Climate Change Adaptation

From Open Risk Manual

Definition

An economic activity shall be considered to contribute substantially to Climate Change Adaptation where that activity contributes substantially to reducing the negative effects of the current and expected future climate or preventing an increase or shifting of negative effects of climate change[1]

Climate change adaptation refers to actions that help reduce vulnerability to the current or expected impacts of climate change like weather extremes and natural disasters, sea-level rise, biodiversity loss, or food and water insecurity.[2]

Many adaptation measures need to happen at the local level, so rural communities and cities have a big role to play. Such measures include

  • planting crop varieties that are more resistant to drought
  • practicing Regenerative Agriculture
  • improving water storage and use
  • managing land to reduce wildfire risks, and
  • building stronger defenses against extreme weather like floods and heat waves.


However, adaptation also needs to be driven at the national and international levels. In addition to developing the policies needed to guide adaptation, governments need to look at large-scale measures such as

  • strengthening or relocating infrastructure from coastal areas affected by sea-level rise
  • building infrastructure able to withstand more extreme weather conditions
  • enhancing early warning systems and access to disaster information
  • developing insurance mechanisms specific to climate-related threats, and
  • creating new protections for wildlife and natural ecosystems.


In EU legislative context climate change adaptation means the process of adjustment to actual and expected climate change and its impacts. (based on the Regulation (EU) 2020/852)

Notes

  • preventing or reducing the location and context specific negative effects of Climate Change, which shall be assessed and prioritised using available climate projections, on the economic activity;
  • preventing or reducing the negative effects that climate change may pose to the natural and built environment within which the economic activity takes place, which shall be assessed and prioritised using available climate projections.

See Also

Futher Resources

References

  1. Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, Technical Report, June 2019
  2. The Climate Dictionary, UNDP, 2023