Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• Policymakers in the least developed countries (LDCs) are motivated to take demonstrable steps towards the achievement of the global adaptation goal through the national adaptation plans (NAPs) when they implement the Paris Agreement

• The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) provides helpful recommendations to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement at its first session (CMA 1), working in collaboration with the Adaptation Committee, for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement in a timely manner

Mandates

• The LEG should be mandated to provide technical guidance and advice on needs related to adaptation that may arise from the 2015 agreement and the decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its twenty-first session (November–December 2015), as determined by Parties: (decision 19/CP.21, para. 2d)

• The Adaptation Committee and the LEG to jointly develop modalities to recognize the adaptation efforts of developing country Parties, as referred to in Article 7, paragraph 3, of the Agreement, and make recommendations for consideration and adoption by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement at its first session (CMA 1): (decision 1/CP.21, para. 41)

• The Adaptation Committee and the LEG, in collaboration with the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) and other relevant institutions, to develop methodologies, and make recommendations for consideration and adoption by CMA 1 on: (a) Taking the necessary steps to facilitate the mobilization of support for adaptation in developing countries in the context of the limit to global average temperature increase referred to in Article 2 of the Agreement; and (b) Reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of adaptation and support referred to in Article 7, paragraph 14(c), of the Agreement: (decision 1/CP.21, para. 45)

Activities

Outputs

Internally prepare to address the mandates arising from decision 1/CP.21 (paragraphs 41 and 45), including through a joint meeting with the Adaptation Committee during the forty-fourth sessions of the subsidiary bodies

Joint approach with Adaptation Committee to fulfil mandates related to the Paris Agreement with appropriate steps and activities as necessary

Prepare a report to CMA 1 on the outcomes of the consideration of the mandates, in coordination with the Adaptation Committee

Report to CMA 1, either through the LEG reports or as a standalone report, coordinated with reporting by the Adaptation Committee on these joint mandates

Prepare a technical paper on gaps and needs related to technical support for the LDCs that would arise from implementation of the Paris Agreement, along the following steps: (1) Identify what is new and different in terms of adaptation planning and policy in the Paris Agreement that may inform possible updates to the guidance that the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) provides on national adaptation plans (NAPs); (2) examine existing modalities for the provision of technical guidance and support on NAPs and update them as appropriate, incorporating the new elements arising from outcomes of the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties; (3) conduct a mapping of past assessments of gaps and needs to the Paris Agreement to identify areas that remain to be supported and identify new areas for the LDCs; (4) seek validation and additional inputs from Parties and other stakeholders on the compiled gaps and needs at a side event held during at the forty-fourth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) in May 2016 and during the NAP Expo planned for July 2016

Draft technical paper to be considered by LEG 30 (August/September 2016) for finalization by November 2016

Identify the main gaps and needs of the LDCs that would arise from the implementation of the Paris Agreement and how they can be addressed by the LEG and/or others, and include the information in the report of the LEG to SBI 45

Information in LEG 30 report on compilation of gaps and needs, and ways to address them

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• The assessment by the SBI of the progress made in the process to formulate and implement NAPs is effectively supported by the information and outputs produced by the LEG (and its partners)

Mandates

• The LEG, in collaboration with the Adaptation Committee, to organize a meeting of Party experts, at which the report referred to in paragraph 12(c) of decision 4/CP.21 would be considered, with a view to providing a summary of progress made in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans: (decision 4/CP.21, para. 12(d))

• The LEG, in collaboration with the Adaptation Committee and with the support of the secretariat, to prepare a report on the meeting referred to in paragraph 12(d) of decision 4/CP.21, for consideration by the Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its forty-eighth session in its assessment of progress made in the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans: (decision 4/CP.21, para. 12(e))

Activities

Outputs

Prepare an annual update to the SBI on progress made in the process to formulate and implement NAPs based on information submitted by Parties and relevant organizations through a questionnaire to be conducted on NAP Central and other sources

Annual publication on progress on NAPs, to be finalized at the second meeting of the LEG of the each year for release by November

Summarize information on progress made in the process to formulate and implement NAPs for each developing country in a tracking tool that aggregates information by key element and principle of the process

Tracking tool on NAP Central

Prepare a concept note on the assessment by the SBI of progress made in the process to formulate and implement NAPs referred to in decision 4/CP.21, paragraph 11, with inputs from the Adaptation Committee and other relevant stakeholders, to inform the design and preparations for the assessment of NAPs by the SBI in 2018

