Julie joined IISD’s Resilience Program in 2010 and has been an active member of the Secretariat for the NAP Global Network since its inception in 2014. She co-leads the Network’s work on gender-responsive NAP processes and on monitoring and evaluation. In addition, she coordinates technical support programs for NAP processes in the Pacific region and Francophone Africa. Julie has extensive fieldwork experience, particularly in knowledge gathering among local partners through one-on-one interviews and the implementation of broader participatory processes, as well as identifying solutions that are owned by all development actors. Over the past 10 years, her work and main interests focus on social aspects of climate change adaptation, including the integration of local knowledge and gender issues. In March 2017, Julie was one of 18 winners selected by the Geneva Environment Network for promoting gender equality and the environment that year.
Prior to joining IISD, Julie worked as the Team Leader on Disaster Risk Reduction and Community Resilience with the Integrated Water and Hazard Management Programme for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Nepal. She was also a consultant on adaptation to climate change for HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, a foundation focused on cooperation and development.
All Publications
- Conducting Gender Analysis to Inform National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Processes: Reflections from six African countries
Briefing Note - April 2, 2019
This briefing note describes the rationale and approach that we have taken in supporting NAP-focused gender analyses in six African countries (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea-Conakry, Madagascar and Togo). - 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. - Gender-Responsive Climate Action
Commentary - June 8, 2018
What does gender-responsive climate action look like? Expert commentary on achieving gender-responsive climate action through women’s empowerment, inclusive policy-making and other innovative practices. - Towards Gender-Responsive NAP Processes: Progress and Recommendations for the Way Forward
Report - April 5, 2018
This report presents an analysis of progress on integrating gender responsive considerations in NAP processes. While there is no single approach to gender inequality and the linkages to climate change adaptation planning, implementation and M&E, countries often face similar challenges. - Strengthening Gender Considerations in Kiribati’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process
Report - December 17, 2017
The purpose of this scoping study is to explore options for strengthening gender considerations in Kiribati’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process with a focus on its NAP document, the Joint Implementation Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KJIP), which is expected to be revised in 2018 to reflect the government’s new priorities. - 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. - A Framework for Gender-Responsive National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Processes
Policy Brief - August 9, 2017
This brief discusses gender equality in the context of the formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). - How Small Businesses Can Support Climate-Resilient Value Chains: Lessons from Uganda
Briefing Note - October 26, 2016
This brief focuses on investments by domestic seed companies in quality seeds, including climate-resilient varieties, in developing countries and the climate risk management benefits for other actors along the value chain. It is designed for researchers and practitioners working on agricultural value chains, food security and climate resilience in developing countries. - Private Sector Investments in Climate Risk Management in Uganda
Video - September 13, 2016
This video highlights the role of private sector investments in climate resilient rice value chains in Uganda. It focuses on the experiences of Equator Seeds Limited and Centenary Bank in the Eastern and Northern regions of Uganda. - Financial Services for Climate-Resilient Value Chains: The case of the Centenary Bank in Uganda
Briefing Note - July 12, 2016
This briefing note presents the results of case study research on financial services and climate risk management along agricultural value chains, focusing on the Centenary Bank’s services to rice value chain actors in Eastern Uganda. - Enabling Climate Risk Management Along Agricultural Value Chains: Insights from the rice value chain in Uganda
Briefing Note - June 30, 2016
This briefing note proposes a framework of core functions for climate risk management (CRM) along agricultural value chains and highlights the role of service providers in supporting CRM efforts. - Policy Solutions for Climate-Resilient Agricultural Value Chains
Blog - March 3, 2016
Climate change poses serious risks to agriculture in many developing countries. - sNAPshot: Jamaica's Approach to Initiating Sector Integration of Adaptation Considerations
Data brief - February 20, 2016
This sNAPshot looks at how Jamaica initiated sectoral integration of climate change adaptation considerations, and how this compares with approaches that other countries are taking. - Developing national adaptation monitoring and evaluation systems: A guidebook
Guidebook - December 31, 2015
This guidebook is intended for decision makers and technical advisors involved in the development of national monitoring and evaluation (M&E)... - IISD Commentary on the FAO–OECD Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains
Commentary - March 9, 2015
This IISD commentary looks at the FAO–OECD Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains.The FAO and OECD are drafting a guidance document... - Repository of Adaptation Indicators: Real case examples from national Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
Report - October 10, 2014
The repository illustrates possible adaptation indicators and their application context, thereby supporting their context-specific formulation. - Rural Women, Partner in the Development Process
Commentary - August 16, 2014
Rural women are invaluable to sustainable development and human well-being, yet they often remain in the shadows as they face incredible challenges... - Monitoring and Evaluating Adaptation at Aggregated Levels: A Comparative Analysis of Ten Systems
Paper - July 2, 2014
The paper Monitoring and Evaluating Adaptation at Aggregated Levels: A Comparative Analysis of Ten Systems provides an introduction to different... - Agro-Value Chain Finance and Climate Adaptation: The role of the banking sector
Paper - June 18, 2014
Risk management is a core element of any business and this is no exception for the financial services industry, but the new risks and potential... - Promoting an Integrated Approach to Climate Adaptation: Lessons from the coffee value chain in Uganda
Paper - March 18, 2014
Relatively little has been done to date to support climate adaptation along entire value chains.Yet to secure sustainable investments in value... - CRiSTAL Forests User's Manual
Paper - November 14, 2013
In partnership with CIFOR and C3D+, IISD has developed CRiSTAL Forests, a decision-support tool to help design local climate adaptation options in... - Climate Change Adaptation and Canadian Infrastructure: A review of the literature
Paper - November 7, 2013
This report summarizes current literature dealing with the challenge of adapting to climate change in Canada, with a particular focus on the... - Climate Risk Management for Local Agricultural Cooperatives in Rwanda: A training of trainers' manual
Book - September 10, 2013
This training of trainers' manual helps cooperative members identify the main climate risks that can hamper their cooperative's performance and... - Comparative Analysis of Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Lessons from Tunisia and Indonesia
Paper - April 22, 2013
Vulnerability assessments (VAs) are central to shaping climate change adaptation decisions.They help to define the nature and extent of the threat... - 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 Sustainable Crop Production in Uganda: Rakai and Kapchorwa Districts
Paper - February 7, 2013
Agriculture is the backbone of the Ugandan economy. Most of it is rain-fed and relies on limited external inputs, making the country very sensitive... - Sustainable Wetland Management in the Face of Climate Risks in Niger: the Case of La Mare de Tabalak
Paper - February 7, 2013
Niger's wetlands are critical to poverty reduction, food security and biodiversity conservation, especially given the limited the irregular... - 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... - CRiSTAL User's Manual Version 5 (Community-based Risk Screening Tool - Adaptation and Livelihoods)
Paper - November 27, 2012
IISD, in partnership with IUCN, SEI, and HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, has released a new version of CRiSTAL, a decision-support tool to help... - CRiSTAL Stories: CRiSTAL helps farmers adapt to drought on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Uganda
Brochure - November 23, 2012
In this CRiSTAL Stories brief, Julie Karami-Dekens and Sophie Kutegeka document how the application of the Community-Based Risk Screening Tool -... - 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,...