UNEP & Adaptation
Reducing carbon emissions is no longer enough to halt the impacts of climate change. Many countries are realizing it's time to start adapting to a warming world. UNEP has supported over 70 projects on climate change adaptation in over 50 countries.
Just some of the areas we specialise in include:
Ecosystem-based adaptation
UNEP is supporting over 45 projects that utilize biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of a holistic adaptation strategy. Combined, these projects are aiming to restore around 113,000 hectares of ecosystems while benefitting 2.5 million people around the world. Of these 45 projects, 32 are funded by GEF.
National Adaptation Plans
Supporting countries to advance their National Adaptation Plan process, which includes the major NAP-GSP initiative. National Adaptation Plans are widely viewed as one of the most important mechanisms for adapting to climate change.
Access to adaptation finance
Helping governments and partners all over the world to obtain funding for climate resilience. This includes key adaptation funding mechanisms that are managed by UNEP, such as the Global EbA Fund and the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator.
Knowledge, analysis and networking
We are a global key player in developing, analysing and sharing state-of-the-art knowledge in the rapidly evolving field of adaptation. Key networks UNEP has founded and supports include the Global Adaptation Network and the World Adaptation Science Programme.
Climate adaptation resources & multimedia
We produce a wide range of communication and knowledge products to improve understanding and accelerate action on Climate Change Adaptation. Explore our resources here.
UNEP’s current climate change adaptation projects are aiming to achieve the following targets:
- 2.5 million beneficiaries
- 113,000 ha of ecosystems restored
- 6,649 ha of land under climate-smart agriculture
- 60,000 people trained or with improved climate awareness
- 1,125 water harvesting structures built
- 82 weather monitoring stations installed
Supporting the SDGs
By assisting countries to enhance their capacity in climate change adaptation, disaster management, National Adaptation Planning and implementation, and early warning, UNEP’s GEF-funded projects support our partner countries to achieve a wide range of SDG goals, including:
- Goal 13 - Climate Action:
Climate Action is at the heart of our work. Our projects build partner countries’ ability to adapt to climate change by supporting them to integrate climate change into national policies; improving education and awareness-raising; providing trainings in sustainable income-generating strategies, such as chicken-raising, ecotourism and beekeeping; installing weather stations to provide early warnings of extreme weather to help communities adapt; creating adaptation decision-support tools; and training government officials on how to implement, plan and monitor ecosystem-based adaptation.
- SDG 1 – Poverty
Our projects are establishing sustainable natural resource-based enterprises to increase the income of vulnerable communities and reduce their dependency of logging; and encouraging the adopt of climate-resilient livelihoods like beekeeping through trainings and the construction of apiaries and honey collection centres.
- SDG 2 – No Hunger
Our projects are distributing drought-tolerant seeds along with training on harvesting and cultivation; establishing ‘home-gardens’ of vegetables in schools and homes to diversify food supplies; distributing fishing kits and improved knowledge on sustainable fishing techniques; and supporting agricultural ‘terracing’ to reduce soil erosion and water run-off.
- SDG 6 – Clean Water & Sanitation:
Our projects are installing a wide range of technologies and equipment to increase water quantity and quality, such rainwater harvesting devices, pumping wells, solar-powered water pumps, boreholes, storage tanks, monitoring, and irrigation systems.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water:
Our projects are restoring coral reef and mangrove ecosystems; dredging degraded coastal forests to improve ecosystem health; and constructing tidal inlet channels to improve water quality of a coastal lagoon.
- SDG 15: Life on Land
Our projects are restoring forests, savannahs, and mountain ecosystems; creating tree nurseries for restoration activities; establishing defined no-take zones; distributing efficient cooking stoves to reduce logging; and developing community forest management plans.
