Search Climate Insights Directory

Albania is mainstreaming climate adaptation into its national budget by utilizing the Medium Term Budget Program (MTBP) 2018–2020 as a primary entry point. Following the ratification of the Paris Agreement, the Ministry of Finance required line ministries to identify measurable climate-related objectives and costs. To support this, Albania launched a pilot exercise involving the ministries of Agriculture, Interior, Environment, and Urban Development to label adaptation measures and develop new initiatives. The government aims to spend at least USD 5 million from the public budget for NAP implementation by 2018 and is considering the adoption of OECD Rio Markers to improve the tracking and reporting of adaptation expenditures.

Togo has adopted a government-wide, multisectoral approach to climate change adaptation, treating it as a development issue central to its Vision 2030 goals. The country is systematically mainstreaming adaptation into national planning and the domestic budget, led by the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Key climate threats identified include heatwaves, droughts, floods, rainfall variability, and sea level rise, affecting priority sectors such as agriculture, coastal zones, health, human settlements, and water.

Albania implemented a pilot exercise to mainstream climate change adaptation into its 2018-2020 Medium-Term Budget Process, involving seven budget programs across four ministries. The process focused on identifying adaptation measures at various levels of government programming and improving the tracking of expenditures through the national financial system. The government intends to use this data for reporting to the UNFCCC and the European Union, with a long-term goal of potentially establishing a multi-sectoral government program on climate change if the mainstreaming process is deemed successful by international assessments.

The document provides guidance on identifying and securing diverse funding sources for National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, emphasizing that finance is required across all stages, including initiation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. It specifically examines approved proposals to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) from developing countries to support national adaptation planning activities.

The workshop, attended by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC) staff, focused on creating an action plan to communicate Ethiopia's NAP process. Participants developed messages for international entities like the UNFCCC and multilateral donors, emphasizing the need for technical and financial support. The group identified priority channels including the MEFCC website, policy briefs, and social media for international reach, while noting that radio, television, and clan leaders are essential for reaching national audiences due to limited internet usage and linguistic diversity.

The report details a workshop conducted by the NAP Global Network with the Ethiopian government to transition from the finalization of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP-ETH) to its implementation. It outlines five strategic priorities for adaptation: mainstreaming into policies, building institutional capacity, establishing sustainable funding, advancing research, and improving knowledge management. The document also assesses the opportunities and challenges regarding vertical integration, noting that while political commitment and existing governance structures are strengths, financial constraints and capacity gaps at sub-national levels remain significant hurdles.

This policy brief argues that climate change adaptation is only effective and sustainable if it accounts for gender differences in vulnerability, needs, and capacities. It defines gender-responsive approaches as those that actively address gender norms and inequalities to promote equality, rather than just acknowledging differences. The brief outlines a framework for integrating gender across the NAP cycle—planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E)—and across enabling factors like institutional arrangements and capacity development. A pilot review of NAP documents from 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas found that while gender is often recognized as a factor or cross-cutting issue, there is a lack of detailed steps for implementation and resource allocation.

The document argues that gender-responsive National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes are essential for effective and sustainable climate adaptation, as women often face unique barriers to resources and information. It defines gender-responsive approaches as those that actively challenge unfair norms and structures to promote equality, rather than merely acknowledging differences. The provided framework outlines specific actions across the NAP cycle—planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E)—as well as enabling factors like institutional arrangements and capacity building. A pilot review of NAP documents from 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas found that while gender is often recognized as a vulnerability factor or cross-cutting theme, there is a lack of detailed implementation steps and resource allocation strategies.

The document argues that gender equality is a human right and a prerequisite for sustainable climate adaptation, as women and men experience climate impacts differently and face distinct barriers to resources. It defines 'gender-responsive' approaches as those that actively challenge gender norms and inequalities rather than just acknowledging differences. The briefing provides a detailed framework for NAP teams, covering planning (e.g., using sex-disaggregated data), implementation (e.g., gender-responsive budgeting), and monitoring and evaluation (e.g., tracking women's empowerment). A pilot study of NAP documents from 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas found that while gender is often recognized as a cross-cutting issue, there is a lack of specific detail on implementation and resource allocation.

