Climate change is hitting harder than ever, but our efforts to adapt aren’t keeping up. To bridge this gap, strong laws and policies are essential. These frameworks need to transform international promises, like those made in the Paris Agreement, into real actions. Implementing these policies requires finding and using financial resources wisely, making adaptation a priority in decision-making, and weaving it into national development plans.
A recent report sheds light on adaptation-related laws and policies, examining 902 of them across 35 countries. This analysis highlights how diverse regions, economies, and exposure to climate risks are tackling adaptation. It complements work done by organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNFCCC.
In the past few years, there’s been a surge in new adaptation laws: 75% have been adopted since the Paris Agreement in 2015, with nearly half coming just since 2020. Interestingly, 60% of the reviewed documents focus on adaptation concepts like resilience and disaster risk management. However, simply having more laws doesn’t automatically mean that adaptation actions are prioritized effectively.
This research comes at a critical time. At the recent COP30 meeting in Belém, Brazil, countries agreed on key indicators to measure adaptation progress. They also committed to tripling adaptation funding by 2035. This agreement marks a significant step since it allows for tracking global progress towards 11 adaptation targets established in 2015.
Experts suggest three main recommendations for improving adaptation policies:
Whole-of-Government Approach: Encourage cooperation across government levels to coordinate adaptation strategies effectively.
Financial Integration: Embed adaptation goals into public finance and fiscal policies to ensure funds are directed where they are needed most.
Policy Cohesion: Align adaptation efforts with disaster risk management and broader development policies to create a unified approach.
In a world increasingly affected by climate change, these insights can help guide governments and organizations in making impactful changes. The path ahead requires collective action and shared responsibility to build a more resilient future. For further details, refer to the comprehensive report available from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
