The National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) process, initiated in 2010, serves as the primary mechanism for coordinating and driving climate actions at the national level. It is a country-driven, gender-sensitive, participatory, and transparent process, emphasizing continuous and iterative progress.

In 2023, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat received 11 additional NAPs, bringing the total to 52 from developing countries and one developed country.

Noteworthy contributors included Haiti, Ecuador, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Mozambique, Pakistan, Bhutan, Zambia, Argentina, Burundi, and the Marshall Islands. Burkina Faso set a record by issuing the first National Adaptation Plans in 2015.

This surge in NAP submissions was lauded as a commitment to addressing the adverse impacts of climate change, outlining priorities for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation over a specified period.

The recent high-level event on NAP implementation, aligned with the Global Goal on Adaptation targets adopted at COP28, emphasized the importance of all Parties formulating and making progress in implementing their NAPs by 2030.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) played a pivotal role, approving 83 adaptation projects totaling USD 18.6 billion by 2023. Of this, USD 5.3 billion was directly provided by the GCF to 44 developing countries with submitted National Adaptation Plans.

While acknowledging progress, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell stressed the ongoing need for heightened adaptation efforts to build resilience against climate disasters.

“The increasing speed and scale of negative climate impacts make it imperative for us to develop and implement NAPs with urgency,” said Stiell as he opened the event. “Through NAPs, countries identify national adaptation and resilience-building needs. They also identify priority actions to address those needs.”

Key takeaways from COP28 discussions include:

Ø  Adequate funding is crucial for adaptation projects, yet access remains a challenge for developing countries.

Ø  Strengthening national capacity, particularly at the subnational level, is essential for effective National Adaptation Plans implementation and the development of bankable projects.

Ø  Increased transparency and accountability at the national level are vital for efficient resource utilization.

Ø  The GCF should streamline funding access, especially for countries with formulated NAPs, aligning with the COP mandate.

Ø  The Adaptation Fund (AF) can contribute to NAP formulation through project learning components and regional funding windows.

Ø  International partners should support national capacity building for National Adaptation Plans development and implementation.

Ø  Sharing lessons learned and best practices can expedite National Adaptation Plans implementation, as demonstrated by countries concurrently developing national adaptation investment plans with the finance sector.