While global mitigation efforts must remain a key priority for the future, in 2026, we are already living in an age of extreme weather and climate-driven catastrophes. This reality calls for policies that make our cities, infrastructure, workplaces and homes climate-proof, and our societies increasingly resilient. Climate adaptation cannot be treated as a secondary pillar of environmental policy because delaying adaptation will make the costs unsustainable in economic, security and, above all, human terms.
At COP30 in Belém, an agreement was reached to triple climate adaptation financing by 2035. Despite this political achievement, financing for climate adaptation remains inadequate, and people’s awareness is insufficient.
In this dossier, we analyse the need for proactive adaptation, and we explore the legislation, resources and mechanisms that can be introduced at the European, national and local levels to address the greatest challenges of our times.
Photo credits: Shutterstock/Rene Notenbomer
