Global Adaptation Index™ Launches in Russian Federation

Global Adaptation Institute Brings Together Private Sector, Public Officials and NGOs at Carnegie Moscow Center Following International Adaptation Conference

MOSCOW, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev has said that the severity of last year's massive fires surrounding Moscow should serve as a "wake up call" for all to counter global climate challenges. Today, the Global Adaptation Institute™ shared a tool, the Global Adaptation Index™ (gain.globalai.org) ("GaIn™"), that can help the Russian Federation and other countries tackle these global challenges.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110506/DC97131LOGO).

Convening at the Carnegie Moscow Center, participants in the international scientific conference, "Problems of Adaptation to Climate Change," discussed how GaIn can help prioritize responses to the various challenges of sustainable development, including climate change and population and economic growth.

Dr. Juan Jose Daboub, Founding CEO, Global Adaptation Institute, emphasized "massive investments in adaptation will be needed throughout the coming decades, but current allocations from governments and international institutions point to a large investment gap. With the proper business environment, such a gap can be filled by the private sector. This is why we are 'measuring what matters' for those people and communities vulnerable to global changes and the investors and innovators that will help solve these challenges."

Daboub was joined by David Burwell, Director, Energy and Climate Program and Adnan Vatansever, Senior Associate, Energy and Climate Program, both of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"Russia faces unique ecological and societal challenges under a changing climate that need to be addressed by a responsive public and private sector," stated Burwell.  

Interesting findings from GaIn include:

• Throughout the past 15 years, the Russian Federation has decreased its vulnerability to climate change and other global forces and increased its readiness to absorb investments and apply them effectively towards increasing resiliency to these challenges. However, this progress has been outpaced by many other nations. Food production and water are areas in which Russia is most vulnerable while constraints on investment and corruption may hamper efforts to address adaptation challenges.
• Other major emerging economies (Brazil, India, China, Mexico and South Africa) are making significant improvements, both decreasing their vulnerabilities and increasing their readiness. However, India remains vulnerable in its agriculture and food sectors; China must confront strains on its water resources and lacks infrastructure to access internal markets; and South Africa's highly vulnerable health sector drains human resources from innovation.

Vatansever stated, "innovation and free markets can be powerful forces to confront social and environmental challenges. To develop innovative adaptation solutions, we must measure not only the vulnerabilities of a country, but also whether an enabling environment for entrepreneurship exists."

The Global Adaptation Institute will continue to engage leading institutions and thought leaders around the world this year as part of its launch of GaIn.

The Global Adaptation Institute™ is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization guided by a vision of building resilience to climate change and other global forces as a key component to sustainable development.

Please visit us at: www.globalai.org

SOURCE Global Adaptation Institute