NAP-GSP Resources

Ce PNA in focus country briefing sur le processus de formulation et de mise en œuvre des Plans Nationaux d'Adaptation en République Centrafricaine (RCA) considère d'abord le contexte du pays et les risques liés au changement climatique. Le briefing met en évidence un certain nombre de politiques et de stratégies pertinentes afin de préparer la planification de l'adaptation élaborée par la CAR. Le PAG-PNA a soutenu le pays dans la préparation de son premier plan national d'adaptation à la CCNUCC en février 2022.

This NAP in focus country briefing is about Cambodia’s process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan. The brief provides an overview of the country context, climate change risks, and highlights a number of relevant policies and strategies in order to prepare for the adaptation planning in Cambodia. NAP process in Cambodia is overseen by the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Ministry of Environment (MOE), as well as the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD). Cambodia is one of the first Least Developed Countries (LDCs) seeking to directly access GCF support for their NAP process, which was approved in July 2022.

From 2016-2021, the NAP-GSP provided accurate climate change adaptation support to 59 developing countries, of which 28 were LDCs . This Highlights Report provides an overview of the NAP-GSP’s expanded foundational support to enhance adaptation planning and transition to implementing National Adaptation Plans in LDCs. The report aims to cover the technical capacity development provided through regional and country-level trainings.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Central African Republic (CAR) considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights a number of relevant policies and strategies in order to prepare for adaptation planning developed by CAR. The NAP-GSP supported the country in preparing its initial National Adaptation Plan to the UNFCCC in February 2022.

The Guidelines for Integrating EbA into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) - or EbA guidelines - have been produced as a part of the National Adaptation Plan - Global

This course Mastering National Adaptation Plans: from Start to Finish course will introduce learners to several important aspects of the NAP process.  It is aimed at enhancing knowledge of the NAP process elements,  relevant issues such as gender and climate information in NAP Formulation and Implementation; and financing NAP processes.  This interactive self-paced course will guide learners through various aspects of the NAP journey.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Sierra Leone considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights a number of relevant policies and strategies in order to prepare for adaptation planning developed by Sierra Leone. The NAP-GSP supported the country in preparing its initial National Adaptation Plan to the UNFCCC in February 2022. 

The skills assessment framework is a field based tool that was created to provide a rapid mean of collecting and analyzing information on a country’s existing skills profile for national adaptation planning. In order to understand the skills gaps, it is very important to have an organized approach and tools that assist those assigned to carry out the assessment. 

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in South Sudan considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights a number of relevant policies and strategies in order to prepare for adaptation planning developed by South Sudan. UNEP supported the country in preparing its National Adaptation Plan proposal for funding from the Green Climate Fund Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Guinea Bissau considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights a number of relevant policies and strategies in order to prepare for adaptation planning developed by Guinea Bissau. The NAP-GSP supported the country in preparing its National Adaptation Plan proposal for funding from the Green Climate Fund Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme. In addition, adaptation priorities were added to the 2021 NDC update, which gives further scope to the NAP formulation process. 

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Timor-Leste considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights a number of relevant policies and strategies in order to prepare for adaptation planning developed by Timor-Leste. The NAP-GSP supported the country in preparing its National Adaptation Plan, which the country submitted to the UNFCCC in March 2021. The Government of Timor-Leste will implement its NAP in line with the implementation plan which includes near, medium (2022-2025) and long-term (2025-2030) actions.

The Guidelines aim to guide adaptation practitioners at national and local levels on how to take different steps when factoring ecosystems functions and services into countries’ NAP processes and instruments. The Guidelines detail the multiple benefits as well as the challenges of adopting ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation; what information to collect and generate; what expertise to seek; and which stakeholders to engage for successfully integrating EbA into NAP formulation, implementation and review processes. The Guidelines have been developed under the NAP-Global Support Programme (NAP-GSP), implemented jointly by UNDP and UNEP that supports the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in advancing their NAPs.

