INFORMATION NOTE Towards the achievement of the adaptation commitments established in the NDCs: Progress and good practices in planning, implementing and updating NDCs in Central America June, 2021 1. INTRODUCTION the relevant sectors to achieve their commitments. Re- cognizing the challenges posed by climate change on The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 within the fra- the population, livelihoods and ecosystems, the gover- mework of the United Nations Framework Convention nments of Central America have also articulated the Re- on Climate Change (UNFCCC), establishes the goal of gional Climate Change Strategy (ERCC 2018-2022) with limiting global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius the common objective of reducing the vulnerability and in pre-industrial averages, and requires countries to for- expected impacts of climate change, as well as promo- mulate national climate targets that are consistent with ting climate adaptation and resilience strategies (CCAD this goal through Nationally Determined Contributions and SICA 2019). (NDCs). NDCs are the main means for governments to internationally communicate the steps they will take to In the Central American region, the planning and im- address climate change in their own countries, how they plementation of the NDC adaptation commitments has will adapt to the impacts of climate change, and the su- been different for each country. These processes have pport they require to adopt pathways to low-carbon and generated various experiences and good practices at climate-resilient development. the national level, which in some cases have not been systematized or published; therefore, their dissemina- Central American countries are among the most vulnera- tion at the regional level is relevant. On the other hand, ble in the world to natural disasters and climate events. existing technical and institutional challenges in the re- The region is repeatedly affected by intense rains, drou- gion raise the need to strengthen countries’ capacities to ghts, cyclones, and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) support and improve the planning, implementation and phenomenon. Low resilience to natural hazards, aggrava- update processes of adaptation components under the ted by the expected impacts of climate change, poses a NDCs, as well as the identification of NDCs (or other ins- persistent risk for the achievement of the economic and truments) as ‘vehicle documents’1 to communicate and social development goals of the countries in the region report information on adaptation to climate change. (Esquivel M., Grunwaldt A., Paredes R., Rodriguez E. & Asturias J., 2016). Several countries in the region (Nicara- This document aims to present a summary of experien- gua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala) are among ces and good practices identified in the planning, imple- the top 10 in Latin America with the greatest vulnerability mentation, and update of the adaptation components of to climate change (Mapplecroft, 2014). In 2020, for the first the NDCs, as well as some challenges that exist in the time on record, two hurricanes hit Central America in less region, including the definition of priority measures for than two weeks. In Honduras, losses and damages caused NDC implementation, reporting, monitoring and eva- by hurricanes Eta and Iota totaled 1.9 trillion dollars, with luation of climate change adaptation commitments, and an additional 0.8% reduction in economic growth in 2020 financing (Figure 1). (World Bank, 2021). The impacts related to climate chan- ge in Central America, together with the COVID-19 pan- demic, have exacerbated the vulnerability of countries, These experiences were identified through a literature affected the livelihoods of the population, and limited review and a regional exchange that comprised three we- their ability to prepare for and respond to disasters. binars held between June 16 and 23, 2020. It is expected that the dissemination of these experiences and good practices will contribute to strengthening knowledge ex- Central American countries have taken various actions to change and collaboration in the region to support the face these challenges, and have prioritized adaptation review and update of the NDCs. The regional exchange to climate change given the vulnerability and expected and the systematization of experiences and good practi- impacts of climate change in the region. All the coun- ces in climate change adaptation within the framework of tries in the region have submitted an NDC to the UN- NDCs were developed by IUCN in collaboration with the FCCC including a component on adaptation to climate World Bank, with support from the NDC Support Facility. change, on adaptation to climate change, highlighting 1 The adaptation communications established in Article 7 paragraphs 10, 11 and 12 of the Paris Agreement can be submitted as a component or in conjunction with other communications and/or documents that are referred to as “vehicle documents”, in the draft supplementary guidance for communicating information through adaptation communications under the UNFCCC (Adaptation Committee 2021). I N F O R M AT I O N N O T E 1 Reporting, monitoring and Definition of priority measures for evaluation of climate change NDC implementation adaptation commitments Financing for the implementation Revision and update processes of of climate change adaptation the NDCs measures Figure 1. Challenges that exist in the region in relation to the NDCs 2. ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE Countries in the region have also advanced in the crea- IN NDCS IN CENTRAL AMERICA tion of national policy instruments and in the develop- ment of national climate change strategies and plans, The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of where adaptation has been prioritized (World Bank, adaptation to climate change and establishes a global 2019). In addition, several countries in the region have goal that consists of enhancing adaptive capacity, stren- established ambitious strategies and/or communicated gthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate their intentions to increase their ambition to fight cli- change that also contributes to sustainable development mate change. In 2019 and 2020, Costa Rica, Nicaragua (Article 7, para. 1). All countries in the region ratified the and Guatemala announced their intention to achieve Paris Agreement between 2016 and 2019–and with it carbon neutrality by 20503. As of May 2021, Costa Rica, their NDCs–, laying out their commitments to fight clima- Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama have submitted their te change. All Central American countries have included updated NDCs to the UNFCCC with increased ambition; an adaptation component in their NDCs2. The sectors and Belize, El Salvador, and Guatemala are developing frequently mentioned as priority for adaptation include processes to update their NDCs. In their updated NDC, agriculture, forestry, water, coastal and marine ecosys- Panama and Costa Rica made explicit that the NDC is the tems, and health. Several NDCs also consider actions to vehicle through which they deliver their first adaptation increase the resilience in infrastructure, as well as to pro- communication4, while Honduras establishes the inten- mote disaster risk management (Table 1). tion to present its first communication in 2021. 2 In 2020 Panama presented its updated NDC including a climate change adaptation component. 3 In May 2020, Panama announced its intention to reactivate its economy through a green economic program. 4 According to Article 7 paragraph 10 of the Paris Agreement each Party should, as appropriate, submit and periodically update an adaptation communication, which may include its priorities, implementation and support needs, and its plans and actions, without placing an additional burden on developing country Parties. 2 Table 1. Sectoral approaches in the adaptation component of Central American countries’ NDCs Sectors Coastal Marine Agriculture Forest and Water Disaster Risk Human Countries Health Ecosystems and Food Land Use resources Infrastructure Management Settlements Tourism Energy Security BELIZE COSTA RICA* EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS* NICARAGUA* PANAMA* * According to the NDC update. | Source: Adapted from World Bank (2019). The integration of adaptation components into NDCs has critical information to identify the actions that will con- prompted countries to accelerate their efforts to streng- tribute to reduce vulnerability to climate change in the then action on adaptation. At the same time, the establi- sectors of interest. shment of NDC implementation processes has highligh- ted critical information needs, such as detailed analysis of vulnerabilities in each country, adaptation needs, and The difficulty of establishing metrics for the adaptation costs associated with implementation. It has also highli- component has been another relevant aspect that limits ghted the need to develop clearly defined goals, concre- the establishment of goals and commitments for each te measures to achieve these objectives, and systems for country. The complexity of constructing adaptation indi- monitoring and evaluating the results achieved. Several cators has partly inhibited progress in the planning and of these processes are still underway or are about to be- implementation of adaptation measures (IICA, 2017). In gin in most countries. contrast to mitigation, where there are clearly defined methodologies and general metrics with clear indicators, adaptation depending on the sector, may have different A relevant aspect in Central America that has limited the approaches, indicators, and variables that make its moni- definition of goals and concrete adaptation actions in the toring and evaluation complex. NDC is the lack of vulnerability studies for different sec- tors and geographic areas in each country, which provide I N F O R M AT I O N N O T E 3 3. PROGRESS IN NDC PLANNING Many countries are still in early stages of implementing AND IMPLEMENTATION IN CENTRAL their NDCs and this planning and implementation pe- riod has also shown areas for improvement. Therefore, AMERICA the NDC update and review process presents an oppor- tunity to incorporate more ambitious goals and include The Low Emission Resilient Development in Latin Ame- ways to demonstrate progress in NDC implementation, rica and the Caribbean (LEDS LAC, 2020) report asses- develop stronger transparency systems, and strengthen sed progress in the implementation of NDCs in Latin governance structures (GIZ, 2019). The NDC update pro- America focusing in four phases. Data from this report cess also constitutes an opportunity to identify and defi- served as a basis for Table 2, which shows the progress ne the information that will be included in the communi- in Central America