To ensure that adaptation investments are effective, decision-makers must increase their understanding of the impacts of climate change and the need for adaptation. Adaptation investments must also be made with an eye to the long term, since climate change is an ongoing process
Adaptation to climate change is becoming as important as climate mitigation in terms of protecting wealth and lives. Accelerated investments in adaptation finance will be needed to avoid the most severe impacts, and there are signs those investments may be at a turning point.
“The physical impacts from climate change are increasing, and the window of opportunity for building resilience and adapting at lower costs is closing rapidly,” notes Romain Pison. In order to be successful, adaptation strategies must be tailored to local contexts and reflect the unique social, environmental, and economic needs of the communities they are being implemented but also need to be embedded in global strategies. That is the key challenge for climate change-related programs.
