A Transformative Global Goal on Adaptation: Scope, Science and Policy

The Establishment of a Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) through Article 7.1 of the Paris Agreement in 2015 marked both recognition of the importance of adaptation and its inclusion in the global climate governance by giving adaptation its due structural and procedural space within the UNFCCC process. The GGA aims to establish a clear framework and specific targets to guide global adaptation efforts boosting support for adaptation in developing countries. At COP26, in 2021 the Glasgow-Sharm el-Sheikh work program (GlaSS) on Global Goal on Adaptation was established to develop a framework by COP28 in 20232. In the process, disagreements between developed and developing countries, particularly on financing of adaptation in vulnerable countries, led to the establishment of a new initiative, the UAE-Belém work program at COP28 to address these gaps by COP30 in 2025. While there has been some progress on the content and structure of the GGA, there are still issues to be resolved. This paper looks at the progress on the GGA from a perspective balancing the scientific imperatives and policy priorities, particularly of developing countries and suggest an action agenda that may be incorporated in the global governance of GGA.