National Adaptation Plans Readiness in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Project details

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second-largest country in Africa (almost two-third the size of Western Europe) with a landmass of around 2,344,799 sq km, boasting significant natural resources that could drive economic development. The country has more than 130 million hectares, including 11 million ha of forest making up 10% of global tropical forest. It also has favourable climatic and geological conditions (making it possible to harvest 3-4 crops annually), an extensive network of rivers including the River Congo, and over 1,100 minerals and precious metals. 

Despite its abundant resources and potential, the country faces many challenges, being ranked as the world's poorest nation in 2013, marked by economic instability and political unrest. High rates of deforestation, largely attributed to small-scale farming for energy, pose significant environmental concerns. The population heavily depends on agriculture, while only a small percentage of the land is cultivated. Climate change is already affecting DRC with heatwaves, heavy rainfall, land degradation, floods, and unpredictable rainfall during the wet season. Rising temperatures are set to impact vital economic sectors like agriculture, trade, and hydro-power, leading to increased crop diseases, more droughts, and altered rainfall patterns. These changes exacerbate food insecurity and poverty, particularly among the most vulnerable communities.

As of 2023, the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index ranked DRC as 169^th out of 185 countries in terms of vulnerability and 189^th out of 192 with regard to readiness. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the DRC to unlock its developmental potential and adapt to changing climate conditions.

Results

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project aimed to advance the adaptation planning process in the DRC. Despite facing challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project achieved almost all its targets in its implementation period, contributing to the preparation of DRC's first NAP, the revision of the Climate Change Strategic Plan and Action Plan, and the development of Provincial Development Plans for priority provinces.

Outcome 1 achieved various milestones, including the drafting of a climate change law, conducting assessments of institutional gaps at national and provincial levels, establishing a Technical Committee with regular meetings, and formulating a Stakeholder Engagement Plan for the NAP process. Additionally, a capacity assessment and building plan were implemented, training officers and managers from the Sustainable Development Division and other targeted institutions on climate change adaptation. The outcome also involved the development of a communication plan, sensitization of Environment Technical Groups in pilot provinces, and the creation of a dedicated website for climate information in the DRC. Overall, Outcome 1 contributed to generating a wealth of knowledge and enhancing the capacities of different stakeholders involved in the adaptation planning process, ultimately strengthening coordination mechanisms.

Outcome 2 involved organizing a high-level meeting with the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development to launch the NAP Project, integrating adaptation priorities into the National Strategic Development Plan (PNSD), and developing an initial NAP for the DRC validated by stakeholders. Additionally, climate-risk-informed Development Plans for specific provinces were created and validated, the Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan (PSPA-CC) was revised and validated, and a roadmap for the NAP process was updated and validated.

Other accomplishments under Outcome 2 include producing a methodological guide for integrating adaptation into the National Investment Plan for Agriculture (PNIA), conducting awareness-raising sessions on adaptation in pilot provinces, identifying Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) tools related to adaptation, drafting a communication document on adaptation in the DRC, and proposing a second phase of the NAP project. Furthermore, action plans for the inclusion of indigenous peoples in the PNIA and a gender strategy on adaptation, including indigenous peoples' concerns, were drafted and validated.

The outcome also facilitated the development and update of key policy documents, incorporating adaptation priorities, gender considerations, and indigenous people's perspectives. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were strengthened, enhancing the overall coherence of the government's strategy for climate adaptation-related policies and fostering connections between different planning levels, particularly between provinces and the national level.

Outcome 3 supported a financing strategy linked to the revised Climate Change Policy, Strategy, and Action Plan (PSPA-CC), alongside a drafted strategy to mobilize the private sector for financing climate change adaptation. Technical reports on options for the private sector to finance CCA-related services and technologies, a gender study related to adaptation financing, and a report on social and environmental safeguards linked to climate change adaptation were also drafted. 

Despite pandemic-related setbacks, the project completed most delayed activities in its extended timeline. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of capacity building, gender equality, and inclusiveness in the NAP process. Identified gaps included the need for increased financial resources, strengthened governance, and improved data management related to climate change.

In addition, private sector engagement, enhancing political commitment, and addressing funding gaps remain priorities. Future considerations included better collaboration with other projects, increased engagement with the private sector, and the integration of project knowledge into future initiatives, especially in the preparation of a potential second phase of the NAP project.

DRC’s first NAP

The NAP for DRC guides initiatives for managing and reducing long-term climate risks. Developed by the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development through the support of this project, the NAP aligns with the National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, the National Strategic Development Plan, and the Nationally Determined Contribution. The NAP proposes strategies for coordinated action across government levels and sectors to mitigate and adapt to climate change, emphasizing data availability, legal frameworks, adaptation priorities, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. It also outlines the steps for the short term (2021–2024) to advance the NAP process, emphasizing the importance of GCF support for the DRC as a least-developed country in Africa. The plan focuses on enhancing climate resilience in priority sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, forestry, health, and coastal zones.

Previous engagement with GCF

DRC has been actively engaged with the GCF since its inception, starting from the nomination of an alternative member of the GCF Board from DRC. The country then appointed a Focal Point on 18 August 2014.  Subsequently, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Conservation, and Tourism established a National Coordination Team for the GCF, nominated as the National Designated Authority (NDA) for DRC on 11 April 2015. DRC has actively participated in various engagement activities with the GCF. Additionally, as one of the initial countries targeted for REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), DRC has been actively implementing readiness activities and undertaking pilot investments to address key drivers of deforestation and forest degradation since 2011.

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Key results & output

Outcome 1: The 2016-2020 PSPA-CC implementation is facilitated through the reinforcement of the legal and institutional framework and capacity building for climate change adaptation planning

Outcome 2: Climate change adaptation and development priorities are aligned and reflected in the National Strategic Plan for Development (PNSD), the National Investment Plan for Agriculture (PNIA) and the Provincial Development plans (PDPs) of priority provinces

Outcome 3: Financing options for adaptation investments in agriculture and rural development, biodiversity, coastal areas, health, land use planning and energy are identified with the support of the private sector.

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