Consulting Services
Bridging the gap between good intentions and on-the-ground impact
Ecothropic works at the nexus between society and nature, bridging the gap between good intention and effective action. Drawing on the social and natural sciences, Ecothropic has experience across diverse geographic regions, climatic conditions and cultural contexts.
WE DELIVER INCLUSIVE, LOW-COST, AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.
Our offerings include:
Nature-based Solutions project development and assessment
Community-based climate adaptation assessment and planning
Climate change vulnerability assessments and action plans across sectors
Climate change vulnerability assessments and action for habitats and species
Climate-smart disaster risk reduction capacity building, training and planning
Natural resource management assessment, capacity building, and action planning at local, regional and national levels (including sustainable livelihoods, sustainable agriculture, watershed management, watershed restoration, water management, and ridge to reef management)
Curriculum design for conservation, climate adaptation, agroecology and community-based Disaster Risk Reduction
Gender and Social Inclusion
Programs to establish and sustain community-managed natural protected areas
Innovative approaches using storytelling and film to engage youth with traditional knowledge and community-based solutions
SELECTED PROJECTS
NEOM Company. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2020-2021
The NEOM giga-project has the vision of ushering KSA into a new economic era, with a net-positive climate impact, net-zero CO2 emissions in harmony nature. As part of a multi-firm consortium developing the Climate Positive Policy Framework for NEOM, our team conducted the vulnerability assessment for terrestrial habitats, key terrestrial species, and the vulnerability assessment for all NEOM sectors, resulting in Key Recommendations for developing the Climate Positive Policy Framework.
Save the Children
2020-2021
Community engagement, project design, and feasibility analysis for the proposed Green Climate Fund Project "The Vanuatu Community-based Climate Resilience Project (VCCRP).” VCCRP is designed to support increased resilience of rural communities to changing climate and disaster risk.
Australia-Pacific Climate Partnership
2020-2021
As part of the Expert Panels, we have contributed to the following APCP initiatives, intended to support climate resilience and reduce disaster risk across the Pacific Region.
Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office and the Vanuatu Red Cross. Review and update of the Vanuatu Red Cross Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction handbook to integrate current climate science and climate resilience.
PLAN/Partners in Community Development Fiji. Review and recommendations of Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Manual to deliver “climate-smart” CBDRM training materials.
Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office and UN Women. Review and recommendations of Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Manual to deliver “climate-smart” CBDRM training materials.
Market Development Facility (MDF). Design and preparation of a climate-smart business checklist to incorporate climate risk reduction in business strategy across the Western Pacific.
Cuba: Parque Nacional de Humboldt. Fuertes y preparados frente al cambio climático.
2017-2020
In partnership with the Vermont Caribbean Institute and CITMA, we have assisted five communities in developing and implementing local Climate Resilience plans. Results include climate resilient agriculture, improved water security, fisheries management, disaster preparedness, and increased political representation.
Tetepere Descendents AssoCiation
2016-2018
Integrating climate change planning into community-based adaptation to reduce vulnerability in Solomon Islands. Rendova, Tetepare and Gatokae Islands, Western Province, Solomon Islands.
In partnership with C2O consulting, we trained local leaders in disaster risk reduction, climate science, climate resilience, marine resource management, and ecosystem-based adaptation. With local leaders we supported two villages to conduct Participative Vulnerability Assessments, develop Adaptation Plans, and implement actions to improve livelihoods, protect fisheries, and sustainably manage forests with local knowledge, resources, and initiative.
Vanuatu RESCCUE
2015 - 2018
Secretariat of the Pacific Community : Consortium Partners - OPUS International, C2O, OceansWatch
The Vanuatu RESCCUE consortium will contribute to increasing the resilience of ecosystems and communities in north Efate to global changes. RESCCUE aims to support adaptation to climate change through integrated coastal management, including economic and financial mechanisms.
OceansWatch Climate Change Program
2014-2017
Partners: OceansWatch Solomon Islands, OceansWatch Vanuatu, OceansWatch New Zealand
OceansWatch's climate change program facilitates communities in the Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands to adapt to climate change through Local Early Adaptation Planning and by supporting a network of information sharing in the region. The program is part of a three-pronged approach, Climate Change Adaptation, Marine Resource Management, and Sustainable Livelihoods, which aims to increase resilience to climate change impacts in region.
Innovative Mechanisms for a Cooperative Climate Change Adaptation Program in the Sierra Madre and the Coast of Chiapas, Mexico.
2012-2015
Partners: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GmbH (GIZ) funded; The Nature Conservancy (TNC); Fondo de Conservación El Triunfo (FONCET); Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias (INIFAP); Pronatura; Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE); Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP)
This TNC managed project aimed to design and implement of an integrated ecosystem-based adaptation strategy in Sierra Madre/Coastal Chiapas that a) involves resource users in managing the landscape for adaptation to climate change, b) promotes resource conservation, fosters economic development, and ameliorates climate change impacts on ecological systems and livelihoods, and c) is financially sustainable over time.
UNDP Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Chiapas, Mexico
2012
Strategic planning and assessment of capacity/training and gender inclusion across Disaster Risk Reduction Program initiatives.
© All images by Britt Basel Photo
What do they say about Ecothropic?
“I have known and worked with Britt since 2015 on different projects in the Pacific. She brings a unique combination of environmental knowledge, compassion and story-telling to her work, and is always full of new ideas and energy. Britt is professional and a pleasure to work with, and I’d definitely work with her again. Her community-focused knowledge of climate change impacts and positive actions is an asset to any project aiming for a sustainable and empowered future.”
““I worked with Britt on a large-scale climate adaptation design project for Vanuatu. Britt brought to the project a wealth of knowledge regarding DRR, water management, climate adaptation and more generally ensuring the capture and incorporation of traditional knowledge in the design and implementation of a project. Undertaken during COVID restrictions across multiple time zones, Britt was flexible and able to ensure remote engagement with the project team worked seamlessly. I look forward to working with Britt again in the future.””
“Britt consulted with our conservation group to identify meaningful ways for 75 young leaders to identify and plan for climate threats across the Colorado Plateau. She was flexible, adaptive, and a pleasure to work with...Our group was concerned with tackling social and environmental justice across a very broad area, and Britt’s vision and experience helped make that seem accessible. I can’t wait to see the growth that happens over the next several months.”
