NAIROBI WORK PROGRAMME eUPDATE
Highlights from the UNFCCC's Knowledge-to-Action Hub
for Adaptation and Resilience
June 2020 | Issue 2
Narrowing Knowledge Gaps at National and Regional Levels
Get engaged with UNFCCC Constituted Bodies and Work Programmes
Collective Progress
Contribute to Adaptation Knowledge
Work of NWP partners
Get in Touch!
Dear NWP Community,

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, countries faced many knowledge barriers to scaling up adaptation. The pandemic has placed additional social and economic burdens on poor and vulnerable people. Global efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change are more pressing than ever. The Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) has a critical role to play, from facilitating partnerships to close climate change adaptation knowledge gaps, to further supporting the work of decision makers.

In 2019, the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) mandated the NWP   to deepen its work with relevant constituted bodies a s it has with the Adaptation Committee . The Adaptation Committee regularly relies on the technical knowledge and generous input from NWP partners. After all, how can the Committee offer relevant guidance to Parties without insights from those who are able to ground-truth what works and what doesn’t.

In the face of the pandemic, some constituted bodies like the Adaptation Committee’s recent 17th meeting (AC17) moved online . AC17 demonstrated new, virtual opportunities for engagement. During the meeting, the Adaptation Committee provided new advice , including an invitation to NWP partners to respond to a survey about tools and knowledge Parties require to assess their adaptation needs.

There are many opportunities outlined in this eUpdate for you to engage, including participation in the 2020 Technical Examination Process on Adaptation (TEP-A) . The 2020 TEP-A, with a focus on education and training, public participation and youth. It will identify opportunities for strengthening resilience, reducing vulnerabilities, and increasing the understanding and implementation of adaptation actions.

We also encourage you to share your work with the NWP.
 
Our best wishes, and stay safe, 

Cecilia da Silva Bernardo and Alessandra Sgobbi 

Co-Chairs

Adaptation Committee
Feature Piece: Annual Report of the NWP: Responding to Countries' Adaptation Knowledge Needs

As a knowledge-to-action hub on adaptation and resilience, the Nairobi Work Programme supports action to build climate adaptation and resilience. This annual report documents progress, good practices and challenges in implementing projects in collaboration with partner organizations and experts.

Key features include:
  • improving the Adaptation Knowledge Portal based on your feedback from our recent survey;
  • creating user-friendly knowledge products to inform decision making processes;
  • working with expert groups to catalyse action on the oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems, and biodiversity thematic areas; and
  • advancing work on bridging pre-identified knowledge gaps in countries and subregions under the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative.

The activities include ongoing collaboration and support to the work of the constituted bodies under the UNFCCC process. The report also contains an indicative work plan for 2020–2021.

You can read the report here .
Narrowing Knowledge Gaps at National and Regional Levels
University Graduate Students Undertake Actions to Address Knowledge Gaps

Several projects have been undertaken in collaboration with universities, global and regional centres and networks to address adaptation knowledge gaps in various countries and subregions in context of the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative . The graduate students bring a multidisciplinary skill set and a willingness to learn and apply their skills, often using innovative approaches to address the knowledge gaps. These partnerships with universities have demonstrated the potential to be replicated in other subregions and expanded to other areas of UNFCCC work.

Most recently, three projects have been successfully completed. Graduate students from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, a NWP partner, focused on evaluating the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge on critical infrastructure in Seychelles. The students worked closely with the Seychelles Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, National Bureau of Statistics, and Department of Risk and Disaster Management . The students developed four knowledge outputs:

Harvard Kennedy School graduate students worked with UNFCCC regional partner The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development  to improve access to awareness-raising products and early warning systems for multiple hazards in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. They produced actionable and feasible policy recommendations that the intergovernmental organization could implement.

NWP's newest partner, The Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, collaborated with partners International Union for Conservation of Nature and The Mountain Institute to assess monitoring, evaluation and learning systems of an ecosystem-based adaptation project in the Peruvian highlands. The students have highlighted lessons learned in a digital multimedia brief in addition to a report.

The NWP is seeking to close pre-identified adaptation knowledge gaps in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) and North Africa through the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI) . The LAKI addresses critical knowledge gaps that impede the implementation and scaling up of adaptation actions at a subregional scale. This initiative is being undertaken in partnership with the UNFCCC Regional Climate Centre in Dubai , United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia office, the Global Adaptation Network, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA).

To ensure the actions are being designed to close existing knowledge gaps, the UNFCCC, UNEP and UNESCWA will reach out to a number of implementing institutions across the two subregions. This process will be undertaken through virtual meetings and will support the team’s preparation for a technical expert meeting in the last quarter of 2020.

