Jo-Ellen Parry, Director, Adaptation (Canada), undertakes research, analysis, engagement and management activities within IISD’s Resilience Program.
Building on more than ten years of experience in the field of climate change, Ms. Parry’s current work strives to build the capacity of communities and governments in Canada and developing countries to manage climate risks. This includes exploring ways in which to integrate adaptation into development processes at the national and community levels by designing and facilitating processes that bringing together science, policy and local experience, and by supporting the development of tools for decision-making that respond to user needs. Previously she has undertaken research on developing countries’ climate change adaptation actions, on how adaptation to climate change might be advanced through an international agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the potential role of market mechanisms in promoting greenhouse gas reductions, and community based natural resources management.
All Publications
- How Integrated Vulnerability Assessments Support NAP Processes in the Pacific Region
Report - February 6, 2019
This briefing note highlights the significance of the integrated vulnerability assessment (IVA) framework to the NAP processes underway in three Pacific island states: Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands. - Canada Must Do More to Adapt to Climate Change, Environment Commissioner Says
Blog - October 10, 2017
Canada’s Commissioner for Environment and Sustainable Development, Julie Gelfand, just called on the federal government to do more to prepare Canadians for the impacts of climate change. We explore how that needs to happen. - Financing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Processes: Contributing to the achievement of nationally determined contribution (NDC) adaptation goals
Guidebook - August 9, 2017
This guidance note aims to assist countries with determining how to secure the financing for their National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes. - The Vulnerability of Pakistan's Water Sector to the Impacts of Climate Change: Identification of gaps and recommendations for action
Report - June 11, 2017
This report explores the vulnerability of Pakistan’s water supply to climate change, noting potential changes in water availability, water demand, implications for key sectors, and strategies for addressing knowledge and capacity gaps. - Eight Ways Cities Are Building Climate Resilience
FAQ - April 10, 2017
This essay looks at eight examples drawn from the Building a Climate-Resilient City research series prepared for the City of Edmonton and the City of Calgary by the Prairie Climate Centre. - Building a Climate-Resilient City: Transformational adaptation
Policy Brief - April 24, 2017
This policy brief focuses on how cities can build resilience to climate change through transformational adaptation. - How Are Vulnerable Countries Adapting to Climate Change?
FAQ - December 6, 2016
How are vulnerable countries managing the impacts of climate change? Here is an overview of the trends that emerged from a review of 15 developing countries—along with our key takeaways. - Trends in Adaptation Planning: Observations from a recent stock-taking review
Briefing Note - November 14, 2016
This brief provides an overview of observed trends in adaptation action that emerged from a standardized review of efforts in 15 African and Asian countries. - Taking Stock of Adaptation Progress: Some lessons and challenges
Blog - November 15, 2016
On November 4, the international community celebrated as the Paris Agreement came into effect. - Making Every Drop Count: Pakistan’s growing water scarcity challenge
Blog - September 29, 2016
Can climate change risks spur needed action? - Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Kenya
Report - August 28, 2016
This report summarizes the climate risks and vulnerable sectors in Kenya, providing an overview of current efforts to address these concerns through climate change adaptation policies and initiatives at the national and sub-national levels. - Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Pakistan
Report - August 28, 2016
This report summarizes the climate risks and vulnerable sectors in Pakistan, providing an overview of climate change adaptation policies and initiatives introduced in response at the national and sub-national levels. - Review of Current and Planned Adaptation Action in Bangladesh
Report - August 28, 2016
Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, as two-thirds of its land area is prone to flooding, and its coastlines are... - New Study Sheds Light on Energy Sector’s Responses to Extreme Weather Events
Blog - March 28, 2016
How was the energy sector in Canada affected by recent extreme weather events? How prepared was the sector to address these impacts? - Extreme Climate Events and the Energy Sector in the Souris River Basin: Key stakeholder perspectives
- March 11, 2016
Impacts of and responses to recent extreme weather events by the energy sector and local municipalities in the Souris River Basin. - Towards a Low Carbon, Climate Resilient Ontario: IISD input to MOECC’s Climate Change Discussion Paper
Paper - April 13, 2015
The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change released its Ontario Climate Change Discussion Paper 2015. This brief outlines IISD’s... - Promoting Climate-Resilient Peacebuilding in Fragile States
Paper - April 9, 2015
Efforts to help fragile states move onto a path toward stability and sustainability continue to face enormous challenges.Climate change is one of... - The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water
