National Adaptation Plan to advance medium and long-term adaptation planning in Armenia

Introduction

With financing from the Green Climate Fund, the "National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to advance medium and long-term adaptation planning in Armenia" project will support the Government of Armenia to develop a national plan for climate change adaptation through an iterative process focused on strengthening foundational capacities to ensure that they are institutionalized for long-term sustainability. The project aims to address existing barriers, support the prioritization of climate change adaptation investments in priority sectors including water resources, agriculture, energy, health, tourism and human settlement, and increase the identification of finance options. With the development of a NAP process, Armenia will lay the groundwork for the systemic and iterative identification of medium- and long-term risks, establish adaptation priorities and build out specific activities that ensure no one is left behind in the country’s work to reach its goals outlined through the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As part of the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the NAP process will contribute to the formulation of corresponding national climate-responsive indicators and targets.


 

Project details

The Government of Armenia launched its national stakeholder’s consultations for the national adaptation plan (NAP) process in June 2016. A preliminary action plan for NAP implementation was formulated during the stocktaking exercise and approved by the representatives of key sectors and the Ministry of Nature Protection. The government sees the NAP process as a key step to achieving the adaptation objectives of its 2015 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

The NAP is addressing the main challenges to the integration of climate change adaptation into national, sectorial and local government planning and budgeting, as identified in the 2016 stakeholders’ consultations and the NAP Stocktaking report. The focus is on strengthening foundational capacities for adaptation and on ensuring that they are institutionalized for long-term sustainability (beyond the life of the project). It is expected that at least two NAP iterations will be required for a complete and comprehensive mainstreaming of CCA into the national development framework and into the development plans of all sectors.

NDCs and NAPs

Armenia’s vulnerability to climate change requires greater investments and greater integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR). In 2016, the government began discussing the NAP process by conducting national consultations and undertaking a rapid stocktaking exercise. The stocktaking provides a qualitative assessment of the institutional framework and capacities relevant to the NAP process. The NAP is fully aligned with the adaptation component of the NDC and is seen as one key in establishing a constructive feedback loop between Armenia’s national and international decision-making on climate change.

With the development of a NAP process, Armenia will lay the groundwork for systemic and iterative identification of medium- and long-term risks, CCA priorities and specific activities that promote climate adaptive and resilient growth in its key sectors. In the pivot away from ad-hoc, project-based approaches to a more coherent and strategic CCA approach that is integrated with implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Armenia can realize a long-term paradigm shift towards reducing the climate risks it faces.

Stakeholder Consultations

As an integral part of the NAP process a stakeholder communication and engagement plan, including a gender action plan, will be formulated to ensure that a wide range of stakeholders will be consulted and engaged at all stages of the NAP. Outreach and engagement activities will include sensitization, consultations and training workshops, and they will be tailored to reflect the needs of stakeholders to ensure that they can successfully implement the activities being undertaken. In general, engagement activities will focus on increasing stakeholder ownership and on increasing awareness and knowledge of climate adaptation’s role in addressing climate change impacts to sustain long-term engagement. Stakeholders will represent government institutions, financial and technical partners, international and national non-governmental organizations and local civil society. 

Strengthening institutional arrangements for the NAP process 

Supported the Government of Armenia in developing:

  • ​“National Action Program of Adaptation to Climate Change and the List of Measures for 2021-2025” (Decree #749-L of 13 May 2021)
  • Updating the structure and mandate of Inter-Agency Coordination Council for the Implementation of the Requirements and Provisions of the UNFCCC (PM Decree #719-A of 6 July 2021)
  • Defining responsibilities and forming three permanent working groups to support the Inter-Agency Coordination Council (Deputy PM Decree #894-A of 5 November 2021)

Contributed to including climate change considerations in 2 law amendments of:

  • Water Code of the Republic of Armenia (approved on 02 June 2022)
  • Environmental Impact Assessment of the Republic of Armenia

​Facilitated the update and revision of:

  • Irrigation norms for 5 crops in Ararat valley
  • River Basin Management Plans for the Southern and Ararat River Basin districts of Armenia

Contributed to promoting secondary / alternative water use through:

  • Developing and submitting recommendations to the Ministry of Environment for wastewater treatment and production of secondary / alternative water use based on international benchmark
  • Conducting an assessment of the potential for application of incentive mechanisms for double water use in Armenia (in partnership with EU4Sevan project)

​Promoting institutionalization of mudflow risk management:

  • An interagency working group formed
  • Recommendations on institutional arrangements on mudflow risk management in the country prepared and circulated to the stakeholder ministries

Assessing gaps, climate risks and vulnerabilities, and developing sectoral and provincial adaptation plans with respective list of adaptation measures

  • Climate risk and vulnerability assessments (CRVA) have been conducted in priority sectors water, tourism, and agriculture and sectoral adaptation plans have been developed. The draft government decrees have been prepared and submitted. In addition, climate risk and vulnerability assessments have been conducted and provincial adaptation plans have been developed in the Tavush and Shirak regions. The CRVA and the development of the adaptation plan in the energy and healthcare sectors are currently ongoing. 
Contributing to Improved access to and use of climate data
  • Concept and technical specifications for development of a new website and mobile application for Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center of the Republic of Armenia prepared 

Awareness raising, education, capacity building

  • Over 40 workshops/trainings/public events organized
  • Numerous interviews and roundtable discussions attended
Level of intervention: 
Key collaborators: 
Implementing agencies and partnering organizations: 
Republic of Armenia Ministry of Emergency Situations
Project status: 
Under Implementation
Funding source: 
Financing amount: 
US$2,999,593

News

Video: Climate change adaptation in agriculture in Armenia (2022) 

