Consultation on development of climate change adaptation strategies for companies

© GIZ, PSACC

This case study was developed under the GIZ global programme “Private Sector Adaptation to Climate Change (PSACC)” which aims at building the capacities of SMEs and the private sector in the field of Climate Change Adaptation. PSACC developed the climate risk management tool “Climate Expert” (www.climate-expert.org). This case study focuses on AVEIRO, a fish processing company founded in 1946 and based in Agadir in the semi-arid region of Souss-Massa.

Main features and components

Given the geographic location as well as the vulnerability of the fishery sector, the exposure of the company to climate change is high. Rising temperatures, erratic and heavy rainfalls, as well as more frequent heat waves and severe droughts belong to the most pressing climate phenomena which have negative effects on the business operations. Given that fish processing is a very water intensive production process, the increasing scarcity of water resources in the Souss-Massa Region is also putting business operations at risk. At the same time, the core of the business of the company is threatened in the long term, given that climate change - with the acidification of oceans, rise of sea temperatures etc. - is also accelerating the migration and decline of specific fish stocks, e.g. sardines, which represent more than half of the company’s production.

Implementation and work steps

The climate risk management tool “Climate Expert” provides information for SMEs to build adaptation capacity and to develop individual adaptation strategies. In addition to assessing vulnerabilities, the tool includes guidance on assessing the costs and benefits of the different climate risk management options.

In this study different climate phenomena and impacts, and its associated risks were identified. Adaptation measures for climate risks were determined.

Climate phenomena and impacts are: heavy and more frequent rains, increased temperatures and more frequent heat waves, water stress, and changing physical-chemical patterns of oceans. Examples of associated climate risks are:

• Facilities and premises flooded
• Power cuts and overheating of fridges during heatwaves
• Disruption in water supply because of decreasing groundwater levels
• Decrease in available fish stocks and quality.

Identified adaptation measures are:

• Integrating flood barriers
• New insulation materials for fridges
• Collective rain water collection system in the industrial zone
• Investment in R&D for product diversification for canned food.

Output

Adaptation measures and business opportunities were identified.

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