Ten years ago, when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) discourse was dominated by climate mitigation, a small group of scholars and practitioners saw the need to raise the visibility of the potential consequences of climate change. Given the lack of a space to discuss that relevant topic within the Conference of the Parties (COP) process, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and partners convened the ‘Adaptation Day at COP 8’ (subsequently called ‘Development & Climate’ or ‘D&C’ Days) held during the weekend between negotiating days. Their purpose was to bring together scientists, experts, funders, practitioners and policy-makers working on adaptation to climate change from around the world to share the latest developments and activities of the respective groups.

In 2012, a new approach was embraced by the organising team. The Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre ‘inherited’ the lead convening role for this event, working in collaboration with IIED and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), with additional support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Canada’s International Development Research Center (IDRC). The vision for the event was to Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Development & Adaptation Days, re-energising the original purpose of bringing together policy makers, practitioners, and researchers for intensely participatory learning, incisive dialogue and innovative approaches to networking.

To bring its vision to life, a programme was designed that at once preserved the successful aspects of previous D&C Days while at the same time sought to challenge and change traditional ways of bridging policy, knowledge and practice in development and climate issues. Unidirectional information flow was replaced by innovative, participatory approaches such as serious games, a ‘Beyond the Film Festival’, lightning rounds of ‘Ignite’ presentations from high-level panellists, and interactive, small group discussions on central themes relevant to climate and development.

Key outcomes:

• More effective exchange of ideas on development and adaptation at COP18;
• Lasting infusion of enthusiasm and innovative tools for more effective dialogue and learning processes in UNFCCC and broader global, regional and national fora;
• Lasting, concrete partnerships among participating stakeholders, particularly among organisations with complementary strengths and mandates;
• Improved understanding among participants of key development and adaptation issues.

Recent update:

The 10th anniversary of D&C Days was marked by a gathering of over 200 negotiators, policy-makers, scientists, donors and development practitioners, including high-level participants such as a former President of Ireland, the Governor of the Central Bank of Bangladesh, and the Chairman of the Green Climate Fund.

From the CDKN-supported Development and Climate Days several feature articles have been published: What does green growth mean to a banker? on Bangladesh’s green banking innovations; and Could bean-trading in Doha create a breakthrough? on the role of game-playing in changing people’s approach to climate adaptation. We’ve also captured key messages from discussions on the role of film in promoting climate action: Use of fear in climate communications is counter-productive.

Earth Negotiations Bulletin has captured D&C Days activities in the following photo-essays on its site:
- Day 1: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop18/dcapd/1dec.html
- Day 2: http://www.iisd.ca/climate/cop18/dcapd/2dec.html 

CDKN Funding: £80,000