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The document finds that climate adaptation planning in Spanish cities is in its early stages, with only 11 of 54 analyzed cities having specific plans, most of which were developed in the last three years. While these plans show strengths in international network adherence and risk assessment, they lack binding legislation, dedicated budgets, and sufficient integration of equity and justice. The brief highlights Barcelona, Córdoba, and Murcia as high-performing cities and suggests that the Spanish state and regional governments should provide more technical and financial support, potentially through mandatory planning regulations similar to those in the UK, Denmark, France, and Slovakia.

The Kiribati Joint Implementation Plan (KJIP) 2019-2028 is a strategic roadmap designed to increase national resilience through a 'whole-of-country approach.' It identifies 12 major strategies covering governance, food and water security, health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and climate finance. The plan emphasizes the extreme vulnerability of Kiribati's atoll geography to sea-level rise and extreme weather, while specifically integrating gender-responsive actions and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. It formalizes the Kiribati National Expert Group (KNEG) as the primary advisory and coordination body to ensure that climate adaptation is mainstreamed into ministerial operational plans and national budgets.

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 guidance note outlines the processes for evaluating the climate impact of water infrastructure bonds. It details a Mitigation Assessment to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions against baselines and an Adaptation & Resilience Assessment based on a binary scorecard. The latter evaluates an issuer's Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan across four key areas: water allocation, governance, diagnostic technical assessments (including hydrologic modeling), and the robustness of adaptation strategies. The document emphasizes the use of science-based methodologies, such as the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol and IPCC climate projections, and provides extensive examples from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to illustrate compliance.

The ALivE tool is a decision-support system that guides users through a three-phase process to build climate resilience. Phase 1 involves gathering data via secondary research and participatory methods. Phase 2 uses the tool to analyse risks, identify and prioritise EbA options based on effectiveness and feasibility, and design project activities. Phase 3 focuses on integrating these options into broader policies and planning processes to ensure sustainability and scale.

The guide introduces the ALivE tool, which uses a step-by-step process to analyze the relationship between ecosystems, livelihoods, and climate change. It defines Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an adaptation strategy to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. The tool guides users through five modules: understanding the context, analyzing vulnerabilities, identifying EbA options, planning implementation, and establishing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks. It emphasizes participatory approaches, gender sensitivity, and the integration of EbA into national policies and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

The ALivE (Adaptation, Livelihoods, and Ecosystems) tool is a qualitative decision-support system that guides users through a three-stage process to integrate ecosystem-based adaptation into climate resilience planning. The process involves collecting data on livelihoods and ecosystems, analyzing climate and non-climate risks, prioritizing EbA options based on effectiveness and feasibility, and developing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks. The tool emphasizes gender sensitivity, adaptive management, and the integration of EbA into national and subnational policies, such as National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

The document is a user manual for ALivE (Adaptation, Livelihoods, and Ecosystems), a qualitative assessment tool used within a broader ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) planning process. It guides users through three phases: collecting information via secondary research and participatory methods, analyzing that data through a five-step computerized process to prioritize viable EbA options, and integrating these options into formal policies and planning. The tool emphasizes the links between ecosystem health, human livelihoods, and climate risks, specifically targeting the needs of vulnerable social groups and promoting gender-sensitive implementation.

The guidelines outline a four-phase process for creating SASAPs to enhance climate resilience across key sectors in Saint Lucia. The process involves stocktaking, stakeholder validation, the prioritisation of adaptation measures using a weighted 12-criteria scoring tool, and the development of project concept notes to attract international funding. The guide is based on the 2017-2018 experience of developing SASAPs for the water, agriculture, and fisheries sectors.

Nepal is currently in the formulation phase of its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), utilizing an integrated, multidisciplinary approach across seven thematic areas and two cross-cutting issues. The process emphasizes inclusivity, stakeholder engagement, and scientific rigor, building upon previous frameworks like the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and Local Adaptation Plans for Action (LAPA). Key challenges include aligning the NAP with ongoing government restructuring and ensuring meaningful participation of marginalized groups. Future priorities focus on engaging provincial and local governments, developing a formal NAP framework, synthesizing local vulnerability data, and creating a comprehensive financing strategy to transition from planning to implementation.

The NAP Global Network provided technical assistance to over 30 countries between November 2017 and November 2018, focusing on seven key themes including financing, gender, and monitoring and evaluation. The Network facilitated peer learning through Targeted Topics Forums and South-South exchanges, and worked to align bilateral donor support with national priorities, notably through a Donor Symposium in Barbados.

The report assesses Saint Lucia's vulnerability to climate change, identifying key risks to tourism, agriculture, water, and infrastructure. It evaluates the country's current adaptation capacities, highlighting strengths such as the National Climate Change Committee and weaknesses including limited in-country scientific capacity and data gaps. The document recommends improving the national knowledge base, centralizing data access, and aligning the NAP with long-term development planning.

The report finds that while most reviewed National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) mention gender, they often conflate gender with women's issues and position women as vulnerable beneficiaries rather than agents of change. It highlights significant gaps in context-specific gender analysis and the underutilization of existing in-country gender capacities. The authors recommend that governments commit to gender-responsive processes, enhance institutional linkages between climate and gender actors, and that development partners invest in capacity building and harmonize gender mainstreaming guidance.

The report assesses the integration of gender equality into Kiribati's climate adaptation planning, finding that while the Joint Implementation Plan on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KJIP) represents a positive shift from previous gender-blind documents, significant gaps remain. Gender mainstreaming in Kiribati has historically focused almost exclusively on domestic violence, leaving a lack of understanding regarding the specific linkages between gender equality and climate adaptation. The study highlights that women are often positioned as victims rather than agents of change and notes a lack of sex-disaggregated data to inform adaptation options. Recommendations include framing gender equality through a 'climate-resilient family' lens, strengthening the link between women's economic empowerment and adaptation, and formally integrating the Ministry of Women, Youth and Social Affairs (MWYSA) into the Kiribati National Experts Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KNEG).

The report assesses the integration of gender equality into Kiribati's climate adaptation planning, finding that while the KJIP represents a positive shift from previous gender-blind documents, significant gaps remain in gender analysis and institutional coordination. It highlights that gender equality in Kiribati has historically been reduced to addressing domestic violence, leaving a lack of understanding regarding the specific linkages between gender and climate change. The study recommends a family-focused approach to gender equality, strengthening women's economic empowerment, and formally integrating the Ministry of Women, Youth and Social Affairs (MWYSA) into the national climate coordination body (KNEG).

The document outlines five critical factors for building climate-resilient water infrastructure: effective communication of risks, inclusive stakeholder engagement, strategic use of entry points, adopting a systemic approach beyond individual projects, and building institutional capacity. It draws on case studies from Colombia, Africa, Mozambique, St. Vincent, and Nepal to demonstrate how these factors mitigate the risks associated with long-lived infrastructure and climate uncertainty.

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 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.