Climate adaptation builds local resilience

“It’s a Neem tree, it is strong and lasts for a long time. It does not dry in the season. I’m from Kakuma and live by the river – but now it’s dry. We have to dig for water in the river,” says Ekai from Turkana, Kenya. The trees are an initiative to reduce the environmental damage in areas of human displacement. It is also a critical initiative to fight climate change. (Photo: Ingebjørg Kårstad/NRC)
In 2023 and 2024, NORCAP is piloting several climate change adaptation projects. The projects work to find ways to help people adjust to climate change and protect them from its harmful effects.  We aim to strengthen our partners’ capacity on climate financing, early warning and resilience.
Published 11. Jul 2024
Africa


Millions of people are at risk because of climate change. Across Africa, weather extremes fuel hunger, irreversible loss of biodiversity and increased health risks.

Small-scale farmers account for 80 percent of the food produced in many African countries. They are also the population group which is at the highest risk of food-insecurity, a risk further compounded by the effects of climate change.

The importance of climate change adaptation is increasingly recognised by the international community. However, major obstacles continue to hamper progress at local, national and global levels, including:

  • National actors lack access to climate finance and financial services
  • A lack of coordination at all levels leads to duplications and less early action

To reduce the impact of climate change, ambitious cuts in carbon emissions must be coupled with rapid and transformative climate adaptation initiatives. But only a marginal proportion of funds available is allocated to adaption. As a result, some of the world’s most vulnerable communities do not have the resources needed to boost their resilience.

NORCAP’s approach

We achieve the greatest impact through partnerships. That’s why NORCAP collaborates with a wide range of national and international partners and UN agencies.

We are a world leading expert on climate services supporting various humanitarian and development work. Building on this, we have established an ambitious goal to accelerate climate change adaptation work in Africa, by boosting our partners’ capacities in such work. NORCAP addresses major barriers that hamper progress of climate change adaptation work from the local to the global level.

Papé Samba Diané is a maize farmer in Kaffrine, Senegal. He says climate information services are vital for their crops and livelihoods. (Photo: NORCAP/Ida Sem Fossvik)
Small-scale farmers such as Papé Samba Diané in Kaffrine, Senegal, often lack access to financial services in order to adapt to the changing climate. (Photo: Ida Fossvik Lomholt/NORCAP)

NORCAP’s approach

We achieve the greatest impact through partnerships. That’s why NORCAP collaborates with a wide range of national and international partners and UN agencies.

We are a world leading expert on climate services supporting various humanitarian and development work. Building on this, we have established an ambitious goal to accelerate climate change adaptation work in Africa, by boosting our partners’ capacities in such work. NORCAP addresses major barriers that hamper progress of climate change adaptation work from the local to the global level.

      

What we do

Unlocking access to climate financing

Climate adaptation work is most efficient when led by local communities and institutions. To achieve this, national organisations need direct access to funding specifically allocated for climate-related projects. We advocate for and support partners in preparing proposals, obtaining accreditation and implementing funds from various sources, such as

  • Green Climate Fund (GCF): A global fund supporting climate projects in developing countries
  • Adaptation Fund (AF): Supports vulnerable communities in adapting to the impacts of climate change
  • Global Environment Facility (GEF) funds: Supports environmental projects worldwide

Financial inclusion of vulnerable communities

Small-scale farmers must be able to borrow, save and insure their farming and harvests easily. This is not the case today. NORCAP works with financial service providers such as the private sector which holds the key to facilitating farmers’ access to solutions and investment opportunities relevant to climate adaptation. We advocate for measures to reduce investment risks (for example through insurance or guarantees) and providing technical assistance.

Strengthening coordination and cooperation

Early warning is a cost-effective way to save lives and protect livelihoods from weather extremes. We work to strengthen coordination and collaboration at all levels (local to national) for effective and inclusive decision making. We also contribute to developing national coordination platforms, ensuring that climate financing reaches the right people, empowers vulnerable communities and improves climate resilience.

Climate adaptation work is most efficient when led by local communities and institutions. We advocate for and support partners in preparing proposals, obtaining accreditation and implementing funds from various sources. (Photo: Ingebjørg Kårstad/NRC)

How we work

  • Build capacity: we work with national institutions to strengthen their ability to pre-qualify and apply for climate funding, manage funds and implement projects.
  • Innovation: we work with local partners and the private sector, including banks and micro-finance institutions, to secure small-scale farmers access to finance for investment in adaptation.
  • Advocacy: we advocate for a change in the way climate change adaptation funds are allocated and to increase the global share of climate financing so that small-scale farmers can adapt to changing weather conditions.