The UNFCCC knowledge-to-action hub for adaptation and resilience
The Nairobi work programme (NWP) is a mechanism under the Convention to facilitate and catalyze the development, dissemination, and use of knowledge that would inform and support adaptation policies and practices. The programme was established at COP11 (2005) through decision 2/CP.11 and named the "Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change" at COP12 in Nairobi (2006). The NWP operates under the overall guidance of the Chair of the SBSTA, with assistance from the secretariat, and contributions from Parties and other relevant stakeholders.
A brief introduction to the NWP is provided on the page below. To learn more about the NWP, click on the spotlight boxes below.
To assist Parties, and particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to:
- Improve their understanding and assessment of impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation;
- Make informed decisions on practical adaptation actions and measures in response to climate change on a sound, scientific, technical, and socioeconomic basis in consideration of current and future climate change and variability.
The NWP provides knowledge support to the Parties and Constituted Bodies to advance adaptation action through knowledge. This is done by:
- Engaging a growing network of non-Party stakeholders in sharing their experience and expertise;
- Capturing and synthesizing the latest information and knowledge on key adaptation issues;
- Enhancing the science-policy-practice interface to close identified knowledge gaps;
- Disseminating knowledge and fostering learning to boost adaptation activity by all stakeholders.
The Nairobi work programme works with a network of over 360 partner organizations. These organizations include public entities, academic and research institutions, private sector entities, non-governmental and civil society organizations, regional centres or networks, and United Nations and affiliated organizations. With extensive experience in a wide range of relevant thematic areas and sectors, these partners help to identify and bridge adaptation knowledge gaps at the local, subnational, national, and regional level.
The NWP engages with a growing and diverse network of non-Party stakeholders to synthesize the latest knowledge on key adaptation issues and foster science-policy-practice collaboration.
The NWP covers a wide range of working areas and themes, responding to both general and specific knowledge requests from the Parties and constituted bodies under the convention. Knowledge is collected through calls for submissions and focused exchanges with technical experts. Information is then refined and disseminated through synthesis reports, events such as the annual Focal Point Forum, the online Adaptation knowledge portal, and other digital and in-person platforms. The NWP also collaborates with partners to close knowledge gaps at the national and subregional levels through activities such as the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative.
