The COP26 climate summit in Glasgow saw important progress made on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). However, there is much work still to be done to bring the GGA concept to life. Striking a balance between the GGA serving its ‘global’ purpose, whilst providing countries flexibility to describe their own adaptation objectives will ultimately determine the effectiveness of the GGA.

Key messages

- The launch of the two-year Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh work programme at COP26 represents a significant step forward in establishing the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) outlined in the Paris Agreement.

- Discussions in Glasgow, and the subsequent decision, reinforced that adaptation action is inherently national and local. For developing countries, it is crucial that the GGA reflects the realities on the ground and will be nationally determined and locally appropriate.

- The GGA should not become a top-down reporting exercise that further burdens countries with limited public resources. Instead, it should become a tool that helps countries identify their strengths and weaknesses so they can better respond to the impacts of climate change.

- There is much work still to be done to bring the GGA concept to life. Striking a balance between the GGA serving its ‘global’ purpose, whilst providing sufficient flexibility for countries to describe their own adaptation objectives and progress will ultimately determine the effectiveness of the GGA.

Messages clés

- Le lancement du programme de travail de deux ans Glasgow-Sharm el-Sheikh lors de la COP26 représente une étape importante dans la mise en place de l’objectif mondial d’adaptation (OMA) décrit dans l’accord de Paris.

- Les discussions à Glasgow, et la décision qui s’en est suivie, ont renforcé le fait que les mesures d’adaptation sont intrinsèquement nationales et locales. Pour les pays en développement, il est essentiel que l’OMA reflète les réalités du terrain et qu’il soit déterminée au niveau national et approprié au niveau local.

- L’OMA ne doit pas devenir un exercice de rapport descendant qui pèse davantage sur les pays aux ressources publiques limitées. Au contraire, il doit devenir un outil qui aide les pays à identifier leurs forces et leurs faiblesses afin qu’ils puissent mieux répondre aux impacts du changement climatique.

- Il reste encore beaucoup de travail à faire pour donner vie au concept de l’OMA. L’efficacité de l’OMA dépendra en fin de compte de l’équilibre à trouver entre l’objectif “mondial” de l’OMA et la souplesse nécessaire pour permettre aux pays de décrire leurs propres objectifs et progrès en matière d’adaptation.

Adapting East and Southern Africa’s livestock to climate change

This paper presents a decision-making framework to help livestock farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa select context-specific adaptation strategies in response to climate change. The framework uses a decision tree to evaluate options based on different climate scenarios and systems, offering tailored guidance for various livestock types and regions.

Solar geoengineering: a note to inform discussions on physical climate impacts, risks and governance issues

With international efforts on climate action still not on track to limit warming to 1.5°C, technological fixes that aim to intentionally alter the Earth’s climate, such as solar geoengineering, might seem like appealing options for tackling global warming. But they come with questions in terms of feasibility, impacts and risks, governance and geopolitics, and who may or may not benefit.

Technical guide for the development of long-term low emission development strategies in Africa

This technical guide proposes concrete steps and actions to help African countries develop strong, high-performing Long-Term Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategies that chart a low-emission development path, build resilience, encourage innovation, and create new opportunities for green growth.

A review of loss and damage in the Caribbean (1994 to 2024)

Loss and damage from climate change has been the lived reality of Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS) for decades. Despite efforts to adapt, it is reversing development gains, leaving lasting financial stress, and causing irreparable damage, including the loss of cultural heritage. This report is the first to provide a systematic overview of how Caribbean countries are framing and reporting on loss and damage.

The 1.5°C limit and risks of overshoot

This briefing looks at what the 1.5°C limit means in terms of adaptation and loss and damage for the most vulnerable countries and regions. It finds that slowing down warming is critical to buy us time to adapt and also to avoid irreversible loss and damage. Even if warming rises above 1.5°C (overshoot) we can bring it down again with ambitious emissions reductions.

Le seuil de +1,5°C et le risque de dépassement de ce seuil

Ce rapport examine ce que la limite de 1,5 °C signifie en termes d'adaptation et de pertes et dommages pour les pays et régions les plus vulnérables. Il constate qu'il est essentiel de ralentir le réchauffement pour nous donner le temps de nous adapter et pour éviter des pertes et des dommages irréversibles. Même si le réchauffement dépasse 1,5 °C, nous pouvons le faire baisser à nouveau en réduisant les émissions de manière ambitieuse.

Effectiveness of water-related adaptation decreases with increasing warming

When it comes to water, adaptation to climate change becomes less effective when warming is above 1.5°C, according to a new study looking at water-related climate risk at 1.5°C, 2°C, 3°C, and 4°C of warming. The study finds adaptation needs to go hand-in-hand with ambitious emissions reductions and decarbonisation.

Machine learning evidence map reveals global differences in adaptation action

In this study, we tracked how adaptation policy research has changed globally to create a map of how governments around the world use different tools at different levels and in different regions. We found that while the evidence base is growing, most of this evidence, however, comes from the Global North.

About us

Decarbonisation targets and 1.5℃ pathways

Comment

What next for the Global Goal on Adaptation?

Key messages

Messages clés

Quelles sont les prochaines étapes de l'objectif mondial d’adaptation?

Publications

Adapting East and Southern Africa’s livestock to climate change

Solar geoengineering: a note to inform discussions on physical climate impacts, risks and governance issues

Technical guide for the development of long-term low emission development strategies in Africa

A review of loss and damage in the Caribbean (1994 to 2024)

Earth Virtualisation Engines (EVE)

The 1.5°C limit and risks of overshoot

Le seuil de +1,5°C et le risque de dépassement de ce seuil

Effectiveness of water-related adaptation decreases with increasing warming

A better integration of health and economic impact assessments of climate change

Hitzestress und Anpassungsmaßnahmen in der Metropolregion Berlin-Brandenburg

Climatic risks to adaptive capacity

Machine learning evidence map reveals global differences in adaptation action