focusing on the adaptation compo- cation on adaptation, as well as the vehicle or instrument nents of NDCs. that will be used for it5. Implementation Planning Assesses progress regarding the Focuses on identifying institutional development of an NDC implementation arrangements and building technical capacities plan, as well as the development of a and basic information that will be useful to financial strategy to mobilize resources plan NDC implementation. needed for implementation. ND Revision and increase in ambition Monitoring and evaluation of progress It assesses if countries have revised and adjusted Focuses on countries' progress in building their implementation plans according to results, and systems or mechanisms to monitor and if they have an instrument that provides a framework evaluate the achievement of the and institutionalizes the process of updating and adaptation goals set out in the NDCs. increasing the ambition of future NDCs. Figure 2. Phases considered to identify progress in the NDC process in Central America. Source: adapted from LEDS LAC, 2020 5 The Paris Agreement and decision 9/CMA.1 state that the communication on adaptation will be presented with other documents as appropriate. Possible vehicles or instruments include National Adaptation Plans, NDCs, National Communications, and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). Communications on adaptation can also be submitted as a single document (Adaptation Committee 2021). 4 Table 2. Identification of progress in different phases of the NDC process Adoption of Monitoring and NDC review commitments Planning Implementation and increase evaluation of ambition Regulatory Analysis of Prioritization Explicit Presentation frameworks Monitoring iNDC NDC expenditure of sectors/ Implementation Financial mention to the Country presentation Presentation on climate adaptation plan (roadmap) and/or policy strategy and evaluation communication of the instruments on systems updated NDC investment measures on adaptation adaptation Climate Resilience Investment Plan. Development of a 01/10/2015 20/04/2016 No Yes In progress Yes No NA In progress financial strategy for BELIZE the implementation of the NDC 30/09/2015 13/10/2016 Yes Yes In progress Yes In progress No Yes 29/12/2020 COSTA RICA Strategy for climate 17/11/2015 27/03/2016 Yes In progress No Yes No NA In progress finance (preliminary) EL SALVADOR 30/09/2015 25/01/2017 Yes Yes Yes Yes In progress Yes NA In progress GUATEMALA 01/10/2015 21/09/2016 Yes Yes Yes Yes In progress Yes In progress 19/05/2021 HONDURAS 03/09/2018 03/09/2018 Yes Yes No Yes In progress No NA 24/12/2020 NICARAGUA 19/04/2016 19/04/2016 Yes Yes In progress Yes In progress No Yes 28/12/2020 PANAMA NA: not available. | Source: LEDS, LAC (2020), ECLAC (2019), UNFCCC (2020), Government of Panama (2020), Government of Costa Rica (2020), Government of Honduras (2021) and interviews. I N F O R M AT I O N N O T E 5 3.1 Planning developing its National Climate Action Plan, which will include short and medium-term adaptation measures to Planning for climate change adaptation has gained re- be implemented in each sector to achieve the commit- levance in Central America as part of countries’ efforts ments established in the updated NDC; Costa Rica plans to ensure that their development goals are not compro- to formulate and approve the Action Plan of the Natio- mised by the potential impacts of climate change. The nal Policy on Adaptation to Climate Change by 2022 and region has made progress in the formulation of natio- has developed general guidelines for the incorporation nal adaptation plans with a medium and long-term view. of resilience measures in public infrastructure; and Hon- Some countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guate- duras plans to develop the National Adaptation Program mala and Honduras) have developed national adapta- in order to operationalize its National Adaptation Plan, tion policies or plans (UNFCCC, 2020), and all countries which will include measures in line with the updated have developed specific adaptation policies for the agri- NDC (Government of Panama 2020; Government of Cos- culture, forestry and/or biodiversity sectors. However, at ta Rica 2020; Government of Honduras 2021). the sector level, information on the pertinence of current sectoral adaptation instruments, the processes that ge- nerated them and how they are being implemented has Defining financing strategies is another important aspect been limited (GIZ, 2019). for implementation where countries have made pro- gress. Some countries in the region (El Salvador and Be- lize) have a financing strategy or similar instrument that Central American countries are also making progress in contributes to the implementation of their NDCs, while the construction of planning instruments for the imple- other countries are developing financing strategies or mentation of their NDCs, such as roadmaps or imple- investment plans and/or have developed economic eva- mentation plans which describe specific actions and how luation processes and identification of financing sources they will be carried out, determine responsible parties, (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua). It is im- assign disaggregated goals (sectoral and/or sub-natio- portant to note that most of the countries in the region nal), and identify possible gaps and sources of financing begin by identifying sources of finance as part of the de- for each action (LEDS LAC, 2020). Honduras and Gua- velopment of a financial strategy (LEDS LAC, 2020) and temala have finalized their roadmap or implementation have indicated the need for financial resources for NDC plan and are executing actions within the framework of implementation. Panama, for example, points out in its these instruments, while Belize and Panama are develo- updated NDC the need to develop a climate finance ping similar instruments with support mobilized under strategy as a challenge for implementation. the NDC Partnership. 3.3 Monitoring and evaluation 3.2 Implementation Implementation and monitoring of climate change In the case of Honduras and Guatemala, the Roadmap or adaptation actions requires greater transparency from NDC implementation plan that was formulated has been countries and cooperation between science and policy perceived as a guidance and support tool that has con- to increase confidence in the figures, including reconci- tributed to the development of an orderly, coordinated ling potential differences in estimates between country and participatory process, involving various central go- reports and scientific studies (Grassi et al. 2007). Monito- vernment institutions. The implementation of roadmaps ring and evaluation processes also require, as key inputs, has also supported progress in the NDC review and up- localized vulnerability studies and the definition of me- date, as well as in their implementation. trics adjusted to the different contexts. Progress in the implementation of NDCs has mainly Regarding monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, consisted in the establishment of platforms for coordi- a recommendation of the UNFCCC in relation to the nation and inter-institutional articulation, in addition to construction of measurement, reporting and verification the approval of enabling elements and conditions such (MRV) systems, is the establishment of interconnected as the legal, political and planning framework. Countries and integrated systems for mitigation, adaptation and have made important progress in developing policy ins- financing, to promote a more efficient tracking of actions truments for the implementation of the adaptation com- and goals. mitments set out in their NDCs. Panama, for example, is 6 El Salvador and Costa Rica have advanced proposals for 3.4 Revision and increase in ambition measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, but there is not yet a completed and operating monito- The requirements for updating the NDCs emphasize ring and evaluation system focused on climate change the need for them to be discussed and communicated adaptation. In other countries, although progress has to all relevant stakeholders with an important role in the been made in some sectors, as in the case of Honduras, implementation process. The seven countries of the re- Panama and Guatemala, it is still necessary to develop gion have taken actions to encourage participation and the elements that describe the communication channels increase awareness about climate change and have de- and inter-institutional arrangements for the transfer of in- veloped various coordination mechanisms to address cli- formation for their operation. mate change in the countries. Regarding the reporting or communication on adapta- With the support of international cooperation, the region tion actions and efforts, Costa Rica and Panama have is working on the revision and update of the NDC, des- submitted their first adaptation communication in their pite the critical challenges and restrictions derived from updated NDCs, and Honduras plans to submit its com- the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these challenges munication in 2021. Adaptation communications are in- have affected several planned actions, countries have tended to strengthen the visibility and profile of adap- developed participatory processes and consultations tation to climate change, provide inputs for the Global with various stakeholders through alternative means Stocktake, as well as strengthen action on adaptation, to face-to-face events, and four countries in the region support for developing countries, and knowledge about (Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama) have submi- adaptation needs (Adaptation Committee 2021). tted updated NDCs reflecting an increase in ambition. 4. GOOD PRACTICES, LESSONS LEARNED AND CHALLENGES IN THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ADAPTATION COMMITMENTS IN THE NDC Key messages 1. DCs detail the actions that countries intend to carry out to face climate change and should be linked to the N governments’ vision of generating economic growth, providing a useful basis for economic recovery. NDCs also highlight common challenges and opportunities for adaptation in the region, including, for example, the role of forests and ecosystems in reducing climate vulnerability and the implementation of conservation, restoration, reforestation, and integrated landscape management actions. 2. It is essential that the NDC review and update processes are articulated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), biodiversity goals, and national priorities, in order to create synergies in the implementation of both agendas and facilitate the achievement of different international commitments. 