2024: GCA’s Continued Commitment to Advancing Global Climate Adaptation
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s we reach the first quarter of this century, the urgency of finding solutions to our climate change dilemma has never been clearer nor more existential. In 2024, the global conversation around climate adaptation — the process of adjusting to the inevitable impacts of climate change — intensified. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting ecosystems present significant challenges for both developed and developing nations.
Amid these challenges, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) has played a pivotal role in advancing adaptation solutions, particularly in the world’s most vulnerable regions. This year saw key milestones, but also underscored the need for more sustained and inclusive efforts to safeguard communities against the escalating impacts of climate change.
GCA continued to consolidate its leadership role in driving climate adaptation strategies globally, working closely with governments, international organizations, businesses, and communities to help scale up climate adaptation efforts.
In 2024, urban areas continued to emerge as leaders in climate adaptation efforts. Cities are on the frontline of climate impacts, from rising sea levels to increased flooding and extreme heat. GCA has been instrumental in pushing cities to embed resilience into their urban planning, providing technical expertise and policy advice to integrate climate adaptation into urban infrastructure.
Nature-based solutions (NbS) were one of the standout features of 2024’s climate adaptation efforts. GCA has been a vocal proponent of NbS, emphasizing their potential to help communities adapt to climate change while simultaneously providing environmental, social, and economic benefits. NbS, which include projects like mangrove restoration, reforestation, and wetland conservation, provide sustainable solutions for mitigating climate impacts such as floods, coastal erosion, and heat stress.
In 2024, the GCA’s support for coastal restoration projects in Bangladesh rehabilitated critical ecosystems which act as natural barriers against storm surges and rising sea levels. In Africa, the Great Green Wall initiative expanded, with the GCA providing upstream technical assistance to the Desert to Power component, which aims to turn the Sahel region into the world’s greatest solar power producer. The overall project not only contributes to climate resilience but also supports biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods for millions of people.
According to GCA’s 2024 States and Trends Report, adaptation finance still falls far short of what is required to meet the growing needs of developing countries. The report urged developed nations to fulfil their commitment to providing $100 billion annually for climate adaptation and mitigation, which was agreed upon in the Paris Agreement. In response, a growing number of businesses have recognized that climate resilience is essential for protecting supply chains and operations.
One of the most important shifts in climate adaptation in 2024 was the increased focus on social equity. Vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, women, and Indigenous peoples, face the brunt of climate change’s impacts. GCA has made significant strides in ensuring that adaptation strategies are inclusive, ensuring these groups are not left behind.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the challenge will be to maintain and scale up these efforts. GCA’s priorities include bolstering financing, improving early warning systems, and ensuring that adaptation strategies are both locally-led and globally coordinated. With climate change impacts accelerating, the need for rapid, large-scale adaptation initiatives is critical.
While 2024 marked a year of significant progress in climate adaptation, the path forward is clear: more investment, more inclusivity, and stronger partnerships are needed to protect the most vulnerable communities from the inevitable impacts of climate change.
The ideas presented in this article aim to inspire adaptation action – they are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Global Center on Adaptation.
