National governments
Taxonomy Term List
Advancing Albania’s planning for medium and long-term adaptation through the development of a National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process
This project is designed to help the Government of Albania increase its capacity to address the country’s climate change vulnerabilities by supporting the development of a national plan for climate change adaptation. The support focuses on 1) strengthening the national mandate, strategy and steering mechanism for assessing and addressing capacity gaps (particularly in the priority sectors of tourism, urban development, agriculture, transport, and energy); 2) develop a NAP Strategy action plan and implementation plan, and 3) develop financing, monitoring and evaluation strategies to ensure that capacities and funding options are institutionalized for the long-term sustainability of adaptation planning beyond the life of the project.
With the financing from the Green Climate Fund, the project "Advancing Albania’s planning for medium and long-term adaptation through the development of a National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process" will support the Government of Albania to increase its capacity to address the country’s climate change vulnerabilities.
Albania’s primarily rural population is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, where extreme rain events frequently result in destructive flooding, while agricultural livelihoods and drinking water supplies are threatened during dry periods. As temperature rises, climate scenarios predict increased severity and frequency of these extreme wet and dry conditions, along with decreasing total annual rainfall. These changes place Albania’s population at risk and pose a threat among others to the hydropower and tourism industries.
To address these vulnerabilities, the Government of Albania launched its national adaptation plan (NAP) process in February 2015, with the support of GIZ and UNDP, through consultations with national stakeholders and a stocktaking exercise. A preliminary roadmap for the NAP implementation was formulated and validated by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment as well as stakeholders from the Inter-ministerial Working Group on Climate Change (IMWGCC).
The analytical exercises highlighted the existing weaknesses and demonstrated the prevailing barriers to climate change adaptation (CCA) planning in Albania. The results confirmed that in order to adequately address climate change vulnerabilities, Albania must overcome information gaps, vulnerability assessments and climate adaptation planning capacity weaknesses, and a lack of awareness of CCA – both at the national and sub-national levels. In addition, climate change is not integrated into existing environmental and development policies, or their associated budget priorities, and financing appropriations for adaptation are absent.
The underlying challenge lies in the lack of comprehensive framework for adaptation in Albania. The National Communications provide a preliminary assessment of adaptation priorities and a national NAP Framework Document was developed as part of the NAP preparation and stocktaking process in 2016. To leverage these preliminary activities towards climate resilience, this readiness effort aims to address the weaknesses and barriers identified in the NAP Framework Document.
In September 2021, Albania submitted its National Adaptation Plan, including a comprehensive financing strategy to the UNFCCC.
The project aims at delivering the following results under the three main outcomes:
- Strengthen legal and institutional framework and mandate for climate change adaptation work at the national level;
- Upgrade stocktaking on climate vulnerabilities, adaptation opportunities and development needs and update vulnerability analyses;
- Address adaptation related capacity gaps at national and subnational levels;
- Establish long-term adaptation capacity development methodologies to ensure ongoing skills development and increased awareness of climate change adaptation;
- Formulate NAP Strategy action plan and the accompanying communications plan;
- Promote CCA integration into existing planning and budgeting and cross-sector coordination;
- Develop NAP implementation plan;
- Establish systems to monitor NAP process and adaptation progress;
- Identify options for securing and scaling up financing for adaptation; develop a financing plan.
Project Updates
Following the formal inception workshop in December 2021, together with stakeholders, the project has developed the list of criteria to be utilized for the selection of up to eight municipalities for the development of the climate change adaptation roadmaps as well as to identify the priority sectors for climate change analyses.
UNDP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tirana Polytechnic University and Institute of Geosciences to facilitate the cooperation and collaboration in areas of common interest.
The project also supported the development of a new legal proposal to update the mission of the Institute of Geosciences to include climate change adaptation, as well as the operational manual for the Interministerial Working Group on Climate Change and a draft reporting format for the National Climate Change Committee.
Outcome 1: Institutional and capacity gaps assessed and addressed.
Outcome 2: NAP Strategy action plan finalized and implementation plan in place.
Outcome 3: Strategies for financing as well as for monitoring and evaluation of climate change adaptation in medium- to long-term established.
Readiness for the National Adaptation Plan Process in Argentina
The project supports the Government of Argentina in establishing the adaptation planning process, identifying gaps, capacity building and integrating climate change into national, regional and local levels. The project facilitates the assessment and reduction of vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change by integrating climate change adaptation into the country's development strategies.
The scope of the project includes preparation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) with a regional and multi-sectoral approach and development of a system to monitor and assess adaptation needs and measures under the Law 27250 Minimum Standards for Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change (Ley de Presupuestos Mínimos de Adaptación y Mitigación al Cambio Climático). To achieve the proposed outcomes, the project develops a communication strategy on climate change adaptation, carries out a series of studies to identify adaptation options and supports inter-sectoral and inter-jurisdictional collaboration within the framework of the National Cabinet on Climate Change, the Federal Environment Council (COFEMA), and the National System for Comprehensive Risk Management (SINAGIR).
In recent years, Argentina has made decisive progress in planning and implementing measures to adapt to climate change. The National Communications on Climate Change have made valuable contributions in terms of information, diagnosis, and helped identify various information gaps. Within the framework of the National Climate Change Cabinet (NCCC) work, several sectoral initiatives that are directly or indirectly related to climate change adaptation were identified, as well as other information and capacity needs.
This project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) NAP Readiness Programme aims to deepen this work by providing support for the development of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and to facilitate the evaluation and reduction of vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change by integrating adaptation to climate change in the development strategies of the country.
The “Readiness for the National Adaptation Plan Process” project was launched in December 2018 to support Argentina’s efforts to assess and reduce climate change vulnerability by integrating climate change adaptation into the country's sustainable development. To achieve this goal, the project aims to build adaptive capacity and resilience and facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into relevant new and existing policies, programmes and activities, in particular, into development planning processes and strategies within all relevant sectors and at different levels.