For more information on this work, please contact: [email protected]
Get engaged with UNFCCC constituted bodies and work programmes
The NWP has new mandates to provide technical support to the UNFCCC constituted bodies and work programmes, building on the collaboration with the Adaptation Committee and the Least Developed Countries Group of Experts. These provide opportunities for engagement for the NWP Partners. What’s a UNFCCC constituted body? It’s a technical committee that provides guidance to Parties on different topics on adaptation and mitigation to deliver the Paris Agreement.

What Methodologies Do You Use to Assess Your Adaptation Needs?

The Adaptation Committee is exploring this question and it needs your support.

The Adaptation Committee , in collaboration with the LEG, NWP partners, and other stakeholders, is launching an inventory of the different methodologies that Parties use to assess their most urgent adaptation needs and how these can be addressed. Please respond to the survey about assessing adaptation needs by 30 June 2020.

This inventory will offer a centralized hub of information for those looking to understand which tools are available for assessing various types of adaptation needs in different contexts.

The inventory, along with submissions from Parties expected in early 2021, will serve as input for a technical paper. The paper will shed light on the different methodologies for assessing adaptation needs, as well as their application, related gaps, good practices, lessons learned and guidelines. For further background information, please review the report here (para. 15-17).

The 2020 Technical Examination Process on Adaptation (TEP-A) , established under the Paris Agreement to promote enhanced action and conducted by the Adaptation Committee, is focusing on the topic of Education and training, public participation and youth to enhance adaptation action.

Launched in June 2020 , the TEP-A will engage experts, organizations, youth, governments, and other stakeholders from around the world in a multifaceted discussion over several months that seeks to unearth and distill the opportunities in adaptation-related education and training as well as in youth and public participation. Details will be available shortly here and announced on the Adaptation Exchange Facebook Page .

The CGE Meets to Formulate Vision, Mission and Strategic Objectives to Inform its Work

The Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) formulated its “ Vision, Mission statement and Strategic objectives ” in February to guide its work from 2020 to 2026.

The CGE will continue to provide technical support and advice to developing country Parties to respond to their technical assistance needs. This will inform the implementation of existing Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) arrangements and the enhanced transparency framework under the Paris Agreement, including sustainable institutional arrangements and data management systems.

As part of the 2020 work plan , the CGE will conduct webinars , develop technical guidance documents, and organize regional hands-on training workshops. Two webinars have already been conducted on “Transitioning from the Revised 1996 to 2006 IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories”, which can be found here . Another webinar on the same topic was held in Spanish on 18 June. You can find more details on the CGE webpage.
 
Ensuring the Delivery of National Adaptation Plans  

The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) continues to engage with the least developed countries (LDCs) on advancing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) through the Open NAP initiative. Through the initiative, the LEG is using crowd-sourcing and online platforms to assist the LDCs to overcome bottlenecks, produce their first NAP by the end of 2020, and develop project proposals to implement the policies, projects and programmes identified in the NAPs. More information is available here .

With the NAPs promoting a systems approach to addressing climate change, they offer an opportunity for countries to address multiple development objectives, hence seen as an important vehicle to achieving sustainable development, and ensuring resilient COVID-19 recovery efforts. For more information, including how to engage in the Open NAP initiative, please contact: [email protected]
 
In addition, three important LEG reports have been recently published: the 37 th  meeting of the LDC Expert Group (LEG) , the stocktaking meeting of the work of the LEG and the synthesis report on the progress, need for continuation and terms of reference of the LEG . These documents profile the current work of the LEG. 

F inance for Nature-based Solutions

The Standing Committee on Finance is gearing up for its next Forum on the topic “Finance for Nature-Based Solutions”.
 
Several studies and papers have highlighted that nature-based solutions for climate change offer an opportunity to protect and restore natural ecosystems, while reducing the risk of adverse effects of climate change and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
 
For the past seven years, the Forum has annually convened more than 120 climate finance actors under the UN flag to identify how climate finance can flow to those who need it the most, by sharing best practices and lessons learnt in generating and channeling climate finance.
 
The Committee will continue its preparatory work over the coming months to design the programme of the Forum, collaborate with expert organizations and practitioners and conduct outreach activities. The Standing Committee on Finance is now inviting Parties and observers to provide inputs on its next forum on Finance for Nature-Based Solutions. For more details of the Forum, visit https://unfccc.int/SCF or contact the secretariat at [email protected] . 

The first report  on the determination of the needs of developing country Parties related to implementing the Convention and the Paris Agreement is on track.

