Adaptation Gap Report 2023 - Key Messages

This document summarises the key messages of the Adaptation Gap Report 2023 and emphasises that the world remains underfinanced and underprepared to address growing climate risks. It notes that climate impacts such as extreme heat, storms, floods, and droughts are increasing, while progress on adaptation in the areas of financing, planning, and implementation is slowing. Updated projections suggest that the adaptation needs of developing countries will be between US$215bn and US$387bn per year this decade, with current international public financial flows falling short by US$194bn to US$366bn annually. Although most countries have adopted adaptation plans, the number of measures financed and implemented has stagnated, partly due to overlapping crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The report warns that insufficient adaptation is already leading to escalating losses and damages. The 55 economies most vulnerable to climate change have lost more than US$500bn in the last two decades. Full report is available at: https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/43796