National Adaptation Plans

The Conference of Parties (COP) at its sixteenth session established the process to formulate and implement NAPs to enable the LDC Parties to formulate and implement NAPs with a view to identifying medium- and long-term adaptation needs and developing and implementing strategies and programmes to address those needs; and invited other developing country Parties to employ the modalities formulated to support NAPs (see decision 1/CP.16, paragraphs 15-18). 

 

The objectives of the NAP process are (decision 5/CP.17, paragraph 1):

(a) To reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, by building adaptive capacity and resilience;

(b) To facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation, in a coherent manner, into relevant new and existing policies, programmes and activities, in particular development planning processes and strategies, within all relevant sectors and at different levels, as appropriate.

 

Guiding principles

In decision 5/CP.17, paragraph 3 and 4, the COP agreed that enhanced action on adaptation should:

  • Be undertaken in accordance with the Convention;
  • Follow a country-driven, gender-sensitive, participatory, and fully transparent approach, taking into consideration vulnerable groups, communities, and ecosystems;
  • Be based on and guided by the best available science and, as appropriate, traditional and indigenous knowledge, and by gender-sensitive approaches, with a view to integrating adaptation into relevant social, economic, and environmental policies and actions, where appropriate; and
  • Not be prescriptive, nor result in the duplication of efforts undertaken in-country, but facilitate country-owned, country-driven action.

 

Guidelines

Initial guidelines for the formulation of NAPs were adopted at COP 17 and are contained in the annex to decision 5/CP.17. COP 17 requested the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) to develop the technical guidelines for the process to formulate and implement NAPs on the basis of the initial guidelines. The guidelines have been supplemented with resources relevant to the process to formulate and implement NAPs, such as tools, methodologies and guidance, developed by the LEG and various organizations.

 

Support

Funding related to the formulation and implementation of NAPs is mandated to be provided through the Green Climate Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund, and the Special Climate Change Fund. Technical support is provided by the LEG, other constituted bodies under the UNFCCC, United Nations organizations, specialized agencies and other relevant organizations, as well as by bilateral and multilateral agencies, including through support programmes.

 

Status of formulation and implementation of NAPs

The LEG prepares an annual progress report in the process to formulate and implement NAPs, containing information on progress made by the developing countries, support provided and received. The LEG also maintains a NAP tracking tool on NAP Central, providing latest information on the status of formulation and implementation of NAPs.

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aboutNAPs
NAPguidelines

Initial guidelines for the formulation of NAPs

The initial guidelines for the formulation of NAPs by LDC Parties were adopted by the COP at its seventeenth session and are contained in the annex to decision 5/CP.17, paragraph 6. The initial guidelines contain a list of indicative activities that can be undertaken in the development of NAPs, depending on national circumstances and determined by LDC Parties, under the following four elements:

Elements of NAP initial guidelines
Credit: UNFCCC
Initial guidelines
Credit: UNFCCC

The initial guidelines for the formulation of NAPs are contained in the annex to decision 5/CP.17, and are available for download in all six UN languages:

 

 

 

NAP Technical Guidelines

The COP requested the LDC Expert Group (LEG) to elaborate technical guidelines for the NAP process based on the initial guidelines for the formulation of NAPs, and to arrange a review of these technical guidelines (decision 5/CP.17, paragraphs 15-16).

The LEG organized a review meeting from 29 to 31 October 2012 in Bonn, Germany, to review a draft of the guidelines. The meeting was attended by experts and representatives of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UN agencies and other relevant research, academic and non-governmental organizations. 

NAP Technical Guidelines
Credit: UNFCCC-LEG

 

The technical guidelines for the NAP process are available for download  in the following languages:

 

 

Hard copies are available through the UNFCCC secretariat. Please contact: LEGhelp@unfccc.int

Supplementary materials to NAP Technical Guidelines

The supplementary materials are intended to offer in-depth coverage of selected steps of the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans (NAPs).

The LEG takes note of ongoing efforts by different organizations in developing materials to supplement the technical guidelines for the NAP process. Some of the organizations have published their supplementary materials, while some have communicated their draft supplementary materials to the LEG for comments.

Supplementary materials
Credit: UNFCCC

You can visit NAP Central's Supplementary Materials Library for resources supporting the NAP Technical Guidelines.

These materials typically cover a variety of topics designed to assist countries in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process including:

  • adaptation planning,
  • finance,
  • gender considerations, and
  • sectoral-specific adaptation approaches.

 

 

Other relevant material

The NAP process: a brief overview

This booklet summarizes key principles and features of the NAP process and reflects some insights from the LEG on possible ways to undertake the process in LDCs and other developing countries.

NAP Process Overview Cover
Credit: UNFCCC

The publication is available in the following languages:

 

 

 

 

 

The poster provides a quick reference of steps, building blocks and sample outputs under each of the four elements of the NAP process.

NAP Poster
Credit: UNFCCC

The poster is available in the following languages:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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events
This page contains a list of events and workshops on National Adaptation Plans.
See more

Year

Date 

Event

Venue

2023 4 December Transformation towards accelerated implementation of National Adaptation Plans: High-level event on National Adaptation Plans  
29-30 August Regional NAP Expo for Asia and the Pacific 2023 Incheon, Republic of Korea
27-30 March NAP Expo 2023: Scaling up adaptation Santiago, Chile
21-24 February NAP writing workshop for the African LDCs Moroni, Comoros
2022 11 November NAP side event at SBI 57: Technical meeting for the implementation of NAPs Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
22-26 August NAP Expo 2022: Transformations to adapt Gaborone, Botswana
12-15 July NAP writing workshop for the Asia Pacific LDCs Siem Reap, Cambodia
9 June NAP side event at SBI 56: Technical meeting for the implementation of NAPs Bonn, Germany
24-26 March NAP writing workshop for the African LDCs Nairobi, Kenya
2021 9 November NAP Country Platform at COP 26 Glasgow, United Kingdom
2020 29 October NAP Country Platform presentation of country National Adaptation Plans Virtual event
14 October NAP Champions Webinar: Advancing adaptation through National Adaptation Plans Virtual event
9 June Advancing NAPs and climate-resilient recovery under COVID-19 Virtual event
2019 1-6 September LEG training workshop on National Adaptation Plans Nairobi, Kenya
8-12 April NAP Expo 2019: Raising Adaptation Ambition by Advancing National Adaptation Plans Songdo, Republic of Korea
2018 7 November Regional NAP Expo at the 3rd Inter-ministerial Conference on Health and Environment in Africa (IMCHE 3) Libreville, Gabon
14 June Regional NAP Expo at CBA12: Advancing NAPs through local actions Lilongwe, Malawi
4-6 April NAP Expo 2018: Advancing National Adaptation Plans Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
7-9 February Expert meeting to assess progress made in the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
2017 25-27 September LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for African Francophone countries Rabat, Morocco 
11-12 September Asia NAP Expo: Advancing National Plans in Asia Seoul, Republic of Korea 
4-7 September LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for the Latin America and the Caribbean San Jose, Costa Rica
25-28 July LEG regional training workshop on NAPs for African Francophone developing countries Agadir, Morocco
10-13 July LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for the Pacific region Nadi, Fiji
28 June Regional NAP Expo at CBA11: Advancing National Adaptation Plans Kampala, Uganda
13-16 June LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for Asia Manila, The Philippines
27 February-3 March LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for
Anglophone African least developed countries 
Lilongwe, Malawi
2016 16 November High Level Event on the Sustainable Development Benefits of Adaptation in Africa during COP 22 Marrakech, Morocco
14 November Progress in advancing National Adaptation Plans - President's high-level event during COP 22 Marrakech, Morocco
11-15 July NAP Expo 2016: Advancing National Adaptation Plans post-Paris Bonn, Germany
2015  28 September-2 October LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for African Francophone developing countries Niamey, Niger
7-11 September LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for African Lusophone and island States Antananarivo, Madagascar
10-14 August LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for the Asian region Yangon, Myanmar
27-31 July LEG regional training workshop on national adaptation plans for
Anglophone North and West African countries 
Cairo, Egypt 
16-17 April Workshop on experiences, good practices, lessons learned, gaps and needs on the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans Bonn, Germany
14-15 April NAP Expo 2015: Realizing the National Adaptation Process Bonn, Germany 
23-27 February LEG regional training workshop on NAPs for eastern and southern African LDCs, in collaboration with the NAP Global Support Programme Livingstone, Zambia
2014 3-7 November LEG regional training workshop on NAPs for the Pacific LDCs, in collaboration with the NAP Global Support Programme Port Vila, Vanuatu
8-9 August NAP Expo 2014: Catalyzing actions and support for the National Adaptation Plan process Bonn, Germany
24-26 February LEG technical meeting on NAPs Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
2013 9 June NAP Expo 2013: Launching of the NAP process in LDCs Bonn, Germany
2012 29-31 October Meeting to review draft national adaptation plan (NAP) technical guidelines, hosted by the LEG Bonn, Germany
2011 15-17 September Expert meeting on national adaptation plans Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
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decisions
This page contains COP decisions and SBI conclusions on the National Adaptation Plans.

Relevant decisions

Year Decision Title Languages
2022 9/CP.27

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2021 3/CP.26

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2019 7/CP.25

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2018 8/CP.24

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2016 6/CP.22

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2015 4/CP.21 

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU 
2014 3/CP.20

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2013 18/CP.19 

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2012 12/CP.18

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2011 5/CP.17

National Adaptation Plans

EN SP FR CH AR RU
2010 1/CP.16 The Cancun Agreements: Outcome of the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention EN SP FR CH AR RU

 

Relevant conclusions

Year Session Title Languages
2024 SBI 60

Agenda item 10c: National adaptation plans (Draft conclusions)

FCCC/SBI/2024/L.8

EN  SP  FR  CH  AR  RU

2023 SBI 59

Agenda item 21: National adaptation plans 

FCCC/SBI/2023/21

EN  SP  FR  CH  AR  RU

2023 SBI 58

Agenda item 21: National adaptation plans 

FCCC/SBI/2023/10

EN  SP  FR  CH  AR  RU

2022 SBI 57

Agenda item 13: National adaptation plans (Draft conclusions)

FCCC/SBI/2022/20

EN SP  FR  CH  AR  RU

2022 SBI 56

Agenda item 11: National adaptation plans (Draft conclusions)

FCCC/SBI/2022/10

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2021 SBI 52-55

Agenda item 12: National adaptation plans (Draft conclusions)

FCCC/SBI/2021/16

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2019 SBI 51

Agenda item 12: National adaptation plans (Draft conclusions)

FCCC/SBI/2019/20

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2018 SBI 49

Agenda item 13: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2018/22

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2018 SBI 48

Agenda item 13: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2018/9

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2017 SBI 47

Agenda item 11: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2017/19       

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2017 SBI46

Agenda item 9: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2017/7
EN SP FR CH AR RU

2016 SBI 45

Agenda item 9: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2016/20        

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2016

 SBI 44

Agenda item 9: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2016/8          

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2015  

SBI 43 

Agenda item 7: National adaptation plans 

FCCC/SBI/2015/22        

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2015

SBI 42 

Agenda item 7: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2015/10        

EN SP FR CH AR RU

FCCC/SBI/2015/10/Add.1

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2014

SBI 40

Agenda item 8: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2014/8           

EN  SP FR CH AR RU

2014 SBI 41

Agenda item 8: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2014/21
EN SP FR CH AR RU

2013

SBI 39

Agenda item 10: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2013/20        

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2012

SBI 37

Agenda item 9: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2012/33         

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2012

SBI 36

Agenda item 8: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2012/15          

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2011

SBI 35

Agenda item 7: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2011/17

EN SP FR CH AR RU

2011

SBI 34

Agenda item 8: National adaptation plans

FCCC/SBI/2011/7           

EN SP FR CH AR RU

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reports
This page contains the reports, documents and publications on National Adaptation Plans.

