Supporting Mauritania to advance their NAP Process

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Project Overview

Sep 2015
Mauritania submits its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the Paris Agreement
Apr 2015
NAP-GSP undertakes a stocktaking mission to Mauritania and suggests next steps for the country’s NAP process
Apr 2015
Stakeholders gather in Nouakchott for the National Technical Training on the NAP process in Mauritania
May 2015
A Stocktaking Report and a preliminary roadmap for advancing the NAP process in Mauritania are developed
Feb 2017
Mauritania ratifies the Paris Agreement
Jul 2018
A Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal is submitted to the GCF for potential funding for Mauritania’s NAP process

Country background, Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement

Mauritania is located in Northwest Africa by the Atlantic Ocean. Less than one percent of its land is considered arable, but approximately 38 percent of the total land area is used for agriculture. Despite low output, agriculture is extremely vital to Mauritania’s economy, through both crop and livestock production. In 2013, the agriculture sector contributed to approximately 17 percent of GDP, with industries and services making up 55 and 29 percent, respectively.
 
The coastal cities in Mauritania are significantly exposed to the impacts of climate change, specifically through their dependence on fishing, which is currently threatened by rising sea levels. This along with increased flooding will have adverse impacts on coastal settlements through the inundation of land, coastal erosion, and saline intrusion, which may affect groundwater, infrastructure, ecosystems, and crop productivity. Mauritania is also vulnerable to the effects of drought and desertification. Over the last 30 years, the country has experienced several extreme droughts impacting thousands of people, and climate-induced extreme weather events will lead to more violent winds that already blow hot dust and sand across many parts of the country.
 
Mauritania has produced a series of documents that outline the risks of climate change. Specifically, its three National Communications (2002; 2008; 2014) and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the UNFCCC. The NDC outlines priorities for climate change adaptation interventions, with the main objective being to increase the resilience of rural communities to increased water stress and reduced productivity of the agricultural and livestock sectors. The National Communications and the NDC provide a framework for Mauritania to meet its commitments to the Paris Agreement, as well as adapt to the impacts of climate change, protect development efforts and pave the way towards acheiveing the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
 

How has the NAP-GSP supported to date?

 

 
Conducted a mission to Mauritania to initiate the stocktaking process

 

The mission consisted of a four-day training workshop with the main aim to: (1) improve the general understanding of the NAP process; (2) further understand the institutional framework and relevant initiatives that can contribute to the NAP process, so gaps and needs for capacity building can be identified; and (3) develop a draft roadmap to flesh out and advance the NAP process in Mauritania.
 

 

Supported the development
of a Stocktaking Report
 
 
Based on information gathered during the stocktaking mission, a Stocktaking Report was produced in consultation with key stakeholders. It included a preliminary roadmap outlining the NAP process and the prerequisites needed to develop the NAP. 
 

 

Helped build capacity
and facilitated access to additional climate finance

 

 

Through the preparation of a Readiness and Preparatory Support Proposal that was submitted to the Green Climate Fund in July 2018, the NAP-GSP supported Mauritania in outlining a NAP project and requesting necessary funding.
 
 

 

Project Details

   

Level of intervention: 
National
Key collaborators: 
National governments
Project status: 
Completed
Funding source: 
Global Environment Facility - Least Developed Countries Fund

News

> Mauritania advances its National Adaptation Planning process

13 April 2015, Nouakchott, Mauritania - The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritania, Mr. Amédi Camara, officially opened a one-week technical training on National Adaptation Planning supported by the NAP-GSP in April 2015.

 

Programme Meetings and Workshops

The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritania, Mr. Amédi Camara, officially opened a one-week technical training on National Adaptation Planning supported by the NAP-GSP in April 2015.

The four-day training workshop in Nouakchott brought together 30 national experts from various sectors and departments as well as members of parliament and women’s networks. The training was delivered at the request of the Ministry of Environment by a team of trainers drawn from GIZ, UNDP, UNEP, UNITAR and ENDA, with support from the NAP-GSP.

The objectives of the workshop were; to enhance the understanding of the NAP process and the UNFCCC LEG Technical Guidelines on NAPs; to support an initial policy and institutional review to identify long term capacity development needs for adaptation planning, and; to help to develop a roadmap to advance national adaptation planning in Mauritania.

> Workshop presentations and materials