Adaptation Gap Report 2020

2020 was not only the year of the pandemic, it was also the year of record temperatures and growing climate impacts: floods, droughts, storms, wildfires and locust plagues. Even more worrying is that the world is heading for at least a 3°C temperature rise this century, which will only intensify these impacts.

There is a need for strong, global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement goals of holding global warming this century to well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C.

‘Adaptation’ helps reduce countries’ and communities’ vulnerability to climate change by increasing their ability to absorb impacts and remain resilient. It is a key pillar of the Paris Agreement, which requires all signatories to plan and implement adaptation measures.

The fifth edition of the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report looks at progress in planning for, financing and implementing adaptation – with a focus on nature-based solutions. UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2020 finds that while nations have advanced in planning, more finance is needed - especially in developing countries - to ramp up adaptation projects, so they can bring real protection against climate impacts such as droughts, floods and sea-level rise.