Support to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

A comprehensive assessment of current climate impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, water resources and tourism in the Drin–Mat river deltas in Lezhe County has been completed and UNDP has developed climate change scenarios for the area and facilitated risk assessment for three communes. These assessments will feed into adaptation plans currently being developed by the communes, and some adaptation measures and actions have been included in the Lezhe regional development strategy 2010–2015. Climate change scenarios predict significant changes in temperature, precipitation, sea level, river run-off and size of wetlands. In response, the UN has supported the design of a monitoring system to detect climate change impact on ecosystems and the development of habitat maps.

UNDP has also facilitated assessment of the legal and policy framework for renewable energy, notably solar water heating. Based on the findings, UNDP supported the establishment of two interest groups to further market transformation in the solar water heating sector. Following experience gained with preparation of the First and the Second National Communications to UNFCCC, UNDP is providing support to government in the preparation of its Third National Communication, beginning in November 2010.