Paper - October 30, 2014
The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water is a legal and policy tool for governments and communities that are involved in negotiating investment contracts with foreign investors. - Enhancing the Resilience of Manitoba’s Winter Roads System
Paper - May 7, 2014
Thousands of people in the Canadian Province of Manitoba live in communities that are inaccessible by permanent conventional roads or railways.For... - Exploring Trends in Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient Development
Paper - November 16, 2013
In recent years, the concept of low-carbon, climate-resilient development (LCCRD) has emerged as a key way of framing policy and action to address... - Climate Risks, Vulnerability and Governance in Kenya: A review
Paper - February 22, 2013
Climate-related risks adversely affect the lives and livelihoods of the people of Kenya and threaten the country's near- and long-term development... - Climate Risk Management for Malaria Control in Kenya: the case of the western highlands
Paper - February 7, 2013
Despite its declining prevalence in most parts of Kenya, malaria infection continues to be the main cause of disease and mortality in the country... - Performance Improvement and Assessment of Collaboration: Starting points for networks and communities of practice
Paper - February 1, 2013
IISD's Global Connectivity program has worked for over a decade on research and capacity building for performance assessment and improvement of... - Addressing Financing for Agriculture: Ensuring a triple dividend for smallholders
Paper - July 31, 2012
The provision of adequate and effective financing remains a critical issue in achieving a triple dividend in agriculture. Financing needs are... - Africa Transformation-Ready: The strategic application of information and communication technologies to climate change adaptation in Africa
Paper - March 6, 2012
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have had an increasing impact on economic and social development over the past two decades,... - Maintenance of Hydropower Potential in Rwanda Through Ecosystem Restoration
Paper - June 15, 2011
Secure energy access through hydroelectric power production is critical to Rwanda's efforts to achieve its economic development and poverty... - Enhancing resiliency to drought in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands
Brochure - August 4, 2010
The case study Enhancing resiliency to drought in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands provides an overview of a pilot project undertaken in Kenya... - Manitoba Adaptation Day: Understanding Manitoba-focused Adaptation Activities, Research and Capacity – Workshop Report
Paper - December 7, 2009
IISD Climate and Energy team members planned and facilitated a workshop intended to bring together key Manitoba-based academics, researchers,... - Encouraging Developing Country Participation in a Future Climate Change Regime
Paper - July 16, 2009
This paper explores how major developing economies might become effectively engaged in a post-2012 climate change regime. The paper sets out a... - Financing Mitigation and Adaptation in Developing Countries: New options and mechanisms
Paper - June 23, 2009
This background paper addresses financing issues relating to mitigation and adaptation in developing countries under the UNFCCC. The paper reviews... - Preparing for Climate Change in Kenya: Early Outcomes of the Project "Increasing Community Resilience to Drought in Makueni District"
Brochure - November 28, 2008
This brochure describes some of the early outcomes of a project designed to increase drought resilience in Kenya's Makueni District. IISD is... - Vulnerability & Adaptation Work Program: Achieving sustainable development in a changing climate
Brochure - June 25, 2008
For nearly a decade, the International Institute for Sustainable Development has been actively engaged in understanding and addressing the impacts... - Early Lessons from Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation Projects in South-eastern Africa - Workshop Report
Paper - August 2, 2007
In April 2007, the International Institute for Sustainable Development and SouthSouthNorth co-hosted the workshop "Early Lessons from the... - Climate Change and Foreign Policy: An exploration of options for greater integration
Book - March 9, 2007
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of this century. Increasing evidence of the impacts of climate change and that human actions are... - Which Way Forward? - Issues in developing an effective climate regime after 2012
Book - November 18, 2005
A post-2012 climate change regime will need to balance the diverse needs of all countries while striving to prevent the potentially serious... - Canada in a Post-2012 World: A Qualitative Assessment of Domestic and International Perspectives
Book - November 9, 2005
Canada in a Post-2012 World explores Canadian and international perspectives on establishing a sustainable, global regime for climate change action... - Have Participatory Approaches Increased Capabilities?
Paper - July 15, 2005
Since their introduction in the 1970s, participatory methods and techniques have become central tools for community development and have been... - Realizing the Development Dividend: Making the CDM Work for Developing Countries (Phase I Report) - Executive Summary
Paper - May 18, 2005
The CDM has a host of objectives not directly related to climate ... - Realizing the Development Dividend: Making the CDM Work for Developing Countries (Phase I Report)
Paper - May 18, 2005
The CDM has a host of objectives not directly related to climate ...

