Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change Conferences

Client:

Locations:

International Institute of Environment & Development

Nairobi, Kenya
Lilongwe, Malawi
Kampala, Uganda
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bangkok, Thailand
Recife, Brazil
Online

Impact:

CBA provides a platform for practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders to share knowledge, best practices, and experiences on locally-led climate adaptation strategies, ensuring the voices of communities most affected by climate change are heard at the global level, and influencing policy decisions by highlighting effective adaptation solutions from the frontline of climate impacts. 

In its 18 years the CBA conference has: 

  • Shaped key international processes, with participants learning directly from community practitioners and taking that knowledge into high level spaces. 

  • Influenced local organisations to incorporate climate change into their plans and strategies, and to introduce new ways of working with communities.

  • Given confidence to communities to represent Locally Led Adaptation in international spaces.

The only global adaptation conference that puts the lived experience and knowledge of local people at the centre.

Since 2015, I’ve been at the heart of delivering IIED’s flagship annual event. Each year, CBA creates a collaborative space where frontline practitioners, local communities, and global decision-makers come together to tackle the challenges of climate adaptation.

Key Features:

  • 350-400 participants from 50+ countries each year.

  • 4-5 days of plenary & parallel sessions, designed for interactive participation.

  • Delivered across Africa, Asia, and South America, with online editions for global accessibility.

  • Brings together practitioners, policymakers, donors, and researchers for sharing, learning and action-focused discussions.

  • Hands-on field trips to visit local climate adaptation projects.

  • Flagship engagement elements: Marketplace, Skill-share, Shark Tank, Open Space, and Film Competition.

  • Evening receptions & excursions, strengthening global networks.

My Work:

  • Logistics Leadership: I manage and oversee event operations including venue selection, supplier coordination, transportation, accommodation, visa support, hybrid elements, scheduling and technical plans - with meticulous attention to detail and an eye on the big picture. 

  • Delegate Communication:  I handle ticketing, develop comprehensive delegate information packs, and regularly communicate conference updates and news via email to participants - ensuring clear communications and building excitement.  

  • Program Development: I collaborate on structuring the conference agenda, and co-developing signature elements such as the marketplace, skill-share sessions, Shark Tank presentations, open space discussions, and film competitions to enhance participant engagement.

  • Stakeholder Coordination: I work closely with local partners and governments across various locations to align conference objectives with regional priorities.

  • Team Coordination: Working in tandem with the team, I ensure smooth coordination and keep all stakeholders aligned through expert project management.

  1. Adaptable Event Execution: Whether facilitating in-person gatherings or virtual events, I maintain operational excellence, crafting an environment of collaboration, learning, and action.

Amy has organised international events like CBA for IIED for years and is well organised, unflappable, imaginative, far-sighted and a delightful person to have around when you have a team working all hours to deliver a big event. She's fantastic!

- Andrew Norton, Former Director, International Institute for Environment & Development

“I work with Amy on the CBA Conference series. She is an absolutely top class events manager and producer. Dedicated, unflappable and organised, she can manage complex, multi-level events requiring both organisational and diplomatic skill to bring different people together in a participatory way”.

- Sam Greene, Project Manager, International Institute for Environment & Development

“Amy is a real professional and has supported us with complex events like CBA in different parts of the world. She is engaging, organised, funny and works with people from all over the world like a dream.”

- Tom Mitchell, Director, International Institute for Environment & Development