Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, affecting every aspect of our lives and the planet. It poses significant risks and threats to human health, food security, water availability, biodiversity, and economic development. To cope with the impacts and uncertainties of climate change, we need to adapt to the changing conditions and reduce our vulnerability. This is the essence of climate adaptation.
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Climate adaptation is the process of adjusting to the actual or expected effects of climate change, to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. It can involve actions at different levels, from individuals and communities to governments and organisations, and across different sectors, such as agriculture, water, health, and energy. It can also take various forms, such as building resilience, enhancing adaptive capacity, managing risks, and transforming systems.
What Is the Global Goal on Adaptation?
The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) is a set of objectives and targets that aims to guide and measure the progress and effectiveness of climate adaptation at the global level. It was established in Article 7.1 of the Paris Agreement, the landmark international treaty on climate change that was adopted in 2015 and entered into force in 2016, which recognises adaptation as a key component of the global response to climate change, along with mitigation and finance.
The global adaptation goals are stated in Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, which reads:
“Parties hereby establish the global goal on adaptation of enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change, with a view to contributing to sustainable development and ensuring an adequate adaptation response in the temperature goal referred to in Article 2”.
The GGA is meant to serve as a unifying framework that can drive political action and finance for adaptation on the same scale as mitigation. However, defining and operationalising it has been a complex and contentious process, involving multiple questions and challenges that need to be resolved, such as defining its scope, indicators, and mechanisms, and mobilising adequate and predictable support for adaptation in developing countries.
The goals are not quantified or prescriptive but rather qualitative and aspirational. They are intended to provide a common vision and direction for adaptation action while respecting the diversity and flexibility of national and regional circumstances, priorities, and needs.
The Current State of Climate Adaptation and the Global Goal on Adaptation
The current state of climate adaptation can be assessed by looking at the progress and gaps in implementing and operationalising global adaptation goals, the key actors and stakeholders involved in the process, and the main challenges and barriers to overcome.
1. Progress and Gaps
Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, there has been some progress in advancing climate adaptation and the GGA at different levels and sectors.
The current state of climate adaptation and the GGA is characterised by both progress and gaps, opportunities, and challenges. On the one hand, there is growing awareness and recognition of the need and urgency of adaptation, as evidenced by the increasing number of adaptation plans, policies, and actions at various levels and sectors. According to the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Adaptation Gap Report 2023, 85% of countries have adopted at least one national-level adaptation planning instrument, and with 69% of countries putting a central administrative body in place to oversee adaptation action and 67% allocating domestic finance towards implementing adaptation priorities. Moreover, there is a growing body of knowledge and evidence on the effectiveness and benefits of adaptation, as well as the costs and risks of inaction. For example, a study by the Global Commission on Adaptation in 2019 found that investing US$1.8 trillion between 2020 and 2030 in five areas of adaptation (early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, improved dryland agriculture, mangrove protection, and water resources management) could generate US$7.1 trillion in net benefits by 2030.
On the other hand, there are significant gaps and barriers that hinder the implementation and operationalisation of the GGA, especially in developing countries, historically the most vulnerable to climate change.
One of the main gaps is the lack of adequate and predictable finance for adaptation. Despite the pledge of developed countries to mobilise US$100 billion per year by 2020 for climate action in developing countries, the actual amount of public and private finance for adaptation remains far below this target, and only a small share of the total climate finance has been allocated to adaptation.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), only $16.8 billion of public climate finance was dedicated to adaptation in 2018, representing 21% of the total. Moreover, there is a lack of transparency and accountability in tracking and reporting adaptation finance, as well as a lack of alignment and coherence between adaptation and development finance.
More on the topic: Wealthy Nations May Have Met $100 Billion Climate Finance Pledge in 2022, OECD Says
Another major gap is the lack of clear and measurable indicators and targets for the GGA, which makes it difficult to assess the progress and impact of adaptation efforts. While there are various frameworks and methodologies for monitoring and evaluating adaptation, there is no agreed-upon set of indicators or criteria that can capture the complexity and diversity of adaptation across different contexts and scales.
Furthermore, several challenges and barriers constrain the effectiveness and sustainability of adaptation, such as institutional and governance constraints, social and cultural factors, knowledge and information gaps, and trade-offs and conflicts between adaptation and other goals.
