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How are we adapting to climate change? A global assessment

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  • Alexandra Lesnikowski
  • James Ford
  • Lea Berrang-Ford
  • Magda Barrera
  • Jody Heymann

Abstract

This paper applies a systematic approach to measuring adaptation actions being undertaken by 117 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with the goal of establishing a baseline of global trends in adaptation. Data are systematically collected from National Communications prepared by Parties to the Convention and submitted periodically to the Secretariat. 4,104 discrete adaptation initiatives are identified and analyzed. Our findings indicate that while progress is being made on conducting impact and vulnerability assessments and adaptation research in nearly every country in the sample, translation of this knowledge into tangible adaptation initiatives is still limited. The largest number of reported adaptations falls under the category of infrastructure, technology, and innovation. Some types of vulnerability were more frequently reported across initiatives, including floods, drought, food and water safety and security, rainfall, infectious disease, and terrestrial ecosystem health. Notably, reporting on the inclusion of vulnerable sub-populations is low across all actions. Diffusion of adaptation across sectors remains underdeveloped, with the environment, water, and agricultural sectors emerging as the most active adaptors. Our analysis indicates that national communications provide a valuable source of information for global-scale adaptation tracking, but important gaps exist in the consistency of reporting that should be addressed, as these documents could greatly enhance efforts to monitor and evaluate adaptation progress. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Lesnikowski & James Ford & Lea Berrang-Ford & Magda Barrera & Jody Heymann, 2015. "How are we adapting to climate change? A global assessment," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 277-293, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:20:y:2015:i:2:p:277-293
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-013-9491-x
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    2. Jérôme Boutang & Etienne Feutren & Brunilde Bachelet & Cédric Lacomme, 2020. "Climate Change Adaptation: Operational Taxonomy and Metrics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-28, September.
    3. Stephanie L. Barr & Christopher J. Lemieux, 2021. "Assessing organizational readiness to adapt to climate change in a regional protected areas context: lessons learned from Canada," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 1-21, December.
    4. Andreea C. Nowak & Lucy Njuguna & Julian Ramirez-Villegas & Pytrik Reidsma & Krystal Crumpler & Todd S. Rosenstock, 2024. "Opportunities to strengthen Africa’s efforts to track national-level climate adaptation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 14(8), pages 876-882, August.
    5. Walter Leal Filho & Francine Modesto & Gustavo J. Nagy & Mustafa Saroar & Nsani YannickToamukum & Michael Ha’apio, 2018. "Fostering coastal resilience to climate change vulnerability in Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon and Uruguay: a cross-country comparison," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 579-602, April.
    6. Abdelzaher, Dina M. & Martynov, Aleksey & Abdel Zaher, Angie M., 2020. "Vulnerability to climate change: Are innovative countries in a better position?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    7. Alexandra Lesnikowski & James D. Ford & Robbert Biesbroek & Lea Berrang-Ford, 2019. "A policy mixes approach to conceptualizing and measuring climate change adaptation policy," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 156(4), pages 447-469, October.
    8. Stacy-ann Robinson, 2017. "Climate change adaptation trends in small island developing states," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 669-691, April.
    9. Antje Otto & Christian Göpfert & Annegret H. Thieken, 2021. "Are cities prepared for climate change? An analysis of adaptation readiness in 104 German cities," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 1-25, December.
    10. Elia A Machado & Samuel Ratick, 2018. "Implications of indicator aggregation methods for global change vulnerability reduction efforts," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 1109-1141, October.
    11. Fraschini, Filippo & Hunt, Alistair & Zoboli, Roberto, 2022. "Decision tools for adaptation to climate change: Portfolio analysis of tea plantation investments in Rwanda," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    12. Tu Dam Ngoc Le, 0. "Climate change adaptation in coastal cities of developing countries: characterizing types of vulnerability and adaptation options," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 739-761.
    13. Chen Chen & Jessica Hellmann & Lea Berrang-Ford & Ian Noble & Patrick Regan, 2018. "A global assessment of adaptation investment from the perspectives of equity and efficiency," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 101-122, January.
    14. Tu Dam Ngoc Le, 2020. "Climate change adaptation in coastal cities of developing countries: characterizing types of vulnerability and adaptation options," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 739-761, May.

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