Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Programme of Action for the Palestinian Authority

Abstract

Climate Change is no more an illusion. Its impact is globally witnessed and interventions must be highly addressed at international, regional and national levels. Recognizing this reality, governments and communities have to actively respond to this phenomena aiming at minimizing the rate of this change and raising the resilience of local communities to cope with its impact. The occupied Palestinian territory, as part of the Eastern Mediterranean, is subject to many serious changes in annual rainfall, mean temperature, extreme weather events and sea level rise as stated in the fourth assessment report by IPCC. The Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Environment Quality Authority (EQA), took the lead in developing the “National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy” with support from UNDP/PAPP. Stakeholders representing all scrotal groups, including officials, researchers, representatives of NGOs, CBOs and local communities, were actively involved in preparation of this national strategy. A National Committee for Climate Change is already active and working towards highlighting the impact of climate change on different sectors aiming at developing the National Action Plan for Adaptation. We are looking forward to cooperating with the international community to actively and properly adapt to the impact of climate change to protect our planet