Belarus' National Adaptation Plan: Paris Agreement Compliance

Belarus has taken several steps to implement its commitments under the Paris Agreement, including adopting a new law, On the Protection and Use of Peatlands, which establishes a legal framework for the protection and sustainable use of peatlands and their resources. This law will help Belarus reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% by 2030, as pledged under the Paris Agreement. Additionally, Belarus has developed a National Adaptation Plan with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the EU4Climate Project, which aims to improve climate policies and legislation and make citizens more resilient to climate change.

National Adaptation Planning in Belarus

The EU4Climate Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), helps governments in six EU Eastern Partner countries, including Belarus, to take action against climate change. The project supports countries in implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and improving climate policies and legislation.

National Adaptation Plan Process

The UNDP has recruited an international consultant to contribute to achieving the main outputs of the project, including enhanced adaptation planning. The consultant will work in close cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus (MNREP), the Project's national consultants, and other relevant stakeholders.

The consultant will guide and assist a pool of national sectoral consultants in energy, industry, transport, utilities, economy, and the legal sphere, who have been hired to perform assessments of climate change impacts, vulnerability, and climate risks for the development of a National Adaptation Plan for Belarus.

The consultant will:

• Prepare a presentation on climate change adaptation, the main stages of national adaptation planning, and general activities to consider at each phase for the National Adaptation Plan process.
• Prepare a report on the analysis done.
• Prepare a presentation for information and educational workshops for consultation and capacity building of stakeholders on climate change adaptation, and participate in webinars for capacity building on climate change adaptation.
• Develop a policy paper with the main points covered within the work done.

The New Law on the Protection and Use of Peatlands

Belarus has taken another important step towards implementing its commitments under the Paris Agreement by adopting a new law, "On the Protection and Use of Peatlands." The law establishes a legal framework for the protection and sustainable use of peatlands and their resources, contributing to the realization of citizens' rights to a favorable environment and natural resources management.

Under the Paris Agreement, Belarus has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% by 2030. The new law will help fulfill these commitments by ensuring the preservation of natural peatlands and the carbon accumulated in them.

The adoption of the law was preceded by large-scale work, including the inventory of all Belarusian peatlands carried out within two UNDP-GEF projects: "Peatlands-2" and the current "Wetlands" project. The next step was the development of the Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands and the Scheme of Peatlands Distribution by Type of Use through 2030, which formed the basis for the new law.

The new law is expected to make a significant contribution to sustainable development and the effective fight against climate change at the regional, national, and global levels.

National Adaptation Plan process

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process is a country-led process that helps nations to formulate and implement strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate change. It is a key part of the Paris Agreement, which Belarus has committed to, and involves the following steps:

• Initiation and Planning: This phase involves the establishment of a national coordinating team, the development of a roadmap, and the identification of priority areas for adaptation. It is crucial to have strong political commitment and multi-stakeholder engagement during this phase.
• Assessing Key Vulnerabilities and Risks: This step includes conducting comprehensive climate change vulnerability and risk assessments to identify sectors and communities that are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. It also involves evaluating existing adaptation measures and identifying gaps.
• Formulating Adaptation Strategies and Policies: Based on the vulnerability and risk assessments, countries develop adaptation strategies and policies tailored to their specific needs. This may include sector-specific plans, such as for agriculture, water resources, or coastal zones.
• Implementing Adaptation Actions: The next phase involves implementing the identified adaptation strategies and policies. This may include both short-term and long-term actions, and it is important to ensure adequate financing and capacity-building for effective implementation.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The NAP process emphasizes the importance of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation actions. This includes collecting data, establishing baselines, and developing indicators to track progress and inform future decision-making.
• Updating and Reviewing: Adaptation planning is an iterative process, and countries are encouraged to regularly update and review their NAPs to incorporate new knowledge, changing circumstances, and lessons learned.

In Belarus, the process of developing and implementing a National Adaptation Plan is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the EU4Climate Project. This project assists Belarus and other Eastern Partner countries in taking action against climate change and aligning their policies with the Paris Agreement. The process involves close collaboration between the UNDP, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus, and various national and international stakeholders.

Climate change impacts

Belarus has taken several important steps towards implementing its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The country has adopted a new law, "On the Protection and Use of Peatlands," which establishes a legal framework for the protection and sustainable use of peatlands and their resources. This includes the conservation and improvement of biosphere functions, water protection, and the satisfaction of economic and aesthetic needs for present and future generations.

The law will contribute to the realization of citizens' rights to a favorable environment and natural resource management, as well as the fulfillment of Belarus' obligations under international treaties. Under the Paris Agreement, Belarus has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% by 2030. This includes commitments on rewetting and disturbed peatlands rehabilitation, which will help reduce CO2 emissions across the country.

