Climate Action Africa TAI Results
Initiative Details
Tai #060 | Country: São Tomé & Príncipe | Requesting Organization: Direção do Ambiente e Ação Climática (DAAC), Climate Risk Institute (with ADADER) | Technical Experts: not applicable | Thematic area: Climate finance, ecosystem-based adaptation, mangrove conservation, Adaptation Benefits Mechanism (ABM)
Original request / issue
DAAC requested technical assistance to develop project documentation and a methodology under the African Development Bank’s Adaptation Benefits Mechanism (ABM) for mangrove conservation and restoration. The initiative aimed to address chronic underfunding of adaptation activities, limited access to climate finance, and the absence of a finance-ready framework capable of quantifying and demonstrating adaptation benefits from mangrove ecosystems.
Observable change(s)
- São Tomé & Príncipe now has a draft ABM methodology and Activity Design Document (ADD) that translates mangrove conservation and restoration into a climate-finance-ready adaptation investment.
- Government and sector stakeholders developed a stronger understanding of mangroves as measurable climate adaptation assets rather than solely conservation assets.
- A broad coalition of government agencies, NGOs, communities and international organizations participated in the design and validation of a nationally supported mangrove adaptation proposal.
Who changed / Who uses the result
The primary users are DAAC, the Government of São Tomé & Príncipe, the African Development Bank, and national conservation partners. The methodology and ADD provide a framework that government agencies and project developers can use to access adaptation finance and develop mangrove resilience initiatives.
Evidence supporting the change
- Draft ABM Methodology and Activity Design Document were completed and submitted for review under the ABM process.
- Eighty stakeholders from government, NGOs, communities, academia and international agencies participated in consultations informing the methodology and project design.
- Key stakeholders have reported that there a credible basis for future adaptation finance investments.
How EDM-CAA contributed
EDM-CAA contributed by providing technical expertise on adaptation finance, stakeholder engagement, economic analysis, biodiversity conservation, and ABM methodology development. The TA supported activity selection, consultation processes, methodological design, and preparation of climate-finance-ready documentation. Continued progress depends on AfDB review processes, government ownership, and future implementation financing.
Key Enabling Factor(s)
Strong engagement by DAAC, local partners, and community stakeholders enabled development of a nationally relevant proposal.