To address these gaps and challenges, there is a need to enhance the implementation and operationalisation of the GGA, by strengthening the enabling conditions and drivers for adaptation, such as political leadership, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, innovation, and learning.
There is also a need to highlight and scale up the best practices and success stories of adaptation from different regions and sectors, such as the examples below:
- In Bangladesh, the Coastal Community Resilience Project has improved the livelihoods and resilience of more than 28,000 households in the coastal areas, by providing access to climate-resilient infrastructure, diversified income sources, and early warning systems.
- In Kenya, the Adaptation Consortium has supported the development and implementation of county-level climate adaptation funds, which enable local communities to prioritise and access finance for adaptation projects, such as water harvesting, drought-tolerant crops, and livestock insurance.
- In the Caribbean, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) has provided affordable and rapid insurance payouts to 21 member countries, helping them recover from the impacts of hurricanes, earthquakes, and excess rainfall.
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2. Actors and Stakeholders
The implementation and operationalisation of climate adaptation and the GGA involve a wide range of actors and stakeholders who have different roles, responsibilities, and interests in adaptation. Some of the key actors and stakeholders are:
- Governments: They are the primary actors and decision-makers in adaptation, as they have the authority and mandate to formulate and implement adaptation policies and plans, mobilise and allocate adaptation finance, and coordinate and facilitate adaptation governance and stakeholder engagement at different levels.
- International organisations: They are the key supporters and enablers of adaptation, as they provide technical and financial assistance, guidance and standards, and platforms and mechanisms for adaptation action and cooperation at the global and regional levels.
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): They are the important advocates and intermediaries of adaptation, as they raise the awareness and ambition on adaptation, represent and empower the voices and interests of the most vulnerable and marginalised, and deliver and monitor adaptation projects and programs at the local and national levels.
- Private sector: The private sector is the potential driver and innovator of adaptation, as it has the resources and capabilities to invest in and develop adaptation solutions and technologies and integrate adaptation into its business models and practices.
- Academia and research institutions: They are the essential sources and generators of adaptation, as they produce and disseminate scientific and policy knowledge and evidence on adaptation and support the capacity building and learning of adaptation actors and stakeholders.
- Media and communication: They are the influential communicators of adaptation, as they shape the public and political discourse and perception on adaptation and inform and educate the audiences and stakeholders on issues and solutions.
- Communities and individuals: They are the ultimate beneficiaries and agents of adaptation, as they experience and cope with the impacts and uncertainties of climate change and participate and contribute to the adaptation planning and implementation at the local and personal levels.
3. Challenges and Barriers
The implementation and operationalisation of climate adaptation and the global adaptation goals face numerous challenges and barriers, which hinder the effectiveness and impact of adaptation actions and outcomes. Some of the main challenges and barriers are:
- The uncertainty and complexity of climate change, which makes it difficult to predict and project the future impacts and risks of climate change, and to plan and implement adaptation actions.
- The lack of political will and commitment on adaptation, which affects the prioritisation and allocation of resources and support for adaptation, and the implementation and enforcement of adaptation policies and plans.
- Inadequate coordination and collaboration on adaptation contribute to the duplication and fragmentation of adaptation actions and outcomes, as well as conflicts and trade-offs between different levels and sectors.
- The limited awareness and understanding of adaptation, which results in low public and stakeholder engagement and participation in adaptation, and low demand and uptake of adaptation solutions and technologies.
- The inadequate capacity and skills for adaptation, which limits the ability and quality of adaptation planning and implementation, and the generation and use of adaptation knowledge and evidence.
- The perception and acceptance of adaptation, as well as the behaviour and practice of adaptation, are influenced by social and cultural barriers.
These challenges and barriers are not insurmountable, but they require concerted and sustained efforts and actions from all actors and stakeholders to overcome them. They also present opportunities and incentives for innovation and transformation of adaptation.
The Future Scenarios and Implications of Climate Adaptation and the Global Adaptation Goals
The future scenarios of climate adaptation are diverse and depend on various factors such as global economic trends, technological progress, geopolitical developments, and most importantly, how aggressively we act to reduce carbon emissions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report features five climate narratives that differ in terms of the level of projected warming and society’s ability to adapt to the changes ahead.