3. Key aspects to consider in prioritizing adaptation measures include the vulnerability of each sector and region or territory, as well as the conditions and capacities that can promote the most efficient implementation of climate change adaptation actions. I N F O R M AT I O N N O T E 7 4. Successful and efficient implementation of NDCs requires cross-sectoral and multi-level coordination and articulation, as well as transnational collaboration in cases where adaptation measures are implemented in terrestrial and coastal-marine ecosystems shared by two or more countries. 5. Identifying and designing international cooperation projects aligned with the adaptation actions prioritized in the NDCs can generate synergies in the use of financial resources, as well as leverage technical capacities in monitoring and evaluation. 6. It is necessary to define arrangements and/or systems for the monitoring and evaluation of national adapta- tion goals, which will allow for timely and reliable information that will influence efficient adaptation planning and implementation. 7. Communications on adaptation include information similar to that reported under other instruments under the UNFCCC. It is important to consider that countries can adapt the information contained in their commu- nication on adaptation based on the instrument used as a vehicle, and that this communication should not represent an additional burden. 4.1 Planning ces of each country. In addition, national climate change scenarios and vulnerability studies are • It is important to ensure that the governance me- important tools to establish specific adaptation chanism for NDC implementation has the political goals, as well as to define sectors and territories mandate and technical capacity to effectively coor- where the implementation of adaptation measures dinate all relevant stakeholders and sectors, while can be carried out in the most efficient way and ac- promoting it as a channel for sharing reliable infor- cording to the specific needs and context of each mation that contributes to informed, science-ba- territory. While these studies are relevant to inform sed decision making. In addition, it is key that the NDC update and review processes, most countries governance mechanism for implementation is mul- face significant challenges in effectively integra- tisectoral in composition in order to avoid working ting scientific information, climate projections and in silos or isolated interventions. expected climate change impacts into the design and planning processes of adaptation instruments. • The creation of spaces and platforms for inter-ins- titutional and multisectoral participation in the re- • One of the main challenges faced by the countries view and update of the NDCs, has helped to insti- of the region in relation to updating, increasing tutionalize the planned actions and commitments. ambition and implementing NDCs, is the need This taking into account that the NDC should be to move from incremental adaptation to transfor- considered as a State policy, where all related sec- mational adaptation, that is, to implement actions tors and stakeholders participate. In some instan- that cause structural change at the systems level ces, the review and update of the NDCs also aims (Ley, 2020). to support strategies for economic recovery. • In relation to the formulation of specific adapta- tion goals, the use of the climate change scenarios for each country, as well as vulnerability studies are basic tools to guide the NDC update and increase of ambition according to the specific circumstan- 8 • There are opportunities in the region to improve • Reviewing and analyzing the capacities of the ins- the harmonization of plans and actions at different titutions that will participate in the monitoring and levels of government, as well as in sectoral strate- evaluation mechanisms or systems is key to de- gies. There is also a need to continue strengthe- veloping a training plan that allows consolidating ning institutional capacities to improve knowledge the technical knowledge of the stakeholders invol- regarding the implications of climate change in va- ved. In this sense, a significant challenge is to train rious sectors and territories and the identification personnel in the different institutions in charge of of appropriate adaptation strategies at the natio- monitoring and evaluation systems (information nal, regional and local levels. technology area, field researchers, and those res- ponsible for calculations) and maintain capacities in a context of frequent personnel changes within 4.2 Monitoring and evaluation public institutions. • Uncertainty about the expected impacts of clima- • It is important to define indicators for monitoring te change may affect the planning of adaptation national adaptation goals that integrate all ele- measures. It also adds complexity to monitoring ments of risk, threat, exposure and vulnerability and evaluation systems and can pose difficulties in so that they are linked to the country’s adaptation identifying appropriate indicators. priorities and inform future revisions. Although de- signing robust monitoring and evaluation systems • Linking the monitoring and evaluation of adap- for adaptation measures is a major challenge, it is tation measures with other indicators used in the necessary to start with building flexible systems country will make it possible to use existing tools, that allow for continuous improvement and can save resources and make efficient use of available adapt to changing conditions and new challenges. information. The