What is the Global Goal on Adaptation, and how can adaptation indicators drive climate action?

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), a framework established under the 2015 Paris Agreement to set measurable targets and indicators for climate adaptation. It details the role of the GGA in monitoring progress, the proposed indicators to be discussed at COP30 in Belém, the current state of National Adaptation Plans, and the significant financing gap for adaptation in developing countries.

• The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) is the first international framework designed to monitor and evaluate climate adaptation progress. While established in the 2015 Paris Agreement, an overarching framework was only agreed upon in 2023. By November 2025, the framework is expected to be completed and ready for adoption, featuring seven broad thematic targets and four dimensional targets.
• At COP30 in Belém, countries will negotiate approximately 100 draft adaptation indicators, narrowed down from an initial list of 9,529 suggestions. These indicators are split between outcomes (such as reduced heat mortality or safe water access) and means of implementation (including capacity-building, technology, and finance).
• The GGA is intended to provide a benchmark for assessing how countries cope with climate impacts and implement adaptation measures, with progress feeding into the UN Global Stocktake. While reporting on indicators is voluntary and implementation is nationally determined, 2030 is the first target date for countries to demonstrate progress across the 11 GGA targets.
• National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are the primary tool for outlining adaptation actions. As of an October 2025 progress report, 13 developed countries and 67 developing countries have submitted NAPs, while 121 developing countries have received funding to support their development. Additionally, 171 countries have at least one national adaptation planning instrument.
• Adaptation is critically underfunded, receiving only about one-third of public climate finance and as little as 3% of total climate finance in 2023. The adaptation finance needs for developing countries are estimated between USD 310 billion and USD 365 billion annually, which is 12-14 times the current flow of finance.
• Investments in adaptation offer high returns; a 2025 World Resources Institute study of 320 investments totaling USD 133 billion across 12 countries found that every dollar invested can generate over ten dollars in benefits over a decade. These benefits include avoided losses, job creation, and social benefits for women.

APA

Kalyvas, V. (2025). What is the Global Goal on Adaptation, and how can adaptation indicators drive climate action? Zero Carbon Analytics. https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-ZCA_Global-Goal-on-Adaptation_Updated-formatting.pdf

Chicago

Kalyvas, Victoria. What is the Global Goal on Adaptation, and how can adaptation indicators drive climate action? Zero Carbon Analytics, 2025. https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-ZCA_Global-Goal-on-Adaptation_Updated-formatting.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{kalyvas2025what, author = {Kalyvas, Victoria}, title = {{What is the Global Goal on Adaptation, and how can adaptation indicators drive climate action?}}, institution = {Zero Carbon Analytics}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-ZCA_Global-Goal-on-Adaptation_Updated-formatting.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }