Objective

The objective of the Nairobi work programme (NWP) is to assist all Parties, in particular developing countries, including the least developed countries and small island developing States, to improve their understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, and to make informed decisions on practical adaptation actions and measures to respond to climate change on a sound, scientific, technical and socioeconomic basis, taking into account current and future climate change and variability.

The expected outcomes of the programme of work are:

a) Enhanced capacity at international, regional, national, sectoral and local levels to further identify and understand impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation responses, and to select and implement practical, effective and high priority adaptation actions;

b) Improved information and advice to the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of impacts, vulnerability and adaptation;

c) Enhanced development, dissemination and use of knowledge from practical adaptation activities;

d) Enhanced cooperation among Parties, relevant organizations, business, civil society and decision makers, aimed at enhancing their ability to manage climate change risks;

e) Enhanced integration of actions to adapt to climate change with sustainable development.

In line with Decision 17/CP.19, the NWP should respond to knowledge needs identified by Parties and the knowledge needs arising from the implementation of the Cancun Adaptation Framework, and other relevant workstreams and bodies under the Convention. See linkages of the NWP to relevant processes and entities under and outside the Convention here.

The NWP is structured around the following nine work areas, consistent with the action-oriented sub-themes as contained in Decision 2/CP.11:

1. Methods and tools 
2. Data and observations 
3. Climate modelling, scenarios and downscaling 
4. Climate related risks and extreme events
5. Socio-economic information
6. Adaptation planning and practices
7. Research
8. Technologies for adaptation
9. Economic diversification

The full set of information on activities and resources for each work area is available from the links to the work areas above.

In addition to the work areas, the following issues will be considered under the NWP, as mandated in Decision 17/CP.19:

• Ecosystems;
• Human settlements;
• Water resources;
• Health

Further, activities under the NWP will integrate gender issues, indigenous and traditional knowledge, and the role of and impacts on ecosystems.

The modalities for implementation of the NWP, depending on the nature of the specific activities and availability of resources, may include:

a) Workshops and meetings;

b) The drawing on of knowledge, expertise and input from experts, practitioners and relevant organizations, including to prepare reports and other materials for considerations by Parties and the SBSTA;

c) The building on and/or updating of relevant existing compendiums and web-based resources;

d) Targeted submissions, including those based on questionnaires, from Parties and organizations;

e) Reports and technical papers, assessments prepared by the secretariat, Convention expert groups or experts from other organizations;

f) Other modalities, such as a group or groups of experts, upon agreement by the SBSTA.

The Adaptation Exchange