1. What are 'action pledges' and what will they achieve?

Action pledges provide an avenue for organisations to publicize their involvement in the Nairoibi work programme, and the activities that they are carrying out towards the objectives and expected outcomes of the work programme.

2. How are action pledges different from submissions under the Nairobi work programme?

Submissions provide information on past and current activities, and allow Parties and organizations to share views, experiences, needs and concerns. They are submitted on specific topics such as 'methods and tools' and 'adaptation planning and practices' by the request of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice.

The action pledges are geared towards future actions, and how these can be tailored to better address the objectives of the work programme. They are a way for the Nairobi work programme to engage a wide range of organizations, institutions, experts and communities in its implementation.

3. What are the benefits in making an action pledge?

Countries have asserted themselves as partners to the Nairobi work programme and, as such, have taken up the responsibility of working towards the achievement of its objectives. Action pledges represent the practical embodiment of this commitment.

By disseminating information on the action pledges through the NWP network, opportunities for synergy and cooperation in completing the action pledge (and therefore moving closer to the goals of the work programme) can be identified, strengthened and operationalised.

4. What kind of pledges can be made?

Activities that organizations are considering include:

• Improving climate monitoring and observation systems;
• Applying methods and tools used by other communities (e.g. development, disaster risk reduction and sectoral communities) in climate change impacts and vulnerability assessment;
• Regional climate change scenarios taking into account socio-economic, environmental and institutional factors;
• Tools for social analysis to improve socio-economic information in vulnerability and adaptation assessments;
• Web tools and information systems to ensure relevant data and technologies are widely disseminated;
• Activities to increase capacity of developing country scientists to carry out vulnerability and adaptation assessments;
• Pilot projects to identify decision support systems for climate change adaptation and to address climate change risks;
• Education programmes to increase awareness of climate change adaptation among the public (including youth) and policy-makers.

Actions could also be chosen to respond to needs identified by Parties and other organisations during NWP workshops and in submissions. There is no deadline for making pledges, and the activities themselves can range from one-off papers and projects, to longer term programmes and research goals. There is no obligation in terms of time commitment for the pledge.