Professional Updating Initiative
Climate Change Policy
Results Web-Survey May 2010
Report by
Frits Hesselink, Jack Byrne, Ninni Ikkala, Claire Parker
Utrecht, Burlington, Gland, London , 28 May 2010
Professional Updating Initiative on Climate Change Policy
Results web-survey, 21 May 2010
Background
Regional work and representation has been a critical component of IUCN's global results on climate change, both in terms of practice and policy. So far IUCN's climate policy work has had a strong international focus. From a strategic perspective and based on advice from regional colleagues, IUCN policy work should now aim to have a stronger national and regional focus, building on existing national policy experience and to ensure well coordinated IUCN policy messaging.
For this reason, IUCN is exploring how to better support a process to update climate change policy knowledge among key staff worldwide. The idea is to support staff in answering questions from other colleagues, members and governments on climate change and in the process, also form a learning community that can help one another to ensure a greater degree of coherence and institutional effectiveness in advocating IUCN's positions within national and regional policies.
Survey
To better articulate the demand and form of engaging participants, telephonic interviews were held with four members of staff from different regional and country offices. Based on this qualitative quick scan, questions for a quantitative survey were formulated and a web survey was held from 12 – 20 May 2010 and sent out to 50 IUCN staff worldwide. Respondents were suggested by Regional Directors and Regional Programme Coordinators. This report is based on the responsesreceived from 35 respondents. Given the limited time frame, and especially sincesome participants were approached only a few days before the deadline, this is a very high response.
Profile of respondents
Most respondents have diverse tasks, They have a wide variety of functions, mostly with a focus on project or program coordination and implementation. Only a few have climate change policy specifically in their ToR.
Current or planned policy work on climate change
The majority of respondents have only very little time for climate change policy work (5-15% of their time). When asked about examples of policy work undertaken or planned, a wide variety of activities were given. Some focused directly on policy, others more on implementation of climate change projects. The majority also indicated having little or only average experience with climate change policy. It is fair to say that respondents are aware ofthe various climate change policy issues. At the same time they indicate – implicitly or explicitly – that adequate knowledge and understanding of policy are lacking.
Content areas to update knowledge
The feedback on content areas[1]provided insight into prior knowledge of respondents on cliamte policy. This will be used to tailor the updating to the demands of the users. E.g. it appears to be necessary to pay attention to the difference between adaptation policy and adaptation practice; there is a demand for more focus in mitigation policy on REDD.
The feedback also brings to light that there seem to be two categories of respondents: those interested to learn about climate change policy and those interested to learn about climate change in projects. There appears to be a clear demand for another learning series on climate change practice, which definitely is outside the scope of the current initiative.
Delivery mechanisms
The feedback provided insight into how to tailor the delivery of the professional updating based on the preference of respondents. A majority had a preference for a combination of (a) e-mail messages with links to further web-based information, (b) comprehensive e-learning courses and (c) web/video/teleconferences with modules for self paced learning.Quite a number of respondents had high expectations of what is possible within the current timeframe and budget: e.g. face to face meetings, joint projects and fundraising. In general respondents appreciate the initiative, like its knowledge management platform, are keen to network with colleagues and appreciate interactive learning modalities.
Conclusions
There were some over-ambitious expectations with regards to the professional updating initative that need to be clarified. The updating has a specific focus on climate change policy,and is geared at those working on policy issues specifically. Around 20 respondents clearly indicate current or planned policy work, and therefore the initiative would focus on creating an interactive learning community amidst these participants. Self-learning materials will be made available for all those interested in participating. Given the substantial interest expressed in broader learning on climate change, the potential to organize a programmatic training on climate change next year will be explored
With regards to the professional updating on climate change policy, there is sufficient clarity about the satisfaction criteria[2] to start formulating the learning framework and to develop the learning activities.
[1] Science underpinning climate change policy, UNFCCC process, current negotiations, finance policy, adaptation policy, mitigation policy, national CC policy, IUCN positions.
[2] Appropriate time investment, delivery mechanisms, prior knowledge and priority content.