02 May 2019 Editorial Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Launching Of The NAP Process In Mauritania

Mauritania has launched its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, followed by a two-day capacity building workshop held by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

  • The NAP project is supported by UN Environment with US$2.67 million in funds from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), over three years.
  • Mauritania is experiencing desertification and loss of biodiversity due to climate change – which is predicted to have serious impacts on livelihoods and economic development.
  • Technical support will be provided by UN Environment to advance climate science, ecosystem-based adaptation, environmental economics and integrated adaptation strategies.

24 April 2019, Nouakchott, Mauritania: Climate change adaptation planning in Mauritania has received a boost in the form of a new GCF project to support the advancement of Mauritania’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.

The objectives of this three-year project are to assist Mauritania in strengthening technical and institutional capacities to manage climate change adaptation planning, improve quality and access to climate change data, support the acquisition of adaptation finance and enhance the monitoring and evaluation of adaptation planning impacts at a national and local level.

Climate change is exacerbating ongoing desertification and loss of biodiversity in Mauritania.  These severe challenges are expected to worsen in the future, based on current climate projections.  

There is a vital need to formulate and implement effective adaptation plans, based on sound environmental management, which will contribute to sustaining livelihoods and advance Mauritania’s economic development.