indicator systems used to track SDGs, for example, can support the follow-up of • Ensure the involvement of the beneficiaries of the adaptation goals as they include objectives related adaptation measures, especially the consideration to sectors identified as priorities for adaptation in of their perceptions, which are useful for an imple- the NDCs, such as food security and agriculture, mentation according to the needs of the popula- water resources and disaster risk management. tion, and to design strategies to monitor and track progress towards achieving the desired results. • It is necessary to involve high levels of government in the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as to facilitate interins- • For the preparation of the adaptation communica- tions proposed in the Paris Agreement, it is advisa- titutional arrangements for cooperation and infor- ble to consider the existing guidelines for each of mation sharing among government institutions. It is also relevant to identify and involve key actors from the potential instruments that are used as a vehicle different sectors since the beginning of the process (National Communications, National Adaptation of developing monitoring and evaluation systems. Plan, BTR) to strengthen the coherence of the infor- mation, reduce duplications, and create information • For the proper functioning of the monitoring synergies between different instruments (Adapta- and evaluation systems, it is relevant to establi- tion Committee 2021). It is important to consider sh a formal governance mechanism, supported that countries can tailor the information contained by clear guidelines that describe the functions of in their adaptation communication based on the the stakeholders involved, as well as communi- vehicle instrument, and that this communication cation channels and their respective institutional should not represent an additional burden. arrangements, in order to have clarity on how the information will flow, its organization and form of socialization, and validation of the information. It is important to include in these arrangements the mechanisms to control and ensure the quality of in- formation, establishing the personnel responsible for this task, as in the case of Costa Rica, where the independent Observatory was created to support the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system. I N F O R M AT I O N N O T E 9 4.3 Financing • It is important to identify opportunities and pro- mote public-private partnerships for NDC finan- • Implementing the NDCs involves an important cing. Given the gaps between available resources mobilization of financial resources, so it is ne- and existing needs, private sector finance is criti- cessary for countries to have information on the cally needed. However, there are still significant costs and financial resources needed to achieve challenges to leverage private sector finance for their commitments, as well as on the type of ins- adaptation activities in the region. Innovative fi- truments that could be the most appropriate for nancial instruments are crucial to address the gap implementation. in climate financing options. In addition there is an increasing need to understand climate change • Linking prioritized adaptation measures with deve- adaptation as a financial/economic opportunity for lopment goals. It is a practice carried out mainly in the private sector. the agriculture sector, which has made it possible to link goals and commitments related to food se- • Creating coordination mechanisms to leverage in- curity with adaptation to climate change. This has ternational and national public and private resour- helped channel government resources to national ces, provides an opportunity to support projects priorities while implementing adaptation measures. that address national priorities for both develo- pment and climate change adaptation, and that • The creation of a climate change office or focal contribute to economic reactivation. However, point within the Ministry of Finance can promote developing these mechanisms presents a challen- progress in the identification of sources of public ge in the region. It is also necessary to strengthen financing for specific adaptation projects. capacities within the public sector to improve the management of financial resources, mainly in or- • It is important to institutionalize the registration der to integrate national adaptation priorities into and tagging of public spending on climate chan- the design of cooperation projects with a strategic, ge, in order to evaluate whether resources are be- comprehensive and cross-sectoral approach. ing allocated to address the country’s adaptation priorities. It can also be a tool to make public spen- • An important challenge in the region is the deve- ding on climate change more efficient. lopment of climate financing strategies through the creation of self-financing mechanisms (funds, • Identifying international cooperation projects re- carbon taxes, green bonds), as well as the develo- lated to adaptation topics included in the NDC pment of mechanisms or incentives for the partici- can help leverage resources towards national and pation of banks in the financing and integration of NDC goals. climate change adaptation processes. 