Peer Learning Event: Advancing the use of Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (RVAs) in National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes

Dakar, Senegal | February 21-23, 2023

Theme

Vertical integration of adaptation

Government actors leading on National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes met in Dakar, Senegal, from February 21–23 to learn how to increase the efficiency and accuracy of their climate change adaptation operations with risk and vulnerability assessments (RVAs).

The NAP Global Network and the Government of Senegal invited government representatives from seven countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Lebanon, Lesotho, Somalia, and Togo) to learn from each other’s experiences on the proper development and use of RVAs in NAP processes. Subject matter experts also held technical sessions to explain the concept and design of RVAs, as well as their strategic role in adaptation planning processes.

Over 3 days, government representatives participated in workshops and activities to: 

Develop a shared understanding of the role of RVAs in NAP processes.
Share experiences and lessons learned on different approaches to undertaking RVAs to advance gender-responsive NAPs.
Explore the links between RVAs and MEL in the NAP process.

“If we want to provide adequate answers to the problems faced by countries such as ours, it is essential to understand all the mechanisms of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and people’s living conditions, to anticipate these changes at global, regional, and national levels and to propose adaptation solutions.”
Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Head of Climate Division, Coordinator of Senegal’s NAP process

“Risk and vulnerability assessments are fundamental to effective climate change adaptation. Through our work with developing countries on their NAP processes, we are learning how countries can use them to their full potential.”
Anne Hammill, Senior Director of the NAP Global Network Secretariat, hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development

Support for this peer learning event was provided by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. More information about the NAP Global Network is available at: napglobalnetwork.org/.

Day 1 | Overview of Key Concepts

February 21, 2023

On Day 1, opening remarks were provided by the peer learning event’s co-hosts, the Government of Senegal, the NAP Global Network, and Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), represented by Annegret Al-Janabi, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Dakar.

Participants then had the chance to present their country’s NAP process, sharing its status, lessons learned, and achievements.

Next, Ouezzin Jean David Coulibaly from Climate Analytics presented key concepts and approaches to RVAs, using country examples to further his explanations. Coulibaly also provided a deeper dive into how country governments can use a sectoral approach to RVAs to inform the NAP process.

Slides | Advancing the Use of RVAs in NAP Processes
By Patrick Guerdat, NAP Global Network, International Institute for Sustainable Development

https://www.slideshare.net/IISD_news/advancing-the-use-of-rvas-in-nap-processes

Slides | Introduction to Climate Vulnerability and Risk Analyses in the Context of NAPs
By Ouezzin Jean David Coulibaly, Climate Analytics

https://www.slideshare.net/IISD_news/introduction-to-climate-vulnerability-and-risk-analyses-in-the-context-of-naps

Slides | Deepening Sectoral Approaches to VRAs
By Ouezzin Jean David Coulibaly, Climate Analytics

https://www.slideshare.net/IISD_news/deepening-sectoral-approaches-to-vra

Day 2 | Unpacking RVAs and a Field Visit

February 22, 2023

Day 2 began with a panel discussion on how RVAs at the subnational level can complement or contribute to national-level assessments, with lessons learned from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, and Lebanon.

Panelists included:

Kouka Ouedraogo, Adaptation Expert, Burkina Faso
Dr. Benewindé (Jean-Bosco) Zoungrana, Professor, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Dr. Boubacar Fall, Senegal, Professor, Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), Senegal
Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, Acting Director, Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation, Ghana
Dr. Maya Atie, Professor, Notre Dame University, Lebanon

Discussions then continued in groups as participants explored how RVAs can be used to inform the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) of NAP processes.

The day ended with a field visit to Saly Beach, where participants were guided through the climate change-impacted area and explored the long-term effects of flooding and erosion. Discussions revolved around adaptation measures taken to protect the beach against erosion.

Slides | Linking RVAs with monitoring, evaluation, and learning in NAP processes
By Patrick Guerdat, NAP Global Network, International Institute for Sustainable Development

https://www.slideshare.net/IISD_news/linking-rvas-with-mel-in-nap-processes

Day 3 | Gender and Climate Data

February 23, 2023

Day 3 started with a presentation by Prisca Jimaja Ablet from the Ministry of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, Republic of Benin, on integrating gender considerations in RVAs. Country representatives then had the chance to share experiences on how their countries are advancing gender-responsive NAP processes.

This was followed by a second presentation by Dr. Robert Manteaw, Foresight Planners Africa, on the application of climate scenarios and data to inform risk and vulnerability assessments. Participants then shared experiences and lessons learned from their countries on the use of climate scenarios in their NAP processes.

Participants ended the peer learning event by reflecting on some key learnings and indicating three priority next steps (with deadlines) for their country’s NAP process.

Slides | The Importance of Gender in RVAs (in French only)
By Prisca Jimaja Ablet, Ministry of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, Republic of Benin

https://www.slideshare.net/IISD_news/limportance-du-genre-dans-les-erv

Slides | Assessing Climate Vulnerabilities in Data-Poor Environments: Scenarios Analysis as Resilience Learning
By Dr. Bob Manteaw, Foresight Planners Africa

https://www.slideshare.net/IISD_news/assessing-climate-vulnerabilities-in-datapoor-environments