Global Adaptation Efforts Advance as Countries Move from Planning to Action, UNFCCC Report Shows

The survey shows that 144 countries have already begun developing their plans, and 67 developing nations have officially submitted their NAPs

Por Presidência da COP30

A new report by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat reveals significant progress in how developing countries are formulating and implementing their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), marking a decisive shift from planning to action. The findings, released ahead of COP30 in Belém, underscore how multilateral cooperation is accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement and bringing climate action closer to communities worldwide.

According to the report, as of 30 September 2025, 144 countries have initiated the NAP process, and 67 developing countries — including 23 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and 14 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — have formally submitted their plans to the UNFCCC. These NAPs now serve as roadmaps for building climate resilience, integrating adaptation into national development, and guiding investments in critical sectors such as water, food, health, infrastructure, and ecosystems. 

Strengthening Multilateralism

The report highlights how international collaboration is driving adaptation finance and capacity-building. Through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), 121 developing countries have received support for NAP formulation and implementation. As of September 2025, USD 6.9 billion had been approved for adaptation and cross-cutting projects aligned with NAP priorities. Initiatives such as the NAP Global Network, UN4NAPs, and regional collaboration centres have mobilized more than 100 countries for technical exchanges, showing how global partnerships can strengthen local resilience.

Accelerating Paris Agreement Implementation

The report confirms that countries are integrating adaptation priorities into national policies, aligning NAPs with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and transparency reports. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems are being established to track progress and inform future action — an essential step for transparency under the Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake. The rise in anticipatory action, early warning systems, and sectoral adaptation plans demonstrates increasing coherence and urgency in implementation.

Connecting Climate Action to People’s Lives

NAPs are becoming vehicles for inclusive and equitable adaptation. Nearly all submitted plans address gender equity, community participation, and vulnerability reduction. Progress in multi-hazard early warning systems — now established in 119 countries — is directly improving public safety. Local actions in agriculture, health, and urban planning are linking climate resilience to everyday needs, helping people prepare for and adapt to rising climate risks. Next Steps for COP30 The report calls for scaling up financial and technical support to match growing national ambitions, particularly for LDCs and SIDS. It emphasizes that sustained institutional capacity and long-term financing are essential to fully implement the NAPs and achieve the Global Goal on Adaptation.

Next Steps for COP30

The report calls for scaling up financial and technical support to match growing national ambitions, particularly for LDCs and SIDS. It emphasizes that sustained institutional capacity and long-term financing are essential to fully implement the NAPs and achieve the Global Goal on Adaptation.

“Many countries still lack access to the funding that’s needed. Too often, they face complex approval processes, fragmented support, and overdependence on external expertise,” said Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary. “It’s clear from this report that the systems are increasingly ready, but the finance must flow — right now.”

As COP30 convenes in Belém, the NAPs report provides a timely snapshot of how countries are turning the Paris Agreement’s vision into reality — strengthening cooperation, accelerating action, and ensuring that the climate agenda reaches every level of society. 

“We’re living in a moment when it’s not enough to just cut emissions and address the causes of the climate crisis — we must also act to adapt to its impacts, which will continue to intensify in the coming decades,” said Ana Toni, CEO of COP30. “Around the world, communities are showing that adaptation not only saves lives and protects livelihoods but also drives innovation, inclusion, and economic development. Expanding adaptation finance — quickly and fairly — is essential to building a safer and more resilient future for everyone.”

Read the full report