Verner, Dorte

Person:
Verner, Dorte

Environment, Middle East & North Africa, World Bank

Fields of Specialization

Climate Change; Poverty Reduction; Rural and Social Development; Latin America and the Caribbean; Middle East and North Africa, Africa; Argentina; Brazil; Cote D’Ivoire; Ghana; Haiti; Lebanon; Jordan; Mexico; Syria; Tunisia

Departments

Environment, Middle East & North Africa, World Bank

Last updated: February 1, 2023

Biography

Dorte Verner is the Climate Coordinator and Senior Economist in the Middle East and North Africa region. She leads the MENA region’s Flagship report: Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries and other country level climate change tasks in the region. Before taking on this position, she led the Social Implications of Climate Change program in the Latin America and Caribbean region. She has managed projects and published in the areas of poverty reduction, rural development and climate change. She has written books and papers on labor markets, indigenous peoples, youth at risk issues, and social implications of climate change. Ms. Verner joined the World Bank in 1996 and before she worked in the OECD Development Center and at European University Institute in Florence, University of Paris I, and University of Aarhus. She holds a PhD in Macroeconomics and Econometrics from the EUI, Italy and a postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Aarhus, Denmark.

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 51

Insect and Hydroponic Farming in Africa: The New Circular Food Economy
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2021-12-07) Roos, Nanna; Verner, Dorte; Halloran, Afton; Surabian, Glenn; Tebaldi, Edinaldo; Ashwill, Maximillian; Vellani, Saleema; Konishi, Yasuo
This book presents a heavily disruptive, inclusive, and resilient solution to Africa’s wide-ranging food security challenges. Specifically, it assesses the benefits and costs of using the frontier agriculture technologies to create a circular food economy in Africa, particularly in Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV)-affected countries. This book focuses on two types of frontier agriculture technologies: insect farming and hydroponic crop farming. Both technologies quickly produce nutritious human food and animal feed and could provide tremendous health, social, economic, climatic, environmental, and food security benefits in Africa. Insect and hydroponic farming can create a circular food economy by reusing society’s organic waste, including agricultural and certain industrial waste, to produce foods for humans, fish, and livestock without the need for vast amounts of arable land or water resources. This book finds that frontier agriculture is a viable complement to conventional agriculture in Africa and could meet many of the continent’s social, economic, environmental, and food security challenges. The book also shows that frontier agriculture can be economically competitive with conventional agriculture in the resource constrained environments of African FCV countries, while generating a fraction of the climate and environmental damage. These frontier agriculture technologies show great potential for growth and scalability as the market is rapidly increasing for novel protein sources from farmed insects and for nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables from hydroponic crops.
Future of Food: Building Stronger Food Systems in Fragility, Conflict, and Violence Settings
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2021-11-08) Townsend, Robert; Verner, Dorte; Adubi, Abimbola; Saint-Geours, Jean; Leao, Izabela; Juergenliemk, Armine; Robertson, Tim; Williams, Melissa; de Preneuf, Flore; Jonasova, Marketa; Carmichael, Zacharey
Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals is impossible without addressing fragility, conflict, and violence (FCV), especially as two thirds of the extreme poor are projected to live in such situations by 2030. Conflicts as well as climatic and natural hazards displace millions of people each year. Strengthening food systems can be an essential lever of change that contributes to ending poverty while maintaining and restoring peace. This paper focuses on how stabilizing and improving food systems can have a positive impact in FCVs settings, not just by preventing hunger, but by creating employment and increasing shared prosperity, which may contribute to greater peace. It reflects the four pillars of the World Bank Group Strategy for Fragility, Conflict, and Violence 2020-2025 – promote prevention, remain engaged in crisis situations and conflict, help countries transition out of fragility, and mitigate spillover impacts. To strengthen food systems across the spectrum of FCV settings, the paper highlights four key areas of focus for practitioners: (i) strengthening governance and institutional capacity by supporting food programs such as those that focus on the welfare of the entire population, rather than just a fraction of it; (ii) preventing and responding to food crises to avoid not only hunger, but also people sliding deeper into poverty; (iii) growing the private sector through agribusiness development, inclusive jobs in agricultural value chains, particularly for women and youth, and rural livelihoods to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty common in FCV settings; and (iv) reducing conflict risk and environmental fragility through resilient and sustainable resource management in ways that help build government legitimacy. This paper is rich in practical and tested examples across FCV settings from around the world and makes a strong case for providing development support and assistance in these challenging environments. By setting food systems up for success, governments can invest in the essential foundations of peace and prosperity.
Climate Variability, Drought, and Drought Management in Morocco's Agricultural Sector
