Adaptation to climate change has traditionally been framed as a local problem. However, in recent years, adaptation has risen on the global policy agenda, which is reflected in the fact that 79% of RegionsAdapt member regions have an adaptation action plan in place or in progress, addressing the physical and socio-economic risks of climate change.

In this context, authors Joana Setzer (LSE), Elisa Sainz de Murieta and Ibon Galarraga (BC3), Fernando Rei and Mariângela Mendes Lomba Pinho (Catholic University of Santos) have written the article: Transnationalization of climate adaptation by regional governments and the RegionsAdapt initiative.

This article, published by Cambridge University Press in its Global Sustainability section, contributes to the study of transnational climate adaptation through an investigation of international connectivity on climate adaptation between regional policy-makers.

The article examines the RegionsAdapt initiative, the first global commitment to promote and track the progress of regional adaptation. While adapting to climate change at the regional level is crucial, the authors suggest that transnational adaptation governance not only helps to promote adaptation measures but also improves the process of tracking the progress of such action, its visibility and its aggregation.

Further information:

The full paper is available here: Cambridge University Press – Global Sustainability – Volume 3, 2020, e10

Regional and subnational governments are welcome to join RegionsAdapt to showcase their innovative adaptation strategies and policies.

To learn more about our latest report on Climate Change Adaptation in a Multi-level Governance Context: A Perspective from Subnational Governments and other resources on regional climate adaptation, please visit our Knowledge Hub.