Adaptation is set to be a primary focus at the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. According to UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell, key discussions will revolve around establishing adaptation indicators and addressing the adaptation finance gap. Stiell stressed that the roadmap for mobilizing $1.3 trillion in climate finance will be crucial for the conference’s success, defining climate finance not as charity but as a vital necessity for protecting populations, economies, and global supply chains essential for growth and security.
COP30 is viewed as a significant test of global solidarity in addressing adaptation issues and climate cooperation. Stiell emphasized the need for nations to demonstrate full commitment to climate action, fostering faster and more widespread implementation that benefits everyone.
Globally, 144 countries have initiated their National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, with 67 developing nations, including 23 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and 14 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), having submitted their plans to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
These NAPs are instrumental in building resilience by establishing foundations for countries to integrate climate change adaptation into their national and sectoral development planning. Many nations have already conducted comprehensive vulnerability and risk assessments, identifying key climate hazards such as droughts, floods, and temperature extremes, and prioritizing adaptation actions.
However, a significant hurdle remains: securing adequate funding. While the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has supported numerous NAP formulation proposals, progress in implementing these plans is slowed by resource constraints and the lack of dedicated support modalities. Stiell noted that despite systems being ready, the necessary finance must flow now, urging against further delays.
India, recognizing the importance of adaptation, has finalized its first National Adaptation Plan, which is expected to be unveiled around COP30. This plan, along with an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2035, is undergoing review. India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has called for COP30 to be the ‘COP of adaptation,’ emphasizing the need for tangible outcomes that translate global commitments into practical, locally relevant solutions.