Climate change is a major challenge for agriculture, a vital source of food, income and employment for most of the world’s poor. Agricultural investments, as a result, need to become more climate sensitive. This is as true for general agricultural investments focused on development outcomes as for projects specifically addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation. This comprehensive knowledge product provides investment practitioners with practical reference material on integrating climate risk considerations at all stages of the investment project cycle, from design to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Produced by multidisciplinary teams across FAO, the knowledge product is organized as a compendium of modules and thematic sections. It builds on a 2012 FAO guidance document and draws on the most recent information and data sources, including the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. It also showcases FAO-developed tools, tested approaches and selected experiences, and discusses climate financing opportunities for agriculture.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Tanzania considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights how Tanzania has been working closely with international partners alongside the Ministries for Agriculture; Livestock and Fisheries; Energy and Minerals; Finance and Planning; Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children; Natural Resources and Tourism; Water and Irrigation; corresponding Ministries from Zanzibar, as well as the Tanzania Meteorological Agency and National Environment Management Council, to conduct a consultative NAP process. The process aims at improving cross-sectoral coordination, integration of adaptation into development planning, and strategic access to climate finance.

Ce gros plan PNA sur le processus de formulation et de mise en œuvre des plans nationaux d'adaptation en Guinée examine le contexte du pays et les risques liés au changement climatique. Le document révèle les principales mesures politiques et stratégies mises en place pour préparer la planification de l'adaptation en Guinée. Le PAG-PNA a soutenu le processus de préparation d’une proposition « préparation et soutien préparatoire » financée par le Fonds Vert pour le Climat (FVC) dans le but de mettre en œuvre un projet PNA. Ainsi, la proposition de projet « Renforcement des capacités pour l’élaboration du plan national d’adaptation en Guinée » a été approuvée par le FVC et est effective depuis le 17 août 2020.

Ce gros plan PNA sur le processus de formulation et de mise en œuvre des plans nationaux d'adaptation en Côte d'Ivoire examine le contexte du pays et les risques liés au changement climatique. La Côte d'Ivoire est parvenue à améliorer la production et la gestion des données au niveau national afin de soutenir la préparation des futures communications nationales. Le travail préparatoire du PNA a été pris en compte. Il recouvre le cadre politique, budgétaire et de la planification ainsi que les secteurs d'adaptation prioritaires de la CDN, les évaluations climatiques, et la mise en œuvre des actions et des plans d'adaptation jusqu'à présent. Le  programme conjoint entre le PNUD et le PNUE, le PAG-PNA, ainsi que le Fond Vert pour le Climat (FVC), les projets de soutien REDD+, le Partenariat CDN, la GIZ et la Banque mondiale ont soutenu le processus PNA de la Côte d'Ivoire.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Côte d’Ivoire considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. Côte d’Ivoire has been improving national data generation and management on a continuous basis in order to support the preparation of future national communications. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The joint UNDP-UN Environment NAP-GSP, the Green Climate Fund, REDD+ support projects, the NDC Partnership, GIZ, and the World Bank have supported the Côte d’Ivoire NAP process.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Guinea considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights a number of relevant policies and strategies in order to prepare for adaptation planning developed by Guinea. The NAP-GSP supported the country in the preparation process of a Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal, to request financial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to implement a NAP project. The project proposal “Supporting the Achievement of National Development Policies by Building Climate Adaptive Capacity and Planning in Guinea” was approved by the GCF and is effective since 17 August 2020.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in St. Vincent and the Grenadines considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The briefing highlights the country’s’ participated in a series of regional efforts to establish the database and information systems, inventory of coastal resources and uses, and formulated a policy framework for integrated coastal and marine management. Pilot studies have been done on coral reef monitoring, coastal and agriculture vulnerability and risk assessments, economic valuation of coastal and marine resources, and formulation of economic and regulatory proposals.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Nepal considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. This brief includes the philosophy and guiding principles of the Nepal NAP. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Nepal, while challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Saint Lucia considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Saint Lucia. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Mozambique considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Mozambique. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

Over the last two years, Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency, with the assistance of UNDP through the GCF funded National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project has been supporting the Government of Liberia to advance its medium-to long-term plans for integrating adaptation planning across critical sectors. Building on the momentum of the previous year, significant gains were also made in 2019. This report highlights the achievements of Liberia's National Adaptation Plan process in 2019, outlining it's strategy for resilience, new knowledge sharing platform and diaster database, graduate school on environmal studies and climate change, and so much more. 

