As the 2025 update to nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement approaches, a new briefing highlights the opportunity for countries to align their NDCs with their national adaptation plans (NAPs). The review assesses how adaptation-related information presented in these key documents can be better integrated, offering a roadmap for policymakers to strengthen climate action.
This briefing is particularly aimed at national policymakers and NAP teams responsible for adaptation planning and implementation. It underscores the critical role of the 2025 NDC update in enhancing the coherence between the NAP process and NDC commitments, ensuring that adaptation measures are effectively mainstreamed into national climate strategies.
By synthesizing insights from countries that have already submitted both NDCs and NAPs, the report identifies practical steps for fostering alignment. It also outlines guiding questions and shares examples of successful practices from nations that have managed to bridge the gap between these two vital components of climate policy.
Key Areas of Focus
Enhancing Coherence: The briefing emphasizes the need for integrated approaches that connect long-term adaptation planning with immediate climate goals outlined in the NDCs.
Practical Guidance: Policymakers are provided with actionable steps to align NAPs with NDCs, including methods to identify synergies, prioritize inclusive adaptation measures, and ensure that both documents reflect a country’s unique vulnerabilities and capacities.
Examples of Good Practice: Case studies from countries that have successfully linked their NAPs and NDCs offer valuable lessons on effective strategies, stakeholder engagement, and implementation frameworks.
Why the 2025 NDC Update Matters
The upcoming NDC update presents a crucial moment for countries to demonstrate their commitment to the Paris Agreement’s goals of limiting global warming and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. Alignment with NAPs ensures that adaptation measures are not only prioritized but also actionable, inclusive, and measurable.
The briefing calls on countries to use this opportunity to deepen their focus on adaptation, enabling better integration of climate risks into policy frameworks. By aligning their NAPs and NDCs, nations can bolster their preparedness for climate challenges while ensuring their actions contribute meaningfully to global climate targets.
As countries prepare for the 2025 NDC update, this guidance offers a pathway to more cohesive and impactful climate strategies, paving the way for a resilient future in a rapidly changing world.