What is effective adaptation in the context of the Global Goal on Adaptation

Assessment of the effectiveness of adaptation featured in several sections of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Reports. However, the main challenge still exists in defining effective adaptation, given the context- and region-specific characteristics of adaptation. With the recent global adaptation targets adopted at COP28 in the global goal on adaptation (GGA) framework, establishing the guiding principles and conceptual framework that assess the effectiveness of adaptation in the context of GGA is critical for successful tracking of progress of the GGA targets implementation. To develop the conceptual framework, we are undertaking a systematic review and synthesis of evidence from scientific literature. This framework will be applied to synthesise evidence of human adaptation from a variety of sources, including scientific literature, UN reports, other technical reports and government documents, and reporting to the UNFCCC with the aim for tracking adaptation progress. We will present the synthesis of adaptation information to provide evidence of a pool of effective adaptation options that can contribute to achieving GGA targets. Thus, the synthesis results inform the frontline organisations and governments on effective adaptation for achieving GGA targets. This work is also important in informing the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Cycle, given that countries have agreed to update the IPCC’s 1994 guidelines on climate adaptation, vulnerability, and impacts assessment. The results of the work provide input for the review of the GGA framework for further work needed in the context of the temperature goal and global adaptation goal expressed in the Paris Agreement.