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2018-10-01) Treguer, David; Verner, Dorte; Redwood, John; Christensen, Jens; McDonnell, Rachael; Elbert, Christine; Konishi, Yasuo; Belghazi, Saad
Droughts in Morocco are increasing in frequency and intensity. Associated with global climate change, this trend will likely be more evident in the future. Drought damage to the agricultural sector affects both rural livelihoods and the national economy as a whole. This report examinesdrought and climate variability impacts on agricultural and livestock activities in Morocco. It relies on original research on the citrus and olive value chains, which are both priorities in the government’s current agricultural strategy, known as the “Green Plan” or Plan Maroc Vert (PMV). The report also considers drought impacts on cereal production, traces the government’s efforts to address drought, and suggests actions to strength these efforts. Long-term climate change is making Morocco, which already faces rural water scarcity, more vulnerable to extreme weather events. Recurrent atmospheric climate events, known as teleconnections, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), may further exacerbate this situation. This study finds that ENSO had limited impacts on the 2015–2016 droughts in Morocco, but other teleconnections,specifically the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Mediterranean Oscillation (MO), had greater impacts. Increased climate variability leads to stronger droughts, which adversely affect livestock andrainfed crops. Moreover, Morocco’s average temperatures are rising and rainfall is becoming more sporadic, both affecting certain parts of the country more than others. Agriculture and agribusiness activities generate over 30 percent of employment in Morocco. The agricultural sector also produces 20 percent of GDP and 35 percent of exports. Rainfed crops, like wheat, are critical for domestic food security and livestock survival, but are also most affected by climatevariability. As such, increasing droughts represent a “contingent liability” for the Moroccan economy. This impacts Morocco’s trade balance as agricultural exports fall and food and fodder imports rise to meet increased domestic demand. This report suggests further drought management actions. Currently, the government is carrying out important monitoring and crop insurance programs, but more can be done to share information and strengthen inter-governmental and interagency coordination, especially with governments at the river basin level.
Droughts and Agriculture in Lebanon: Causes, Consequences, and Risk Management
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2018-10-01) Ashwill, Maximillian; Verner, Dorte; Christensen, Jen; Mcdonnell, Rachael; Redwood, John; Jomaa, Ihab; Saade, Maurice; Massad, Randa; Chehade, Ali; Bitar, Ahmad; Treguer, David
This volume examines the causes and consequences of drought on Lebanon’s agriculture. Lebanon is getting hotter and dryer. Projections show droughts will likely become more frequent and severe. Climate change, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) impact the occurrence of drought to varying degrees, with NAO being the biggest short-term driver and climate change being the biggest long-term driver. The drier conditions will have important ramifications on Lebanon’s agricultural economy and the wellbeing of citizens working in agriculture. Ramifications include production declines and the loss of livelihoods, among others. Drought was not considered an important issue in the country until recently. But, that view is slowly changing as a series of droughts and other extreme weather events over the past decade demanded the nation’s attention. With greater awareness of drought, public institutions slowly begin to change, moving from reactionary responses to taking the first steps towards strategic planning. Still, much more can be done. These actions include: developing a national drought action plan, establishing drought monitoring systems, improving ministerial coordination, utilizing new technologies like Hydroponics and Early Warning Systems, improving the quantity and quality of climatic data, and other actions. The individual chapters of this volume were compiled using information from five commissioned background papers. These background papers relied on mostly secondary data sources. But, some primary data was collected as well. Through key informant interviews and focus group discussions, thirty stakeholders were consulted. They represent various research institutes, the private sector, government agencies, and civil society organizations. The purpose of this volume is to build off the 2013 book, Increasing Resilience to Climate Change in the Agricultural Sector of the Middle East: The Cases of Jordan and Lebanon (Verner et al. 2013). That book prioritized agricultural needs in Jordan and Lebanon, including knowledge generation and technological advancement. This volume adds to both topics.This report examines the causes and consequences of drought on Lebanon’s agriculture. It finds that Lebanon is getting hotter and dryer, while droughts will likely become more frequent and more severe. We see that climate change, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) may impact the occurrence of drought to varying degrees, with NAO being the largest short-term driver and climate change being the largest long-term driver. The drier conditions will have important ramifications on Lebanon’s agricultural economy and the wellbeing of citizens working in agriculture. Impacts from drier conditions include production declines, loss of livelihoods, and many others. Until recently, drought was not considered an important issue in the country, but that view is slowly changing because of a series of droughts and other extreme weather events that occurred over the past decade. With greater awareness of drought, public institutions have also slowly begun to change, moving from reactionary responses to taking the first steps towards strategic planning.
