Climate change is intensifying humanitarian challenges, placing unprecedented stress on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems. In recent years, the sector has advanced significantly with the development of new policies, toolkits, data, and technical guidance to strengthen climate resilience. Key global frameworks such as the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations, the IASC Climate Crisis Roadmap, and the new UNICEF Cluster Guidance on Coordination for Climate provide a strong foundation for action. Yet, dissemination and uptake by implementers remain a critical challenge, particularly in emergency contexts where operational priorities often overshadow long-term climate considerations.

This session will explore how Climate Action Plans (CAPs) can serve as a practical mechanism to translate global commitments and technical guidance into actionable steps at the field level. CAPs offer a structured approach for clusters and partners to identify climate risks, prioritize interventions, and coordinate efforts across agencies—ensuring that climate resilience moves from policy to practice.

Participants will gain insights into:

• The CAP development process and its role in fostering collaboration and accountability.

• Strategies for overcoming barriers to adoption, including capacity gaps and resource constraints.

• Technical guidance from Oxfam, on operationalizing climate action.

The session will feature perspectives from cluster coordination teams and technical experts, followed by an interactive Q&A to explore how these approaches can be adapted and scaled across diverse humanitarian contexts. Join us to learn how coordinated climate action can strengthen WASH systems and safeguard communities against the growing impacts of climate change.