The need for developing a comprehensive climate change adaptation planning framework for Bahrain has been highlighted in most of the relevant national reports and studies, with a main aim of providing the government with the required planning tools and institutional and capacity development systems to address the main climate change risks, through bridging the spotted technical and institutional gaps, resulting in a more practical framework that contributes to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

It consists of technical and advisory support in developing Bahrain’s national adaptation investment plan, with an adaptation project pipeline in its core, addressing the most pressing climate change adaptation needs, and considering other planning elements including but not limited to a comprehensive climate finance and investment strategy, and implementation arrangements.

Overall Objective

Through the National Adaptation Investment Plan (NAIP) process, Bahrain will increase its climate action readiness, through identifying short- and long-term priority options on climate change adaptation based on available data on current and future climate change impacts. The existing in-country risk assessment studies will form the basis of identifying and prioritizing the adaptation options targeting the most critical sectors. Bahrain’s National Communication identifies the following key areas as the most vulnerable ones: (1) coastal zones, (2) water resources, (3) human health, and (4) biodiversity. 

Key challenges being addressed

As a small island state that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change especially sea level rise and rising temperature, Bahrain emphasized th e urgency of climate actions to enhance resilience. As confirmed by SCE, GGGI 2021’s interventions will focus on delivering a National Adaptation Investment Plan and its climate finance strategy.

GGGI’s Role

As part of the UAE’s international cooperation efforts, and as agreed between the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), GGGI will provide technical and advisory support to SCE in carrying out Bahrain’s national adaptation program. Through the national adaptation planning (NAP) process, Bahrain will identify medium- and long-term priorities on climate change adaptation based on available data on current and future climate change and the associated impacts.

Theory of Change

Bahrain’s overarching national adaptation planning framework should aim at mainstreaming climate change adaptation into the national planning and budgeting framework, increasing the technical capacities of the relevant entities and individuals, providing a more robust coordination framework for relevant sectors especially when it comes to making decisions regarding adaption related matters, building the adaptation information management infrastructure in Bahrain, and enhancing access to climate / adaptation finance. The process of developing this planning framework shall be guided by the UNFCCC’s technical guidelines for NAP development and shall benefit from lessons learned from other countries especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Impact

Climate resilience achieved through an integrated, country-driven, and iterative adaptation planning process.

Outcome

Enhanced adaptive capacity to cope with climate change risks through the development of national adaptation action plan and its implementation.

Outputs

1. Draft a National Climate Change Adaptation Plan accepted by SCE.
2. GCF NAP readiness support proposal on climate change adaptation (for potential funding of adaptation measures proposed in the national climate change adaptation plan)