In the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project World Environment Day celebrated with a festive event for schoolchildren (2022)

Approaches and methods of socio-economic assessment of climate change impacts presented and discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)

Public hearing on updates of Ararat Basin Management Plan held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022) 

Climate change and adaptation trainings for media students continue in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)

Climate change and climate change adaptation trainings for YSU media students held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)

Public hearing on updates of Southern Basin Management Plan held in the frame UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)

"Climate Change and Women in Armenia” awards ceremony announced in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)

A three-day training session on climate change adaptation project development aimed at schoolchildren organized in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2022)

Marz adaptation plan development process and methodology based on Tavush and Shirak example presented in the frame of UNDP GCF-NAP project (2022)

RA energy sector vulnerability to climate change and the draft National Program on Energy Saving and Renewable Energy for 2022-2030 discussed over a workshop (2021) 

Results of "Adapt to climate change" school contest held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project are finalized (2021) 

Results of climate change risks and vulnerability assessment in Armenia's agriculture sector presented in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021) 

In the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project media students introduced to the practices of climate change adaptation in the water and agriculture sectors (2021)

Gender issues and possible solution present in Armenia in the context of climate change discussed at a two day conference (2021)

4-day training on climate change and adaptation related issues organized for youth of Ayrum in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP Project (2021)

Climate change and climate change adaptation trainings for media students continue in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021) 

Training of trainers on climate change and adaptation aimed at media faculty members of universities held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

Climate change and adaptation awareness raising campaign in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

"Climate change adaptation in agriculture and water resources management". Two three-day training sessions held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

Two trainings on "Impact of Climate Change on Landslides and Landslide Management in Communities" were conducted for the communities of Tavush region in the scope of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

RA National Adaptation Plan submitted to UNFCCC Secretariat (2021) 

“Climate change vulnerability and adaptation in RA agriculture sector” seminar aimed at students of ANAU Agricultural College аfter A.Kochinyan took place in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

Draft RA water sector adaptation plan presented and discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021) 

Another 179 teachers received training on climate change and adaptation in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

Another meeting of the mudflow risk management working group held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

Actions aimed at professional capacity building of RA Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center continue within UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

Needs for climate change adaptation related capacity building among employees of the public sector assessed within UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

The second workshop on the development of water sector adaptation plan in Armenia was held in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021) 

Results of the media contest for the best coverage of climate change adaptation related issues have been summarized in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021) 

“Climate Change Adaptation in Armenia: Challenges and Opportunities” Expo-Forum took place in the frame of UNDP GCF NAP Project (2021)

The modernization of irrigation norms and the development of the water sector adaptation plan in the context of climate change in Armenia discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021)

Climate Change challenges and opportunities present in Tavush discussed during a regional visit (2021) 

Climate change risks, vulnerabilities, adaptation solutions, programs and awareness-raising opportunities in Shirak region discussed during a regional trip (2021) 

"UAV uses in environmental monitoring" series of trainings completed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2021) 

Vulnerability of water resources and modernization of crop irrigation norms discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020) 

Exoteric reporting on climate change related issues. Two-day training for media representatives was held within UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020)

Climate change vulnerability and adaptation measures in agriculture and water sectors. A three-day webinar with stakeholders was held in the frame of UNDP-GCF Armenia's National Adaptation Plan project (2020)

The use of satellite remote sensing data in the process of assessing and forecasting the vulnerability of water resources and evapotranspiration was discussed within the framework of the UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020)

Tree planting and Climate Change Talks organized for the youth of Tavush region in the frame of Armenia’s adaptation planning project (2020) 

Over 100 teachers received training with the support of UNDP-GCF Armenia’s National Adaptation Plan Project (2020) 

Climate change vulnerabilities and adaptation opportunities in RA agriculture sector were discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020) 

“Climate change and adaptation in Armenia” awareness raising campaign launched in the frame of Armenia’s NAP project (2020)

Results of a baseline survey assessing the awareness among representatives of the RA state bodies on climate change related topics were discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020)

RA water sector climate change vulnerability, risks and adaptation opportunities were discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020)

Mudflow risk management in Armenia in the center of attention of the UNDP-GCF NAP project (2020) 

Vulnerability of the agriculture towards climate change: “Climate smart agriculture and climate change adaptation in Armenia” workshop took place (2020) 

Solutions and international practices for assessing the vulnerability of water resources towards climate change, water resource management practices and adaptation measures were discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF NAP Project (2019) 

Impact of climate change on human health discussed in the frame of UNDP-GCF Armenia’s National Adaptation Plan project (2019) 

Challenges and development opportunities of Tavush province at the center of attention at the workshop held within UNDP-GCF project (2019) 

Climate Change and Adaptation Issues of Gegharkunik region discussed within the framework of UNDP-GCF Armenia National Adaptation Plan project (2019) 

UNDP-GCF NAP Project continues raising awareness on climate change adaptation processes (2019) 

Young participants of “EcoThon Tavush” discussed the province’s climate change challenges and possible solutions (2019) 

National Adaptation Plan development process continues in Armenia (2019) 

Workshop Training on Introduction to methodology and tools for gender analysis and planning in climate change area at the national, sectoral and project levels (2019) 

NAP Project Inception Seminar (2019) 

 

Key results and outputs

Output 1: Gaps assessed and national mandate, strategy and steering mechanism established

Output 2: Climate evidence and knowledge-base for the compilation of a NAP strengthened

Output 3: NAP implementation facilitated

Output 4: Mechanisms for Reporting, Monitoring and Review of NAPs and adaptation progress in place

Output 5: Funding strategy for the NAP and CCA formulated