From Promise to Action: UNEP 2025 on Climate Adaptation

From Promise to Action: UNEP 2025 on Climate Adaptation

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the Adaptation Gap Report 2025: “Running on Empty”.
The report highlights a widening global finance gap for climate adaptation, particularly in developing countries.
It emphasizes that current efforts are far below what is required to achieve climate resilience, risking severe socio-economic and environmental consequences globally.

What It Is: An annual flagship publication of UNEP tracking global progress on climate adaptation planning, implementation, and finance.
Published By: UNEP through the Copenhagen Climate Centre, with contributions from global experts and institutions.
Aim:
- Assess if nations, especially developing countries, are adapting fast enough to climate impacts.
- Quantify the adaptation finance gap to support negotiations under UNFCCC and COP30.

Massive Finance Gap:
- Developing countries require US$310–365 billion annually by 2035.
- Current adaptation finance is only US$26 billion (2023), 12–14 times lower than required.
Falling Commitments:
- Finance declined from US$28 billion in 2022, making the Glasgow Climate Pact target of doubling finance by 2025 unlikely.
Rising Debt Concerns:
- 58% of adaptation finance is loan-based, including non-concessional debt, worsening inequality for vulnerable nations.
Uneven Planning Progress:
- 172 countries have at least one National Adaptation Plan (NAP), but 36 are outdated, reducing effectiveness.
Implementation Gaps:
- Over 1,600 adaptation actions globally, mainly in biodiversity, agriculture, water, and infrastructure.
- Few actions measure tangible outcomes.
Private Sector Underperformance:
- Current contribution is only ~US$5 billion, though potential exists for US$50 billion annually with supportive policies.
Baku–Belém Roadmap (2024):
- Envisions US$1.3 trillion per year by 2035 in total climate finance.
- Stresses grants and non-debt instruments to prevent debt traps.
COP30 Context:
- Advocates for a global collective effort (“mutirão global”), led by Brazil, to align finance, transparency, and adaptation goals.

Significance: India’s NAPCC and State Action Plans align with UNEP’s call for mainstreaming adaptation in agriculture, water, and infrastructure.
Regional Vulnerability: Frequent heatwaves, floods, and glacial melts increase urgency for adaptive investments.
Leadership Role: Initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, LiFE Mission, and G20 Presidency (2023) show India’s global leadership in climate adaptation diplomacy.
Finance Dependence: India also faces investment constraints, highlighting the need for global partnerships and concessional funding.

Widespread Policy Adoption: 172 countries now have at least one national adaptation framework, marking near-universal recognition of climate resilience.
Enhanced Multilateral Funding: Climate funds under UNFCCC disbursed US$920 million in 2024, an 86% rise over the previous five-year average.
Mainstreaming Progress: Adaptation is increasingly integrated into national development and fiscal plans, especially in SIDS and LDCs, linking adaptation with poverty reduction and sustainability goals.

Severe Finance Shortfall: Only US$26 billion is available annually, covering one-twelfth of the need.
Debt-heavy Mechanisms: Over 50% of finance comes as loans, raising the risk of “adaptation debt traps”.
Low Private Sector Role: Investment remains negligible due to high-risk perception and lack of blended-finance instruments.
Weak Tracking Systems: Many countries lack Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks, preventing evidence-based tracking.
Risk of Maladaptation: Poorly designed measures may increase vulnerability, especially in rural and low-income communities.

Expand Grant-based Support: Shift from debt to grant/concessional finance for equitable access.
Mobilise Private Sector: Encourage blended finance, guarantees, and public-private partnerships to unlock up to US$50 billion annually.
Integrate Resilience Metrics: Embed climate resilience indicators within banking, insurance, and credit systems.
Update NAPs Regularly: Ensure national and sectoral plans reflect new scientific evidence.
Strengthen Regional Cooperation: Promote South–South partnerships and technology transfer via initiatives like ISA and CDRI.

The Adaptation Gap Report 2025 is a stark reminder that climate resilience cannot run on empty promises.
Bridging the financial and policy divide is a strategic investment in collective survival, not charity.
Only through equitable finance, innovation, and global solidarity can adaptation keep pace with the accelerating risks of climate change.

Source : UNEP