Mongolia Case Study

Project Summary

The main objective of the Flood Resilience in Ulaanbaatar Ger Areas project is to enhance the climate change resilience of the seven most vulnerable Ger khoroo settlements focusing on flooding in Ulaanbaatar City. UN Habitat, in partnership with the government of Mongolia, successfully obtained funding for this project through the Adaptation Fund.

Case Study

 

Problem:

Mongolia is set to be significantly impacted by the effects of climate change. Although milder climatic forecasts might bring some benefits to a country such as less harsh weather conditions, these are most likely to be outweighed by significant drawbacks for the country. As mean temperatures are to rise, secondary effects such as increases in extreme weather events become more likely.

 

 

What We Did:

Through a feasibility study that undertook a careful analysis of the key risks, constraints and dependencies related to the project, the team was able to show to the Adaptation Fund investors that the potential for successful outcomes was high. The team closely studied the operational policies and guidelines for obtaining funding from AF and incorporated them into the project design. This included upholding

• fiduciary risk management standards;
• incorporating ESS / EHS / ESG and gender policies;
• consulting relevant stakeholders.

 

In general, the team focused on strong upstream project preparation and clearly defining infrastructure sectors, as well as thoroughly analyzing the project’s potential impacts on the city’s economic, social, and environmental situation. The project was clearly connected to the city’s existing master plan and was able to obtain government support. The team aimed to minimize risk in every area possible.

 

What is the Follow Up?

After having received funding, the team are currently working towards:

1. Improving the knowledge on flood hazard and risk exposure and vulnerability for these areas;
2. Improving the resilience and adaptive capacity of the Ger settlements through a Community-Based gender-responsive approach (i.e. building social cohesion per Khoroo);
3. Increasing resilience Ger area physical infrastructure and services, supported by enhanced capacities of responsible district level and Khoroo authorities;
4. Strengthening institutional capacity to reduce risks and capture and replicate lessons and good practices.

 

What are the Outcomes?

• Flood resilient physical infrastructure built and services provided, identified through a participatory process.
• Hazard and risk mapping, and land use planning, which enhanced capacities and awareness for resilience and risk reduction at Ger -district and community level

 

Way Forward

The project will be able to demonstrate adaptation actions in the target areas which could be replicate or upscale for greater impact in the city. Despite strengthening institutional capacity to reduce risks and capture and replicate lessons and good practices, it is much needed further enhancing the finance capacity of city authorities  through bankable business models linking to feasible investment channels

 

Key Takeaways:

Some of the key factors this project was chosen was that it:

• Carefully examined its design for any risks or constraints and proposed ways to deal with them
• Outlined clear goals, costs to execute them and paths to achieve them
• Obtained the support of relevant government officials and community partners
• Demonstrated that the investment would contribute to a city’s sustainable economic development
• Ensured that the project could be carried out given existing capacities and opportunities
• Build partnerships to support communities to enhance the resilient capacities