In particular, the project supports the Government of Argentina to (1) establish a national process to coordinate adaptation planning at all relevant scales with a medium and long-term perspective; (2) identify capacity gaps and strengthen capacities for adaptation planning and implementation, integrating adaptation to climate change into national, provincial and municipal development planning processes; (3) support the preparation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) with a regional and multi-sectoral approach in the framework of the National Climate Change Cabinet; (4) establish a system for monitoring and assessing needs and adaptation measures; (5) design a communication strategy on adaptation to climate change, focusing on the most vulnerable populations and improve climate information services; and (6) support inter-sectoral and interjurisdictional collaboration, within the framework of the National Cabinet on Climate Change.
In most of the non-Patagonian Argentina, the average temperature has increased up to half a degree between 1960 and 2010, with smaller increases in the center of the country. These changes have already caused impacts on natural and human systems, and according to the climate projections, the impact will intensify. More frequent and intense rainfall has resulted in more frequent floods; and the dry periods of the winter have become longer in the west and the north of the country. This has adversely affected water availability for some populations, increased the risks for grassland fires and the stress on livestock.
Argentina has committed to articulate actions and initiatives related to adaptation to climate change through a systematic and participatory National Adaptation Plan in its 2016 National Determined Contribution (NDC), and later in its second NDC in 2020. The NDCs and further work implemented within the framework of the National Cabinet on Climate Change have detected various information gaps and sectoral initiatives that are directly or indirectly linked to climate change adaptation. The project focuses on addressing identified gaps, including establishing a baseline for the country's adaptation situation and initiating a participatory planning process.
The project goals will be achieved through three main outcomes and the corresponding activities. Outcome 1 “Institutional strengthening and coordination for the formulation and implementation of the NAP process” and related activities will support the initiation of the NAP process at the national level within the framework of Law 27250 through an appropriate strategy and the relevant institutional arrangements and support, such as the formalization of the External Advisory Council in consultation among others with representatives of civil society organizations, political parties, academia, and indigenous people. These activities will result in a clear groundwork; a strategy for the NAP process that establishes clear responsibilities for government ministries and departments and specifies key milestones and expected outputs of the NAP process; enhancing coordination and cooperation mechanisms. Following participatory and inclusive approaches with indigenous communities and others, risks and impacts of climate change and approaches to mitigate those risks will be identified and planned.
The activities under Outcome 2 “Awareness raising and capacity building” include conducting trainings to promote the evaluation, planning and the implementation of adaptation measures. This outcome will build capacities to reduce vulnerability to climate change and facilitate integration of adaptation into development. To date, the Climate Risk Maps Platform was updated and a social perception study on climate change is ongoing to facilitate the elaboration of a communication strategy on adaptation targeting the general public. Progress has been made on strengthening sub national climate teams by organizing workshops and training for officials at the subnational level to provide tools for the development of adaptation plans.
Outcome 3 “Baseline definition; formulation of NAPs; implementation, monitoring and reviewing” will result in a broad climate risk analysis helping to identify “adaptation deficits” and assessment of vulnerability at specific planning levels within the national context. Priority risks and needs at the regional level among provincial climate teams have been identified. Currently, adaptation options/measures are being prioritized made based on their contribution to short- and long-term sustainable socioeconomic development, costs, effectiveness and efficiency. Plans will be formulated at the national and subnational levels. In addition, a strategy for implementing and monitoring the NAP, including priority measures will be developed. To date, progress has been made in generating information to facilitate risk analysis and the identification of adaptation options through various studies, in topics such as transport supply chains and people mobility; regional economies and climate change; social vulnerability to disasters; economic impacts of climate change; health studies and cultural heritage and climate change, among others. The project also supports the elaboration of provincial adaptation plans by hiring individual consultants to strengthen the provincial climate teams.
Outcome 1: Institutional strengthening and coordination for the formulation and implementation of the NAP process.
Outcome 2: Awareness raising and capacity building.
Outcome 3: Baseline definition, formulation of NAPs, implementation, monitoring and reviewing.
National Adaptation Plan to advance medium and long-term adaptation planning in Armenia
With financing from the Green Climate Fund, the "National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to advance medium and long-term adaptation planning in Armenia" project will support the Government of Armenia to develop a national plan for climate change adaptation through an iterative process focused on strengthening foundational capacities to ensure that they are institutionalized for long-term sustainability. The project aims to address existing barriers, support the prioritization of climate change adaptation investments in priority sectors including water resources, agriculture, energy, health, tourism and human settlement, and increase the identification of finance options. With the development of a NAP process, Armenia will lay the groundwork for the systemic and iterative identification of medium- and long-term risks, establish adaptation priorities and build out specific activities that ensure no one is left behind in the country’s work to reach its goals outlined through the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As part of the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the NAP process will contribute to the formulation of corresponding national climate-responsive indicators and targets.
The Government of Armenia launched its national stakeholder’s consultations for the national adaptation plan (NAP) process in June 2016. A preliminary action plan for NAP implementation was formulated during the stocktaking exercise and approved by the representatives of key sectors and the Ministry of Nature Protection. The government sees the NAP process as a key step to achieving the adaptation objectives of its 2015 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
The NAP is addressing the main challenges to the integration of climate change adaptation into national, sectorial and local government planning and budgeting, as identified in the 2016 stakeholders’ consultations and the NAP Stocktaking report. The focus is on strengthening foundational capacities for adaptation and on ensuring that they are institutionalized for long-term sustainability (beyond the life of the project). It is expected that at least two NAP iterations will be required for a complete and comprehensive mainstreaming of CCA into the national development framework and into the development plans of all sectors.
NDCs and NAPs
Armenia’s vulnerability to climate change requires greater investments and greater integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR). In 2016, the government began discussing the NAP process by conducting national consultations and undertaking a rapid stocktaking exercise. The stocktaking provides a qualitative assessment of the institutional framework and capacities relevant to the NAP process. The NAP is fully aligned with the adaptation component of the NDC and is seen as one key in establishing a constructive feedback loop between Armenia’s national and international decision-making on climate change.
With the development of a NAP process, Armenia will lay the groundwork for systemic and iterative identification of medium- and long-term risks, CCA priorities and specific activities that promote climate adaptive and resilient growth in its key sectors. In the pivot away from ad-hoc, project-based approaches to a more coherent and strategic CCA approach that is integrated with implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Armenia can realize a long-term paradigm shift towards reducing the climate risks it faces.
Stakeholder Consultations
As an integral part of the NAP process a stakeholder communication and engagement plan, including a gender action plan, will be formulated to ensure that a wide range of stakeholders will be consulted and engaged at all stages of the NAP. Outreach and engagement activities will include sensitization, consultations and training workshops, and they will be tailored to reflect the needs of stakeholders to ensure that they can successfully implement the activities being undertaken. In general, engagement activities will focus on increasing stakeholder ownership and on increasing awareness and knowledge of climate adaptation’s role in addressing climate change impacts to sustain long-term engagement. Stakeholders will represent government institutions, financial and technical partners, international and national non-governmental organizations and local civil society.
Strengthening institutional arrangements for the NAP process
Supported the Government of Armenia in developing:
- “National Action Program of Adaptation to Climate Change and the List of Measures for 2021-2025” (Decree #749-L of 13 May 2021)
- Updating the structure and mandate of Inter-Agency Coordination Council for the Implementation of the Requirements and Provisions of the UNFCCC (PM Decree #719-A of 6 July 2021)
- Defining responsibilities and forming three permanent working groups to support the Inter-Agency Coordination Council (Deputy PM Decree #894-A of 5 November 2021)
Contributed to including climate change considerations in 2 law amendments of:
- Water Code of the Republic of Armenia (approved on 02 June 2022)
- Environmental Impact Assessment of the Republic of Armenia
Facilitated the update and revision of:
- Irrigation norms for 5 crops in Ararat valley
- River Basin Management Plans for the Southern and Ararat River Basin districts of Armenia
Contributed to promoting secondary / alternative water use through:
- Developing and submitting recommendations to the Ministry of Environment for wastewater treatment and production of secondary / alternative water use based on international benchmark
- Conducting an assessment of the potential for application of incentive mechanisms for double water use in Armenia (in partnership with EU4Sevan project)
Promoting institutionalization of mudflow risk management:
- An interagency working group formed
- Recommendations on institutional arrangements on mudflow risk management in the country prepared and circulated to the stakeholder ministries
Assessing gaps, climate risks and vulnerabilities, and developing sectoral and provincial adaptation plans with respective list of adaptation measures
- Climate risk and vulnerability assessments (CRVA) have been conducted in priority sectors water, tourism, and agriculture and sectoral adaptation plans have been developed. The draft government decrees have been prepared and submitted. In addition, climate risk and vulnerability assessments have been conducted and provincial adaptation plans have been developed in the Tavush and Shirak regions. The CRVA and the development of the adaptation plan in the energy and healthcare sectors are currently ongoing.
Contributing to Improved access to and use of climate data
- Concept and technical specifications for development of a new website and mobile application for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center of the Republic of Armenia prepared
Awareness raising, education, capacity building
- Over 40 workshops/trainings/public events organized
- Numerous interviews and roundtable discussions attended
Output 1: Gaps assessed and national mandate, strategy and steering mechanism established
Output 2: Climate evidence and knowledge-base for the compilation of a NAP strengthened
Output 3: NAP implementation facilitated
Output 4: Mechanisms for Reporting, Monitoring and Review of NAPs and adaptation progress in place
Output 5: Funding strategy for the NAP and CCA formulated
Video: Climate change adaptation in agriculture in Armenia (2022)
Public hearing on updates of Ararat Basin Management Plan held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)
Public hearing on updates of Southern Basin Management Plan held in the frame UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)
"Climate Change and Women in Armenia” awards ceremony announced in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)
Climate change and adaptation awareness raising campaign in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)
RA National Adaptation Plan submitted to UNFCCC Secretariat (2021)
Draft RA water sector adaptation plan presented and discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)
Climate Change challenges and opportunities present in Tavush discussed during a regional visit (2021)
Mudflow risk management in Armenia in the center of attention of the UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020)
UNDP-GCF NAP Project continues raising awareness on climate change adaptation processes (2019)
National Adaptation Plan development process continues in Armenia (2019)
NAP Project Inception Seminar (2019)
National Adaptation Plan (NAP) support project for adaptation planning and implementation in Azerbaijan
Financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) this project will support the Government of Azerbaijan (GoA) to facilitate the development of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and improve climate change adaptation (CCA) actions in three priority sectors identified by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) of the Republic of Azerbaijan through stakeholder consultations: water, agriculture and coastal areas. The NAP readiness support aims to increase climate resilience and adaptation capacity in three priority sectors through the implementation of actions that will reduce or eliminate barriers for an effective adaptation process at the national and local levels.
The primary beneficiaries from this GCF project include the national government, specifically agencies in the three priority sectors, as well as local communities.
The main objective of the “National Adaptation Plan (NAP) support project for adaptation planning and implementation in Azerbaijan” is to increase capacity on climate resilience and adaptation in three priority sectors to reduce or eliminate barriers for an effective adaptation process at the national and local levels.
The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) submitted by Azerbaijan in 2017 highlights the need to “develop relevant adaptation measures for decreasing or minimizing the losses that may occur at national, local and community levels per sector.” The priority sectors were identified as water, agriculture and coastal areas. The expected increase in extreme events on the Caspian Sea coastal areas, such as extremely high waves, strong winds and flooding, make those areas particularly vulnerable to climate change and requires the development of targeted adaptation programmes. The stocktaking exercise in 2017 has identified barriers including: a) Limited access to data including limited data exchange by stakeholders in Azerbaijan; b) Insufficient institutional and technical capacity on climate change adaptation at managerial, expert/practitioners and community levels; c) Limited mainstreaming of adaptation in national, regional, local and sectoral planning, budgeting and regulatory framework; d) Limited institutional coordination; and e) Limited monitoring, evaluation and analysis of past and current programmes on climate change adaptation.