This report is a summary of the proceedings of the Africa LDCs Regional Anglophone Training Workshop under the NAP-GSP series of activities, entitled “Formulating NAPs for an integrated, risk-informed climate response” held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 19 to 22 August 2019. 

These workshop proceedings outline the breakout groups conducted during the Asia LDC Regional Training Workshop in Busan, Republic of Korea. The representative from each country presented the results from the activity and proceeded to complete 9 sessions during this training workshop. 

Finding the Money - financing climate action

French    Spanish    Arabic

Making the Right Choices - Prioritizing Adaptation Options

French    Spanish    Arabic

Keeping the Taps Running in a Changing Climate - Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation into Water Resources

French   Spanish   Arabic

This Regional Briefing on National Adaptation Plans with a focus on countries in the Middle East and North Africa aims to provide a brief overview of the NAP experiences of middle-income countries in the region and highlight emerging issues, challenges and opportunities.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Somalia considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Somalia. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Djibouti considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Djibouti. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed. This publication is available in French and English.

Eight years into the process of formulating and implementing NAPs, many countries have advanced their process, while others have faced obstacles during the initial stages. This publication makes this information visible and available to a wider audience, to facilitate wider sharing of lessons learnt.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Senegal considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Senegal. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed. This publication is available in French and English.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Albania considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Albania. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed. 

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Ecuador considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Ecuador. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed. This publication is available in Spanish and English.

This Summary Report was compiled by the APAN Secretariat and brings together Forum highlights, lessons learned in key aspects, and takeaways from the 6th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Myanmar considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Myanmar. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Kazakhstan considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Kazakhstan. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in the Kyrgyz Republic considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in the Kyrgyz Republic. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This NAP in focus country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Takikistan considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Tajikistan. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

UNA-UK report on implementing the new climate deal agreed by UN member states in Paris in 2015. It equips policy-makers, practitioners and interested observers with insights on how to make the agreement a reality. The publication features articles from over 30 authors drawn from the UN system and from governments, the private sector, academia and civil society.

What are the adaptation needs of private sector actors? How are those needs typically financed? What are the barriers that inhibit private adaptation finance flows? What is the appropriate role of public finance and policy to catalyse private financial flows towards adaptation?

In response to requests for National Adaptation Plan (NAP) support and capacity building in least developed and developing countries, a NAP country-level training has been designed by GIZ in collaboration with UNDP, UNITAR and UN Environment, under the umbrella of the NAP Global Support Programme (NAP-GSP).

This training package aims to provide general understanding to country teams on the conceptual approach of NAPs and the NAP technical guidelines, produced by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG).

This country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is reviewed, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in the DRC. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Moldova considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Moldova. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Bosnia and Herzegovina considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Bosnia and Herzegovina . Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Haiti considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in Haiti's NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Haiti. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Benin considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in Benin's NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Benin. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Egypt considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting NAPs is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in Egypt's INDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Egypt. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This country briefing on the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans in Liberia considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in the country's INDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the process to formulate and implement NAPs in Liberia. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

In the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process, Least Developed Country (LDC) Parties have obligations to deliver (albeit with some flexibility) alongside all other Parties. These include fulfilling reporting requirements and having to communicate forward-looking plans to address climate change in their countries, among other tasks. Taking into account their specific needs and special situations, provisions for support have been (and continue to be) adopted for LDCs to help them undertake these commitments. This toolkit is a collection of short briefs on the ways LDC Parties engage in the UNFCCC process and which provisions adopted to date help them undertake their work.