Concept note by end 2016

Organize the meeting of Party experts referred to in decision 4/CP.21, paragraph 12(d), in collaboration with the Adaptation Committee, and prepare a report on the meeting for consideration at SBI 48

Meeting report to be submitted to SBI 48

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• The LDCs are accessing support for the formulation of NAPs from the GCF and other sources before the end of 2016

• Concrete adaptation actions identified through the NAPs in the form of policies, projects and programmes, designed to reduce vulnerability, strengthen resilience and build adaptive capacity, are being implemented through GCF support upon completion of the NAPs

Mandates

• The LEG should be mandated to provide technical guidance and advice on accessing funding from the GCF for the process to formulate and implement NAPs in collaboration with the GCF secretariat: (decision 19/CP.21, para. 2)

• The LEG and the Adaptation Committee to consider how they can provide more information on accessing funding from the GCF for the process to formulate and implement NAPs and to include such information, as appropriate, in their reports: (decision 19/CP.21, para. 10)

• To consider, with the Adaptation Committee and in collaboration with the GCF, how to best support developing country Parties in accessing funding from the GCF for the process to formulate and implement NAPs, and to report thereon to SBI 42: (decision 3/CP.20)

Activities

Outputs

Invite the GCF secretariat to LEG meetings and related events to address LDC issues relating to accessing funding from the GCF for the formulation and implementation of NAPs including on readiness activities

Progress reports on LDC access of the GCF to be included in LEG reports

Summary of issues relating to accessing the GCF by the LDCs included in LEG reports

Invite the GCF to conduct outreach events, on a regular basis, for the LDC UNFCCC national focal points, the GCF national designated authorities and other relevant stakeholders during the NAP Expo and regional training workshops

Outreach events by the GCF

Advise the GCF secretariat on expediting support to the LDCs and other developing countries on formulating and implementing NAPs, through the following: (1) Continue to develop and nurture a working relationship between the LEG and the LDCs with the GCF secretariat and the members of the GCF Board to increase understanding of their working modalities as well as to increase their understanding of the work and role of the LEG in supporting and guiding the LDCs; (2) providing regular updates to the GCF secretariat on relevant outcomes of the LEG meetings as a way to initiate an exchange of information on how the LDCs are being guided and supported to formulate and implement NAPs and to seek information on the efforts of the GCF to support the LDCs; (3) sharing relevant information with the GCF Board members from the LDCs, for example through briefings on challenges faced by the LDCs, and by engaging them in relevant events of the LEG, as appropriate

Regular exchange of information with the GCF secretariat and the GCF Board

Develop training and outreach materials, with input from the GCF secretariat and GCF implementing partners, on accessing funding from the GCF for NAPs, and use the materials in the NAP training workshops

Training and outreach materials

Regularly share information on relevant products and results of the LEG with the GCF secretariat as a way to facilitate the GCF secretariat’s expedited support to the LDCs on NAPs, national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs) and other activities

Information shared with the GCF, ongoing

Collect information, on an ongoing basis, on experiences and challenges faced by the LDCs in accessing funding from the GCF, through surveys of the LDCs conducted by the LEG at each SBI session and related events, including through the online questionnaire on NAP Central, taking into account relevant information-gathering efforts of other bodies and relevant organizations

Summary of issues relating to accessing the GCF by the LDCs included in LEG reports and other relevant outputs

Update the 2015 LEG Information paper on how the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans can be supported in least developed countries (Available at
Support_9 124.pdf>)

Updated information paper

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• Appropriate tools for the monitoring and evaluation are developed by the LEG and are being applied by the LDCs to manage and improve the process, while ensuring effective learning from experience

• Information collected by the LEG on the process to formulate and implement NAPs contribute towards the assessment of progress made in the process to formulate and implement NAPs by the SBI and related future assessments

Mandates

• The LEG (the Adaptation Committee and other relevant bodies under the Convention) to include information in their reports on how they have responded to the requests made in this decision and on their activities relevant to the NAP process, as per their respective mandates: (decision 5/CP.17, para. 34)

• The secretariat, consistent with Article 8 of the Convention, to collect, compile and synthesize information needed by the SBI to monitor and evaluate the progress made on the NAP process, drawing upon information in accordance with paragraphs 32–35 of decision 5/CP.17: (decision 5/CP.17, para. 36)

Activities

Outputs

Further develop and test the tool for monitoring and evaluation of progress, effectiveness and gaps in addressing adaptation in the LDCs (PEG M&E tool) to capture the breadth of assessments related to the process to formulate and implement NAPs

Technical outputs on the monitoring and evaluation of the process to formulate and implement NAPs

Prepare a technical paper on methods for processing and using the information collected through the online questionnaire on NAP Central and related sources to assess progress, effectiveness and gaps, using the PEG M&E tool and other relevant tools, with the support of the NAP technical working group

Technical paper

Prepare a technical paper on monitoring and assessing all the guiding principles of the process to formulate and implement NAPs, taking into account new elements arising from the Paris Agreement, using the PEG M&E tool, with the support of the NAP technical working group

Technical paper

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• A process is established in the LDCs to underpin the formulation and implementation of NAPs and is functioning smoothly and contributing to the iterative identification of adaptation needs and options and supporting the successful implementation of adaptation actions

• The process results in implementation of the essential functions of the NAP process to ensure successful adaptation

• The LDCs are successfully supported to formulated quality NAPs by 2018 and at the latest by 2020

• The LDCs are implementing priority adaptation needs identified in the NAPs with funding from the GCF and other sources

• The LDCs have achieved demonstrable results towards building adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change

• Adaptation strategies and actions are well integrated with national development efforts including in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Mandates

• To provide technical guidance and support to the process to formulate and implement NAPs: (decision 5/CP.17)

• To provide technical guidance and advice on the identification of medium- and long-term adaptation needs, their integration into development planning and the implementation of identified adaptation activities: (decision 6/CP.16)

• To support knowledge management and outreach in all elements of the NAP process

• To provide technical guidance and support on the monitoring and evaluation of progress, effectiveness and gaps in adaptation in the LDCs (in the context of NAPs, NAPAs and the LDC work programme)

• To support the process to formulate and implement NAPs through further development and enhancement of NAP Central

• To enhance the support and outreach on NAPs through NAP Expo

• To enhance the support on NAPs to developing countries through mobilization of regional centers, programmes and networks on NAPs, and a wide range of other relevant organizations

• To promote south-south collaboration in supporting the process to formulate NAPs

• Ensure coherence in support to NAPs through provision of guidance and advice to support programmes, development of supplementary materials to the technical guidelines on NAPs, promoting adherence to language on NAPs as agreed under the COP; coordinating training activities, and coordinating NAP events via a joint calendar

• To provide technical guidance and advice on the integration of climate change adaptation into national planning (decision 19/CP.21)

• To provide technical guidance and advice on the development of programmes that addresses both objectives of the process to formulate and implement NAPs :(decision 19/CP.21)

Activities

Outputs

Advancing NAPs through guidelines and technical materials

Prepare a technical paper, as a supplement to the technical guidelines, on what is new and different in the Paris Agreement in terms of adaptation planning and policy that may inform possible updates to the technical guidance and support that the LEG provides on NAPs, including through an overview publication of the process to formulate and implement NAPs being finalized by the LEG since 2015

Technical paper

Develop technical materials to supplement the technical guidelines to provide in-depth coverage of specific issues, with the support of the NAP technical working group

Technical materials complementing the technical guidelines

Prepare a supplement on the development-centred approach for the formulation of NAPs and use it in the training, with the support of the NAP technical working group

Technical paper

Organize meetings with relevant technical experts as and when needs arise to explore specific topics on NAPs, in conjunction with other events of the LEG

Technical meetings of experts on NAPs

Prepare a supplement on how to address short-term needs in the context of the process to formulate and implement NAPs to cover areas that were previously covered by NAPAs

Technical paper

Advancing NAPs through NAP Expo

Convene NAP Expo events annually, with the support of the NAP Expo advisory group, and in collaboration with relevant bodies and organizations

NAP Expo, yearly

Promote, and where appropriate conduct, regional NAP Expos in collaboration with NAP regional training workshops and other relevant events

Regional NAP Expo

Advancing NAPs through training

Develop a training strategy for the formulation and implementation of NAPs

Training strategy for NAPs

Develop and expand training materials on the formulation and implementation of NAPs (use them to finalize the NAP Sourcebook started by the LEG in 2015), with the support of the NAP technical working group

Training materials for NAPs

Conduct regional training workshops on NAPs starting in the second half of 2016 with the support of the NAP technical working group and in collaboration with relevant organizations, regional centres and networks