This project aims to address the identified barriers and improve adaptation planning in Azerbaijan focusing on three main areas:
- Improve data availability, access and sharing for decision making. The project will establish mechanisms and data solutions to facilitate increased access and sharing of climate and weather information in Azerbaijan, as well as improve the coordination among institutions.
- Enhance institutional and technical capacity for climate change adaptation in water, agriculture, and coastal areas. Limited institutional and technical capacity hinders not only the mainstreaming of CCA considerations into planning processes, but also the implementation of adaptation actions at the national, regional and local levels. A national gender-sensitive CCA capacity building programme will be developed that addresses the gaps in knowledge and capacity of key stakeholders at all levels: from government decision makers and technical personnel, to local communities and the private sector.
- Increase mainstreaming of CCA considerations into planning at national, regional, local levels in the priority sectors. An Adaptation Working Group (AWG) will be established at the national level, a body that will coordinate the development of a NAP Roadmap document. Further planned activities to advance mainstreaming include the development and application of tools (manuals, guidelines) for the inclusion of CCA considerations into sectoral planning, the improvement of the legal framework for adaptation in priority sectors (water, coastal areas, agriculture), the screening, appraisal and accounting of adaptation in public and private investments and the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for adaptation that is compatible with the Strategic Development Road Maps (SDRM) of Azerbaijan.
Project updates
- Comprehensive assessment of existing and needed climate data and vulnerability studies and supplemental CCA vulnerability studies for priority sectors completed.
- Charter for Adaptation Working Group established to coordinate adaptation planning at the national level.
- Climate Vulnerability Index for the country was developed and is available for use. Gender workplan for the project was developed and is used for the project activities.
- Capacity needs assessment for the development of ‘university specialized diplomas and certificates’ for climate change adaptation was conducted.
- The process to develop an online climate change platform is initiated.
- The analyses of the National Legislation on Climate Change was conducted, and the recommendations are being followed-up, including the preparation of new legal documents.
- The series of capacity building and public awareness workshops/seminars for technical personnel and students were organized in the capital as well as in the different regions of Azerbaijan.
- The capacity needs assessment for the decision-makers was conducted and policy briefs were prepared accordingly.
Outcome 1: Improved data availability, access, and sharing for decision making.
Outcome 2: Enhanced institutional and technical capacity for climate change adaptation in water, agricultural and coastal areas.
Outcome 3: Increased mainstreaming of climate change adaptation considerations into planning at national, regional, local levels in priority sectors.
Knowledge competition dedicated to the World Environment Day was held (2022)
Azerbaijan marks the start of the National Adaptation Plan process for climate change resilience (2021)
Issues related to climate change adaptation plan were discussed (2021)
Issues related to climate change adaptation plan were discussed in ADAU (2021)
GCF National Adaptation Plan project in Bhutan
Climate change is expected to bring a raft of changes to Bhutan including an increase in average temperatures, a decrease in precipitation during the dry season, and an increase during the wet season in the long term; increased intensity of rainfall events, erratic rainfall patterns, and a shift in monsoon timing; and increased threats of hydro-meteorological and geological disasters due to climate risks, such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, earthquakes, river erosion, flashfloods, windstorms, and forest fires. The hydropower, agriculture, and tourism sectors, which together account for almost a quarter of GDP, are all highly dependent on, and affected by, climate variability and natural hazards. With financial support from the Green Climate Fund, this project focuses on assisting the Royal Government of Bhutan to further advance their cross-sectoral National Adaptation Plan process, as well as to put in place a robust implementation monitoring and evaluation system.
Climate change is expected to bring a raft of changes to Bhutan including an increase in average temperatures, a decrease in precipitation during the dry season, and an increase during the wet season in the long term; increased intensity of rainfall events, erratic rainfall patterns, and a shift in monsoon timing; and increased threats of hydro-meteorological and geological disasters due to climate risks, such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, earthquakes, river erosion, flashfloods, windstorms, and forest fires. The hydropower, agriculture, and tourism sectors, which together account for almost a quarter of GDP, are all highly dependent on, and affected by, climate variability and natural hazards. With financial support from the Green Climate Fund, this project focuses on assisting the Royal Government of Bhutan to further advance their cross-sectoral National Adaptation Plan process, as well as to put in place a robust implementation monitoring and evaluation system.
Outcome 1: Enhanced coordination, learning and knowledge management for an iterative NAP process.
Outcome 2: Technical capacity enhanced for the generation of climate scenarios and impact assessment
Outcome 3: Vulnerability assessments undertaken and adaptation options prioritised
Outcome 4: NAP formulated and capacity for implementation and monitoring established
Readiness for the National Adaptation Plan Process in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The project “Advance the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process for medium-term investment planning in climate sensitive sectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)” supported the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process and reach goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project activities enabled the government to integrate climate change-related risks, coping strategies and opportunities into ongoing development planning and budgeting processes.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) builds on the country’s Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development Strategy of 2013. The strategy is based on four specific outcomes: supporting evidence-based policy development for climate change risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities; creating effective institutional and regulatory frameworks; mainstreaming climate change adaptation approaches into decision making; and effectively assigning resources and reaching implementation goals. The implementation of the strategy has slowed mainly due to lack of knowledge and institutional capacity to undertake adaptation measures.
To overcome these challenges, the project advanced adaptation planning in B&H with a focus on sectoral approaches, upgrading the knowledge base for adaptation, prioritizing adaptation interventions for the medium term, building institutional capacities for integrating climate change adaptation, and demonstrating innovative ways of financing adaptation at sub-national and local government levels. The project activities resulted in the compilation of a NAP and an implementation strategy focused on scaling-up adaptation in key sectors for the medium-term. Through the project, the Government of Bosnia-Herzegovina developed municipal-level investment financing instruments with public and private sector engagement, and built national, sub-national and sectoral capacity to integrate and mainstream risk informed planning and budgeting.
Extreme climate events in Bosnia and Herzegovina are becoming more frequent; with seven out of the past 16 years experiencing drought and frequent floods. Annual temperature increases and change of precipitation are resulting in extreme weather conditions: heat waves, waves of extreme cold, and windstorms. The economic damages are vast, especially in the water, agricultural and housing sectors. The total economic impact of the 2014 floods is estimated to have reached EUR 2.04 billion, or 15 percent of the country’s GDP in 2014.
The NAP process in Bosnia and Herzegovina was officially launched in 2016 with a national consultation that engaged sector ministries and local government units via associations of cities and municipalities in Republika Srpska and Federation of B&H. B&H has put great emphasis on climate change as one of the most significant development challenges facing the country. The importance of adaptation was clearly reflected in its National Communications to the UNFCCC and Climate Change Adaptation and Low Emission Development Strategy (CCA LEDs), adopted in 2013. This strategy is based on four specific outcomes covering climate change risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities supporting evidence-based policy development, effective institutional and regulatory framework, mainstreaming CCA approaches into decision making, and effective resourcing with timely and effective implementation. However, its implementation has slowed mainly due to lack of knowledge and institutional capacity to attract finances and undertake adaptation measures.
The main identified barriers are:
- Limited institutional capacities and weak vertical and horizontal coordination for adaptation planning and implementation caused by complex administrative structure and top-down approach, limited stakeholders’ participation in B&H strategic planning for adaptation, inadequate level of technical knowledge on climate change adaptation of staff in sectoral ministries, limited training on climate change issues and low capacity to monitor, forecast, archive, analyse, communicate, and use climate risks and impacts for sectors.
- Limited climate Information to support integration of climate change into planning and budgeting due to limited scientific data and information on climate impacts and vulnerability assessments, limited knowledge of current climate variability, and a lack of systematic information on environmental protection.
- Alternative sources of finance, including innovative funds are not optimized as neither climate change adaptation, nor disaster-risk reduction (DRR) activities are included in budgeting on any level (municipal, cantonal, entity), and effective finance plan for securing adequate funds from a range of sources for adaptation does not exist.
The key results of the project include:
- An institutional framework to coordinate adaptation processes was established. The framework is based on four levels (NDA, nominated institutional coordinators, nominated interagency working group, and formed multi-disciplinary NAP drafting team).
- The first BiH NAP document was drafted identifying most vulnerable sectors and necessary adaptation actions in agriculture, water management, biodiversity, forestry, human health and tourism, with planned actions estimated over US$4.2 billion. Information on climate change impact and scenarios have been upgraded and vulnerability assessments have been completed for the most vulnerable sectors agriculture and water. The NAP document is currently under adoption at the state level.
- The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for horizontal and vertical institutional cooperation on climate data exchange as well as the corresponding M&E framework have been adopted as part of the NAP document. The SOPs will enable cross-sectoral climate data/information exchange to support an effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, track implementation and assess the effectiveness of adaptation actions taken to enable regular updates of the NAP.
- The Project supported adjustments to the regulatory framework necessary for successful implementation of climate change adaptation activities in the country and for meeting B&H’s obligations to the EU and the UNFCCC. This included amendments to the Law on Environment and development of strategic documents related to flood risk management to achieve alignment with the EU Approximation.
- The NAP Communication Strategy has been developed and implemented leading to the development of numerous communication products to increase knowledge and awareness on adaptation processes including a presentation at the COP 26. Project stakeholders are particularly proud of the Photo Essay on adaptation activities and potential for actions in B&H cities, which was also shared by the GCF.
- Studies on the socio-economic impacts of climate change on hydro-energy potential for two river basins (Trebisnjica and Vrbas) were undertaken, as well as a Study on socio-economic impacts of climate change on agriculture in one of most productive agricultural areas within the Sava Basin. These studies constitute the basis for informing planning and implementation of adaptation actions in water management and agriculture sectors.
- Studies assessing risks of urban torrential waters were conducted in two pilot cities (Tuzla and Banja Luka) and adaptation options were developed to improve adaptation planning in local communities.
- Trainings were conducted to build capacity of over 900 government staff for assessment, prioritization, and implementation of climate change adaptation actions as well as for development of reporting, monitoring and review mechanisms.
- Climate change data management system has been designed for the first time in B&H to enable climate data collection, exchange and assessment. The Platform is based on agreed SOP and the corresponding M&E framework will enable regular update of the NAP and other climate reports, tracking of climate data trends, implemented adaptation actions and its effects.
- Finance mechanisms, tools, and new financing approaches for adaptation finance are developed in four municipalities (Laktasi, Zenica, Sanski Most and Trebinje) to enhance adaptation investments at the local level. All four municipalities have developed and adopted their local Climate adaptation finance strategies and investment plans, developed project concepts, and were trained on adaptation finance mechanisms, benefiting over 320 participants from the four pilot municipalities.
- The Project developed two GCF Project Concept Notes (for water and agriculture sectors as the most vulnerable to climate change) and prepared the first Climate Adaptation Finance Strategy at the country level.