Increasing evidence of the differential impacts of climate change on women and girls in recent decades has led to significant progress in addressing the interlinkages between gender and climate change under the UNFCCC. The two-year Lima Work Programme on Gender launched at COP20 aimed to advance gender equality mandates across all areas of the climate negotiations. It is due to be reviewed at COP22 in Marrakech in November 2016, presenting an opportunity for parties and observers to further strengthen and advance gender equality under the UNFCCC. Women and girls in the countries represented by the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group are disproportionately dependent on climate-sensitive resources for their livelihoods and have unequal access to land, water and other resources and productive assets.

The Least Developed Counties (LDCs) have worked with the two branches of the UNFCCC’s Technology Mechanism — the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) and the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) — for several years. This paper presents information the LDC Group representatives on the TEC and CTCN Advisory Board have gathered on how LDCs are currently using technology initiativesm and programmes. It aims to better understand the barriers and challenges LDCs face in implementing technology development and transfer and explores what changes to existing technology and financial institutions could lessen these barriers and challenges. 

This guide provides practical information to help prepare various reports and communications under the UNFCCC as well as take part in the relevant review processes. It also provides a glimpse into the on going negotiations to develop the enhanced transparency framework under the Paris Agreement and some of the implications for those preparing reports and communications for their countries.

This briefing on the process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan in Bangladesh considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the Bangladesh NAP process. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This briefing on the process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan in Uruguay considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the Uruguay NAP process. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This briefing on the process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan in Niger considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the Niger NAP process. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed. This briefing is also available in French.

This briefing on the process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan in Papua New Guinea (PNG) considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the PNG NAP process. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This briefing on the process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan in Morocco considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains an outline of activities carried out to advance the Moroccan NAP process. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This briefing on the process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan in Bhutan considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the Bhutan NAP process. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This briefing on the process to formulate and implement the National Adaptation Plan in Armenia considers firstly the country context and the climate change risks. The groundwork for supporting the NAP is considered, covering the policy, planning and budgetary framework, priority adaptation sectors in NDC, climate assessments, the implementation of adaptation actions and plans thus far. The briefing contains a timeline of the Armenian NAP process. Challenges, successes and opportunities are also discussed.

This Regional Briefing on Asia- Pacific National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) aims to provide a brief overview of the NAP experiences of middle-income countries in the Asia and Pacific region (excluding Central Asia), and highlight emerging issues, challenges and opportunities.

This regional briefing on NAPs for the Caribbean aims to provide a brief overview of the NAP experiences of Caribbean countries, and highlight emerging issues, challenges and opportunities. 

This briefing aims to provide a brief overview of NAP experiences in African developing countries, highlighting emerging issues, challenges and opportunities.

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) represent 48 of the 197 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Not only are they the world’s poorest economies, they are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Since 2001, they have acted together as the LDC Group in UNFCCC negotiations. But as well as providing assistance, this has aggregated individual country experiences, opinions and interests, creating challenges, particularly when trying to remedy individual countries’ struggles to participate, monitor and implement decisions back home. This paper aims to address this disconnect by analysing LDC feedback on how they prepare, analyse, report and disseminate information on the UNFCCC negotiations.

At the end of 2015, the 196 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gathered in Paris for the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21). On 12 December, they adopted the Paris Agreement, contained in Decision 1/CP.21. Marking the successful end to negotiations that started at COP17 in Durban four years earlier, the agreement is an important milestone for the poorest members of the international community. This paper provides an analysis of the Paris Agreement and the relevant sections of Decision 1/CP.21 that give effect to the agreement, based on the positions of the 48 Least Developed Countries.

