As climate disasters intensify worldwide, a unique online course is helping countries to rethink their national adaptation plans to harness the power of nature. Launched today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Bringing Nature into National Adaptation Planning is an interactive training co-developed by experts at the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC).

This immersive course aims to help all those involved in national adaptation planning take better account of nature and its role in building resilience to climate change.  

Climate change is increasingly causing adverse impacts for people, ecosystems, infrastructure and economies worldwide. In addition to reducing emissions, we need to take urgent action to build our resilience to these impacts. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are one of the most important ways a country can adapt to climate change, according to experts.  

So far, 57 countries have submitted a NAP, outlining their vulnerabilities to climate change and plans to address its impacts. These plans are highly valuable tools for protecting vulnerable people from climate-related disasters, scaling up adaptation finance and strengthening food, energy and water security. However, many NAPs overlook the vital role of nature in adaptation, and the risks if nature is not considered in the decision-making process. 

Healthy ecosystems and the services they provide underpin economic sectors and society’s ability to produce food and access water. It is therefore crucial for all those involved in the NAP process to understand both the pressures on nature (from climate change and other drivers and how it can contribute to adaptation efforts. Traditional ‘grey infrastructure’ adaptation options can be complemented by Nature-based Solutions (NbS), like restoring and protecting wetlands to improve the quantity and quality of water available for agriculture and/or human consumption.  

NbS have the potential to be more cost-effective and provide additional benefits for biodiversity and people compared to other solutions. But if pressures on nature (including climate change) aren’t addressed, the vital services it provides may be lost and other adaptation efforts may be less effective.  

With the submission of NAPs needed by 2025, we hope that there will be win-wins delivered by integrating nature into NAPs... We hope that the course will materialise how nature-based solutions interact in the landscape and contribute to the SDGs including food, water, poverty, life on earth and of course climate change. 

Mirey Atallah, Chief of the Adaptation and Resilience Branch, Climate Change Division, UNEP 

Bringing Nature into National Adaptation Planning is aimed at policymakers, government officials, technical specialists and other stakeholders to build their capacity on integrating nature into the NAP process. This 60-90min course defines key concepts like NbS and maladaptation, explores how nature can inform different stages of the NAP process, and illustrates how nature can contribute to adaptation efforts. 

An interactive landscape provides an innovative way for participants to practically explore key concepts and apply their learning across different environments. For example, an urban planner may be interested in learning how cities are vulnerable to climate change impacts and how Nature-based Solutions (such as green roofs) can be used to build resilience. 

Take the course to find out more and contribute to bringing nature into national adaptation planning. 

Bringing Nature into National Adaptation Planning showcases in engaging and innovative ways the vital role that nature can play in effective adaptation strategies. It also highlights vividly the challenges that can result if nature isn’t considered in adaptation planning. Participants completing this training will be well-placed to contribute to effective adaptation plans and strategies that work for people and nature over the long term. 

Valerie Kapos, Principal Specialist, Nature-based Solutions, UNEP-WCMC 

Resources

Training course 

Training outreach video