The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process: Frequently Asked Questions

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process is a strategic framework established in 2010 under the Cancun Adaptation Framework to help developing countries identify and address medium- and long-term climate adaptation priorities. It moves beyond ad hoc projects to embed adaptation into national development planning, budgeting, and decision-making. The process consists of three broad phases—planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E)—supported by enabling factors such as financing and capacity development. It is distinct from National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), which focused on urgent short-term needs, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), though it can operationalize the adaptation commitments within NDCs. The document emphasizes that a NAP is both a process and a document, and that effective processes must be country-driven, gender-responsive, and inclusive of the private sector and sub-national actors.

• The NAP process is a strategic mechanism designed to move countries from short-term, project-based interventions toward "medium- and long-term priorities for adapting to climate change," ensuring adaptation is an "integral part of a country’s development planning, decision making and budgeting."
• Established in 2010 under the Cancun Adaptation Framework, the NAP process differs from the earlier National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) in that NAPAs focused on "urgent and immediate adaptation needs," whereas the NAP process addresses longer-term strategic needs.
• The NAP process is structured into three primary phases: planning (assessing vulnerabilities and prioritizing options), implementation (securing finance and deploying resources), and monitoring and evaluation (tracking results and lessons). These are supported by four enabling factors: "Institutional Arrangements", "Information Sharing", "Capacity Development", and "Financing".
• A successful NAP process must be country-driven, gender-responsive, participatory, and multi-sectoral. It should be "Guided by the best available science" and incorporate "traditional and Indigenous knowledge."
• The NAP process is central to the Paris Agreement; Article 7 paragraph 9 is the only part of the adaptation article that "obliges countries to take action," requiring parties to engage in adaptation planning and implementation.
• Financial support for the formulation of NAPs is provided by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which allows developing countries to access up to "USD 3 million each" through its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme.
• The process emphasizes "vertical integration," creating strategic links between national and sub-national levels to ensure local realities are reflected and that adaptation is achieved at "local or community levels."
• Private sector engagement is critical for scaling adaptation, particularly because micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for "60 per cent of employment" and an average of "50 per cent of GDP" in developing countries.

APA

Hammill, A., Dekens, J., & Dazé, A. (2020). The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process: Frequently Asked Questions. NAP Global Network. https://napglobalnetwork.org//wp-content/uploads/2020/08/napgn-en-2020-NAP-Process-FAQs.pdf

Chicago

Hammill, Anne, Julie Dekens, and Angie Dazé. The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process: Frequently Asked Questions. NAP Global Network, 2020. https://napglobalnetwork.org//wp-content/uploads/2020/08/napgn-en-2020-NAP-Process-FAQs.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hammill |first1=Anne |last2=Dekens |first2=Julie |last3=Dazé |first3=Angie |title=The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process: Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=NAP Global Network |date=June 2020 |url=https://napglobalnetwork.org//wp-content/uploads/2020/08/napgn-en-2020-NAP-Process-FAQs.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hammill2020national, author = {Hammill, Anne and Dekens, Julie and Dazé, Angie}, title = {{The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process: Frequently Asked Questions}}, institution = {NAP Global Network}, year = {2020}, month = jun, url = {https://napglobalnetwork.org//wp-content/uploads/2020/08/napgn-en-2020-NAP-Process-FAQs.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }