Adapting to Climate Change: Understanding its Impacts and the Essential Strategies for Resilient Futures | Insights by Mei Makinouchi | DLRI

Climate change action relies on two main strategies: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation aims to curb climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the effects of these efforts might not be noticeable right away, highlighting the need for adaptation. Adaptation focuses on reducing the impacts of climate change that we already face or cannot avoid, ensuring we can respond effectively to these challenges.

Adaptation measures can take many forms, such as improving infrastructure, changing land use, adopting new agricultural technologies, and enhancing public health systems. These initiatives help us cope with issues like rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, sea level rise, droughts, and floods.

The need for adaptation was recognized in the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that it’s not just a choice but a necessary policy issue as climate change becomes a reality. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) also includes adaptation as a crucial element alongside mitigation. Unlike mitigation, which has clear targets like limiting warming to 1.5°C, adaptation lacks universally set goals, making it harder to measure progress.

In Japan, the impacts of climate change are already visible through increased extreme weather events. The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that the country’s average temperature has risen by about 1.3°C over the last century, leading to more cases of heatstroke as well as flooding and landslide risks from heavy rains.

To address these issues, Japan developed a “Climate Change Impact Adaptation Plan” in 2015, updating it in 2021. This revised plan identifies specific measures across seven sectors, including agriculture, health, and urban living. Local governments are also working on “regional climate change adaptation plans” under the Climate Change Adaptation Law enacted in 2018. As of March 2025, 378 local governments have created such plans.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Local governments often lack the systems and skilled personnel needed to effectively analyze climate data. Financial limitations also pose a barrier to necessary long-term investments in infrastructure.

Adaptation initiatives, however, are gaining traction both in Japan and abroad. For example, Japan’s National Agriculture and Food Research Organization is researching heat-resistant rice varieties to combat declining quality from warming. Meanwhile, Tokyo’s “Cool City Tokyo” project promotes planting more trees and using reflective pavement to lessen urban heat.

Internationally, innovative policies like the Dutch “Room for the River” strategy offer valuable insights. Instead of simply raising flood dikes, this approach creates space for rivers within their basins while preserving ecosystems and engaging communities. This model is gaining recognition for its effectiveness.

To expand adaptation efforts, key challenges include enhancing regional climate risk assessments, ensuring that policies are science-based, securing funding through public-private partnerships, and empowering local communities. Particularly in Japan, where natural conditions vary greatly, a localized approach is essential.

Financing adaptation is an urgent issue globally. According to OECD reports, developing countries will need about $160 billion annually for adaptation by 2030. Bridging this financial gap requires innovative mechanisms that combine public funds with private investments.

Today, the impacts of climate change affect us now rather than in the distant future. Therefore, adaptation is vital for minimizing societal vulnerabilities and constructing sustainable systems. Continued collaboration between researchers, policymakers, businesses, and communities will enhance adaptation efforts and keep knowledge current.

For more details, see the original source in Japanese: DLRI Report.

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