Regional training workshops

Set up a communication network to support NAP training, linked to NAP Central and the work of the NAP technical working group, to coordinate training on all aspects related to NAPs, with relevant partners, as a way to promote the provision of the best possible training and support to countries, while ensuring coherence and complementarity towards the successful process to formulate and implement NAPs

Communication network on NAP training for countries

A calendar of NAP events on NAP Central

Advancing NAPs through case studies at the national and regional levels

Further develop country case studies of NAPs to promote learning and application of the development-centred approach for the formulation of NAPs

NAP country case studies for selected countries

Develop case studies of NAPs at the regional level to demonstrate regional approaches to adaptation planning and to promote learning and effectiveness of guidance on NAPs across scales

NAP case studies at the regional level

Advancing NAPs through NAP Central

Receive and manage NAPs and related outputs from the LDCs

Country Portals on NAP Central and collection of NAPs and related outputs

Further develop and enhance NAP Central, using advice from the NAP Central support group and regular feedback from users, including to address relevant registry functions referred to in the Paris Agreement

Specific functions on NAP Central operational

Manage adaptation planning documents from all countries to serve as resources for others in their process to formulate and implement NAPs

Collection of documents on NAP Central, regularly updated

Use NAP Central to service knowledge management under activities of the work programme on an ongoing basis

Flexible content on NAP Central to support the LEG work programme

Promoting knowledge management on NAPs in the LDCs, through use of NAP Central Country Portals and the development of national websites

Case studies to demonstrate good practice

Use of NAP Central Country Portals as archives of national knowledge products

Continue to capture and share experiences, best practices, lessons learned, gaps and needs, and publish those on NAP Central

Best practices and lessons learned platform on NAP Central

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• All remaining NAPA projects are successfully implemented by 2020, or revised/updated and integrated into the NAP

• The LDC work programme is successfully revised or updated to reflect progress made in addressing current elements and to reflect new gaps and needs of the LDCs in the context of the Paris Agreement and other recent developments

• The LDCs are effectively supported in addressing adaptation in the context of the Paris Agreement

Mandates

• To provide technical guidance and advice on the preparation, revision or update, and on the implementation strategy of national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs): (decision 29/CP.7)

• To advise on capacity-building needs for the preparation and implementation of NAPAs and to provide recommendations, as appropriate: (decision 29/CP.7)

• To assist, as appropriate, the remaining LDC Parties that have not submitted their NAPAs in completing and submitting their NAPAs as soon as possible (request to the Global Environment Facility in collaboration with the LEG): (decision 5/CP.14)

• To provide technical guidance and advice on the revision and update of NAPAs to further improve their quality, to facilitate the integration of adaptation actions of LDCs into development planning and to reflect increased adaptation knowledge and changed priorities in the countries, upon request by LDCs: (decision 6/CP.16)

• To provide technical guidance and advice on the monitoring, revision and implementation of the elements of the LDC work programme other than NAPAs that are relevant to the expertise of the LEG: (decision 6/CP.16)

• To serve in an advisory capacity to the LDCs: (decision 8/CP.13)

• To identify support needs for the process of formulation and implementation of NAPs: (decision 5/CP.17)

• To consider if there is a need to update the LDC work programme and to make recommendations for consideration by SBI 48 (April–May 2018), with a view to those recommendations being forwarded to COP 24 (November 2018), as appropriate

• Provide technical guidance and advice on needs related to adaptation that may arise from the Paris Agreement and the decisions adopted at COP 21, as determined by Parties (2015)

Activities

Outputs

Provide ongoing support to the LDCs and SBI on NAPAs including through ongoing tracking and reporting on progress on the implementation of NAPAs under the Least Developed Countries Fund to the SBI

Technical guidance to the LDCs

Regular progress reports to the SBI through the LEG reports on NAPAs and the LDC work programme

Consider the revision and update of the LDC work programme using the following steps: (1) preparation of a concept note on the revision/update; (2) collection of views from Parties and relevant stakeholders; (3) validation of the results through relevant stakeholders; (4) submission to the SBI of a report on recommendations for the revision and update of the LDC work programme

Concept note

Compilation of views from Parties and stakeholders through the NAP Expos and other LEG activities

Report to the SBI before 2018 on recommendations for the revision and update of the LDC work programme

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• The LDCs are effectively assisted in their efforts to integrate gender-related considerations and considerations regarding vulnerable communities, groups and ecosystems into adaptation

Mandates

• To provide technical guidance and advice on strengthening gender-related considerations and considerations regarding vulnerable communities within least developed country Parties: (decision 6/CP.16, para. 2(c))

Activities

Outputs

Prepare an information paper on considerations regarding vulnerable communities, groups and ecosystems in the context of the process to formulate and implement NAPs

Information paper on gender and vulnerable communities

Continue to consider how gender responsiveness is considered in NAPs as part of addressing all guiding principles of the process to formulate and implement NAPs

Updated training and related technical materials to reflect gender responsiveness

Conduct a technical workshop on how to identify and address vulnerable communities, groups and ecosystems, in collaboration with the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change (NWP) during NAP Expo 2016

Technical workshop on vulnerable communities, groups and ecosystems during NAP Expo 2016

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• Activities at different scales and levels are internally coherent and complement each other

• The LDCs are supported to increase the effectiveness of their adaptation efforts through planning at the regional level to promote synergy and cooperation in transboundary resource management

Mandates

• Also decides that the Least Developed Countries Expert Group should be mandated to provide technical guidance and advice on regional approaches to adaptation planning: (decision 19/CP.21, para. 2b);

Activities

Outputs

Assemble information on regional approaches to adaptation planning based on (1) preparing a conceptual scoping of regional approaches and issues, (2) mapping of regional adaptation programmes relevant to the LDCs and (3) making the information available on NAP Central

Information paper on regional approaches

Conduct an expert meeting on regional approaches to adaptation planning and implementation and synergy with national efforts under NAPs (at NAP Expo 2016/2017)

Expert meeting on regional approaches at NAP Expo 2016/17

Develop supplementary guidelines on regional approaches to adaptation planning and their implementation on the basis of the outcomes of the two above-mentioned activities

Supplementary guidelines, as appropriate

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• Coherence in support to the LDCs is promoted under the Convention, regionally and with other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)

• Improved knowledge of the special circumstances of the LDCs in the context of Article 4, paragraph 9 of the Convention, to inform the work of other bodies under the Convention

Mandates

• To collaborate with other constituted bodies under the Convention, including by inviting members of these bodies to participate, as appropriate, in its meetings: (LEG decision 19/CP.21);

• To invite the Green Climate Fund secretariat to its meetings, as appropriate: (LEG decision 19/CP.21);

• To continue to invite the Global Environment Facility and its agencies to its meetings, as appropriate: (LEG decision 19/CP.21);

• To invite the Adaptation Committee and other relevant bodies under the Convention to contribute to the work of the LEG in support of the NAP process, and to report, as appropriate: (decision 5/CP.17);

• The TEC, in collaboration with the CTCN, the Adaptation Committee and the LEG, to consider how it can help Parties align their technology needs assessments with the process to formulate and implement NAPs: (decision 3/CP.21, para. 5)

Activities

Outputs

Invite the Adaptation Committee to nominate its members to the NAP technical working group, NAP Expo advisory group, NAP Central support group and NAP regional training workshop advisory group

Participate in the work of the Adaptation Committee task force on NAPs

Engage with the NWP to mobilize its partner organizations for action and/or to share information on selected topics

Participate in the long-term finance forum in May 2016 in response to an invitation from the Standing Committee on Finance

Expected results (outcomes and impacts)

• Regional centres and networks are useful platforms for creating adaptation communities of practice such as for regional programmes, technical assessments and support to regional policies

Mandates

• To invite representatives of regional centres or networks to its meetings as observers, when appropriate: (decision 19/CP.21)

• To invite relevant regional centres to nominate one focal point each for the LEG with a view to enhancing collaboration with those centres: (decision 19/CP.21)

• To invite representatives of global programmes, projects and/or networks that support the process to formulate and implement NAPs to its meetings, as appropriate, as a way to promote the exchange of experiences and lessons learned: (decision 19/CP.21)

• To engage a wide range of organizations to support the implementation of its work programme: (decision 6/CP.16, para. 5)

Activities

Outputs

Engage and mobilize regional centres and networks to nominate focal points (based on opportunities for synergy and the potential to address gaps and needs for adaptation in the LDCs, e.g. data gaps)

Focal points of regional centres and networks

Mobilize relevant organizations, regional centres and networks to enhance support for readiness of the LDCs to access funding from the GCF for NAPs

Expanded readiness support

Continue to engage a wide range of organizations, regional centres and networks on the provision of technical guidance and support on adaptation to the LDCs, including through the advisory, working and/or support groups established by the LEG to support various activities