GEO Blue Planet, in collaboration with the Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS) – Hereon, is pleased to announce the release of a new supplementary resource titled “Coastal and Ocean Adaptation” (Edition 1).
This document is designed to support countries in better integrating coastal and ocean considerations into their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), complementing the UNFCCC Technical Guidelines.
Coastal and ocean regions are increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, and this supplement provides targeted recommendations to ensure these areas are included in national adaptation strategies. It encourages countries to either embed ocean-specific adaptation measures within their existing NAPs or develop dedicated sectoral NAPs focused on coastal and ocean issues.
Who is it for?
While the supplement is especially relevant for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), it offers valuable insights for all nations seeking to strengthen coastal and ocean resilience through climate adaptation planning.
What’s inside?
The document is structured in two key parts:
Part 1: The Knowledge Base
This section introduces six foundational “pillars of knowledge” and five additional considerations, offering essential context on climate impacts, stakeholder engagement, and the role of Earth observation services in adaptation planning.
Part 2: Practical Guidance
Organized around six elements—Access, Baseline, Creation, Deployment, Evaluation, and Feedback—this section provides actionable steps to help countries incorporate coastal and ocean adaptation into their NAP processes.
Designed as a quick-reference guide, the supplement includes summaries, tables, and links to further resources. It draws on extensive research and real-world examples, such as Brazil and Saint Lucia’s integrated approaches, and Uruguay and South Africa’s stand-alone coastal NAPs.
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A Living Document
This first edition invites feedback from users to inform future updates, fostering an inclusive and evolving approach to adaptation planning.
Additional information
📄 Download the Supplement via the UNFCCC webiste
📄 Download the Supplement via the GEO Blue Planet webiste
🔗 Learn more about this work on the GERICS webiste
🔗 Learn more about GEO Blue Planet’s Climate Adaptation Working Group