As of May 2017, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has engaged with 105 countries on 165 readiness requests, committing or spending a total of USD 34.3 million. The programme focuses on strengthening National Designated Authorities (NDAs), developing country programmes and project pipelines, and supporting the accreditation of direct access entities. Key achievements include the provision of in-kind accreditation support to 102 entities across 55 countries and the development of strategic frameworks in various regions. The report details specific activities in countries such as Tonga, Djibouti, and Namibia, and outlines the establishment of no-objection procedures in 34 countries. Additionally, it highlights regional structured dialogues in Asia and Eastern Europe and Central Asia to facilitate project pipelines and knowledge sharing.

The document details the outcomes of a two-day assembly in May 2017 aimed at advancing Colombia's National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change (PNACC). It identifies critical gaps in institutional continuity, financing, and the integration of local community knowledge, while highlighting the role of regional nodes and international cooperation in bridging these gaps. The report emphasizes the need to transition from a top-down approach to a transversal network that fosters bidirectional communication between national entities and territorial actors.

The NAP Global Network conducted a pilot review of NAP-related documents in 15 countries, finding that while most countries include gender as a cross-cutting theme or principle, significant gaps remain. Key issues include the tendency to frame women solely as vulnerable groups rather than agents of change, a lack of transparency regarding the gender balance of participants in the planning process, and inconsistent integration of gender into specific adaptation options and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

The document highlights Peru's vulnerability to climate events, citing the severe impacts of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the high economic risks of climate change. It advocates for the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to build resilience in priority sectors including water, agriculture, fisheries, forests, and health.

The document highlights Sudan's efforts to integrate national and subnational climate adaptation planning. As one of the first developing countries to submit a National Adaptation Plan to the UNFCCC, Sudan focuses on 'vertical integration' to create strategic links between national and state-level implementation and monitoring.

The document highlights South Africa's commitment to vertical integration—linking national and subnational adaptation planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation—by utilizing the Let's Respond Toolkit as a web-based information-sharing mechanism.

The GCF Board approved eight funding proposals totaling USD 387.5 million and accredited seven new entities. Key administrative outcomes include the approval of a USD 43.4 million budget for 2017 and the establishment of work plans for the Independent Redress Mechanism and Independent Integrity Units. The Board also discussed the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, allocating up to an additional USD 50 million to it.

The Republic of the Sudan has implemented a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) that emphasizes vertical integration by building the capacity of its 18 state-level governments to lead adaptation action. Efforts have focused on establishing state-level planning bodies, providing downscaled climate data and vulnerability assessments, and delivering technical training on climate modelling and financing. While state governments hold significant legislative and executive authority, the document notes that financial decentralization remains limited. In the Eastern States (Kassala, Red Sea, and Al Qadarif), adaptation plans specifically target agriculture, water, and coastal zones, while highlighting women's empowerment as a key enabling factor.

The document highlights South Africa's commitment to vertical integration in climate adaptation planning, specifically through the Let’s Respond Toolkit. This platform provides local governments and stakeholders with practical tools, technical data, and planning supports to develop Climate Change Response Plans. Future strategies include establishing provincial forums and appointing local climate change champions to improve two-way communication with communities.

The document argues that NAPs, NDCs, and SDGs are mutually reinforcing frameworks for climate-resilient development. It provides a four-quadrant framework to help countries align their NDC adaptation components with their NAP processes, depending on the progress of each. Furthermore, it positions the NAP process as an operational bridge to the SDGs, specifically targets 13.1 and 13.2, and demonstrates how sector-specific adaptation in agriculture, infrastructure, and marine resources aligns with various SDG goals. The authors emphasize the need for operational alignment through cross-referencing priorities, harmonizing indicators, and coordinating reporting structures to maximize resources and political support.

As of March 2017, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has engaged with 111 countries on 172 readiness requests, committing a total of USD 27.4 million. The programme focuses on strengthening national designated authorities (NDAs), supporting the accreditation of direct access entities, and assisting with adaptation planning and strategic frameworks. While 83 requests have been approved (USD 24.2 million), only 48 have seen disbursements (USD 4.5 million). The GCF plans to process approximately 160 new requests in 2017 and is automating its administration through the Fluxx system.