The document summarizes the sample process for formulating and implementing National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) presented by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) at the NAP Expo 2018 conference. The sample process includes four elements: laying groundwork and addressing gaps, preparatory elements, implementation strategy, and reporting, monitoring and review. It has been applied to develop information and training materials to support countries' NAP processes. The Open NAP case studies showcase the sample process for select countries to facilitate learning and refinement of technical guidance. The Malawi case study takes a step-wise approach including identifying development determinants, conducting stocktakes, designing workstreams, and identifying systems and adaptation options.

1. NAP Expo 2018
4 to 6 April 2018, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Overview of the sample NAP process and the
Open NAP case studies
LDC Expert Group (LEG)

2. Sample process to formulate and implement a National Adaptation Plan

3. Sample process to formulate and implement NAP
 The initial guidelines was adopted at COP 17 and the LEG was requested
to develop technical guidelines for NAP
 Derived from the NAP technical guidelines, the sample process to
formulate and implement NAPs represents a typical flow of activities,
outputs and outcomes
 The sample NAP process represents a minimum set of steps and building
blocks for an effective process, and has been applied on a number of
activities:
❖ Information paper on how the formulation and implementation of
NAPs can be supported
❖ Design of training materials for NAP workshops
❖ Open NAP case studies

4. Element A: Laying the groundwork and addressing gaps
• Initiating and launching of the NAP process
• Stocktaking: identifying available information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation and
assessing gaps and needs of the enabling environment for the NAP process
• Addressing capacity gaps and weaknesses in undertaking the NAP process
• Comprehensively and iteratively assessing development needs and climate vulnerabilities
Element B: Preparatory Elements
• Analysing current climate and future climate change scenarios
• Assessing climate vulnerabilities and identifying adaptation options at the sector, subnational, national and
other appropriate levels
• Reviewing and appraising adaptation options
• Compiling and communicating national adaptation plans
• Integrating climate change adaptation into national and subnational development and sectoral planning
Element C: Implementation Strategy
• Prioritizing climate change adaptation in national planning
• Developing a (long-term) national adaptation implementation strategy
• Enhancing capacity for planning and implementing adaptation
• Promoting coordination and synergy at the regional level and with other multilateral environmental agreements
Element D: Reporting, Monitoring and Review
• Monitoring the NAP process
• Reviewing the NAP process to assess progress, effectiveness and gaps
• Iteratively updating the national adaptation plans
• Outreach on the NAP process and reporting on progress and effectiveness
Elements of the process to formulate and implement NAP (decision 5/CP.17)

5. Application of the sample process to formulate and implement NAP
 Select countries have used the sample NAP to
initiate scoping and stocktaking activities and
have served as a useful guide for determining
where countries are at in the process to
formulate and implement NAPs
 The stocktaking/scoping have led to identifying
key activities and milestones as part of the NAP
roadmap and leading to the packaging of
activities for the NAP proposal for GCF
 A useful way to organize various provision of
support in terms of training modules,
development of supplements to the NAP
technical guidelines and designing tools and
resources for NAPs

6. The Open NAP Case study
 An open platform approach developed by the LEG to assist countries
better understand how a NAP can be developed and how they can make
use of existing data, information and best available expertise to initiate
and undertake the process
 The concept is akin to crowdsourcing, mainly to scope and test the best
approach depending on specifics and uniqueness of the countries
 This has been showcased for select countries i.e. Bhutan, Haiti,
Madagasar, Malawi and Tuvalu; to facilitate a learning platform for the
NAP regional training workshops
 The motivation is to fine tune the technical guidance and support provided
to developing countries and to make available basic data to actors and
stakeholders.

7. Some takeaways on the Open NAP case study session at the workshops
 By starting with the sample NAP process, a quick scoping of what exists
reveals a large body of actions and knowledge to build on
 By breaking up the huge task of developing a national plan that
represents all sectors, hazards and goals into component systems, it
becomes possible to address needs of all if the system becomes the
center of the analysis and solution
 However, it seems more practical to carry out a full assessment and
identification of needed adaptation actions and then factor in ongoing
activities when developing the implementation strategy. Doing an
extensive stocktaking to try to identify remaining gaps earlier is not very
efficient

8. The Malawi Open NAP Case study: Step wise approach
1 Identify key determinants of development for Malawi
2 Conduct stocktaking using the sample NAP process including a
prototype NAP
3 Design workstreams for important steps of the NAP process
4 Consider multiple entry points including the SDGs and identify
systems
5 Identify collection of system to comprise the National Collection
6 Conduct assessments or synthesize data by system or cluster of
systems applying best methods, data and frameworks for each
system or compound systems
7 Identify adaptation options by systems
8 Tradeoff analysis
9 Identify priorities for the country by scanning over the systems, levels
and scales to define the NAP

9. Contact:
The Chair
Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG)
leghelp@unfccc.int