Stories of Progress

Learn more about the progress being made on global adaptation.

Global

NAP Central was created to identify medium and long-term adaptation needs and implement national adaptation plans (NAPs), strategies, and programs. Since its creation, over 150 countries have been identified as either developing or updating national adaptation plans.

Learn more from NAP Central >>

Built on the 100 Resilient Cities Initiative, the Resilient Cities Network brings together a global network of member cities to share knowledge, practice, partnerships, and funding. Guided by the City Resilience Strategy, member cities across the network lead their city’s resilience efforts by building a safer, more equitable, and sustainable future for all.

In 2023, the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures reported on the progress being made by over 4,800 organizations globally in making climate-related financial disclosures. Amongst its findings, this report highlights the importance of companies disclosing climate-related finances as this information helps advance adaptation measures by making climate risks and opportunities visible and provides useful material to business investors and regulators.

In 2010, Unilever implemented Sustainable Agriculture Code (SAC), a regenerative agricultural practice to ensure crops grew to give the right yield and quality, non-renewable farm inputs were minimized, harm to the environment was reduced, positive impacts on biodiversity were created, and rural communities were supported. Since then, Unilever has invested in climate resilient sourcing in over 20 countries. For example, Unilever's tea supply chain in Kenya has used drip irrigation and heat tolerant crop varieties resulting in an increased yield of up to 30% during drought years.

Learn more from Unilever >>

In 2022, Global Center On Adaptation launched the Global Hub on Locally Led Adaptation, a platform that informs, shares, and connects local communities around the world with the latest knowledge and solutions for adapting to climate change.

The LDC University Leadership for Catalyzing Climate-Adaptation Finance (UNI-LEAD) project aims to strengthen capacities of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to achieve scaled up and effective climate change adaptation by fostering sustained in-country technical services for project development and policy mainstreaming, and accessing climate financing.

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Africa

In Africa, the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), a joint initiative of the African Development Bank and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), is working to mobilize $25 billion, over five years, to accelerate and scale climate adaptation action across the continent. In an effort to meet its goal, AAAP is scaling up its impact. One example of this is in Kenya where over 500,000 farmers now use drought resistant seeds and digital tools for climate smart agriculture.

In South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia, International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) Gender Transformative Mechanism is helping create more balanced leadership in water governance. By working closely with women to fulfill leadership roles, IFAD aims to strengthen governance and improve water accessibility.

Learn more from Project Dandelion >>

Asia

In 2024, Start Network published a report on Bangladesh's progress in implementing early warning systems for tropical cyclones and monsoon floods. The report found that Bangladesh, a front runner on adaptation, had implemented early warning systems that reached over 90% of its population during cyclones, significantly reducing disaster related death in terms of human mobility and disaster preparedness.

Learn more from Star Network >>

According to Shanghai water authorities, the city has released a comprehensive plan to transform Shanghai into a "sponge city" that will be capable of collecting and reusing rainwater to mitigate flooding and enhance ecological resilience. One way the city is planning to meet its goal is by expanding urban green spaces with green roofs and permeable pavement to better absorb stormwater.

Learn more from Shanghai Government >>

Faced with cyclones and the impacts of destructive winds and water, locals in Sunderbans have adopted new architecture to build cyclone-resistant homes. These homes, built with local materials like bamboo, mud, and thatch, are not only affordable and provide thermal comfort, but they also doubled up as a shelter during storms.

Learn more from Telegraph India >>

In Maharashtra, India, International Fund for Agricultural Development's Gender Transformative Mechanism (IFAD’s GTM) investment equips women to become leaders in bamboo cultivation, improving their long-term financial security and shifting household power dynamics.

Learn more from Project Dandelion >>

The devastating forest fire of 2022 in Uljin, South Korea, burning over 20,000 hectares in ten days, was named by the UN as one of the four new World Restoration Flagships under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Over the last three years, South Korea has made efforts to grow back the destroyed area by 2030 – using innovation and its global doomsday seed vault to drive better resilience and biodiversity.

Australia

In 2025, Australia opened the world's first ever visa for Pacific Islanders displaced by climate change. This visa was a result of a bilateral treaty between Australia and Tuvalu that encompassed three crucial aspects: climate cooperation, mobility, and security. This program is a reflection of growing recognition that climate induced migration is a real and rising issue.

Learn more from Earth.Org >>

Caribbean

The European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) have launched a four‑year initiative that will support Caribbean nations, communities, and the private sector to prepare for and recover from disasters.

Pacific Islands

Pacific Island countries are the most vulnerable nations to adverse impacts of climate change and natural hazards. In an effort to support these countries, the Pacific Resilience Program (PREP) is working with 15 island nations to strengthen disaster early warning systems and preparedness, strengthen infrastructure, and to mainstream disaster risk and climate change into the development planning process and financing.

Learn more from Pacific Community >>

Fiji’s vulnerability to extreme weather events has propelled the country to build cyclone resilient schools and roads. However, in addition to these infrastructure improvements, the World Bank is jointly financing a new project that will strengthen the resilience of four major bridges on the main island of Viti Levu in Fiji against natural hazards and climate change, benefiting more than half a million people.

Learn more from World Bank Group >>

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Header Image: Dennis Schroeder/US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon