THE ADOPTION OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE AGENDA

The document defines Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services to help communities adapt to climate change, positioning it as a cost-effective, 'no-regrets' alternative or complement to traditional infrastructure. While international organizations like the UNFCCC, UNEP, and the World Bank have begun integrating EbA, the author argues it remains under-utilized by national governments due to gaps in technical information, limited on-the-ground effectiveness data, and a preference for short-term 'hard' engineering solutions. The brief recommends increased research into ecosystem service complexities and stronger financial commitments to mainstream EbA into global policy.

• Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) is defined as the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services to assist people and communities in adapting to the negative effects of climate change, serving as a complement to traditional infrastructure development.
• EbA offers several strategic advantages, including a systems perspective that benefits both people and biodiversity, the creation of resilience in social and ecological systems, and the provision of 'no-regrets' options that provide benefits regardless of climate uncertainty.
• Major international entities have engaged with EbA over the last decade, including the UNFCCC, UNEP, UNDP, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the World Bank, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
• While adaptation finance is growing, it remains significantly lower than mitigation finance; for example, $2.73 billion has been committed to adaptation funds for third countries, compared to $7 billion committed to REDD+.
• EbA is currently viewed as a secondary goal or a complement to 'hard' and 'soft' adaptation measures rather than a primary substitute policy choice.
• Several gaps hinder the mainstreaming of EbA, including a lack of collated technical information, limited robust evaluation of effectiveness on the ground, and the tendency of policymakers to prefer fast, short-term 'hard' solutions over long-term ecological ones.

APA

Elena, O. (2014). THE ADOPTION OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE AGENDA. Basque Centre for Climate Change. https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201405020218521871110897.pdf

Chicago

Elena, Ojea,. THE ADOPTION OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE AGENDA. Basque Centre for Climate Change, 2014. https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201405020218521871110897.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Elena |first1=Ojea, |title=THE ADOPTION OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE AGENDA |publisher=Basque Centre for Climate Change |date=April 2014 |url=https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201405020218521871110897.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{elena2014adoption, author = {Elena, Ojea,}, title = {{THE ADOPTION OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE AGENDA}}, institution = {Basque Centre for Climate Change}, year = {2014}, month = apr, url = {https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201405020218521871110897.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }