National adaptation plans; Understanding mandates and sharing experiences

National adaptation plans (NAPs) are one of the key vehicles through which parties can communicate their adaptation needs under the UNFCCC. NAPs allow climate-vulnerable countries to identify these needs, develop and implement strategies and programmes to address those needs, and enable actions to protect vulnerable communities. But developing a NAP is not always straightforward.

This paper explores the forms a NAP mandate can take by sharing experiences from LDCs that have engaged with the NAP process — with and without a NAP mandate in place. The resource offers guidance to other countries and highlights some of the benefits and challenges of implementing a NAP mandate.