PROVIA Launches Survey on Prioritization of Research Objectives

The Programme of Research on Climate Change Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation (PROVIA), a joint UN initiative, has launched a survey aimed at prioritizing research objectives. PROVIA aims to create an interface between the scientific community and decision makers involved in vulnerability, impacts and adaptation issues, and improve the availability and accessibility of such knowledge. Survey responses will be used to build a picture of priorities to be discussed with governments and international agencies. The survey is part of an international review of research needs, and will serve as the basis for priorities to guide adaptation efforts in the next few years. It will be delivered to the UN in May 2012 for presentation at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) in June 2012. PROVIA was launched in September 2011 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).