The adoption of the law was preceded by large-scale work, including an inventory of all Belarusian peatlands carried out within two UNDP-GEF projects: "Peatlands-2" and the current "Wetlands" project. The next step was the development of the "Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands" and the "Scheme of Peatlands Distribution by Type of Use through 2030," which were adopted by the Belarusian Government in 2015.

The country has also made progress in enhancing adaptation planning with the support of the UNDP. The EU4Climate Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNDP, supports Belarus and five other EU Eastern Partner countries in taking action against climate change. The project aims to limit the impact of climate change on citizens' lives and make them more resilient.

As part of this project, Belarus has conducted consultations with the government to identify priority areas of work and key deliverables. The country is also working towards finalizing/updating its nationally determined contributions and national mid-century strategies, which will be communicated to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Additionally, Belarus is taking steps to improve inter-institutional awareness and coordination at the political and technical levels regarding the Paris Agreement and its corresponding national commitments. The country is also working towards establishing concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Climate risks assessment

Belarus has made commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement. The country has also committed to rewetting and rehabilitating disturbed peatlands to help reduce CO2 emissions.

To achieve these goals, Belarus has adopted a new law, "On the Protection and Use of Peatlands," which establishes a legal framework for the protection and sustainable use of peatlands and their resources. The law aims to conserve and improve the biosphere functions of peatlands, protect water resources, and meet the needs of present and future generations.

Additionally, Belarus has identified priority areas of work and key deliverables for its National Adaptation Plan. The plan focuses on enhancing adaptation planning and improving inter-institutional awareness and coordination at the political and technical levels regarding the Paris Agreement and corresponding national commitments.

Paragraph 1:

The Republic of Belarus, under the Paris Agreement, has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 35% by the end of 2030. This commitment includes addressing the nation's disturbed peatlands, which play a significant role in CO2 emissions. By rehabilitating and rewetting these peatlands, Belarus aims to make a substantial contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions across the country.

Paragraph 2:

The National Adaptation Plan of Belarus is designed to enhance the country's resilience to the impacts of climate change. The plan focuses on improving understanding and coordination among various institutions regarding the Paris Agreement and Belarus's associated commitments. This includes raising awareness at both the political and technical levels to ensure a comprehensive approach to addressing climate change.

Paragraph 3:

The National Adaptation Plan also emphasizes the importance of sectoral adaptation measures. By consulting with experts in energy, industry, transport, utilities, economics, and law, Belarus aims to develop concrete guidelines for implementing the Paris Agreement. This cross-sectoral approach ensures that the country's adaptation efforts are well-informed and tailored to the specific needs and challenges of each sector.

Paragraph 4:

Belarus's commitment to protecting and sustainably managing its peatlands is a key component of its National Adaptation Plan. The "On the Protection and Use of Peatlands" law provides a comprehensive legal framework for preserving natural peatlands and the carbon they store. This law is a significant step toward fulfilling Belarus's commitments under the Paris Agreement and contributes to sustainable development and the fight against climate change at regional, national, and global levels.

Belarus's National Adaptation Plan demonstrates the country's dedication to mitigating the risks associated with climate change and ensuring a more resilient future for its citizens.

National Adaptation Plan for the Republic of Belarus

The National Adaptation Plan for the Republic of Belarus is part of the country's commitment to the Paris Agreement, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35% by 2030. This includes the rehabilitation of disturbed peatlands, which will help to reduce CO2 emissions across the country.

The plan focuses on the protection and sustainable use of peatlands, with the following key components:

• The preservation of natural peatlands and the carbon accumulated in them.
• The legal framework for the protection and sustainable use of peatlands, including their resources, conservation, and improvement of biosphere functions.
• Satisfying the economic, aesthetic, and other needs of present and future generations, ensuring citizens' rights to a favourable environment and natural resource management.
• The adoption of the "Peatlands-2" and "Wetlands" projects, which aim to restore the hydrology of peatland ecosystems, thus reducing peat fires and CO2 emissions.
• The development of long-term plans for the sustainable use of drained peatland forests, with decisions on restoration and wise management made within the project.
• The rehabilitation of inefficiently drained peatlands to stabilize groundwater tables, prevent soil mineralization, and have a positive effect on nearby rivers and meadows.

The National Adaptation Plan for the Republic of Belarus also includes:

• Enhanced adaptation planning, with the development of nationally determined contributions and national mid-century strategies.
• Improved inter-institutional awareness and coordination at the political and technical levels regarding the Paris Agreement and corresponding national commitments.
• The establishment of concrete sectoral guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
• Increased mobilization of climate finance.

The plan will be guided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

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