The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force on March 21, 1994, marking the beginning of global commitment to tackling the climate crisis. As the process moves into its 31st year in 2025, the Adaptation Committee is taking a moment to reflect on the evolution of climate adaptation, from early efforts to strategies for future action.
Central to this evolution is the shift from early, somewhat fragmented approaches to climate adaptation, to a more cohesive, inclusive and forward-thinking framework.
Key milestones mark this journey. COP7 in 2001, for instance, established a Fund to assist least developed countries prepare and implement national adaptation programmes of action, while COP16 in 2010 marked the formal separation of adaptation from response measures.
This was further reinforced by the Cancun Adaptation Framework, which established the Adaptation Committee and catalysed financial support and capacity-building for adaptation and laid the foundation for the process to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
The adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015 was another significant step in defining clear global objectives for adaptation. More recently, at COP28 in 2023, Parties adopted the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience to advance the global goal on adaptation by reducing vulnerability, enhancing adaptive capacity, and strengthening resilience to climate change impacts worldwide.
COP28 also brought vital attention to loss and damage, establishing a Fund to support countries particularly vulnerable to climate change and impacted by climate-induced loss and damage.
As the implementation of adaptation measures has advanced, so has the need for shared knowledge, lessons learned and good practices, particularly on aspects such as context-specific adaptation requirements or the need to address climate threats to cultural identity.
“We need data and engaged consultation. But we also need to build on the experience of communities around the world. Their lessons must serve as a strong foundation for comprehensive adaptation plans,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, at COP29.
Strengthened international cooperation remains vital for countries to build resilience to the escalating impacts of climate change and protect lives, livelihoods, and economies.
Since 2012, the Adaptation Committee has worked to promote enhanced action on adaptation under the Convention and the Paris Agreement. As part of its role to strengthen global coherence, the Committee recently issued the third volume of a report outlining adaptation history and recent developments on the global goal on adaptation and insights from the first global stocktake.
At COP29, the Adaptation Committee hosted a special event to release this report and to reflect on three decades of climate adaptation and future priorities. It also launched a new Interactive Portal on the State of Adaptation Action by Parties, showcasing countries’ adaptation progress as reflected in their national reports and communications under the Convention or Paris Agreement.
The portal will remain updated with new submissions, helping track global action and enabling learning as adaptation efforts evolve.
