The escalating impacts of climate change highlight a growing shortfall in adaptation efforts. The first Global Stocktake (GST) released in late 2024 emphasized the “urgent need for strengthened adaptation action at scale,” noting that global progress is currently uneven. Going forward, “adaptation efforts need to be transformational and needs-responsive” with particular attention to developing countries.  

Gaps in adaptation finance commitments are a significant challenge — as are limitations in the capacity and technical expertise needed to scale adaptation-related measures. To help countries achieve their adaptation goals, over 20 expert partners came together through the NDC Partnership to create a comprehensive resource with actionable recommendations for how countries can close the adaption gap and realize bold adaptation ambitions in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). 

Led by the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the University of Maryland, and co-developed with an expert working group, “Advancing Adaptation in NDCs 3.0” provides 12 detailed recommendations ranging from how to unlock finance and build capacity to find opportunities for adaptation-mitigation co-benefits. The recommendations are organized into three clusters: raising ambition, accelerating implementation and strengthening enablers. Each of the 12 recommendations is paired with specific actions, resources and real-world examples to illustrate how countries might implement the recommendation.  

Read "Advancing Adaptation in NDCs 3.0" here. Read the summary version here. Register for the webinar here. 

Contributing Author Institutions  

Asian Development Bank (ADB), African Development Bank (AfDB), Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, BRAC, Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2), Climate Champions Team, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi), NAP Global Network, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Renmin University of China, UN Foundation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), World Bank

Adaptation Working Group Member Institutions  

Asian Development Bank (ADB), African Development Bank (AfDB), Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, BRAC, Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2), Climate Champions Team, Global Environment Facility (GEF), International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi), Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG), NAP Global Network, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Renmin University of China, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Foundation, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of São Paulo, World Bank, World Resources Institute (WRI)