The National Assembly’s Environmental Committee, with support from Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and a consultant, conducted a legislative review to map The Gambia’s existing obligations on climate change, including relevant national plans, strategies, and legislation.

The objective of this gap assessment is to identify challenges and shortcomings within existing national and sectoral legislation, policies, plans, and programmes, in order to inform the development and implementation of a National Climate Change Act.

This consultancy study used a qualitative approach to assess the adequacy, relevance, and effectiveness of current frameworks in addressing both current and future climate change impacts. The study involved an extensive literature review, as well as two stakeholder engagement workshops during which information was gathered through a questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by stakeholders during one of the workshops supported by WFD and through further consultations.

A draft of the report was then presented at a third workshop—jointly organised by WFD and the National Assembly—where it was validated by a broader group of stakeholders.