Indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation

This briefing describes the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), an international framework established under the 2015 Paris Agreement to monitor and evaluate progress on climate adaptation. It details the development of approximately 100 draft indicators to be agreed upon at COP30 in Belém, which aim to move adaptation targets from broad pledges to quantifiable metrics. The document highlights the critical underfinancing of adaptation compared to mitigation and the potential for high returns on investment in resilience measures.

• The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) is the first international framework designed to monitor and evaluate climate adaptation progress by setting specific, measurable targets and indicators. While established in the 2015 Paris Agreement, an overarching framework was only agreed upon in 2023, consisting of seven thematic targets and four dimensional targets.
• Approximately 100 draft adaptation indicators, narrowed down from an initial 9,529 suggestions, are set for discussion and agreement at COP30 in Belém. These indicators are divided into those measuring outcomes (e.g., reduced heat mortality or safe water access) and those measuring means of implementation (e.g., technology, capacity-building, and finance).
• Implementation of the GGA is voluntary and nationally determined, meaning countries are not legally required to meet the targets. However, 2030 is the first date by which countries are expected to show measurable progress across the 11 targets, and progress will be integrated into the UN Global Stocktake.
• Climate adaptation is severely underfinanced, receiving only about one-third of public climate finance and as little as 3% of total climate finance in 2023. The UN estimates that the annual adaptation needs for developing countries between 2025-2035 will reach USD 365 billion, which is 12-14 times current finance flows.
• Investments in adaptation and resilience offer high returns; a 2025 World Resources Institute study of 320 investments totaling USD 133 billion found that every dollar invested could generate over ten dollars in benefits over a decade. These benefits include avoided losses, job creation, and improved health and social outcomes.
• National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are the primary mechanism for countries to outline adaptation actions. As of October 2025, 67 developing countries and 13 developed countries have submitted NAPs, while 171 countries have developed at least one national adaptation planning instrument.

APA

Kalyvas, V. (2025). Indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation. Zero Carbon Analytics. https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/insights/briefings/indicators-for-the-global-goal-on-adaptation/

Chicago

Kalyvas, Victoria. Indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation. Zero Carbon Analytics, 2025. https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/insights/briefings/indicators-for-the-global-goal-on-adaptation/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kalyvas |first1=Victoria |title=Indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation |publisher=Zero Carbon Analytics |date=2 November 2025 |url=https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/insights/briefings/indicators-for-the-global-goal-on-adaptation/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kalyvas2025indicators, author = {Kalyvas, Victoria}, title = {{Indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation}}, institution = {Zero Carbon Analytics}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/insights/briefings/indicators-for-the-global-goal-on-adaptation/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }