Accelerating climate action and adaptation strategies at NAP Expo 2023

The IKI supported SCALA programme presented a new Climate Action review tool. 

The NAP Expo is an annual outreach event organized by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) under the UNFCCC to further National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes. 

The 8th edition of the Expo was held in Santiago, Chile in March 2023 and served as a global platform for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders to come together and exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices in climate change adaptation. With the urgency to address the impacts of climate change becoming more pressing, the Expo focused on accelerating the implementation of effective adaptation strategies to build resilience and ensure sustainable development.
 

Side event of the SCALA programme

In collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the IKI supported Scaling up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture through Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans (SCALA) programme organized a side event on transformative adaptation actions in the agriculture and land use sectors. 

The event brought together government representatives, practitioners and financiers such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to share experiences on implementing adaptation in agriculture and land use, with a focus on using systems approaches and promoting private sector engagement to leverage skills and resources. 

The event also introduced participants to SCALA’s new Climate Action Review Tool that helps support national adaptation practitioners assess the transformative potential of NDC and NAP priorities in land use and agriculture. The tool was developed and piloted in 10 countries under the SCALA programme and aims to facilitate the critical transition from planning to implementing adaptation action. It outlines a practical, step-by-step process that adaptation practitioners can follow to identify actionable entry points for transformative adaptation in the sector and, subsequently, build project pipelines to scale up adaptation.

The 8th edition of the NAP Expo 

The NAP Expo 2023 showcased innovative adaptation solutions and technologies that can be replicated and scaled up to address climate risks. Practitioners presented a wide range of adaptation actions, including ecosystem-based approaches, climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and community-driven initiatives to demonstrate the potential to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts across different sectors and regions.

Discussions revolved around the latest climate science findings, data-driven decision-making, and methodologies for assessing climate risks, ensuring that adaptation measures are evidence-based and aligned with national and international climate goals. 

Recognizing the crucial role of finance and capacity building in supporting adaptation actions, participants exchanged insights and experiences on innovative financing mechanisms and the role of public-private partnerships in mobilizing climate finance to implement adaptation initiatives. Parallel sessions and side events provided participants with an overview of available tools, skills, and knowledge to design and implement effective adaptation strategies, particularly in developing countries where the impacts of climate change are most acutely felt.

NAP Expo 2023 concluded with a strong call to action, urging governments, organizations, and individuals to accelerate climate action and prioritize adaptation efforts. The event emphasized the need for enhanced international cooperation, increased financial support, and policy frameworks that integrate climate resilience into development planning as well as inclusive decision-making processes that meaningfully engage marginalized groups, such as women, youth and indigenous communities. 

[This article is an edited version, the original one is available on the  FAO and UNDP websites.]