Linking climate change adaptation with means of implementation

WITH climate change on the rise, countries across the globe must adapt their economies, infrastructure, and social systems to avoid and minimise harmful impacts as much as possible, while trying to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

- By Dennis Mombauer

Climate change adaptation has been recognised as a key part of climate action and one of the pillars of the Paris Agreement: but moving from planning to implementation poses serious challenges, not least regarding finance and access to other resources.

In contrast to climate change mitigation, most adaptation measures take place at the local level and are specific to their geographic, environmental, and socioeconomic context. However, the process of developing National Adaptation Plans is led by national governments, with countries collectively working towards a Global Goal on Adaptation. In this sense, information on adaptation flows from the ground up to the global level; but for implementation, it is essential to maintain a flow of resources in the other direction, coming from the global level (particularly developed countries of the Global North) and reaching the regional, national, and ultimately local level.

Understanding prerequisites for successful adaptation

In the global climate change negotiations, “means of implementation” refers to finance, technology development and transfer, and capacity-building. These three areas are closely interlinked and together provide the foundation for effective climate action, especially in the context of developing countries with already constrained domestic resources. While finance is often at the centre of the discussion, it is important to note the other elements as well, which are critical to create an enabling environment, utilise soft and hard technologies, and capacitate relevant personnel or institutions.