The impacts of climate change increasingly threaten communities around the world, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). National adaptation plans (NAPs) allow developing countries to identify their adaptation needs; develop and implement strategies and programmes to address those needs; and enable actions to protect vulnerable communities. But developing a NAP is not always straightforward. This paper considers the benefits and challenges of implementing a national mandate to provide the impetus to develop a NAP, assign responsibilities and encourage cross-sectoral participation, exploring the legal forms such a mandate could take and sharing experiences from LDCs undergoing the NAP p

Evaluation report of the first training in July 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand, held to strengthen the ‘emerging’ negotiators’ understanding of the mechanics of the negotiating process within the UNFCCC, and to help them effectively support their delegation on the main issues. The training focused on specific negotiation skills and ways in which these skills can best be used to further the national objectives as well as those of the wider LDC negotiating group in the context of climate change negotiations.

Maputsoe village is located in the mountainous region of Thaba Tseka in central Lesotho. The people of Maputsoe have witnessed serious degradation of their landscape.  In response, UNEP – in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Meteorology through Lesotho Meteorological Services – began a project to enhance climate resilience in three areas of Lesotho.This infographic poster captures the story of change in Maputsoe with first-person accounts, visuals and data.

The publication, Empowering the Poor: Experience from UNDP supported Initiatives on Adaptation, showcases the experiences and knowledge generated through the various initiatives that UNDP supports across the globe. It indicates that adaptation and poverty reduction are inherently linked and must be addressed simultaneously.

This is the first of several training programmes to be delivered over the course of 2015 and 2016 to build the capacity of LDCs to effectively participate in intergovernmental climate change processes.

NAP-GSP e-news for December 2014 - sent to over 2,500 recipients, stakeholders, partners, organisations and colleagues.

Infographic outlining the components of the NAP process in Niger.

> Infographic on the NAP process in Niger (French version)

Infographic outlining the components of the NAP process in Cambodia.

Infographic outlining the components of the NAP process in Malawi.

Infographic highlighting considerations of gender in NAPs and adaptation planning.

Minutes of the NAP-GSP coordination meeting - attended by programme partners at COP19 on 15 November 2013.

Water, Climate and Development Programme for Africa - Support to National Adaptation Planning Processes

The National Development Plan of Uganda aims to address structural bottlenecks in the economy to accelerate socioeconomic transformation and bring a portion of the third of the population out of poverty.  The plan outlines the development priorities and implementation strategies to help achieve this. Among these, climate change is acknowledged as an enabling sector that will require integration with other sectors of the economy for successful socioeconomic transformation.

In an effort to develop a climate change abatement economy, Sierra Leone’s main focus is to earn forest carbon credits through the implementation of REDD/REDD+ programmes. The government aims to develop and manage 2.5 million hectares of forests in the next decade to assist income-generating activities of non-timber forest products, sustainable tree crops and ecotourism. They plan to achieve this through participatory forest management in all forested districts and communities. 

This study gives an overview of the current strengths, weaknesses, gaps and duplications in the legislative and institutional framework in the context of disaster risk reduction in Armenia. It details out the present structure and status of implementation of the various activities under this programme and has also enabled the availability of a strong disaster management database in the country. 

The National Climate Change Strategy’s key objective is to improve the identification and assessment of climate change impacts, with a focus on development, infrastructure and economic security. The country has already been proactively undertaking response measures through the implementation of the National Strategy for Social and Economic Development until 2030. 

The National Climate Change Policy recognizes climate change as a sustainable development issue that brings opportunities as well as challenges. Building upon this idea, the government through this policy aims to enhance the country’s adaptive capacity while pursuing a path of low-carbon development. Based on 9 guiding principles, the climate change response actions have been grouped under 10 categories covering finance, technology, vulnerability and adaptation, mitigation among others. 

The Bangladeshi government acknowledges the likely impact of climate change on the country, which is expected to be significantly high. Consequently, the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) is to be treated as a “living document” which will be constantly revised as likely impacts and best responses are better understood. The strategy encompasses actions under 6 broad categories with emphasis on sustainable development, poverty reduction and increased well being of all vulnerable groups with a special focus on gender sensitivity.

Classified by the UNFPA as one of the most vulnerable nations to natural hazards along with Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, Vanuatu faces the challenge of eradicating widespread poverty in the face of climate change.  

Tuvalu faces acute impacts of climate change on account of being an extremely low-lying small island country with limited ecological, socio-economic and technological capacities. As a result, major threats posed by climate change include sea level rise, costal erosion, storm surges and salt-water inundation among others. The climate change policy thus aims to integrate disaster risk management and adaptation actions to formulate a comprehensive and effective response.

With direct links to the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and the National Climate Change Policy, the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management policy has been developed by equally prioritizing adaptation, mitigation and disaster management actions. The policy consists of 7 thematic goals that aid the process of sustainable development in the country. 

Like many LDCs, Rwanda is heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture, which is the largest employer and also contributes 35% to its GDP. Coupled with the fact that it depends on hydropower for half of its electricity needs, Rwanda is currently extremely vulnerable to climate change. The country has already experienced temperature increase higher than the global average and is projected to continue to rise up to 2.5°C by the 2050s from 1970 levels.

Ranked as the fourth most vulnerable country, the government of Nepal has adopted the approach of community-based policies to respond to climate change. This document reviews the country’s legal framework and the local communities’ rights related to climate change. In particular, it looks at key aspects and gaps of the three extant policies – the National Adaptation Programme of Action, the Local Adaptation Plan of Action and the REDD Preparedness Plan.

Located in Western Africa, Mali has a dry tropical climate that has witnessed an increased frequency of squalls and a decrease in rainfall quantity. With approximately 80% of the working population dependent on climate sensitive sectors of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, adaptation based initiatives form key part of the climate response strategy. Consequently the Malian government aims to integrate the national climate change policy with the framework for social and economic development.

The National Strategic Development Plan extends from 2012-13 to 2016-17 and serves as an implementation strategy for the country's National Vision 2020. The plan recognizes vulnerability to climate change as one of the 7 key challenges faced by the country and consequently strategizes a number of actions including biodiversity conservation and integrated land and water resource management as ways of combating it. 

Ethiopia aims to achieve the status of a middle income, carbon-neutral country by 2025. This document gives a brief overview of the strategies behind this plan centered around four key actions – increasing food yield, protecting and reestablishing forests as carbon stocks, expanding renewable energy generation and leapfrogging to energy efficient technologies in transport and industries. 

Vision Burundi is a synthesis report based on the conclusions of forward-looking national studies “Burundi-2025” started in 2003. The document looks at 8 pillars of development and recommends policies and strategies from the viewpoint of sustainable development. Currently the economy of Burundi is largely agrarian, dependent on the vagaries of the climate. Cognizant of this, the government aims to build environmental policies focusing on adaptation strategies and renewable energy technology. 

The objective of the NAPA project for Vanuatu was to develop a country-wide programme of immediate and urgent project-based adaptation activities in priority sectors, in order to address the current and anticipated adverse effects of climate change, including extreme events.

Samoa, like other Least Developed Countries (LDCs) inherits high vulnerability to natural disasters and to external economic and trade developments for which it has no control. These natural disasters include tropical cyclones, prolonged periods of drought, extreme flooding, pests and sudden outbreak of diseases, storm surges and sea level rise.

With Tuvalu's limited natural resource base, widely scattered and sparsely populated islands which rarely exceed 3 meters above mean sea level, a small domestic market with little potential for economies of scale, isolation from international markets, and smallness in geographical size shows Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, extreme weather events, and sea level rise.

Climate change and global warming are significant challenges that the world, particularly the developing and least developed countries, face this century. Although LDCs like Bhutan contribute the least to global warming, they will nonetheless be seriously affected by the impacts of climate change. The NAPA addresses the most severe climate induced threats faced by Bhutan, while outlining approaches for comphrensive adaptation and mitigation. 

The toolkit is a step-by-step guide on how to develop adaptation initiatives in developing countries. The guide helps to understand how to differentiate between a climate change “adaptation” and a traditional development initiative, and what key elements must be considered when developing and designing an adaptation initiative.It sets out the fundamental components of the design process, the approach to building stakeholder consensus, and key tools and methodologies.