Integrating Climate Change into National Development Planning and Budgeting

CONCEPT NOTE

INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON INTEGRATING CLIMATE CHANGE INTO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING AND BUDGETING.

BACKGROUND

Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is a present reality that significantly impacts economic growth, social well-being, and environmental sustainability. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, shifting rainfall patterns, and sea-level rise are already disrupting key sectors such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, water resources, and public health. If not effectively addressed, these climate-related risks could undermine development gains and increase economic vulnerabilities, especially in climate-sensitive regions.

To build climate-resilient economies and societies, governments must integrate climate change considerations into national development planning and budgeting processes. This involves mainstreaming climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into policy frameworks, national budgets, investment decisions, and governance structures. However, many countries face challenges in achieving this integration due to limited institutional capacity, lack of technical expertise, fragmented policy approaches, and difficulties in accessing climate finance.

The Environmental Capacities and Sustainability (ECAS) Institute has designed this training course to equip policymakers, planners, and finance experts with the knowledge, tools, and best practices needed to effectively integrate climate change into national development plans and financial frameworks. The course provides participants with a deep understanding of climate risk assessments, climate-responsive budgeting, financial planning, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that development projects are climate-smart and resilient.

Additionally, the course addresses the importance of mobilizing climate finance from international sources, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and private sector investments, to support sustainable development. Through case studies, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to design policies, access funding, and implement climate-informed decision-making at the national and sectoral levels.

By strengthening the capacity of professionals responsible for economic planning, financial management, and policy implementation, this course contributes to building long-term climate resilience, enhancing sustainable growth, and ensuring the successful implementation of global commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Understand the linkages between climate change and national development.
Identify key challenges and opportunities in climate-responsive planning.
Learn how to integrate climate risk assessments into development policies.
Explore budgeting frameworks for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Strengthen institutional capacities for climate policy implementation.
Understand international climate finance mechanisms and investment opportunities.
Develop skills in monitoring, reporting, and evaluating climate policies.
Engage in case studies and practical exercises to apply climate budgeting concepts.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Participants will gain expertise in:

Climate change mainstreaming approaches in national policies and strategies.
Risk assessment and climate vulnerability mapping for informed decision-making.
Budgeting techniques and financial planning for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Accessing international and domestic climate finance sources.
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks for climate-integrated development plans.
Stakeholder coordination and institutional arrangements for climate policy implementation.
Aligning national development goals with global climate commitments (e.g., Paris Agreement, SDGs).
Case studies on successful climate-integrated development plans.

DURATION AND PROGRAM

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

This course is designed for government officials, policymakers, and development planners involved in economic planning, environmental management, and public finance. It is particularly beneficial for professionals working in finance ministries, planning commissions, and environmental agencies, as well as those responsible for climate policy formulation and implementation.

Additionally, the course is valuable for climate finance experts, researchers, and professionals from international organizations, NGOs, and development agencies seeking to enhance their expertise in climate budgeting, policy alignment, and strategic development planning. Private sector representatives and financial institutions involved in climate investment and sustainability initiatives will also benefit from insights into climate-resilient economic planning and financing mechanisms.

TRAINING MODULES

To effectively integrate climate change into national development planning and budgeting, it is essential to understand the policy landscape, financial instruments, risk assessment methods, and governance frameworks. This course is structured into modules that guide participants through the fundamental principles, strategic approaches, and practical applications of climate-responsive development planning.

The modules begin with an overview of climate change and its impact on national economies before exploring policy integration strategies, financial planning mechanisms, institutional frameworks, and climate risk management tools. Participants will also gain hands-on experience through case studies, simulation exercises, and policy analysis workshops to develop actionable solutions for climate-smart national development.

No	Module	Details
1.	Fundamentals of Climate Change and National Development	Understanding the economic, social, and environmental impacts of climate change. The role of climate change in national development planning. The connection between climate risks and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Key international agreements: Paris Agreement, UNFCCC, and national commitments. Introduction to climate risk assessments and scenario planning.
2.	Integrating Climate Change into Policy and Development Plans	Principles of climate mainstreaming in national policies. Aligning climate adaptation and mitigation strategies with development goals. Legal and institutional frameworks for climate-integrated planning. Climate-sensitive land use, urban planning, and infrastructure development. Stakeholder engagement and cross-sectoral coordination for climate planning.
3.	Climate-Responsive Budgeting and Financial Planning	Basics of climate-responsive budgeting and expenditure tracking. National and sectoral climate finance allocation strategies. Cost-benefit analysis of climate adaptation and mitigation projects. Performance-based budgeting for climate actions. Case studies on climate-smart financial planning
4.	Accessing Climate Finance and Investment Opportunities	Overview of international and domestic climate finance mechanisms. Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and other financial instruments. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) for climate investment. Climate bonds, carbon pricing, and innovative financing models. Challenges in accessing and managing climate finance.
5.	Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Planning	Tools for climate risk and vulnerability assessments. Methods for integrating risk analysis into national development strategies. Early warning systems and disaster risk reduction approaches. Building resilience in critical sectors (agriculture, water, energy, infrastructure). Case studies on climate risk-informed decision-making.
6.	Institutional Arrangements and Governance for Climate Action	The role of national and local governments in climate integration. Strengthening institutional capacities for climate governance. Multi-stakeholder collaboration in climate policy implementation. Legal and regulatory considerations in climate planning. Best practices in climate governance from different countries.
7.	Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting on Climate Policies	Developing robust M&E frameworks for climate-integrated development plans. Tracking progress on climate goals and financial allocations. Climate data management and reporting standards. Impact assessment of climate policies and initiatives. Tools and methodologies for adaptive policy adjustments.
8.	Practical Applications and Case Studies in Climate Integration	Case studies on successful national climate integration strategies. Policy development and budgeting simulations. Group exercises on climate finance planning and risk analysis. Role-playing exercises for stakeholder engagement. Final evaluation and action planning for climate policy implementation.

TRAINING STYLE

This course utilizes a practical, interactive, and experience-based training approach to ensure participants develop both theoretical understanding and real-world application skills. It combines expert-led lectures, group discussions, and case study analyses to provide insights into effective climate policy and budgeting strategies.

Participants will engage in hands-on exercises, simulation workshops, and role-playing activities to apply climate integration concepts in policy planning, financial decision-making, and governance frameworks. The course also features guest speakers from international climate finance institutions, government agencies, and sustainability organizations, offering valuable perspectives on real-world challenges and solutions. By the end of the course, participants will have the knowledge and skills to implement climate-responsive development strategies within their respective institutions.

GENERAL NOTES

Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.

ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE

The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.