What is Adaptation?

Climate Change Adaptation

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems in response to real or anticipated climatic stimuli and their effects or impacts. It refers to changes in processes, practices and structures to moderate potential damage or to take advantage of opportunities associated with climate change.

That is, countries and communities need to develop adaptation solutions and implement actions to respond to climate change impacts that are already occurring and prepare for future impacts.

Adaptation is not made up of a single solution. In terms of adaptation, these solutions take many forms and modalities, depending on the context of the specific population, company, organization, country or region. Many nations and communities are already taking steps to build resilient societies and economies, but considerably more action and ambition will be needed to profitably manage risks, both now and in the future. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are part of the solution.

The success of adaptation depends both on the active participation of governments, as well as the public and private sectors, as well as civil society. Undoubtedly, it is a global challenge that requires participatory, transparent measures based on science and local knowledge.

How can we adapt?

Adaptation in cities

Currently, we are already evidencing the impacts of climate change, therefore, in addition to the necessary efforts in terms of mitigation, it is key to implement adaptation measures. Cities have become centers of deep environmental degradation and concentration of vulnerability of their population due to the lack of planning in urbanization processes. According to the World Bank, more than 80% of the Latin American and Caribbean population lives in urban areas, so it is essential that cities adapt to the consequences of climate change.

Adaptation in cities is important for:

Sustainable urban development in the midst of the climate crisis

CityAdapt strengthens the technical capacities of municipalities and their citizens to analyze the impacts and vulnerabilities to climate change and identify appropriate Nature-based Solutions.

It is currently developing projects in Xalapa (Mexico), San Salvador (El Salvador) and Kingston (Jamaica).

For more information on Adaptation to Climate Change:

Websites of interest:
  • What does climate change adaptation and climate resilience mean? (UNFCCC)
  • Climate Adaptation (UN)
Factsheet:
  • CityAdapt: ​​Ecosystem-based adaptation in El Salvador, Mexico and Jamaica 2017-2022
Informative notes:
  • Making EbA an Effective Component of Balanced Adaptation Strategies: Introducing UNEP EbA Briefing Notes
  • Explore the adaptation challenge
  • EbA in different ecosystems: putting measures in context
  • Selection of complementary adaptation measures
  • Developing the economic case for EbA
  • Integration of EbA in national planning
  • Adaptation based on urban ecosystems: greening cities to fight climate change
How can we adapt to the climate crisis?