As countries implement their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, UNDP’s lead for adaptation planning, Rohini Kohli, outlines seven ways we need to scale up adaptation – and what UNDP is doing, with partners, to help.
Thematic Area

UNDP’s policy and institutional support on climate change adaptation planning and policy is delivered through the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes in Developing and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The NAPs are carried out in an integrated approach linking to NDCs and contribute to UNDP’s Climate Promise. At the core of NAPs is a commitment to accelerate climate action and action on SDGs through mainstreaming climate risk at all levels of development- local, national, regional and global.
Programmes
Human stories
Resources
Colombia SCALA Inception Report
This Inception Report provides an overview of the preparatory steps for the implementation of the SCALA programme carried out during the inception phase in Colombia. The inception phase was complemented by key consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MinAgricultura), the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MinAmbiente), as well as other key territorial and research actors of the programme, such as the Government of Cundinamarca, the National University of Colombia and the University of the Andes, and partners UNDP and FAO. Furthermore, the report presents the country work plan, rationale and objectives to promote the acceleration of climate action in the agricultural sector.
Cambodia SCALA Inception Report
This Inception Report provides an overview of the preparatory steps for the implementation of the SCALA programme carried out during the inception phase in Cambodia. The inception phase was complemented by key consultation and validation meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) as well as a wider set of national stakeholders. Furthermore, the report presents the work plan for the remainder of the implementation period.
Nepal SCALA Inception Report
This Inception Report provides an overview of the preparatory steps for the implementation of the SCALA programme carried out during the inception phase in Nepal. The inception phase was complemented by key consultation and validation meetings with the focal ministry and a wider set of national stakeholders. Furthermore, the report presents the work plan for the remainder of the implementation period.
Addressing agriculture in National Adaptation Plans: Training materials
These training materials on addressing agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are designed to enhance the sector-specific understanding of the NAP process and advance country-level NAP formulation and implementation. It offers step-by-step guidance to move forward with the different elements of the NAP process, addressing relevant challenges through ad-hoc solutions in the agriculture sector. This set of training materials presents concrete experiences from countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Private sector mapping, outreach, and engagement in climate-responsive agrifood systems
This guidance note illustrates three broad intervention areas. These interventions are crucial to addressing barriers to private sector engagement (PSE) in climate action such as a perceived gap in the alignment of public and private sector objectives, a limited understanding of climate risks and business opportunities, insufficient incentives, and a lack opportunities and investable ideas that are of adequate scale which offer risk adjusted returns for their investment.
Thailand SCALA Inception Report
This Inception Report complements SCALA Thailand project documentation with the outcomes of the inception activities. It specifies the inception activities undertaken by UNDP and FAO, in close collaboration with two focal government agencies appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) – which are the Agricultural Economics (OAE) and the Land Development Department (LDD) to determine the scope and areas of SCALA programme implementation in Thailand.
Progress in developing a national monitoring and evaluation system for adaptation in the agriculture sector: a multi-country case study
This case study aims to provide an overview and analysis of lessons learned from different approaches used in nine countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, in which the Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans (NAP-Ag) programme was implemented, to promote monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of adaptation in the agriculture sectors as part of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes. The case study focus on concrete country experiences in advancing adaptation M&E in the agriculture sector.
Egypt SCALA Inception Report
This Inception Report complements SCALA Egypt project documentation with the outcomes of the inception activities. It specifies the SCALA inception activities undertaken by FAO and UNDP, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv), Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR), and Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWRI) to determine the scope and areas of SCALA programme implementation in Egypt. The report summarizes in-country consultations to determine the country’s priorities and needs and take stock of existing data availability and expertise.
Mongolia SCALA Inception Report
This Inception Report complements SCALA Mongolia project documentation with the outcomes of the inception activities. It specifies the inception activities undertaken by UNDP and FAO, in close collaboration with with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry (MoFALI) and Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) to determine the scope and areas of SCALA programme implementation in Mongolia.
Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into development brochure
The NAPs are carried out in an integrated approach linking to NDCs and contribute to UNDP’s Climate Promise.
Regional brief on NAPs: Latin America in focus
This regional briefing provides step-by-step messaging to operationalize adaptation within public policies - and within a sectorial and intersectoral planning framework -, the strategies proposed in the National Adaptation Plans to reduce vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change in the Latin America region.
Regional Briefing on NAPs: MENA in focus
This Regional Briefing on National Adaptation Plans with a focus on countries in the Middle East and North Africa aims to provide a brief overview of the NAP experiences of middle-income countries in the region and highlight emerging issues, challenges and opportunities.
Regional briefing on NAPs: Asia-Pacific in focus
This Regional Briefing on Asia- Pacific National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) aims to provide a brief overview of the NAP experiences of middle-income countries in the Asia and Pacific region (excluding Central Asia), and highlight emerging issues, challenges and opportunities.
Partnerships
UNDP is a steering committee member for the Adaptation Action Coalition launched in 2021 by the UK COP Presidency in partnership with Bangladesh, Egypt, Malawi, the Netherlands and Saint Lucia. The AAC drives global advocacy on adaptation and prioritizes work streams on locally led action, health, water and infrastructure.
The ARA is a global, collaborative effort to increase investment and opportunities for action research to develop and inform effective adaptation solutions. UNDP is a member of the Adaptation Research Alliance with a specific focus on strengthening adaptation metrics as well as knowledge and research for adaptation planning.