IHP-IX 5.3. Science-based guidelines to enhance water content in Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans for better climate policy.

Sciences-based assessment and development of guidelines, for strengthening water-related content in Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans, conducted to strengthen water-based climate policy- action nexus for adaptation and mitigation. 1. Development and pilot implementation of vulnerability assessment framework for hydro-climatic hazards and practices, towards and in NDCs and NAPs, establishing links to open data when appropriate, on climate change (e.g. linking to ISIMIP, ISIPedia and Climate Services such as COPERNICUS) towards climate adaptive paths, especially in SIDS. 2. Establishment, in close cooperation with UNFCCC, of a service for coordinated support to Member States on education and capacity development into NDCs and NAPs with a view to mobilizing public/private funds and investments 3. Development of a science-based framework and guidelines for the assessment and inclusion of surface and groundwater-related and ecohydrology-related contents in NDCs and NAPs. 4. Joint assessment of selected NDCs and NAPs with country partners and recommendations to incorporate water-related content in adaptation and mitigation components.

Collaborating Entity(ies)

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Contributing Action Number

CA4.29

Primary Entry Point

4: Accelerate progress and transformational change

Additional Entry Point(s)

1: Lead and inspire collective action

2: Engage better for countries

3: Align UN system support for integration

Output(s)

Output 1.1: Water and sanitation issues are a strategic leadership priority for the UN System

Output 2.1: Expertise and resources are fully leveraged by the UN system to support countries, with emphasis on the water and sanitation needs of developing countries

Output 2.2: Diverse stakeholders and partnerships are mobilized by the UN system to support countries’ progress on water and sanitation

Output 3.2: Integrated policy frameworks to manage water and sanitation across sectors are supported by the UN system using latest data and evidence

Output 3.3: Mainstreaming of water and sanitation-related issues into Member States-led intergovernmental processes is supported by the UN system

Output 4.1: Financing strategies, frameworks and plans for investing in water and sanitation across sectors are prepared and implemented with UN system support, with particular emphasis on the financing needs of developing countries

Output 4.3: Institutional and human resources capacity development support that responds to national needs and priorities is provided by the UN system, contributing to a skilled water and sanitation workforce

Output 4.5: Governance of water and sanitation is improved through UN system support, including with emphasis on the needs of developing countries

SDG 6 Target(s)

Cross-cutting work on SDG 6

SDG target 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water

SDG target 6.3: Improve water quality, wastewater and safe reuse

SDG target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies

SDG target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management (IWRM)

SDG target 6.A: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building

SDG target 6.B: Support stakeholder participation

SDG target 11.5: Reduce number of deaths, people affected and economic losses caused by disasters, including water-related disasters

Water-related work on other SDGs

Type of Engagement

Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)

Data collection and analysis

Implementation (e.g. direct support and service delivery, pilot or larger scale)

Capacity development and technical assistance

Convening of stakeholders

Policy advice and thought leadership

Geographical Scope

Global level

Country-level (national, subnational and local)

More information

https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000384615

Leading Entity

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.