2022.11.11 FRI

10:30 - 12:30

Formulation and Implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in the Asia Pacific - Establishing a System to Promote Adaptation Towards the Achievement of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)

Organizer

National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES);
Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ);
Institute for Global Environmental Studies (IGES)

Co-organizer

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN)

Seminar abstract

Effective formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are essential to achieving climate resilience in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to more than 50% of the global population and includes some of the world's most climate-vulnerable communities.
Sharing experiences from different Asia-Pacific countries can help countries with comparable needs learn, adapt, and build climate-resilient communities. Moreover, the NAP formulation and implementation process are instrumental in understanding the status of national systems and institutions dedicated to promoting adaptation measures (e.g., institutional arrangements for national policy evaluation). Regular assessment of the progress in establishing these systems and institutions and sharing good practices can help promote national adaptation, taking a significant step toward achieving the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) set by the Paris Agreement.
The purpose of this session is to highlight the significance of NAP formulation and implementation based on the latest scientific findings and to review the current situation, good practices, initiatives, and challenges in addressing the impacts of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region.
We will address countries' needs at the NAP formulation and implementation stages by presenting a case study from each stage, particularly the challenges at the implementation stage, such as Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E). We will also explore how international initiatives, including the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT), can support climate-risk informed decision-making and effective adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region. The session will also discuss linkages between local, national, and global level adaptation, particularly focusing on the role of the NAP formulation and implementation in achieving the GGA.
Upon reviewing and discussing the above topics, the session aims to propose concrete actions to promote adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Speakers

【Local Speakers】

• Mr. Hiroshi Ono（Ministry of the Environment, Japan） Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs
• Dr. Yuji Masutomi（National Institute for Environmental Studies） Section Head
• Mr. Gen’ichiro Tsukada（Ministry of the Environment, Japan, Climate Change Adaptation Office） Director
• Dr. Linda Anne Stevenson（ Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research） Head of Knowledge Management and Scientific Affairs
• Mr. Yasuo Takahashi（Institute for Global Environmental Strategies） Executive Director
• Ms. Justina Aurea Belo（National Directorate of Climate Change under the Secretary of State for the Environment, Timor-Leste
  General Directorate for the Environment, Secretary of State for the Environment
  Timor-Leste） Professional Staff

【Online Speakers】

• Mr. Md. Mizanul Hoque Chowdhury（Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change , Bangladesh） Additional Secretary
• Ms. Akane Matsuo（Institute for Global Environmental Strategies） Policy Researcher
• Prof. Rajib Shaw（Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Japan） Professor
• Ms. Zakia Afroz（Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh） Joint Secretary

Session Summary

The seminar comprised two parts: short presentations and a panel discussion.
Seven short presentations on Adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region were moderated by Dr. Linda Anne Stevenson from the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN).
Short presentations were followed by panel discussion, in which the moderator Dr. Linda Stevenson and five panelists: Mr. Gen’ichiro Tsukada, Ms. Justina Belo（Timor-Leste）, Ms. Zakia Afroz (Bangladesh), Ms. Akane Matsuo and Dr. Yuji Masutomi, discussed the progress and challenges of the NAP formulation and implementation in the Asia-Pacific, the role of NAP formulation and implementation in achieving the GGA, and the expected role of international platforms and organizations (such as AP-PLAT and APN) in achieving a climate-resilient Asia-Pacific region.

Message and Results

This seminar summarized the status of formulation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to promote climate change adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region and introduced case studies of several countries regarding challenges in formulating and implementing NAPs. The seminar also discussed how the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) could contribute to climate change adaptation in the Asia-Pacific region. Although the status of climate change adaptation in each country differs, it was a great achievement to share the challenges and practical tools/platforms for adaptation promotion among the parties concerned.
Report article of the seminar