9 November 2017: With the UN Climate Change Conference in full swing, numerous events and initiatives have focused on climate change adaptation and loss and damage. One of the Conference mandated events, the 11th Focal Point Forum of the Nairobi work programme (NWP), considered the relationship between human settlements and adaptation. Side events convened by UNFCCC constituted bodies discussed risk financing for slow onset events, and supporting adaptation in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The NWP 11th Focal Point Forum convened in conjunction with the 47th session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 47) in Bonn, Germany, on 8 November. Topics addressed by the Forum included: assessing sensitivity and vulnerability to climate change; integrating short- and long-term climate considerations, including extreme as well as slow onset events, into planning; the role of national governments in supporting adaptation at the local level; city-to-city partnerships on climate change adaptation; and cross-cutting issues and linkages to the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans (NAPs). The event sought to facilitate collaboration and partnerships among NWP partner organizations, Parties and other stakeholders by providing an interactive space for information-sharing and the informal exchange of views. [NWP 11th Focal Point Forum Webpage]

The LEG side event titled, ‘Work of the LEG in supporting the LDCs on adaptation,’ discussed the NAP-SDG iFrame for addressing the SDGs through NAPs.

On 7 November, the LDCs Expert Group (LEG) held a side event titled, ‘Work of the LEG in supporting the LDCs on adaptation,’ which focused on the process to formulate and implement NAPs and on the national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs). Participants considered: the LEG’s vision for supporting adaptation in the LDCs; addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through NAPs (the NAP-SDG iFrame); progress on NAPs and experience in accessing funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAPs; development benefits of adaptation to climate change; and support to the LDCs on adaptation and the Paris Agreement. [Side Event Programme] [Side Event Webpage]

On 9 November, the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage associated with Climate Change Impacts (WIM) hosted a side event titled, ‘Breaking new ground: Risk financing for slow onset events.’ The event sought to facilitate “insightful thinking” on features of financial instruments and innovative ways for collaboration to enhance action and support for addressing the risks of slow onset events.

Immediately prior to the side event, the ExCom organized a three-day photo campaign to raise awareness of slow onset events and innovative ways to address them. Photos and responses collected during the campaign were featured at the 9 November side event. [Side Event and Photo Campaign Flyer] [Side Event and Photo Campaign Webpage]

* * *

The SDG Knowledge Hub publishes regular adaptation and loss and damage updates that can be found under the tag Adaptation and Loss and Damage Update.