Climate Variability, Drought, and Drought Management in Tunisia's Agricultural Sector
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2018-10-01) Treguer, David; Verner, Dorte; Redwood, John; Christensen, Jen; McDonnell, Rachael; Elbert, Christine; Konishi, Yasuo
Climate change and recurrent climate events are making water-scarce countries like Tunisia and its agricultural lands drier and more vulnerable to drought. These recurrent climate events are also known as teleconnections and include natural climatic events such as the El Niño Southern oscillation (ENSO), the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO), and the Mediterranean oscillation (MO). These climate phenomena contribute to droughts, which negatively affect key rain-fed crops, suchas wheat and barley, and livestock. As a result, farmers are becoming more vulnerable as climate change and teleconnections make temperatures rise and rainfall become more sporadic. Agriculture is important for rural communities and the overall Tunisian economy. Twenty percent of the population is employed in agriculture, which accounts for 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 10 to 12 percent of total exports, on average. Wheat and other rainfedcrops are critical to food security and livestock survival and are the crops most affected by climate variability. Climate change’s adverse impacts on agriculture are a contingent liability for the Tunisian economy, including for the country’s GDP, trade balance, and balance of payments. As agricultural and agro-industrial outputs fall, food and fodder imports must rise to meet domestic demand. Therefore, this report suggests additional action on implementing integrated drought management (IDM) on top of what the government is already doing. Food and agriculture value chains are affected by climate events. This report includes detailed analyses of two key value chains, namely wheat and dairy. The analyses were done in representative lagging regions, including Jendouba for the dairy value chain and Siliana and Beja for the wheat value chain.Currently, wheat and dairy are the main subsectors in the lagging regions, and in the short term, strengthening these subsectors will increase jobs, incomes, and food security. This study finds that the El Niño Southern oscillation (ENSO) was a less important contributor to the 2015–16 drought in Tunisia than other teleconnections. ENSO drought impacts are more pronounced in other parts of the world than in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This report also examines wheat and dairy agriculture to determine how well they are adapting to climate change and climate variability. Current adaptation pathways to increase agricultural incomes and productivityfocus on increasing tree crops, which generally are more resilient to drought than field crops. Still, improving water management is also an essential part of this adaptation plan.
Frontier Agriculture for Improving Refugee Livelihoods: Unleashing Climate-Smart and Water-Saving Agriculture Technologies in MENA
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2017-09-19) Vellani, Saleema; Verner, Dorte; Klausen, Anne-Lise; Tebaldi, Edinaldo
Many refugee and host populations are food insecure and poor. In Syria, the UNICEF screened 2.3 million children and pregnant and lactating women for acute malnutrition. In Jordan, approximately half of the refugee households have reported reducing the quantity and quality of food and skipping meals. In Lebanon, only 7 percent of refugees are living with acceptable levels of food security. This report shows that frontier agriculture, which comprises climate-smart and water saving agriculture technologies, such as hydroponics, can contribute to improve well-being, including nutritional status for farmers and groups of people that are less integrated into the labor market. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), this includes women, youth, and those who are forcibly displaced. Frontier agriculture can leverage scarce resources, such as water and arable land, and promote inclusive economic activities that increase access to nutritious food, improve livelihoods, create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, enhance skills, and build social cohesion. It can also assist with building communities and help recover from the loss of assets and from trauma of fleeing from conflicts. There is an urgency to engage with and support refugee livelihoods. Previous experiences suggest that small-scale hydroponic projects targeting vulnerable populations can be implemented rather quickly and produce meaningful results within a short timeframe.
Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries : A Case for Adaptation Governance and Leadership in Building Climate Resilience
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2012-12-01) Verner, Dorte; Verner, Dorte
