What's new on the Adaptation Knowledge Portal this month

It is now less than two months till the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), partners of the Nairobi Work Programme (NWP), the UNFCCC’s knowledge to action hub, have been striving to close the most pressing knowledge gaps to be able to achieve progress towards a sustainable, climate-resilient world.  

During the month of August, the Adaptation Knowledge Portal (AKP) featured over 20 new knowledge resources and articles bringing together new perspectives on climate adaptation finance and governance, enhancing climate education, climate resilient buildings, urban climate adaptation, waste management, water and food systems and more. 

1. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and SEfficiency provided a practical guide of construction solutions to create climate resilient buildings and communities, whilst mitigation for changing weather conditions.  The UN Habitat report on identifying lessons on how to strengthen urban finance with the use of case studies.   

2. The Adaptation Committee also contributed 9 knowledge resources, amongst them includes: A report that explores and addresses some good practices of adaptation efforts of developing countries in addressing climate hazards; a paper on opportunities for enhancing adaptation actions through education and training, and youth participation; and a toolkit to support country efforts to develop strategies to engage private sector actors in their National Adaptation Plans (NAP).    

3. A new policy brief developed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific will provide information on the current situation of e-waste management in Asia and the Pacific and explore the correlation between e-waste management and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).    

4.New insights from SouthSouthNorth shares examples and approaches to policy and programme design that are taking place in Africa, as well as opportunities to scale up these initiatives.   

5. A new working paper from the New Climate Institute aims to align Agribusiness and the Broader Food System with the Paris Agreement    This case study from Yale University aims to advance knowledge on traditional water resource management and climate change adaptation planning by studying ecosystem-based Adaptation and Water Resources in Nepal and Perú.

New UNFCCC article on the upcoming Africa Climate Week,hosted by the Government of Uganda from 26-29 September. This regional climate week will feature important discussions which will pave the way to COP26. Different perspectives by partners of the UNFCCC were covered in this NWP news article , on the priority adaptation knowledge and investment gaps in improving management of water resources.

You might also find the NWP’s latest quarterly newsletter an informative read, showcasing the most recent advancements in the lead-up to COP 26 in collaboration with other constituted bodies and work programmes, such as the Least developed Countries group, the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform, the Adaptation Committee and the Technology Executive Committee and the Consultative Group of Experts. Sign up here ​to receive the newsletter. Also, watch the IUCN event alongside the NWP’s expert group on oceans that took place on 6 September, the discussions explore ways to scale up adaptation in oceans and coastal settings using innovative technology.

If you are interested in learning more about addressing knowledge gaps related to oceans and coastal areas, check out our thematic pages and get to know how the NWP works with thematic expert groups using the knowledge to action methodology. ​A new publication on enhancing resilience of oceans, coastal areas and ecosystems through collaborative partnerships is set to come out later this year, which will highlight the work of the NWP and partners.