Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Gca

  • Are Nature-Based Solutions the Key to Adapting Under Uncertainty? – Global Center on Adaptation

    Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are gaining momentum as a way to adapt to climate change in an uncertain future. NbS use healthy ecosystems to tackle real-world challenges, such as restoring mangroves to protect coastlines or creating wetlands to absorb floods. These solutions are multifunctional, providing multiple benefits like carbon storage, biodiversity support, and local livelihood strengthening. NbS align well with practical strategies for adaptation under uncertainty, such as providing no-regret actions, built-in flexibility, extra safety without huge costs, smarter policies, and smaller, incremental steps. Overall, NbS offer a flexible, adaptable, and low-risk approach to climate adaptation in an uncertain world. Poorly designed NbS projects can create trade-offs and make communities more vulnerable, so adaptive management and monitoring are essential. Delaying action on climate solutions carries its own risks and costs. NbS may not be a silver bullet, but they provide valuable tools for addressing climate challenges.

    https://gca.org/are-nature-based-solutions-the-key-to-adapting-under-uncertainty/

  • When The Heat Is On: Stories of Action and Impact – Global Center on Adaptation

    The Heat Is On campaign, launched by the Global Center on Adaptation, aims to spotlight proven adaptation solutions to combat extreme heat, such as early warning systems and nature-based solutions. These initiatives have already saved lives, protected livelihoods, and absorbed CO2 emissions. The campaign has successfully connected policymakers, practitioners, and communities globally, building momentum for adaptation action. At COP30 in Belém, the campaign helped elevate adaptation on par with mitigation, leading to a decision to triple adaptation finance under the Belém Package. Accelerating adaptation action, scaling solutions, and protecting communities from extreme heat must remain a global priority.

    https://gca.org/when-the-heat-is-on-stories-of-action-and-impact/

  • How Adaptation Moved From Vision to Delivery in 2025 – Global Center on Adaptation

    In 2025, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) made significant progress in promoting climate-resilient infrastructure design, elevating local leadership, and engaging youth in climate adaptation action globally. The GCA focused on scaling political momentum, finance, and practical solutions to build resilient economies, with a particular emphasis on food security and rural well-being. The year ended with political momentum, financial commitments, and technical innovations to expand adaptation solutions, setting the stage for accelerated implementation in 2026. The focus for the future is to support resilient food systems, urban infrastructure, and bring adaptation to every community in need, emphasizing that resilience is a choice built day by day, investment by investment, and community by community.

    https://gca.org/how-adaptation-moved-from-vision-to-delivery-in-2025/

  • Intergenerational Wisdom and the Future of Pacific Resilience – Global Center on Adaptation

    The Pacific Islands are leading the way in developing sustainable climate adaptation strategies by combining traditional knowledge with modern tools. Intergenerational dialogue and youth involvement are crucial in bridging the gap between Indigenous wisdom and innovative solutions. By emphasizing resilience as their shared legacy, Pacific nations are positioning themselves as global leaders in demonstrating a dignified path forward in the face of the climate crisis. Their approach serves as a model for the world, showcasing how to balance past and present knowledge to create technologically robust and culturally grounded solutions.

    https://gca.org/intergenerational-wisdom-and-the-future-of-pacific-resilience/

  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Adaptation & Agriculture – Global Center on Adaptation

    Climate impacts are reshaping farming techniques globally, with unreliable rainfall and flash floods complicating food production in the Global South. Indigenous seed varieties and regenerative farming practices are at risk, affecting the nutritional health of populations. Communities in Zambia are implementing ecosystem-based adaptation to combat water shortages, emphasizing peer-to-peer learning and combining innovation with Indigenous practices for a sustainable future.

    https://gca.org/indigenous-knowledge-systems-in-adaptation-agriculture/

  • The Role of Young People in Adaptation Success – Global Center on Adaptation

    Young people are playing a vital role in shaping climate adaptation solutions, with a focus on justice, inclusion, and ensuring that no one is left behind. They are designing and implementing innovative, inclusive, and equitable solutions for environmental challenges in their communities, mobilizing adaptation action at scale and demanding fair and accessible finance for adaptation. The importance of youth leadership in climate adaptation is emphasized, calling for decision-makers, funders, and communities to partner with young people and invest in youth-led adaptation. The principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) is highlighted, urging young people to claim their seat at the table and build networks of solidarity to create a resilient and equitable world.

    https://gca.org/the-role-of-young-people-in-adaptation-success/