhancing Palestine’s national adaptation planning capacities in the context of climate-smart agricultural production, which is in direct support of its NAP and NDC. With its implementation, the climate change resilience of Palestine’s agriculture sector, smallholder food producers, and – by extension – the entire food system is being enhanced. The upgrade and expansion of the meteorological network benefits all sectors, making this project a key driver of strengthened climate change adaptation across Palestine.

Sources

[i] Tippmann, R., & Baroni, L. (2017). The Economics of Climate Change in Palestine. Retrieved from https://www.climamed.eu/wp-content/uploads/files/The-Economics-of-Climate-Change-in-Palestine.pdf.

[ii] State of Palestine. (2021). The State of Palestine’s First Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ‘Updated Submission’. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Updated%20NDC_%20State%20of%20Palestine_2021_FINAL.pdf.

[iii] State of Palestine & FAO. (2022). Enhancing Adaptation Planning and Adoption of Climate Resilient Agriculture in Palestine. Readiness Proposal. Retrieved from https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/palestine-fao-nap-pse-rs-004.pdf.

[iv] State of Palestine & FAO. (2022).