Study maps gaps and suggests actions to strengthen adaptation agenda in Brazil.

A groundbreaking survey reviews national and international strategic documents, identifies challenges, and proposes priorities related to adapting to global climate change.

What are the ways to strengthen the climate adaptation agenda in Brazil? This study first opted to conduct a technical diagnosis based on the analysis of national and international strategic documents – such as National Adaptation Plans and agreements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – and climate finance initiatives. From this review, gaps and priorities were identified that should guide more effective policies and actions to address the impacts of global climate change in the country.

“Climate adaptation plays a central role in global climate negotiations, even featuring prominently in the letters published by the Brazilian Presidency of COP30. Therefore, the issue needs to be treated as a strategic priority, in balance with mitigation, as foreseen in the Paris Agreement. The idea is to strengthen the resilience of countries and communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, ensuring that adaptation receives the same political and financial attention as actions to reduce emissions,” noted the study's author, Alexandre Só de Castro.

Among the main points on the official agenda are the creation of mechanisms to improve communication and recording of adaptation actions; the development of methodologies to assess needs and results; and the recognition of the efforts of developing countries. Also on the agenda are the mobilization of financial and technological support; the review of the institutional structure linked to adaptation; and progress on the Global Adaptation Goal, which seeks to define clear targets and indicators to measure progress. Another important focus is integrating adaptation actions into sustainable development policies, encompassing areas such as agriculture, health, water resources, and infrastructure.

“The letters from the Presidency further reinforce two points considered essential: increasing climate finance aimed at adaptation, especially for poorer and more vulnerable countries, and guaranteeing an inclusive negotiation process. The proposal is to involve governments, civil society, indigenous peoples, traditional communities, the private sector, and academia, so that decisions are fairer, more transparent, and more effective in the face of the challenges posed by climate change,” emphasized José Miguez, co-author of the technical note.

Climate finance

Climate finance has become a central pillar in global discussions on climate change, bringing together public and private resources – both national and international – aimed at reducing emissions and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable countries. Despite the absence of a universal definition, there is consensus on its importance in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. These resources finance areas such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, resilient infrastructure, and environmental conservation, and should be aligned with national climate targets and a just and sustainable transition.

With global financial flows still below what is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C, the New Collective Quantified Climate Finance Goal (NCQG) emerges as a response to the inadequacy of current mechanisms. Created during COP26, the NCQG seeks to define a new target value and clearer rules for climate finance post-2025. The proposal aims to surpass the target of US$100 billion annually – never fully met – by establishing more ambitious parameters, balancing resources between mitigation and adaptation, and increasing transparency in the management of climate funds.

In this debate, the Bridgetown Initiative stands out. The proposal advocates for a profound reform of the international financial system, focusing on facilitating access for developing countries to large volumes of resources to address the climate and economic crises. Although not yet institutionalized, the initiative already influences discussions at the UN, the G20, and multilateral banks, by proposing innovative solutions to mobilize trillions of dollars and promote climate justice – principles that directly align with the objectives of the NCQG.

Climate governance has gained prominence in global discussions by articulating policies, institutions, and mechanisms aimed at addressing climate change. It is essential to ensure that the commitments of the Paris Agreement are put into practice, especially through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Enhanced Transparency Framework, which obliges countries to report their progress in a clear and verifiable manner. This model seeks to strengthen cooperation between governments, the private sector, civil society, and local communities, promoting more inclusive governance based on science, traditional knowledge, and climate justice.

During COP29 in Baku, significant progress was made in strengthening institutional structures and expanding social participation in adaptation efforts. Now, the topic occupies a central position on the agenda, which prioritizes improving monitoring, reporting, and verification mechanisms, as well as encouraging the engagement of young people, women, and indigenous peoples in decision-making processes. The letters from the COP30 Presidency reinforced the need for transparent and participatory governance, capable of ensuring that climate policies reflect the needs of the most vulnerable countries and promote effective adaptation and mitigation actions.

Climate justice

Climate justice has become a core principle in international climate negotiations, recognizing that the impacts of the climate crisis do not affect everyone equally. Vulnerable populations face the greatest risks, exacerbated by lack of access to finance and social inequality.

In Brazil, the debate is gaining momentum in light of regional inequalities and the vulnerability of traditional communities, especially in the North and Northeast regions. The National Adaptation Plan to Climate Change (NAP) highlights the need for public policies focused on equity and social participation, while recent COP decisions reinforce the global commitment to actions that respect human rights and prioritize support for countries and communities most exposed to climate impacts. These advances include strengthening climate finance and recognizing climate justice as a key element of international cooperation.

Thus, climate justice is consolidated as a central axis of the negotiations, guiding the debate on equity, solidarity, and shared responsibility among nations. The letters from the Conference Presidency reinforce that the climate transition needs to be inclusive, guaranteeing voice and protection to the most vulnerable groups. This commitment signals a decisive step towards addressing the global climate crisis in a more just, humane, and sustainable way.

  • Learn more about the topic by downloading the full study 'Adaptation on the global agenda: UNFCCC negotiations at COP30' in Portuguese or English .