Outcome 1: Effective national adaptation coordination system established to drive the NAP process
Outcome 2: Capacity for climate vulnerability assessments, development of socio-economic scenarios strengthened, and adaptation options prioritized for two key sectors
Outcome 3: Innovative financing strategy for adaptation investments developed and tested in four to five selected municipalities
Exposure story: A race against nature (2019)
Exposure story: Giving trees (2019)
Exposure story: Fixing farming (2019)
Exposure story: Managing risk (2019)
Choosing peaches over apples (2021)
True Value (2021)
The Peak of Resilience (2021)
Climate change academy trainings held (2021)
Changing what we eat to help the planet (2021)
Exposure story: Financing for survival (2022)
Exposure story: Cities at the crossroads (2022)
NAP Bulletin PDF (2022)
NAP Bulletin PDF (2021)
U Tesliću održan okrugli sto na temu prilagođavanja klimatskim promjenama u Bosni i Hercegovini (2022)
Readiness for the National Adaptation Plan Process in Ecuador
The Government of Ecuador is working to develop a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) which will constitute the basis for adaptation management at the national level, in accordance with the National Climate Change Strategy. For the formulation of the NAP, the development methodologies, tools, indicators, policies, capacity building programs and studies are foreseen to create the enabling conditions for the reduction of vulnerability and climate risk in the six sectors prioritized for adaptation: Water Heritage; Food Sovereignty, Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries; Natural Heritage; Health; Productive and Strategic Sectors; and Human Settlements, as well as new or ongoing programs and projects in those sectors.
The National Adaptation Plan Project in Ecuador (PLANACC) is aligned with the Constitution of Ecuador, which establishes that the state will adopt measures to respond to climate change and protect populations at risk. In addition, the project also aligns with the National Strategy for Climate Change 2012-2025 and the Nationally Determined Contributions 2020-2025. Likewise, the Organic Code of the Environment (2018) and its Regulations (2019) determine that the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is a key instrument for climate action and enables the implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy 2012-2025.
The PLANACC Project (NAP Project) is the instrument through which the enabling conditions for adaptation to climate change in the country are generated and the NAP is formulated, constituting a public policy document and a management instrument.
In addition to the implementing partner, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, project partners include the National Planning Secretariat and the sectoral ministries that provide technical and political support related to development planning.
The project enables the Government of Ecuador to contribute to the creation and strengthening of technical capacities (individual and institutional) to facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into the central and local governments' development planning and budget processes. The resources will also enable the generation of climate information with better resolution and scale, as well as assessments of vulnerability and climate risks at sectoral, territorial and local levels. In addition, the funds allow for the design of technical tools and instruments (guidelines, standards, strategies, etc.) to guide the integration of climate change adaptation into development planning and enable the dissemination of results. The project also supports the formulation of financing strategies for adaptation at sectoral, territorial and local levels.
Key results:
The project has focused generating technical information and creating the enabling conditions that allow, on the one hand, the design of the National Adaptation Plan and, on the other hand, the strengthening of institutional capacities of sectoral entities and local governments on adaptation management, as listed below. The Project is currently in its final phase, with the National Adaptation Plan is expected in October 2022.
Datasets:
- Updated climate projections for Ecuador.
- Backfilling, updating, and homogenization of official hydrometeorological data.
- Numerical model of the wave dynamics on the Ecuadorian coast.
Guidelines and technical studies:
- Portfolio of conservation and recovery practices for rural production land that are resilient to climate change.
- Adaptation guidelines for risk management in Human Settlements.
- Several guidelines to integrate climate change adaptation into development planning processes.
- Methodologies for sectoral climate risk assessments, applying impact modeling for the identification of biophysical impacts.
Political instruments:
- Integration of the climate change adaptation variable into Ecuador's Wetlands Action Plan.
- Update of the management plan for the Ecological Reserve “Los Ilinizas”, including the variable of adaptation to climate change.
- Design of the implementation strategy for prioritized adaptation actions as part of the NDC Implementation Plan- adaptation component.
Capacity Building Products and Processes:
- Design of a Toolbox to integrate climate change into development plans and territorial planning at subnational level and complementary training program, training more than 1000
- Design of a MOOC about fire management and climate change adaptation and conducted complementary training workshops
- Conducted workshops on climate migration and its impact on women and children: needs, challenges and recommendations for action.
Gender responsive instruments:
- Development of a Wikipedia on gender and climate change adaptation (included in the Adaptation platform).
- Database of good adaptation practices with a gender perspective.
- Inventory of shortcomings and gaps of the social, economic, and environmental information using a gender responsive focus to prepare assessments of climate risk in the prioritized sectors for climate change adaptation.
Communication:
- Adaptation platform (repository, newsletters, courses, information on initiatives, NAP data)
- Communication and Awareness-Raising Strategy to integrate climate change adaptation into development planning processes.
- Creation of a temporary exhibition based on children's stories on climate change adaptation (includes youth competition for story creation).
Output 1: National mandate, strategy and steering mechanisms are in place and gaps are assessed and addressed.
Output 2: Preparatory elements for the NAP are in place to develop a knowledge base and formulate the NAP.
Output 3: NAP implementation is facilitated.
Output 4: Mechanisms for reporting, monitoring and review of NAPs and adaptation progress in place.
Output 5: Funding strategy for the NAP and CCA is available.
Scientific dissemination, a key pillar for understanding climate change
Updating climate projections, a comprehensive process
Adaptation to climate change is possible by promoting capacity building processes
The country's higher education has a new master's degree in climate change
The country's higher education has a new master's degree in climate change
Talking about climate change from different perspectives of communication
Climate migration, time to join forces
Advancing adaptation and gender equality in Ecuador (also on Exposure)
Development of a virtual skills course focused on adaptation to climate change
Ecuador presented the results of the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Updating climate projections, a comprehensive process
Ministry promotes illustrated story contest for children on climate change
Technicians are trained in numerical model to predict floods on the coasts of Ecuador
Ministry presented the first digital platform for adaptation to climate change in the country
Formulation and Advancement of the National Adaptation Plans Process of Egypt
The project helps to advance the development of Egypt’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) with the goal of decreasing vulnerability to climate change. This NAP process will help Egypt build climate resilience by improving institutional and technical capacity for climate change adaptation planning, evaluating climate risks, determining adaptation priorities, integrating adaptation into national and sectoral planning and budgeting, and increasing investment in adaptation actions. The project is expected to equip the Government and relevant ministries with an information on climate risks and vulnerabilities and priority adaptation areas, as well as help the government to implement effective adaptation planning.
