The recent NAP Expo 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia, highlighted an urgent message: we need more investment in climate adaptation. This event gathered around 400 participants from 80 countries to discuss how to strengthen National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and close funding gaps in climate action.
Youssef Nassef, UN Climate Change’s Director of Adaptation, emphasized the costs of inaction. He noted that about $300 billion is necessary each year for climate adaptation by 2030. If we don’t invest now, governments will end up spending even more on rebuilding after disasters and dealing with food shortages due to crop failures.
Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha, stressed the importance of transforming NAPs into plans that attract investment. He urged for better coordination among stakeholders, including women, youth, and Indigenous communities, in designing and executing these plans.
The challenges posed by climate change can have dire consequences. This year’s drought cut Zambia’s crop yields and electricity production by over 50%. Local leaders like Douty Chibamba recognized that addressing these issues requires a collaborative approach across various sectors.
The Expo also introduced innovative tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to help countries adapt to climate change. Many participants learned to use AI for the first time, demonstrating the potential for technology to enhance climate resilience. Sessions focused on incorporating diverse values, particularly from Indigenous Peoples and local communities, to ensure inclusive adaptation strategies.
Fumukazi Zilanie Kamgundanga Gondwe, a traditional leader from Malawi, highlighted that many modern innovations are grounded in ancient Indigenous practices. This connection to history can guide us in crafting more effective adaptation strategies.
Ana Toni, CEO of COP30 in Brazil, called for a shift in mindset, urging the global community to focus equally on adaptation as on mitigation. She pointed out that COP30 could be a pivotal moment in making sustainable and resilient lives a priority on the global agenda.
Key takeaways from the Expo included practical solutions like:
- Water Security: Strategies for urban rainwater harvesting and restoration of natural waterways.
- Food Security: Climate-smart farming practices to improve soil health and maximize yields without expanding land use.
- Secure Livelihoods: Diversification in incomes through sustainable resource management.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Nature-based solutions for coastal protection.
As the Expo concluded, it underscored how interconnected our efforts need to be, not only to meet the 2025 submission target for NAPs but to secure a sustainable future for vulnerable communities worldwide.
For more information on the National Adaptation Plans and funding strategies, you can check out the UNFCCC. The next significant moment for climate adaptation will be Climate Week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from September 1 to 6, convened by UN Climate Change, which aims to further these discussions and enhance global cooperation on climate financing.
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Climate adaptation expo,climate finance,Lives,NAP Expo 2025,National Adaptation Plans (NAPs),Zambia