Reports and Documents on National Adaptation Plans

Year

Title

Document

2024 Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat

Report

FCCC/SBI/2024/23

2024

Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans - Report by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group in collaboration with the Adaptation Committee

Report

FCCC/SBI/2024/12

2024

Progress towards the achievement of the objectives of the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans, as well as experience, best practices, lessons learned, gaps and needs, and support provided and received. Synthesis report by the secretariat

Report 

FCCC/SBI/2024/10

2023 Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat Report
FCCC/SBI/2023/18
2022 Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat Report
FCCC/SBI/2022/19
2021

Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plan. Note by the secretariat

Informal paper
FCCC/SBI/2021/INF.7
2020 Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat

Informal paper
        FCCC/SBI/2020/INF.13/Rev.1

2020

Supplementary materials to document FCCC/SBI/2020/INF.13/Rev.1

Updated Table 1 Expanded: Measures undertaken in developing country Parties in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans as at 17 November 2020

Updated Table 1 Expanded
2019 Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat.

Information paper 

FCCC/SBI/2019/INF.15

2019

Supplementary materials to document FCCC/SBI/2019/INF.15

Updated Table 1 Expanded: Summary of measures undertaken by developing country Parties in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans as at 20 November 2019

Updated Table 1 Expanded
2018

Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat.

Information paper
FCCC/SBI/2018/INF.13
2018

Summary of progress made in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Report by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group in collaboration with the Adaptation Committee.

FCCC/SBI/2018/6
2018

Progress, experiences, best practices, lessons learned, gaps, needs and support provided and received in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Synthesis report by the secretariat.

Information paper
FCCC/SBI/2018/INF.1
2017 Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat.

Information paper
FCCC/SBI/2017/INF.12

2017

Supplementary materials to document FCCC/SBI/2017/INF.12

Updated Table 1 Expanded: Summary of measures undertaken by developing country Parties in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans as at 27 October 2017

Updated Table 1 Expanded

2016

Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat.

Information paper  FCCC/SBI/2016/INF.11

2016

Supplementary materials to document FCCC/SBI/2016/INF.11

  1. Updated Table 1 Expanded: Summary of measures undertaken by developing country Parties in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans showing Parties that have reported progress under each measure

  2. Updated table on financial and technical support provided and received by Parties relevant to the process to formulate and implement NAPs, based on recent national reports submitted by Parties to the UNFCCC

Updated Table 1 Expanded

2015

Information paper on the NAP Expo and the regional training workshops on national adaptation plans: experiences, good practices and lessons learned in addressing adaptation in the least developed countries. Note by the secretariat. 

Information paper      FCCC/SBI/2015/INF.14 

2015

Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat.

Information paper  FCCC/SBI/2015/INF.11

2015

Supplementary materials to document FCCC/SBI/2015/INF.11

Table 1 Expanded: Summary of measures undertaken by developing country Parties in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans showing Parties that have reported progress under each measure

Table 1 Expanded
2015

Supplementary materials to document FCCC/SBI/2015/INF.11 (footnote 19) on


Financial and technical support provided and received by Parties relevant to the process to formulate and implement NAPs, based on recent national reports submitted by Parties to the UNFCCC

Support to NAPs from Annex I countries
2015

Report on the workshop on experiences, good practices, lessons learned, gaps and needs in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat.

Report
FCCC/SBI/2015/INF.6

2014

Information paper on the national adaptation plan process. Note by the secretariat.