10 5. CONCLUSIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES The current health crisis facing the world’s population, FOR REGIONAL COLLABORATION which is currently severe in Central America, has accen- tuated structural problems, increasing unemployment and poverty, and aggravating food insecurity. As a result, The implementation of the commitments adopted by funding for NDCs is expected to be adversely affected. the region in relation to climate change could be favored It will be essential to develop ideas and projects that, by designing and implementing public policies on eco- in addition to implementing climate change adaptation nomic, social and other topics of regional interest, such priorities, foster opportunities and social participation. as technological innovation, regulatory and institutional Aligning NDCs with government policies for economic changes and strengthening of technical capacities that recovery can address multiple objectives, such as crea- support progress towards the achievement of adapta- ting a green and blue economy that encourages em- tion and climate change goals. ployment and productivity, while at the same improving management and conservation of the environment and natural resources. The establishment of regional frameworks for action is not new to Central America. There are regional bodies within the framework of the Central American Integration Finally, the mobilization of the private sector in the fi- System (SICA), such as the Central American Commission nancing of adaptation measures could benefit from a re- for Environment and Development (CCAD) and the Cen- gional effort to identify innovative financing instruments tral American Agricultural Council (CAC), with capacities and share experiences and results in the establishment to promote common climate action initiatives, as well as of public-private partnerships. To this end, it is necessary the strengthening of regional and national platforms for to strengthen the knowledge of the entities and users of the provision of climate information services that support the financial sector on the risks and potential effects of monitoring and evaluation systems, among other topics climate change in order to incorporate these aspects in of regional interest. There are several efforts materialized their risk assessments and in the new offer of products in planning instruments such as the Central American Po- and services. For this, it is necessary to advance in the po- licy for Disaster Risk Management (PCGIRD), the Regio- litical-legal and institutional articulation that allows a tran- nal Strategy for Climate Change (ERCC), the Strategy for sition towards socio-economic systems resilient to climate Sustainable Agriculture Adapted to Climate 2018-2030, change, as well as the adequate implementation, monito- among others. The recent update of the ERCC empha- ring and evaluation of climate change adaptation actions. sizing the need to address adaptation in the region, as well as the launch of the Implementation Plan for the period 2018-2022, opens the possibility of strengthening the implementation of integrated actions involving diffe- rent sectors. The region has made progress in developing initiatives to address common climate change challenges, particu- larly in the agriculture and forestry sectors. For example, the Regional Initiative Building Resilience in the SICA re- gion under a synergistic approach between Mitigation and Adaptation, focused on the agriculture, forestry and other land uses (AFOLU) sector presented in 2019, aims to restore and conserve ten million hectares of degraded land and ecosystems by 2030, with a goal of achieving Carbon Neutrality in the AFOLU sector by 2040. 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First Update. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/01/11/ respuesta-honduras-desastre-huracanes-eta-iota Grassi, Giacomo, Jo House, Frank Dentener, Sandro Fede- rici, Michel den Elzen, and Jim Penman. 2017. The key role of forests in meeting climate targets requires science for credible mitigation. Nature Climate Change 7: 220–226. 12 Disclaimer: All omissions and inaccuracies in this document are the respon- sibility of the authors. All results, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this report are those of the authors and should not be attributed in any way to the World Bank, its affiliated organizations, members of its Board of Executive Directors, or the countries they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the information included in this report. For this reason, it accepts no responsibility for any consequence derived from the use or inter- pretation of this document. Rights and Permissions: The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because the World Bank encourages the dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for non-commercial purposes, provided that full attribution is given to this work. Acknowledgements: This document was prepared by a team led by Katharina Siegmann (Senior Environmental Specialist) of the World Bank. The lead au- thors are Celene Enriquez (IUCN) and Ana Karla Perea Blazquez (World Bank). The team expresses its gratitude to peer reviewers Gabriela Encalada (World Bank), Cayetano Casado (NDC Partner- ship Support Unit) and Natascha Solis (GIZ), as well as to Gabriela Alonso Mendieta (World Bank) and Ursula Parrilla (IUCN) for their contributions. This note was developed within the framework of the technical as- sistance project “Supporting the implementation of Guatemala’s NDC Roadmap towards 2020-2030” of the World Bank financed by the NDC Support Facility.