CMA 2 called on Parties to engage in adaptation planning processes and the implementation of actions, including the development or enhancement of relevant plans, policies and/or contributions in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 9, of the Paris Agreement, with a view to continuing to make progress towards the global goal on adaptation of enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. It requested the AC to consider approaches to reviewing the overall progress made in achieving the global goal on adaptation and to reflect the outcome of this consideration in its 2021 report.

In order to ground its work on a solid technical basis, the AC advanced in 2020–2021 a technical paper on approaches to reviewing the overall progress made in achieving the global goal on adaptation. At AC 20 it agreed to issue the technical paper, after final revisions, as an information product that was made available before COP 26.

The successful delivery of the AC’s work was also informed by an AC webinar held on 11 May 2021, and further views exchanged in a series of informal workshops on the broader topic of the global goal on adaptation conducted by the COP 25 and 26 Presidencies in the context of the Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific and Africa Climate Weeks.

By decision 1/CP.21, paragraphs 45 (b), Parties requested the Adaptation Committee (AC) and the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG), jointly with the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) and other relevant institutions, to develop methodologies and make recommendations on reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of adaptation and support referred to in Article 7, paragraph 14(c) of the Paris Agreement.

CMA 1, in considering the recommendations provided by the three bodies derived from their initial activities (see below) in addressing the mandate, noted that the current state of knowledge was not sufficient to address the mandate and invited Parties, academia and other stakeholders to undertake further technical work. It further invited the AC and the LEG, in collaboration with the SCF, and relevant experts to contribute to the technical work by continuing to compile existing methodologies (decision 11/CMA.1, paragraphs 32–36).

More information on methodologies for reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of adaptation and support is available here >>>

Through decision 9/CMA.1, para. 15, the CMA requested the AC to develop, by June 2022, draft supplementary guidance for voluntary use by Parties in communicating information in accordance with the elements listed in the annex to decision 9/CMA.1, with the engagement of IPCC Working Group II and using relevant existing guidance as a starting point, as appropriate.

The AC progressed on this deliverable in an inclusive manner, including by conducting a webinar on adaptation communications on 30 June 2021 and an expert meeting on draft supplementary guidance for adaptation communications on 22 March 2022 to gather reflections and experience from multiple stakeholders. The AC’s work was also informed by a series of informal meetings on adaptation communications conducted by the COP 25 and 26 Presidencies which helped to inform and deliver on this deliverable as mandated by June 2022. 

The work was completed in 2022 and reviewed by IPCC Working Group II representatives. The outcome of the work is available here and Corr.1.

By decision 11/CMA.1, para. 15, the CMA requested the AC, in collaboration with the LEG, NWP partner organizations, and users and developers of relevant methodologies, including academia and the private sector, to develop by June 2020 and regularly update an inventory of methodologies for assessing adaptation needs of developing country Parties. The inventory was made available on the adaptation knowledge portal in 2020 as the first step towards a technical paper due in 2022, and the AC agreed that the inventory should remain open for new entries.

In addition, CMA 1 invited Parties and observer organizations to submit views and information on the development and application of such methodologies (decision 11/CMA.1, para.16).

Further, CMA 1 requested the AC, with the engagement of IPCC Working Group II, as appropriate, to prepare, drawing on the inventory and submissions referred to above, a technical paper on methodologies for assessing adaptation needs and their application, as well as on related gaps, good practices, lessons learned and guidelines, for consideration at SBSTA 57 in the context of its consideration of the annual report of the AC (decision 11/CMA.1, para. 17).

The technical paper was reviewed IPCC Working Group II representatives and finalized in 2022. 

By decision 11/CMA.1, para. 13, the CMA requested the secretariat, under the guidance of the AC and the LEG and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to prepare synthesis reports every two years, starting in 2020, on specific adaptation themes, focusing on relevant lessons learned and good practices in developing country Parties, in the context of recognizing their adaptation efforts.

The first synthesis report, on how developing countries are addressing hazards, focusing on lessons learned and good practices, was finalized at the end of 2020 and issued in early 2021.

The second synthesis report focused on how developing countries are assessing and meeting the costs of adaptation. It was published in 2022.

The AC is currently considering the theme for the third synthesis report to be completed in 2024.