DAKAR, SENEGAL, FEBRUARY 16, 2023—Government actors leading on National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes will meet in Dakar, Senegal, from February 21–23 to learn how to increase the efficiency and accuracy of their climate change adaptation operations with risk and vulnerability assessments (RVAs).
The NAP Global Network and the Government of Senegal have invited government representatives from seven countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Lebanon, Lesotho, Somalia, and Togo) to learn from each other’s experiences on the proper development and use of RVAs in NAP processes. Subject matter experts will also hold technical sessions to explain the concept and design of RVAs, as well as their strategic role in adaptation planning processes.
Country governments will often only use RVAs to inform the development of the NAP document by identifying which sectors are most vulnerable to climate change and prioritizing adaptation measures. Yet, if performed more than once, these RVAs can also be used in the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) of adaptation—tracking progress on whether adaptation action is managing these risks, reducing vulnerability, and building resilience to climate change.
“Risk and vulnerability assessments are fundamental to effective climate change adaptation,” said Anne Hammill, Senior Director of the NAP Global Network Secretariat, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development. “Through our work with developing countries on their NAP processes, we are learning how countries can use them to their full potential.”
Representatives of the host country, Senegal, will share their experiences—such as with the vulnerability assessment of the Senegal River Delta—while also eager to learn more ahead of the vulnerability studies planned for their water, biodiversity, tourism, and livestock sectors.
“If we want to provide adequate answers to the problems faced by countries such as ours, it is essential to understand all the mechanisms of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and people’s living conditions, to anticipate these changes at global, regional and national levels and to propose adaptation solutions,” said Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Head of Climate Division, Coordinator of Senegal’s NAP process.
Over three days, government representatives will participate in workshops and activities to:
- Develop a shared understanding of the role of RVAs in NAP processes.
- Share experiences and lessons learned on different approaches to undertaking RVAs to advance gender-responsive NAPs.
- Explore the links between RVAs and MEL in the NAP process.
Support for this peer learning event has been provided by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. More information about the NAP Global Network is available at: napglobalnetwork.org/.
Quotes
“Climate change is a reality, and its impacts are becoming more acute, which means we need an approach to adaptation and resilience that is long term. This requires sectoral analysis, as well as broader analysis at different scales”
Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Head of Climate Division, Coordinator of Senegal’s NAP proces
“Through the NAP Global Network, we host peer learning events to help countries identify shared challenges and support each other in advancing national adaptation planning and action. We hope this event in Senegal will help accelerate effective adaptation action in some of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.”
Anne Hammill, Senior Director, NAP Global Network Secretariat
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Dibor SARR
Program Officer, Adaptation and Gender National Focal Point under the UNFCCC
Climate Change Division, Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, Government of Senegal
Email: fayet614@gmail.com
Facts: Climate change adaptation in Senegal
- Studies carried out in Senegal on the consequences of climate change observed a downward trend in rainfall, an increase in average temperatures, a rise in sea level, and disturbances in the availability of water and fisheries resources, soils, and cultivable areas.
- Senegal’s key economic sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, tourism, and biodiversity, are all directly or indirectly exposed to the impacts of climate change.
- Senegal’s NAP process began in 2015, using a sectoral, participatory, and inclusive approach.
- Two sectoral NAP documents have since been released for the fisheries sector and coastal zone.
- With support from the Global Environment Facility, NAPs for the agriculture, transportation infrastructure, health, and flood-related risk management sectors are being finalized. As part of this process, sectoral and regional vulnerability assessments were carried out in five regions representing five different agro-ecological zones.
About the National Adaptation Plan process
- The NAP process is a strategic process that enables countries to identify and address their medium- and long-term priorities for adapting to climate change. Led by national governments, the NAP process involves analyzing current and future climate change and assessing vulnerability to its impacts. This provides a basis for identifying and prioritizing adaptation options, implementing these options, and tracking progress and results.
- The NAP process also aims to facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into relevant new and existing policies, programs, and development planning.
- To date, 139 developing countries have launched a NAP process, and 42 have submitted a National Adaptation Plan document to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Facts: NAP processes in developing countries
The data below reflect NAPs submitted to the UNFCCC as of November 21, 2022. Find more relevant statistics on NAP Trends.
- 65% of NAPs indicate a commitment to progress reporting.
- 46% of NAPs include a monitoring and evaluation framework.
- 51% of NAPs identify indicators of progress.
- These NAPs identify an average of nine priority sectors.
About the NAP Global Network
The NAP Global Network was created in 2014 to support developing countries in advancing their NAP processes and help accelerate adaptation efforts around the world. To achieve this, the Network facilitates South-South peer learning and exchange, supports national-level action on NAP formulation and implementation, and generates, synthesizes, and shares knowledge. The Network’s members include individual participants from more than 155 countries involved in developing and implementing National Adaptation Plans. Financial support for the Network has been provided by Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Secretariat is hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). For more information, visit www.napglobalnetwork.org.