A. Definitions, objectives, [guiding principles,] scope and roles and responsibilities
Definitions1
1. Adaptation [shall] [should] encompass action to reduce the vulnerability and build the resilience of ecological and social systems and economic sectors to present and future adverse effects of climate change [and the impact of the implementation of response measures] in order to minimize the threats to life, human health, livelihoods, food security, assets, amenities, ecosystems and sustainable development.
2. Taking into account different national circumstances, levels of risk and exposure to climate change, “particularly vulnerable developing countries” are hereby defined as developing country Parties that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change [and/or to the impact of the implementation of response measures], and least able to adapt, including:
(a) Least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing States (SIDS) and countries in Africa affected by drought, desertification and floods;
(b) Those identified in the nineteenth [and twentieth] paragraph[s] of the preamble to the Convention [and in its Article 4.8];
(c) Countries in Asia; archipelagic countries; countries with unique biodiversity, tropical and mountainous glaciers, and other fragile ecosystems, including terrestrial, highland and other ecosystems such as estuaries, coastal wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds and sand dunes; countries with populations in mountainous regions with rapidly disappearing glaciers; economically vulnerable countries; [countries with areas of high urban atmospheric pollution] and countries with vulnerable urban populations.
Objectives
3. Adaptation requires urgent and immediate, short-, medium- and long-term action, to be implemented through enhanced international cooperation. To this end, a comprehensive adaptation [framework] [programme] is hereby established, with the objectives of:
(a) Reducing vulnerability and building resilience in all countries to present and future adverse effects of climate change [and to the impact of the implementation of response measures];
(b) Enabling and supporting the implementation of adaptation action at local, subnational, national, regional and global levels through finance, technology and capacity-building;
(c) Mobilizing and providing access to means of implementation, including finance, technology and capacity-building, for all developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable;
(d) Enhancing cooperation among Parties and intergovernmental, non-governmental and regional organizations that are implementing adaptation and related activities, in order to encourage synergy and ensure coherence across adaptation action and under the Convention.
Guiding principles
4. The implementation of enhanced action on adaptation, including the implementation of the
adaptation [framework] [programme], [shall] [should]:
(a) Ensure consistency with, and adherence to, the principles of the Convention and commitments thereunder;
(b) Adhere to the polluter pays principle;
(c) Follow a country-driven approach to adaptation;
(d) [Take climate change considerations into account, to the extent feasible, in relevant social, economic and environmental policies and actions] [Integrate adaptation actions into sectoral and national planning];
(e) Be based on, and guided and informed by the best available science and traditional knowledge, as appropriate;
(f) Involve all relevant stakeholders through a participatory approach to ensure ownership and inclusiveness.
Scope
5. The scope of implementation of the adaptation [framework] [programme] covers the life cycle of adaptation, from vulnerability assessments to planning to implementation, at all levels and on all timescales. The adaptation [framework] [programme] should distinguish between, and balance the need for:
(a) Adaptation action to short-term climate shocks and adaptation action to long-term shifts in the climate;
(b) Adaptation action that is integrated into national development and sectoral activities and stand-alone adaptation action that is additional to ongoing development.
6. In the implementation of the adaptation [framework] [programme] as laid out in subsequent sections, including in the provision of means of implementation, priority should be given to the following:
(a) [All] [Particularly vulnerable] developing countries;
(b) Particularly vulnerable sectors;
(c) Particularly vulnerable people, groups and communities;
(d) Particularly vulnerable ecosystems.