Egypt’s landscapes, people, and economy are highly vulnerable to the ongoing impacts of climate change. To address climate change risks in the mid to long-term, Egypt has developed a policy framework underpinned by the 2011 National Adaptation Strategy (NAS), and the country has developed high-level political institutions with the mandate to implement the framework. Established in 2015 under the Prime Ministerial Decree #1912 and chaired by the Prime Minister, the National Council for Climate Change (NCCC) is the body responsible for managing the climate change portfolio at the national level. With this support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Government of Egypt will advance the development of a national adaptation plan (NAP) with the goal of decreasing vulnerability to climate change.
In addition to the key implementing partner, the Ministry of Environment, the project partners include the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the Information and Decision Support Center, Cabinet of Ministers and others.
The project “Formulation and Advancement of the National Adaptation Plans Process of Egypt” started in March 2021 with the main objective to decrease country’s vulnerability to climate change through advancing the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) development. The NAP project aims to help Egypt build climate resilience by improving institutional and technical capacity for climate change adaptation planning, examining climate risks, determining adaptation priorities, integrating adaptation into national and sectoral planning and budgeting, and increasing investment in adaptation actions.
Climate change impacts in Egypt include the rising sea level, extreme weather events such as heat waves, flash floods, heavy precipitation, sand and dust storms, and water scarcity. These complex climate-related challenges will impact agriculture, food security, human health and the national economy. Egypt‘s ability to respond to these impacts is challenged by low technical capacity for adaptation planning and limited information on climate risks and vulnerabilities. To address the risks, the Government of Egypt began a NAP process in May 2015, which resulted in a roadmap for advancing adaptation planning.
The 2017 stocktaking exercise assessed accomplishments since 2015 and identified priority interventions for the NAP process. Based on this assessment, the NAP project focuses on the following outcomes: (1) Strengthening institutional and human capacities to coordinate and manage climate change adaptation planning and implementation; (2) Developing an integrated national climate risk assessment and identifying adaptation priority areas for inclusion in a National Adaptation Plan Framework document; and (3) Integrating adaptation priorities into national planning and budgeting processes. A successful implementation of this project will equip Egypt with the required climate risk information and understanding of priority adaptation areas to enable the government to conduct effective adaptation planning and start integrating climate adaptation into national development planning and budgeting. As a result of project activities improving capacity and climate adaptation governance, national ministries and the Government of Egypt will be empowered to help programs and projects across national and sub-national processes be more climate risk-informed, and climate adaptation indicators will be specifically incorporated into the national development strategy “Egypt Vision 2030”.
Outcome 1: Strengthening institutional and human capacities to coordinate and manage climate change adaptation planning and implementation;
Outcome 2: Developing an integrated national climate risk assessment and identifying adaptation priority areas for inclusion in a National Adaptation Plan Framework document;
Outcome 3: Integrating adaptation priorities into national planning and budgeting processes.
Enhancing Research and Policy Linkages to Advance National Adaptation Planning in Guinea
The project aims to help Guinea increase its capacity to adapt to climate change impacts by strengthening linkages between research-policy, mainstreaming climate change adaptation into sectoral and local planning and budgeting and advancing national funding mechanisms and private sector engagement. The project addresses the main barriers that were identified during an earlier stocktaking exercise. The barriers identified include the lack of links between research and policymaking, weak measurement, evaluation and funding mechanisms, and insufficient private sector engagement in the adaptation efforts.
The main objective of the project “Enhancing research and policy linkages to advance National Adaptation Planning in Guinea” is to increase Guinea’s adaptive capacity to cope with climate change impacts. The project is expected to establish research to support informed decision-making and capture opportunities that arise both from public funding and the private sector.
Guinea is experiencing negative socio-economic impacts of climate change due to its exposure to sea level rise, droughts, and flooding. The Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted in 2015 outlines climate change adaptation priorities, such as the preservation and restoration of water resources, protection of ecosystems particularly in coastal zones, and ensuring food security of rural communities.
Based on stakeholder consultations and stocktaking conducted in 2016 and 2018, the main barriers to climate change adaptation mainstreaming and financing were identified as (1) the absence of links connecting research to policy to inform decision-making processes; (2) weaknesses in and/or fragmentation of existing coordination, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), and funding mechanisms; (3) the absence of adaptation in the Planning-Programming-Budgeting-Monitoring and Evaluation (PPBSE) procedures; and (4) lack of private sector involvement in the adaptation landscape.
The project aims to remove these barriers by achieving the following objectives under the three main outcomes:
1. Research-policy linkages and knowledgebase are strengthened to inform adaptation planning and decision-making:
- Establish research-policy linkages to support the NAP (National Adaptation Plan) formulation and implementation;
- Develop a climate risks and vulnerability evidence base that informs the identification and prioritization of adaptation options in the sectors of agriculture, livestock, and forestry.
2. Climate change adaptation mainstreaming is facilitated by reinforcing coordination and M&E mechanisms:
- Operationalize a sustained and suitable coordination mechanism to support mid and long-term adaptation;
- Enhance adaptation mainstreaming into sectoral and local planning and budgeting;
- Establish adaptation M&E mechanisms in adherence with the existing national M&E system.
3. A national funding mechanism and private sector engagement are expanded to support adaptation financing:
- Support the Environmental Safeguard Fund (FSE) mechanism to raise awareness on funding sources and expand mandate for the financing of adaptation actions;
- Enhance the mining sector’s engagement on adaptation and climate financing.
Furthermore, a follow-up project will be proposed to fill gaps identified through this phase and develop Guinea’s NAP document. The results of the current project will inform the proposal, consolidating existing climate risks and vulnerability assessments and prioritization of adaptation options in the priority sectors of agriculture, livestock, forestry, coastal and water resources. The planned second phase will further consider promoting sustainable cities, clean cities, and blue economy for which the national strategy is currently being developed.