The first of its kind, the report will include available information and data on the needs of developing countries by type, theme and sector, across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Over the coming months, the SCF will continue its work through outreach events and a call for evidence to gather inputs to inform the report.

A webinar for external contributors and finance experts was conducted on 7 April 2020, bringing together more than 140 participants across the globe. This virtual space supported informal exchanges of views and inputs on the needs of developing countries.

The report will inform the 4th High-level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance to be held at COP26, the discussions on setting a new collective goal from the floor of USD 100 billion for the post-2025 period, and the Global Stocktake, which is designed to assess the adequacy of climate action by the international community.
Biennial Assessment and Climate Finance Flows: Provide Evidence for a Flagship Report

One of the flagship products of the Standing Committee on Finance is the Biennial Assessment and Overview of Climate Finance Flows, which has been published since 2014. Using online collaboration tools, the Secretariat and the SCF co-facilitators are guiding a group of experts to prepare the technical report. In addition, a webinar for external contributors and experts was held on 7 th April 2020 with over 140 participants. The webinar facilitated an informal exchange of views and inputs on the latest development on climate finance issues.

In the coming months, a call for evidence will be announced for all stakeholders to input their views to inform the preparation of the report.
The Facilitative Working Group of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform 

Provide Inputs to the Work with Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples

The Facilitative Working Group ( FWG) facilitates the implementation of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP). The platform is an inclusive space which brings together people and their knowledge systems as well as positive values to build a climate resilient world for all. 
 
The ongoing implementation of the initial two-year workplan of the LCIPP enhances the exchange of experiences, builds capacity for engagement, and weaves diverse knowledge systems into climate policies and actions.
 
As part of this, an open informal FWG stakeholder dialogue was held on 9 June 2020. This virtual event was part of the UNFCCC’s “ June Momentum for Climate Change ”. During the event, updates were provided by FWG members to all stakeholders on progress under the LCIPP and a significant amount of time was dedicated to comments and views from participants.
 
Upcoming ways to engage in the LCIPP: Three calls for submission  were launched and the deadline has been extended to 1 September. We are eager to hear your views on these three important topics! More details can be found  here . 
Warsaw International Mechanism Executive Committee on Loss and Damage
WIM Excom Pioneered Virtual Meetings for Constituted Bodies of the UNFCCC

The Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM Excom) became the first constituted body under the UNFCCC to hold a virtual meeting.

Given the richness of the outcomes of the 2019 WIM review at COP 25 , a significant amount of work needs to be advanced in 2020 to operationalize the new mandates as presented in the figure below.

In response to this and due to the restrictions of COVID-19, the 11th WIM Excom (Excom 11) meeting was held virtually from 10 – 12 March 2020. The Excom’s pioneering virtual experience provided lessons for other constituted bodies to hold their regular meetings. Excom 11 kick-started intersessional work to launch three expert groups to enhance cooperation and facilitation in relation to slow onset events , non-economic losses , and action and support. A summary of the key outcomes and more information on the meeting is available online .
The Paris Committee on Capacity-building

Capacity Building Network: Learn How You Can Be Involved

The Paris Committee on Capacity-building (PCCB) Network is the latest initiative of the PCCB to engage actors involved in climate-related capacity-building, and strengthen its ties with relevant bodies under and outside the Convention. Since its launch in early April 2020, the PCCB Network has been joined by over 120 entities and initiatives who believe in the power of collective action!

Members of the PCCB Network , from a diverse array of institutions, sectors, and regions, will meet in a virtual inaugural meeting, in June 2020. This meeting will be followed by a series of seminars, knowledge exchange sessions, technical discussions co-organized or participated by network members, as well as outreach activities over the coming months. You can follow the activities of the PCCB Network on the PCCB Facebook page .

If you are interested in learning more about the PCCB Network, head to the Network's webpage , check out the brochure , or simply reach out to the PCCB Network coordination team: [email protected].
Lima Work Programme on Gender

S hare Your Work on Gender and Climate Change with the UNFCCC

During the Global Launch Event on Gender and Climate Change (watch the webcast here ) the secretariat set out the series of virtual events that are being organized as part of the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan, including: five regional workshops on gender integration in national climate policy and action and four virtual workshops on the roles of National Gender and Climate Change Focal Points.

Following the adoption of the enhanced 5-year Lima work programme on gender and its gender action plan at COP 25, the secretariat would like to know more about your work relating to gender to identify how we can help to amplify your messages, knowledge and lessons learned. We aim to continue facilitating key connections to drive the uptake of gender-responsive approaches to climate policy and action within and outside of the UNFCCC process.

