Publication

08.05.2013

UNFCCC Least Developed Countries Expert Group NAPs Guidelines

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The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) has released the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) technical guidelines, aimed at assisting developing countries in producing their NAPs in a comprehensive and strategic way.

The technical guidelines provide different options for countries to address each of the key elements for developing NAPs, which were defined in initial guidelines provided by the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCC, namely: laying the groundwork and addressing gaps; preparatory elements; implementation strategies; and reporting, monitoring and review.

Moreover, the guidelines consider lessons learned from national adaptation programmes of actions (NAPAs), which, according to the publication, were designed to address urgent and immediate needs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs),  the NAP process takes a medium- and long-term approach to reducing vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change that is integrated with national development planning processes and strategies in the pursue of a transformational change in their capacity to address adaptation. Moreover, the NAPA process was designed to produce one national adaptation programme of action, but the NAP process aims at creating a comprehensive system for countries to integrate climate change adaptation into national development plans on an ongoing basis, and subject these to a periodical update and review.

The publication features an introduction on, inter alia: NAPs and the NAP process; building upon NAPAs in the NAP process; and introduction to the purpose of the guidelines. The second part of the publication addresses steps and questions for the NAP process under each of the key elements for NAP development. A third part contains guidance on the use of the technical guidelines, as well as seven annexes, including on identification of needs for the NAP process, examples of adaptation planning policy instruments, and existing adaptation strategies and plans.

The guidelines were developed further to a request by COP 17 to the LEG to elaborate technical guidelines for the NAP process based on initial guidelines provided on formulation of NAPs, and to arrange a review of these technical guidelines. 

TAGS:

  • guideline
  • LDCs
  • NAPs
  • UNFCCC