Regional approach to adaptation to climate change in Burkina Faso

This snapshot country brief describes the regional approach implemented in Burkina Faso and presents the lessons that have been learned from the pilot phase. Burkina Faso, a country particularly affected by the effects of climate change, used a sectoral approach to develop its first NAP in 2015. 

Key messages from the brief include:

• In the Central Plateau region, adaptation interventions are required to combat droughts, extreme heat, and floods, which cause soil degradation, crop loss, and multiple health problems. 
• Priority actions, although primarily aimed at smallholder farmers and pastoralists in the Central Plateau region, need to be targeted at people with reduced mobility, the elderly, and women, who are often the most affected by climate change.
• The recommended regional approach, which makes it possible to refine the results of risk and vulnerability assessments (RVAs), nevertheless requires considerable financial and human resources for its preparation, implementation, and subsequent analysis.
•  To guarantee the success of the regional approach, regional stakeholders should be at the heart of the regional adaptation plan (RAP) process and should have their capacities strengthened since they are responsible for the implementation and revision of the RAP.