With the Doha Climate Change Conference looming into view, development programmes are being challenged to demonstrate how they are addressing the impact of longer-term climate trends on the livelihoods of their beneficiaries.

There have been few documented examples of social protection programming that specifically accounts for climate change – now and in the future – or that seeks to mitigate the potential of disasters in risk-prone communities. In a new In Focus Policy Briefing, policy-relevant lessons for climate-and-disaster-sensitive planning are drawn from a social protection programme in Tanzania which is taking its first steps to become 'climate smart'.

The Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF III) provides a clear picture of why climate change should be accounted for in social protection programming. However it is also clear – in common with many other countries – there are still a number of critical challenges to overcome in delivering more synergistic programmes. The briefing emphasises the importance of realising the benefits of an integrated approach – described here as 'Adaptive Social Protection' – as well as strong institutional linkages and political commitment.

About Adaptive Social Protection

Social Protection, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction all aim to reduce vulnerability to shocks, but so far these three communities of practice have worked in silo. Adaptive Social Protection recognises that greater integration and knowledge sharing among these three communities of practice would reduce people's vulnerability and help them escape poverty. The ASP Programme at IDS brings together these communities to strengthen household resilience and make better contributions to sustainable development.