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The report details a workshop focused on aligning National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It argues that while NDCs set high-level goals, the NAP process serves as the operational mechanism to implement these goals at subnational and local levels. The document identifies significant institutional gaps, as many countries operate these processes in parallel without coordination. Key recommendations include establishing joint technical working groups, creating shared monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and developing technical guidelines to move from informal to systematic alignment.

The report assesses the GCF's adaptation portfolio, finding it generally aligned with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) but lacking in areas like human health. It identifies a critical need for standardized guidelines on 'climate rationale' to distinguish adaptation from general development and recommends a flexible three-tier costing approach (total, incremental, and beyond incremental cost). The study also highlights the under-utilization of diverse accredited entities and the limited role of the private sector in adaptation projects.

The document describes Colombia's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) as a dynamic process rather than a static document, designed to integrate climate risk management into sectoral and regional planning. It identifies priority sectors for adaptation, including health, housing, industry, finance, agriculture, mines and energy, and transportation, while tracking milestones from 2011 to 2018, such as the approval of the Climate Change Law and the submission of the NAP document to the UNFCCC.

The Ghana National Adaptation Plan Framework establishes a coordinated, sectoral-based approach to climate adaptation. Led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the framework aims to integrate climate resilience into national development planning, engage the private sector, and ensure gender-responsive and community-based adaptation strategies across key sectors including agriculture, water, and health.

The briefing contends that the distinction between adaptation and development projects is counter-productive and that adaptation should be viewed as 'doing development differently in response to climate change.' It proposes a framework for maximizing the impact of scarce adaptation finance by establishing strong climate rationales, building national adaptive capacity across four key areas, and shifting toward devolved decision-making to empower local communities.

The document defines alignment as a process to identify synergies among policy processes with common objectives to increase coherence, efficiency, and effectiveness. It argues that aligning the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is essential for climate-resilient development because these agendas share goals of strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability. The brief outlines a continuum of alignment—from informal collaboration to systematic alignment—and notes that success depends on political will, government capacity, and the influence of coordinating actors, such as ministries of planning or central leadership.

The document argues that aligning national policy processes—specifically those related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies—increases coherence, efficiency, and effectiveness in achieving climate-resilient development. It defines alignment as the identification of synergies between policies with common goals, distinguishing it from 'mainstreaming' (the integration of climate considerations into a single plan). The briefing outlines a progression of alignment from informal collaboration to systematic alignment, noting that success depends on political will, institutional arrangements, and the capacity of government actors. It emphasizes that while national governments lead these processes, implementation occurs primarily at the subnational level, necessitating a coordinated approach to avoid overburdening local authorities.

The document argues that aligning national policy processes—specifically those related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies—increases the coherence, efficiency, and effectiveness of climate-resilient development. It defines alignment as the identification of synergies between policies with common goals and presents a continuum of alignment ranging from informal collaboration to systematic alignment. The briefing emphasizes that while alignment is often hindered by administrative barriers between government ministries, it is essential for reducing the burden on subnational actors and improving overall development outcomes.

The 2nd IAI Science-Policy Workshop brought together researchers and policymakers to discuss the intersection of science and policy in the Americas. Key discussions included the IPBES regional assessment, the implementation of an Open Data Project, and the development of a new 25-year strategic plan for the IAI. The workshop also explored the role of science diplomacy and shared experiences from the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). Participants emphasized the need for better communication of scientific uncertainty to policymakers and the importance of incorporating traditional and indigenous knowledge into data systems.

The document emphasizes that purposeful communication tailored to priority audiences and delivered via appropriate channels is essential for reflecting the priorities of diverse groups affected by climate change. It specifically highlights the Government of Saint Lucia's use of these strategic communications to support its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.

Senegal has implemented a sectoral approach to its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), utilizing a hierarchy of committees to link local and national planning. The fisheries and aquaculture sector served as the pilot for this process, integrating six existing local adaptation plans into a national strategy. Key to this success was the involvement of Local Artisanal Fishing Councils (CLPA) and the coordination between the National Committee on Climate Change (COMNACC) and 14 Regional Committees on Climate Change (COMRECCs).

The Government of Saint Lucia, led by the Department of Sustainable Development, implemented a strategic communications strategy to support its 10-year National Adaptation Plan (2018-2028). Key initiatives included the creation of a dedicated website, the engagement of journalists through workshops and challenges, the use of charismatic spokespersons and local artists for public awareness, and the development of a specific NAP logo. To measure the impact of these efforts, the government utilizes Knowledge, Attitude, Practice (KAP) surveys conducted between 2005 and 2016. These activities aim to foster consensus on climate threats and mobilize resources for adaptation in a country where inaction could cost up to 49 per cent of GDP by 2100.

The document highlights Cambodia's efforts to integrate adaptation priorities into national programs through public finance, emphasizing the importance of political leadership and the need for better monitoring and evaluation frameworks. While domestic funding has increased, the report notes that a lack of finance remains a critical barrier and that international climate finance continues to be essential for the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan.

The policy brief contends that climate risks are often 'borderless' and that treating adaptation as a local problem hinders global ambition. It advocates for a shared terminology and a transboundary framing of risk—recognizing how impacts in one country create risks in others via trade, migration, and ecosystems—to better utilize the Paris Agreement's mechanisms, such as the global stocktake and National Adaptation Plans, for collective resilience.

The report examines the integration of gender considerations within National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, drawing on a review of documents from NAP Central and data from country teams. It identifies common challenges and themes to support countries and development partners in implementing gender-responsive adaptation planning. As of March 2023, 98% of NAPs submitted to the UNFCCC mention gender, and about 50% identify women as agents of change in climate change adaptation.

The briefing argues that climate adaptation is currently undervalued and incorrectly viewed as a local problem, which hinders global ambition. It proposes a 'transboundary' approach to climate risk, recognizing that impacts in one country create risks in others through trade, biophysical flows, people, and finance. The authors review progress from COP23 and suggest that the Paris Agreement's mechanisms—such as the global stocktake and National Adaptation Plans—should be operationalized to track and manage these cross-border risks to avoid 'climate change contagion' in the global economy.

Saint Lucia has implemented a 10-year National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, led by the Department of Sustainable Development, to build resilience against climate change. The plan identifies eight priority sectors for adaptation—Tourism, Water, Agriculture, Fisheries, Education, Health, Infrastructure & spatial planning, and Natural resource management—and utilizes Sectoral Adaptation Strategies & Action Plans (SASAPs) to implement measures. The process includes several supporting tools, such as a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report and a Monitoring & Evaluation Plan. Observed and anticipated climate impacts for the country include tropical storms, high-intensity hurricanes, sea level rise, coral bleaching, and prolonged droughts.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is implementing a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to mainstream climate adaptation into development planning and financing. The process, led by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology, identifies key climate hazards such as tropical storms, rising sea levels, and rainfall variability. Priority sectors for adaptation include agriculture, water, energy, tourism, and infrastructure. Between 2010 and 2014, extreme weather events caused losses exceeding 35 percent of the country's GDP.

The review finds that while the GCF Readiness Programme addresses critical capacity-building needs for country-owned climate action, it suffers from a lack of a clear Theory of Change, inefficient application processes, and a heavy reliance on international consultants. Key recommendations include developing a formal Theory of Change, increasing Secretariat and regional advisor capacity, streamlining application timelines, and providing guidance in multiple languages to reduce barriers for non-Anglophone countries.

The document introduces a series of sNAPshots from the NAP Global Network, focusing on the first installment which explores how developing countries approach monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for adaptation. It aims to highlight specific challenges faced during the design and implementation of these systems and identify potential solutions to address them.