In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the need for greater integration of social protection measures, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts. There is much to gain from deepening integration between these three areas, in terms of reducing vulnerability and poverty even in the face of worsening climate impacts and/or natural hazards
As such, UNDP has placed an emphasis on transforming productive livelihoods as well protecting, and adapting to changing climate conditions rather than simply reinforcing coping mechanisms. By supporting financially and institutionally sustainable systems of social protection, UNDP efforts are grounded in an understanding of the structural root causes of poverty in a particular region or sector, permitting more effective targeting of vulnerability to multiple shocks and stresses and therefore better social protection.
Consistent with its focus on low-emission climate-resilient development, and complementing the Ecosystem Based Approach, UNDP also aims to preserve and restore natural ecosystems that can provide cost-effective protection against climate change threats. In Tuvalu for example, UNDP is supporting the protection of livelihoods in island communities from dynamic climate-related damage. The Government of Tuvalu aims to integrate climate resilience into coastal management, public works and agriculture and water sector policies and plans, including the Te Kakeega II (National Development Plan) and corresponding public sector budgets and asset management plans.