Toolkit - National adaptation plans: Building climate resilience in agriculture

This toolkit is comprised of videos, lecture notes and ongoing conversations from the massive open online course (MOOC) on National Adaptation Plans: Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture.

Materials presented here were originally shared via the One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership Platform (UNCC:Learn) Platform during a six-week MOOC. The course is still available for self-paced learning on UNCC:Learn. The NAP-MOOC learning materials are presented as part of the Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAP-AG) Programme and are a joint effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and more than 40 leading experts on climate change, finance, agriculture, communications and more.

Module 1: Introduction to climate change adaptation, agriculture and food security

Module 1 highlights the interlinkages between climate change and agriculture and the importance of adaptation planning for ensuring food security and sustainable development. This Module sets the scene for the course by introducing key concepts and terminology. It features case studies and examples that highlight differentiated impacts of climate change impacts on gender in agriculture and on migration. The Module 1 also presents key international developments such as the Paris Agreement, including the Nationally Determined Contributions, the 2030 Agenda and the Sendai framework, National Adaptation Plans and how they relate.

Module 1 Lecture Notes

Learning Objectives

1. Identify interlinkages between climate change, agriculture and food security and the role of national adaptation planning;
2. Recognize differentiated climate change impacts on livelihoods and gender in agriculture;
3. Discuss the NAP’s relation to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework.

Module 2:  International Frameworks and National Adaptation Planning

Module 2 introduces the NAP process and the NAP-Ag Programme. Module 2 presents the LEG Technical Guidelines on NAP and the key elements of the NAP process. Attention is paid to the importance of the NAPs’ alignment with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This module also introduces the “Addressing agriculture, forestry and fisheries in National Adaptation Plans – Supplementary guidelines” developed by FAO. Country experiences from Uruguay and Zambia on integration of agriculture in NAPs are presented.

Module 2 Lecture Notes

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the process of formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans;
2. Describe the Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAP-Ag) Programme and supplementary guidelines for addressing agriculture in national adaptation planning.

Module 3: Identifying and assessing climate change impacts and risks

Module 3 focuses on the importance of using the latest available information and enhancing a strong knowledge base in adaptation planning. It discusses different types and sources of information available for conducting vulnerability and climate risk assessments, and the importance of integrating different types of knowledge. This module also introduces interactive tools and approaches for modelling climate change impact on agriculture, measuring impact and mainstreaming gender into adaptation planning. Examples for these will be drawn from the Programme on Climate Information for Resilient Development in Africa (CIRDA), Modelling System for Agricultural Impacts of Climate Change (MOSAICC), Agriculture Stress Index System (ASIS), along with gender analysis approaches.

Module 3 Lecture Notes

Learning Objectives

1. Identify types and sources of knowledge and information needed for adaptation planning;
2. Reflect on the importance of informed decision-making in adaptation planning;
3. Identify tools for modelling

Module 4: Identifying and prioritizing climate adaptation options

Module 4 presents different types of adaptation actions in the agriculture sector, including specific case-studies from the livestock, croplands as well as aquaculture and fisheries sub-sectors. This module offers practical exercises for learners to get acquainted with the tools and methods at their disposal for prioritizing and appraising different actions. Finally, the module provides insights into the mechanics of designing a climate change adaptation project.

Module 4 Lecture Notes

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss examples of different adaptation actions in agriculture;
2. Recall approaches and methods for the appraisal and prioritization of adaptation actions.

Module 5: Governance, coordination and finance

Module 5 focuses on institutional coordination, governance and financial challenges faced when integrating agriculture into adaptation planning and implementation. It builds on the previous discussion of institutional and individual competencies in national adaptation planning from Module 2. It provides valuable insights associated with national budgeting, as well as an overview of a range of options for financing adaptation action for agriculture and agriculture-based livelihoods, e.g. the use of climate/weather risk insurance mechanisms.

Module 5 Lecture Notes

Learning Objectives

1. Distinguish coordination and governance aspects of implementing adaptation actions in agriculture sectors;
2. Recall opportunities and mechanisms for funding climate change adaptation and safeguarding livelihoods in agriculture.

Module 6: Communications, monitoring and evaluation

Module 6 reflects on the 4th final element of the National Adaptation Plans guidelines (Element D – Reporting, Monitoring and Review) and presents the processes of setting up effective adaptation M&E systems for the agriculture sector, which can feed into NAP processes. One of the tools presented is impact evaluation. The module also introduces the role of outreach and communications for enhancing the project objectives and provides overview of the steps and best practices of building and implementing effective communications strategy.

Module 6 Lecture Notes

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the M&E process for climate change adaptation in agriculture;
2. List the basic elements of an integrated communications strategy.

Join NAP-Ag Interactive

This email-based group will build on the targeted technical issues covered in the NAP-MOOC, provide participants a chance to network and share best practices, and create a stronger community of practice around adaptation planning. Using NAP-Ag Interactive is really simple. To send a message, just write an email to [email protected]. Your email will be held for moderation and then sent out to everybody that's on this list.