Climate change has transformed from a distant warning into a present and pressing reality for India. The country holds the ninth position on the 2025 Global Climate Risk Index, a clear indicator of its severe vulnerability to the adverse effects of a warming planet. In this context, adapting to climate impacts is no longer optional; it is an urgent necessity for safeguarding social and economic systems.
Global Frameworks and India's Progress
The international community continues to build frameworks for climate resilience. The Paris Agreement established the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), which was later operationalized through the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience at COP28. This framework was a significant step, outlining a complete adaptation cycle from assessing risks to implementing solutions.
The recent COP30 in Belém, Brazil, brought this work forward. After extensive discussions, the conference concluded the two-year UAE-Belém Work Programme, resulting in the adoption of the Belém Package. This package introduces 60 voluntary indicators to help countries measure their progress on adaptation in key vulnerable areas like water, food, and health.
However, true adaptation success is not measured by project counts. Real progress is seen when crop losses shrink, water access becomes reliable, homes withstand extreme weather, and public health improves during crises. A major hurdle remains financing. Currently, less than 5% of global climate finance is dedicated to adaptation, with public funding seeing a recent dip from $28 billion in 2022 to $26 billion in 2023.
The Financial Challenge and New Initiatives
The financial gap is stark, especially for the most vulnerable. In low-income countries, only 10% of disaster losses are insured, compared to nearly 60% in wealthier nations. Recognizing this crisis, COP30 made critical financial decisions.
The Mutirão decision established a work programme aiming to increase climate finance for developing countries to at least $1.3 trillion per year by 2035. Alongside this is a commitment to triple adaptation finance by the same year. To help bridge the gap between planning and action, a new initiative called Fostering Investible National Implementation (FINI) was launched. Its ambitious goal is to unlock $1 trillion in adaptation project pipelines within three years by connecting government plans with private investors and development banks.
India's Path to a Resilient Future
On the national stage, the process of adaptation planning is well underway. To date, 71 countries have submitted their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to the UNFCCC. India is currently in the process of finalising its own NAP, a critical document for its climate strategy.
India's vulnerability is compounded by underlying issues like poverty, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. Effective adaptation, therefore, requires a multi-pronged approach that invests in local capacity, strengthens institutions, and leverages scientific data.
The nation's greatest strength may lie in its ability to merge everyday wisdom with supportive policies and modern science. For India to build lasting resilience, its agenda must be grounded and practical. This means empowering local governments, strengthening community leadership, and creating clear incentives for measurable progress.
Climate adaptation is built through daily actions. By treating adaptation finance as a long-term investment and blending traditional knowledge with scientific innovation, India can shift its climate efforts from aspiration to tangible action, securing a more resilient future for all its citizens.
