Credit: UNFCCC

Publication date: 2004

Abstract

This primer is designed to introduce the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and how it fits within the broader discussions of climate change and adaptation. It aims to provide a good basis for countries to design and develop their adaptation program within the specific confines of the least developed country (LDC) NAPA programme. This primer is largely driven by the need to explain NAPAs, and the desire to see LDCs achieve the original goals of the NAPAs – which are to identify and communicate, and then implement urgent and immediate needs for adaptation to climate variability, extremes and long-term climate change. Established at COP-7, the LDC Fund supports these efforts, with guidelines for NAPA preparation and implementation. The primer addresses misconceptions from regional workshops and clarifies NAPA’s distinct role from National Communications, emphasizing its urgent and immediate adaptation focus.