Purpose:

This guide aims to support National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ engagement on national level policy discussions regarding climate change adaptation, particularly through the development of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) by their respective governments.

Overview: 

This guide outline the development of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and national level policy discussions regarding climate change adaptation. The document is organized as follows:

• Chapter 1 provides relevant background information on the NAPs and an overview of their relevance to the work of the Red Cross Red Crescent.
• Chapter 2 provides step-by-step guidance on how to engage in the NAP process, including collecting relevant information, evaluating information, the NAP process and engagement of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in it.

Four key steps can be identified that support Red Cross/ Red Crescent engagement in the NAP process:

• Step 1: Understanding key climate change issues affecting a country. This involves: understanding climate change in general; understanding climate change in the country affected; understanding national climate change adaptation policies; knowing relevant public documents on national adaptation policies; and getting in touch with the relevant NAP focal point.
• Step 2: Evaluating the information. This involves building on Red Cross/Red Crescent daily work; using well-known tools such as the vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA); getting everyone involved; understanding relevant sectoral entry points.
• Step 3: Networking and advocacy. This involves approaching government; a society knowing its niche role; and teaming up with like-minded stakeholders.
• Step 4: The NAP process. This involves initiating and launching the NAP process; preparation of the NAP; implementation strategy; reporting, monitoring and review.

Usage: Policy development

Audience: National Society Leadership, Technical staff

Reference: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (2013). How to Engage with National Adaptation Plans: Guidance for National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (pp. 1-74).