Adapting to climate change is not a new phenomenon for the Arab world. For thousands of years, the people in Arab countries have coped with the challenges of climate variability by adapting their survival strategies to changes in rainfall and temperature. Their experience has contributed significantly to the global knowledge on climate change and adaptation. But over the next century global climatic variability is predicted to increase, and Arab countries may well experience unprecedented extremes in climate. Temperatures may reach new highs, and in most places there may be a risk of less rainfall. Under these circumstances, Arab countries and their citizens will once again need to draw on their long experience of adapting to the environment to address the new challenges posed by climate change. This report prepared through a consultative process with Government and other stakeholders in the Arab world assesses the potential effects of climate change on the Arab region and outlines possible approaches and measures to prepare for its consequences. It offers ideas and suggestions for Arab policy makers as to what mitigating actions may be needed in rural and urban settings to safeguard key areas such as health, water, agriculture, and tourism. The report also analyzes the differing impacts of climate change, with special attention paid to gender, as a means of tailoring strategies to address specific vulnerabilities. The socioeconomic impact of climate change will likely vary from country to country, reflecting a country's coping capacity and its level of development. Countries that are wealthier and more economically diverse are generally expected to be more resilient. The report suggests that countries and households will need to diversify their production and income generation, integrate adaptation into all policy making and activities, and ensure a sustained national commitment to address the social, economic, and environmental consequences of climate variability. With these coordinated efforts, the Arab world can, as it has for centuries, successfully adapt and adjust to the challenges of a changing climate.
Reducing Poverty, Protecting Livelihoods, and Building Assets in a Changing Climate : Social Implications of Climate Change for Latin America and the Caribbean
(World Bank, 2010) Verner, Dorte
This book provides a much needed look at the impact of climate change on the poor. It convincingly demonstrates that issues of poverty and livelihoods must be integrated into climate change policies to help achieve sustainable development gains. The high incidence of natural disasters, growing urbanization, and increased water scarcity combined with the acute impact of these phenomena on the poor and vulnerable complicates the already enormous challenge of reducing poverty and inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean. This publication lays bare the social implications of climate change and equips the reader with a framework for understanding how climate change and climate variability affect livelihoods, poverty, income, health, and migration. These scenarios call for greater efforts to incorporate poverty, livelihood, and social considerations into climate change adaptation and mitigation policies. Purposefully targeted policies and investments can support economic growth and poverty reduction efforts and help achieve sustainable development goals. In other words, good climate change adaptation policies can also be good development policies. This book will change the way the author think about the relationship between poverty, social development, and climate change. It provides climate-smart policy options to help reduce vulnerability, protect livelihoods, and build communities that are resilient to changing climate conditions.
Tunisia in a Changing Climate : Assessment and Actions for Increased Resilience and Development
(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2013-03-20) Verner, Dorte; Verner, Dorte
This report assesses climate risks and opportunities and proposes actions. It provides a synthesis of evidence of climate variability and change, impacts, and uncertainties associated with climate change that may affect Tunisia s water, land, agriculture, and coastal zones. The report then provides a detailed analysis of the potential impacts of climate change on food security and gross domestic product (GDP) as well as on local populations looking in particular at seven governorates. The report goes on to discuss possible policy options for reducing human vulnerability and for better adapting to climate variability and change. The report provides guidance to policy makers in Tunisia in three ways. First, it provides a Framework for Action on Climate Change Adaptation, represented by an adaptation pyramid. Second, it puts forward a typology of policy approaches that are relevant to the region in order to facilitate the formulation of effective policy responses by decision makers. Finally, a matrix is provided, which outlines key policy recommendations. Actions align with the World Bank s 2012 Interim Strategy Note (ISN) for Tunisia, which guides the World Bank investments in Tunisia over the next two years and is focused on three main areas of intervention: (1) sustainable growth and job creation, (2) the promotion of social and economic inclusion by improving access to basic services for underserved communities and improving the efficiency of social safety net programs, and (3) strengthening governance through improved access to public information as the basis for increased social accountability and transparency.
Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries
(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-01) Verner, Dorte
For thousands of years, the people of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have coped with the challenges of climate variability by adapting their survival strategies to changes in rainfall and temperature. Temperatures are expected to increase, and in most places less rainfall.is expected. Water availability is expected to decrease, and with a growing population, the already water-scarce regions are not having sufficient supplies to irrigate crops, support industry, or provide drinking water. Low quality urban drainage systems have contributed to flooding in some Arab cities and the threat of more flooding is impetus to finally rebuild infrastructure. In rural areas, climate change is forcing communities to rethink gender roles that perpetuate gender inequality. Finally, adaptation governance needs to be improved and implemented throughout the region. Anticipation of climate change is stimulus for improving interventions, galvanizing support, and improving governance.