Please share your strategic objectives, initiatives, events, workshops or other activities that relate in the broadest sense to the gender and climate change nexus by filling out the online form here.
Collective Progress
4 Things You Need to Know About Progress Towards Achieving the Long-term Global Goal
 
  1. The Paris Agreement set a long-term global goal to “holding the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.”
  2. The first periodic review, which included a series of dialogues between policymakers and scientists led to the current formulation of the long-term global goal.
  3. Following the decisions at COP25 in Madrid, the second periodic review will begin in the second half of 2020.
  4. You can get involved in the second periodic review to enhance the understanding of the long-term global goal, including scenarios towards achieving it in light of the ultimate objective of the Convention, as well as to assess the overall aggregate effect of steps taken by Parties to achieve the goal since the first periodic review ended in 2015. Details of the process can be found here.
 
Please contact the secretariat with any questions you may have regarding this process: [email protected] .
Assessing Progress Towards Achieving the Long-term Global Goal 

Parties decided in Madrid  on a scope for a second periodic review of the long-term global goa l under the Convention and laid out a plan to conduct the review starting in the second half of 2020 and concluding in 2022. The review will focus on enhancing understanding on various elements related to the long-term global goal , and on assessing the overall aggregate effect of steps taken by Parties to achieve the goal since the first periodic review ended in 2015.

The review will hold several in-session structured expert dialogues, with a focused exchange of views, information and ideas to ensure a scientific integrity of the process. It will be informed by scientific and technical information from the:

  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  • UNFCCC process, including national reports, reports from various review and analytical processes, and other processes under the Convention
  • relevant reports from UN agencies and other international organizations
  • observed impacts of climate change from relevant regional and sub-regional agencies.
 
You can find more details here . For further information on how to participate, please contact [email protected].
Contribute to Adaptation Knowledge
News on the Adaptation Knowledge Portal

In response to the survey to review and improve relevance, accessibility and utilization of the NWP knowledge products, we are responding to your feedback by:

1. Updating a contribution page of the Adaptation Knowledge Portal (AKP) . You can contribute in the following ways: (i) provide technical inputs to the NWP and other UNFCCC processes (ii) submit case study (iii) submit tool or method, and (iv) submit other knowledge resources (e.g. online portal, scientific/peer-reviewed publication, technical document/report, educational/training material).
Visit this page and contribute here .

2. Sharing a news story . The news story section features new and ongoing activities undertaken by the NWP and constituted bodies in partnership with our partners and experts

3. Having conversations with our technical team to explore how we can make the AKP more accessible and user-friendly. Stay tuned for more updates.
Work of NWP partners
The NWP is responding to the challenges of adaptation and resilience in collaboration with over 400 partners representing a diversity of knowledge and expertise, coalitions and existing networks working in different thematic areas, sectors, regions and countries.
Check this page to meet our partners.

Welcome New NWP partners!

Since our last eUpdate, 10 new organizations have joined our network. We would like to welcome them on board!


Highlight Your Work in the Next eUpdate

We would love to showcase the work of NWP partners in our next eUpdate, which will be published in October 2020. Please share your inputs of maximum 80-100 words with an image with credits. We will send out a reminder via email earlier to the time. Here’s an example from one of our Partners:
NWP Partner UNEP submits an action pledge on “Earth School” with TED-Ed and others

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and with 1.5 billion children currently unable to go to school, UNEP and TED-Ed have come together alongside more than 50 collaborators to produce “ Earth School ”, an online educational platform that takes parents, students and educators on an adventure consisting of 30 interactive quests to help them reconnect with nature. More details can be found here .
GET IN TOUCH
Interested in the latest adaptation reports, technical papers, methods and tools from the NWP? Follow us on Twitter @AdaptXChange and on Facebook @The Adaptation Exchange, and as always, please email [email protected] with questions or to notify us of a change in your UNFCCC or NWP partner focal point.
NAIROBI WORK PROGRAMME | https://unfccc.int/nwp
Photo Credits: Photo 1: UN Climate Change; Photo 2: Sita Magnuson; Photo 3: Kim Schmidt; Photo 4: Jorge Láscar; Photo 5: 2016CIAT/Georgina Smith ; Photo 6: Shane Roun ce; Photo 7: UN Climate Change ; Pho to 8: Motsomi Maletjane; Photo 9: Hamish John Appleby; Photo 10: Geof Wilson; Photo 11 Ken Teegardin; Photo 12: McKay Savage; Photo 13: Gnuckx; Photo 14: WIM Excom Photo 15 CIFOR; Photo 16: WorldFish; Photo 17: Alison Thompson; Photo 18: UNMISS; Photo 19: Nairobi Work Programme; Photo 20: Earth School