Information paper
FCCC/SBI/2014/INF.25

2014

Information paper on experiences, good practices, lessons learned, gaps and needs in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans.

Information paper
FCCC/SBI/2014/INF.14 

2014

Experience with the application of the initial guidelines for the formulation of the national adaptation plans. Submissions from Parties and relevant organizations. 

Miscellaneous document  FCCC/SBI/2014/MISC.1

2013

Synthesis report on experiences with the application of the guidelines for the national adaptation plan process in the least developed country Parties. Note by the secretariat.

Report
FCCC/SBI/2013/9

2013

Experience of Parties and relevant organizations with the application of the guidelines for the national adaptation plan process for the least developed country Parties. Submissions from Parties and relevant organizations.

Miscellaneous document
FCCC/SBI/2013/MISC.2 and  FCCC/SBI/2013/MISC.2/Add.1

2012

Synthesis report on the support for the national adaptation plan process for the least developed countries. Note by the secretariat.

Report
FCCC/SBI/2012/8

2012

Information from the Global Environment Facility, as an operating entity of the financial mechanism for the operation of the Least Developed Countries Fund, on how it could enable activities undertaken as part of the national adaptation plan process in the least developed countries. Submission from the Global Environment Facility.

Miscellaneous document
FCCC/SBI/2012/MISC.3

2012

Information on support to the national adaptation plan process in the least developed countries. Submissions from Parties and relevant organizations as well as bilateral and multilateral agencies.

Miscellaneous document
FCCC/SBI/2012/MISC.2 and  FCCC/SBi/2012/MISC.2/Add.1

2012

Information on how organizations and agencies have responded to the invitation to support the national adaptation plan process in the least developed countries and consider establishing support programmes. Submissions from United Nations organizations, specialized agencies and other relevant organizations, as well as bilateral and multilateral agencies.

Miscellaneous document
FCCC/SBI/2012/MISC.1

2012

Compilation of case studies on national adaptation planning processes. Note by the secretariat. 

Report
FCCC/SBSTA/2012/INF.6

2011

Synthesis report on the process and the modalities and guidelines for national adaptation plans. Note by the secretariat.

Report
FCCC/SBI/2011/13

2011

Views on the process and the modalities and guidelines for national adaptation plans. Submissions from Parties and intergovernmental organizations.

Miscellaneous document
FCCC/SBI/2011/MISC.7

2011

Identification and implementation of medium- and long-term adaptation activities in least developed countries. Technical paper.

Technical paper
FCCC/TP/2011/7

 

 

 

Publications on National Adaptation Plans

Year

Title

Link

2025 Technical brief: The NAP Data Initiative e-Publication
2024

Policy brief: Aligning National Adaptation Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions and Adaptation Communications

e-Publication
2023

NAP progress publication 2023

e-Publication
2022

NAP Progress publication 2021

e-Publication
2022

Regional approaches to adaptation planning and implementation 

e-Publication
2021

NAP progress publication 2020

e-Publication
2021

Gaps and needs related to the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans

e-Publication
2019

Toolkit for a gender-responsive process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)

e-Publication
2019

Progress in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans

e-Publication
2019

Open NAPs Policy Brief

e-Publication
2018

National Adaptation Plans 2018: Progress in the process to formulate and implement NAPs

e-Publication
2018

Considerations regarding vulnerable groups, communities and ecosystems in the context of National Adaptation Plans

e-Publication

2015

Monitoring and assessing progress, effectiveness and gaps under the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans: The PEG M&E Tool

e-Publication
2015

Information paper on how the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans can be supported in least developed countries

e-Publication
2015

Regional synergy in addressing adaptation through the national adaptation programmes of action and the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans in the least developed countries

e-Publication
2013

NAP Poster: Table of steps, building blocks and sample outputs under each of the four elements of the NAP process

Poster

2012

Technical guidelines for the National Adaptation Plan process

e-Publication
2012

The national adaptation plan process - A brief overview

e-Publication 

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