The world is already experiencing changes in average temperature, shifts in the seasons, an increasing frequency of extreme weather events, and slow onset events. The faster the climate changes and the longer adaptation efforts are put off, the more difficult and expensive responding to climate change will be.

Adaptation refers

Adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects. It refers to changes in processes, practices and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities associated with climate change. In simple terms, countries and communities need to develop adaptation solutions and implement actions to respond to current and future climate change impacts.

Adaptation actions

Adaptation actions can take on many forms, depending on the unique context of a community, business, organization, country or region. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all-solution’—adaptation can range from building flood defences, setting up early warning systems for cyclones, switching to drought-resistant crops, to redesigning communication systems, business operations and government policies. Many nations and communities are already taking steps to build resilient societies and economies. However, greater action and ambition will be needed to cost-effectively manage the risks, both now and in the future.

Successful adaptation

Successful adaptation not only depends on governments but also on the active and sustained engagement of stakeholders, including local communities, national, regional, multilateral and international organizations, public and private sectors, civil society and other relevant actors, as well as an effective management of knowledge. Parties to the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement recognize that adaptation is a global challenge faced by all with local, subnational, national, regional and international dimensions.

How to undertake adaptation?

                                                         The figure above shows the adaptation policy cycle and support offered under the UN Climate Change regime.

Adaptation: the UNFCCC has set up constituted bodies and workstreams relevant to progressing adaptation responses and enhancing societal and environmental resilience. At CMA 5, Parties adopted the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, marking a major milestone for adaptation under the Paris Agreement.  The purpose of the framework is to guide the achievement of the global goal on adaptation and the review of overall progress in achieving it with a view to reducing the increasing adverse impacts, risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate change, as well as to enhance adaptation action and support.

The work on adaptation within the UNFCCC has been long-standing

The work on adaptation within the UNFCCC has been long-standing. The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) was established in 2001 and is currently mandated to provide technical guidance and accelerate support to the LDCs on the process to formulate and implement national adaptation plans (NAPs). Established in 2010, the Adaptation Committee (AC) is the global voice on adaptation, working to drive forward coherent UNFCCC action on adaptation worldwide by providing expert guidance, enhancing outreach, and supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Since 2018, the Facilitative Working Group (FWG) furthers the operationalization of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), facilitating the implementation of three functions related to knowledge, capacity for engagement and climate change policies and action.

Parties are encouraged to utilize the technical guidance, support and resources provided by the UNFCCC-related bodies and workstreams in submitting their NAPs and Adaptation Communications (AdComs). The Adaptation Knowledge Portal, by the Nairobi Work Programme, the knowledge-to-action hub for climate resilience and adaptation, and the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI) helps countries and sub-regions around the world identify their adaptation knowledge gaps, catalyze actions to close these gaps, and share adaptation knowledge and foster learning.

More information and links on adaptation-related UNFCCC bodies and workstreams are below: