In the fight against climate change, many actions and measures revolve around mitigation. However, there is another aspect to the challenge, because we need to adapt to changes that are already happening. Even if emissions fall rapidly, many climate impacts will continue for years to come.
To support the world in doing so, the in 2015 established Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) is an international effort to help countries become more resilient to climate change. It was first established under the Paris Agreement to help answer the basic question of what successful adaptation actually looks like.
Unlike emissions reductions, adaptation is difficult to measure. One country may focus on protecting coastlines, while another invests in drought-resistant agriculture or stronger health systems. Comparing progress is not straightforward. At the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, governments therefore agreed on a framework containing 11 targets to help guide adaptation efforts around the world, operationalizing the GGA. Indicators to track progress towards those targets were agreed at COP 30, but efforts to refine and implement them will continue in the years ahead. While the framework does not set one universal target, it provides a shared direction for adaptation worldwide. Here are five things to know about the Global Goal on Adaptation:
The GGA is not about accepting climate impacts, but about building resilience against them
Adaptation focuses on reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience. In practice, this can mean many things. A few examples include improving flood protection, developing climate-resilient crops, strengthening healthcare systems or making cities better prepared for extreme heat. The aim is simple, really. It is to help people, ecosystems and economies cope with a changing climate.
Adaptation looks different everywhere, but the challenge is global
There is no single adaptation solution that works for every country. A small island state facing sea level rise has different challenges than a landlocked country dealing with drought. However, both the small island state and the landlocked country are affected by climate change impacts, as are countries all over the world. The GGA seeks to capture this shared challenge by providing a common framework for understanding adaptation needs and tracking progress globally.
The GGA aims to improve how progress is measured
One of the biggest challenges in adaptation policy is knowing whether efforts are actually working. The UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience agreed at COP 28 to support implementation of the GGA includes 11 targets that have since been integrated into guidance for National Adaptation Plans. Indicators to help track progress towards those targets were only agreed in 2025, and are an important step towards supporting countries assess progress, identify gaps and learn from one another.
Adaptation under the GGA is treated as an interconnected challenge
Adaptation is often associated with physical projects such as seawalls or irrigation systems. But resilience also depends on social, economic and environmental factors. Additionally, climate risks do not affect just one sector at a time. Education, early warning systems, ecosystem protection, public health measures and access to information can all strengthen a society's ability to respond to such risks.
More support and finance will be needed to achieve the goal
Many of the countries facing the greatest climate risks are also the ones with the fewest resources to adapt. Building resilience takes money, technical expertise and access to knowledge and technology. That is why discussions around the Global Goal on Adaptation often come back to finance, as plans and targets can only go so far if countries lack the support needed to turn them into action. Another important remaining question is what successful adaptation looks like in practice and how support can reach the communities that need it most. Research can help answer these questions, for example by identifying effective approaches, highlighting gaps and building the evidence base for adaptation.
