NAP Process-NDC Alignment and Why It Matters

NAP Process-NDC Alignment and Why It Matters

1. NAP-NDC Alignment
and Why It Matters
Peer Learning Forum
Deborah Murphy, Senior Associate
August 12-14, 2024
San Pedro, Belize

2. Low-Emission Development
Strategy/ GHG emission
reduction strategy
communicates countries individual
contributions to the Paris Agreement
Paris Agreement
NDC
National process to identify
medium- and long-term
adaptation needs and
strategies to address them
Mitigation Adaptation
GHG reduction
strategy
National
Adaptation Plan
(NAP)
National
-
level climate
policies
1.5-degree
target
Global Goalon
Adaptation

3. How are NAPs and NDCs
aligned?
Adaptation component of NDCs
(NDC-As): Goal-setting
•High-level vision, objectives and
needs a country intends to address
through adaptation action.
NAPs: Vehicle for implementation
•Country-driven national level
process to integrate adaptation into
planning, and to implement
adaptation actions priorities in
NDCs.

4. What is Alignment?
Alignment is the process of identifying
synergies among policy processes with
common objectives to increase
efficiency and effectiveness for
improved outcomes.

Alignment can increase:
•Coherence
•Efficiency
•Effectiveness

5. The NDC does not
include an
adaptation
component or was
developed before
the NAP process
was initiated.
The NAP is clearly
identified and
recognized as the
primary planning and
implementation
mechanisms for
adaptation. Priority
actions or contributions
are derived from the
NAP.
The NDC draws from the
NAP and high-level
adaptation information is
partially aligned. Priority
actions or contributions
are largely derived from
the NAP.
No
alignment
Formal
alignment
Informal
alignment
Partial
alignment
The NDC includes a
commitment to
develop a NAP or
acknowledges the
existence of the NAP,
but high-level
adaptation information
and priority actions or
contributions are
misaligned or missing.
NAP-NDC Alignment Continuum

6. Countries are making
these links.
For example, 49 of
56 multi-sector NAPs
reference the NDC.
KEY FINDING
Data as of June 30, 2024

7. Making the links: Adaptation
in NDCs
•151 of 166 (91%) of second or updated NDCs
as of July 2022 contained adaptation
information.
•18 NDCs were designated as AdComs.
•Parties including an adaptation component in
their NDCs are encouraged to use the AdCom
guidance (decision 9/CMA.1).
•AdCom guidance has a double function,
guiding 1) AdComs and 2) adaptation
components of NDCs.
•NDCs can use information generated through
the NAP process.
Source: Subsidiary Body for Scientific cand Technological Advice. (2022). Report of
the Adaptation Committee. FCCC/SB/2002/5/Add.1
https://unfccc.int/documents/623777
Source: Further guidance in relation to the adaptation
communication, including, inter alia, as a component of national
determined contributions, referred to in Article 7, paragraphs 10
and 11, of the Paris Agreement. FCCC/PA/CMA/2018/3/Add.1.
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/9-CMA.1_English.pdf

8. Why should we encourage
and work toward NAP-NDC
alignment?

9. Gender in NAPs and NDCs – Key Findings
Based on a review of NAPs and NDCs for a sample of 18 countries:
•In general, integration of gender considerations tends to be stronger in NAP
documents (likely because they are more detailed documents that provide more
scope for this).
•NDCs tend to focus more on process (e.g. referring to a gender analysis that was
completed) and commitments (e.g. to gender-responsive planning) rather than
providing detailed analysis of gender issues and how they are integrated in
adaptation action.
•If the NAP came first, strong integration of gender in the NAP often leads to
more substantive integration in the NDC (but not always).

10. Aligning
Reporting to the
UNFCCC
Alignment between
the NAP and NDC can
also facilitate
alignment across
reporting to the
UNFCCC.
Source: Subsidiary Body for Scientific cand Technological Advice. (2022).
Report of the Adaptation Committee. FCCC/SB/2002/5/Add.1
https://unfccc.int/documents/623777
Document Submission Timeline
National Adaptation Plan
(NAP)
Not fixed
Adaptation
Communication (AdCom)
Not fixed
Nationally Determined
Contribution (NDC)
Every 5 years (2015,
2020, 2025, etc.)
National Communication
(NC)
NC1 within 3 years of
becoming a Party to
UNFCCC, and every 4
years thereafter
Biennial Transparency
Report (BTR)
Every 2 years (2024,
2026, 2028, etc.)

11. Why align NAPs and NDCs?
•NAP processes serve to raise the profile of
adaptation in the country, building a foundation for
the NDC
•Leveraging the NAP process improves the quality of
the adaptation-related information in the NDC
•Ensures consistency in gender equality and social
inclusion (GESI)approaches.
•Including adaptation costing in NDCs supports
establishment of more accurate global cost estimates
The NAP process is the key mechanism for
adaptation and should inform adaptation
information in NDCs