In addition to the main project implementing partner, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests, and other project partners including the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), National Directorate of the Environment (DNE)/current National Directorate of Pollution, Nuisance and Climate Change (DNPNCC), sectoral Strategy and Development Offices (BSD), the various research institutes, the Center for Observation, Monitoring and Environmental Information (COSIE), the National Institute of Statistics (INS), the Fund for the Environment and Natural Capital (FECN), the Bauxite Environment Network (REB), Guinea-Ecology, civil society organizations and municipalities.
Project updates
To date, the Research-Policy Working Group (RPWG) mandate, structure and composition have been elaborated, as well as the Environment and Climate Change Research Plan (PRECC) and the Climate Change Adaptation Policy Indicators Metadata. The project further prepared the report on the collection of data from public services and technical and financial partners for the updating of climate models and projections based on the RCP in Guinea, the analysis of climate projections for Guinea using the RCP reference scenarios and the validation of the projection models, as well as the data collection report on the establishment of a coordination and capacity building system.
Outcome 1: Research-policy linkages and knowledge base are strengthened to inform adaptation planning and decision-making.
Outcome 2: Climate change adaptation mainstreaming is facilitated by reinforcing coordination and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Outcome 3: A national funding mechanism and private sector engagement are expanded to increase climate change adaptation financing.
Integrating Climate Change Risks into National Development Planning Processes in Haiti
The project aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacities in Haiti for iterative development of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for an effective integration of climate change adaptation into national and sub-national coordination, planning and budgeting processes. This objective is expected to be achieved through advancing existing frameworks and systems, enhancing capacities of various stakeholders to effectively contribute to the process and establishing a mechanism to sustain the NAP process beyond this project.
Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Programme, the "Integrating climate change risks into national development planning processes in Haiti" project is supporting the Government of Haiti to strengthen institutional and technical capacities for iterative development of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for an effective integration of climate change adaptation into national planning and budgeting processes.
The project builds on lessons from the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) implementation, as well as complementary activities currently underway in Haiti to avoid duplication of efforts. In integrating climate change adaptation into development plans, the project seeks to align with inclusive climate change adaptation priorities into the country’s visionary Strategic Development Plan (PSDH), National Land Use Plan (SNAT) and its Disaster Risk Reduction Plan and Strategy.
The only Least Developed Country (LDC) in the Caribbean region, Haiti’s primary economic sectors (i.e., agriculture, forestry and fishing) are heavily affected by climatic events. More than 50 percent of Haiti’s population lives below the poverty line, with 20.1 percent of people living in extreme poverty. According to the World Bank’s Climate Change Overview Country Summary (2022), political violence, economic imbalance, and population pressure has led to extreme environmental degradation in Haiti, with an estimated 98 percent of forests cleared for fuel. These destabilizing forces have left most Haitians extremely vulnerable to natural disasters. Haiti has embarked on many initiatives to strengthen its resilience to climate change. However, fragmented policies and data, weak technical capacity and inadequate climate financing, among others, hamper the country’s efforts to plan effectively and iteratively for medium-to long-term climate risks in its development planning and budgeting.
The project is informed by stakeholder consultations, stocktaking of existing initiatives, policies, and strategies in Haiti that were conducted by the National Adaptation Plan Global Support Programme in 2017, which resulted in an action plan to implement the NAP. The Stocktaking Report highlighted the limitations and gaps including insufficient technical and institutional capacity to effectively coordinate and implement climate change adaptation measures; scattered data and information-sharing on climate change impacts and adaptation interventions; limited capacity to monitor climate change adaptation and inform policies; and inadequate budget allocations. These serve as the basis for the activities proposed in the project which were further confirmed by stakeholders.
The project is expected to deliver the following results under the three key outcomes:
- Capacities of the Technical Working Group, particularly MDE (Ministry of Environment) and MCPE (Ministry of Planning), to steer the climate change coordination and integration process are developed;
- Institutional barriers to the integration of climate change into development planning and policies are reviewed and key stakeholders are sensitized to climate change adaptation and development linkages;
- Mechanisms for regularly updating and reviewing adaptation are strengthened and feed into the iterative adaptation planning process;
- Haiti's National Adaptation Plan is developed;
- A system for economic analysis and appraisal of adaptation options is established and adaptation priority interventions are integrated into the SNAT, PSDH and PNGRD;
- Universities and educational institutions are capacitated to support adaptation initiatives and the NAP process;
- Financing and Investment Strategy for the NAP is developed through a gender responsive consultative process;
- Private sector engagement in climate change adaptation is strengthened.
Project updates
The NAP has been developed and validated by both the MDE (Ministry of Environment) and MCPE (Ministry of Planning); the regulatory framework and the vulnerabilities of priority sectors such as health, agrobiodiversity, and water resources have been assessed; the NAP financing and investment strategy has been developed through broad consultations with diverse stakeholders, including women’s organizations, and the communication strategy for the NAP process has been validated and disseminated across the country. In addition, the project has provided substantial support to various initiatives aimed at revising strategic documents, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), the development of an operational plan for the National Risk and Disaster Management Plan (PNGRD) and the reinforcement of the EIS-Haiti database for the monitoring of climate indicators, among others.
The project continuously works on strengthening the capacity of the key technical working group from sectorial ministries. As part of the documentation of lessons learned and best practices of adaptation interventions to encourage scaling up of successful approaches, the project has also compiled several good practices and lessons from adaptation measures. Ongoing collaboration with partners and stakeholders allows the project to continue the implementation and validation of the deliverables while developing synergies between climate change adaptation actions in the field.
Outcome 1: The coordination mechanism for multi-sectoral adaptation planning and implementation is strengthened at different levels
Outcome 2: The NAP is compiled with a strong evidence base for adaptation planning and priorities are integrated into the Strategic Development Plan and the Disaster Risk Reduction Plan and Strategy
Outcome 3: A financing framework for climate change adaptation action in the medium-to long-term is established.