The new United Arab Emirates (UAE) Framework for Global Climate Resilience, agreed upon at COP28, uniquely positions climate change adaptation as a top priority for all nations. It expands on the GGA and will improve our ability to measure the GGA, allowing the international community to take stock of progress over time and maintain accountability for achieving the goal. The framework prioritises key sectors for increased climate resilience, including food and agriculture, water, cities and infrastructure, ecosystems and nature, health, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. It also details a series of targets linked to different stages of the adaptation policy cycle.
These scenarios show that the future of climate adaptation and the GGA is not predetermined but depends on the choices and actions we make today and in the coming years. The GGA framework provides a common vision and a set of tools to guide and monitor adaptation efforts but it also requires political will, financial support, and social mobilisation to achieve its objectives. The more we can reduce emissions and enhance adaptation, the more we can avoid the worst impacts of climate change and create a resilient and prosperous future for all.
Synergy Between Adaptation and Mitigation
Synergies between adaptation and mitigation are possible when actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions also increase resilience to climate impacts, or vice versa. For example, restoring mangroves means bringing back ecosystems that can both sequester carbon and protect coastal communities from storm surges. Synergies can also occur when policies or measures that support adaptation or mitigation have co-benefits for other sectors or goals, such as health, biodiversity, or human rights.
Achieving this synergy requires a balanced and integrated approach that considers both the short-term and long-term benefits and trade-offs of different actions, as well as cross-sectoral and cross-border cooperation, stakeholder participation, scientific evidence, and adequate financing.
Recommendations and Actions for Climate Adaptation and the Global Adaptation Goals
- The recommendations and actions for climate adaptation and the Global Adaptation Goals (GGA) are diverse and multifaceted, involving various stakeholders and sectors. Here are some key points:
- Principles of Adaptation and Resilience: A World Bank report outlines six universal principles to guide policymakers in planning for climate change adaptation and resilience. These principles are accompanied by 26 actions, 12 toolboxes, and 111 indicators.
- Inclusivity and Participation: A bottom-up approach involving diverse stakeholders like local communities, youth, women, and indigenous groups is critical to ensuring that the GGA is sensitive to ground realities and the specific vulnerabilities of these groups.
- Science-informed Metrics: Relying on robust scientific data, like IPCC assessments, is essential to formulate effective adaptation strategies. National monitoring and evaluation systems should be strengthened to assess the efficacy of adaptation actions.
- Regional Cooperation and Coordination: Cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange are essential to tackle shared climate risks and develop best practices for adaptation.
- Adaptation Finance: The GGA framework must address the distinct financing needs of each region and ensure that funds are channelled to the most vulnerable communities.
- Country-Driven and Locally led Approaches: The GGA framework should be flexible enough to accommodate the unique needs and priorities of each nation, aligning with their existing national adaptation strategies.
- Urgency of Collective Action and Responsibility: All regions acknowledged the pressing need for global cooperation to achieve the Paris Agreement’s objectives.
- Integration of adaptation and mitigation: Effective climate action requires a balanced approach, considering both adaptation and mitigation efforts.
- Equity, Rights, and Justice: The GGA framework should prioritise fairness, ensuring that marginalised communities and future generations benefit equitably from adaptation strategies.
- Transformational Adaptation: Embracing innovation and empowering local communities will drive adaptation efforts that move beyond incremental changes2.
- Global Governance and Cooperation: COP28 is a pivotal juncture for finalising and operationalising the GGA framework, aligning global adaptation efforts.
- Capacity Building: Building institutional, technical, and financial capabilities is essential for successful GGA implementation.
These recommendations and actions aim to enhance the world’s adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change.
Conclusion
Climate adaptation and the GGA are essential and urgent for addressing the impacts and risks of climate change, as well as for creating a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. Adaptation can generate multiple co-benefits for human and natural systems, as well as foster innovation and transformation. However, adaptation also faces significant gaps and challenges, such as the lack of finance, technology, and knowledge, as well as the trade-offs and conflicts with other goals and agendas. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the implementation and operationalisation of the GGA, by strengthening the capacity and agency of different actors and levels to plan, implement, and evaluate adaptation, as well as to share and learn from adaptation experiences and best practices. There is also a need to increase the availability and accessibility of finance, technology, and knowledge for adaptation, as well as to ensure the alignment and coherence of adaptation with other goals and agendas, such as mitigation, development, and human rights. These recommendations and actions require collective and collaborative action from all stakeholders, as well as political leadership and commitment from all countries. By working together, we can achieve the GGA and the SDGs, and create a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
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