Adaptation in COP

An agreement was reached at the end of the two-week negotiation. Source: Reuters

COP21 has drawn to a close. The broad impacts have been well reported, so I will examine how the COP agreement will affect adaptation.


The proposed actions to be taken before the agreement is enacted in 2020 include:

• Developed countries will create a solid plan to raise USD 100 billion for mitigation and adaptation that will begin in 2020, including an increased budget for adaptation (Paragraph 115)
• 2016-2020 will be a test period for adaptation technologies that increase resiliency, decrease vulnerability, and help enact adaptation (P125, 126,128)
• This will be a cooperative action that will examine what has worked in the past and offer specific solutions for the future (P128,129,130)
• A user-friendly online report will be summited annually (P130)

I think the test period for 2016-2020 is incredibly exciting. I'm glad that they will be reporting their result online in such a way that local government can support their adaptation.


The actual agreement included Article 7 that was all about adaptation. The highlights of this section include:

• Increasing resiliency, decreasing vulnerabilities while still developing in a sustainable manner (Paragraph 1)
• Focusing addition on those who are most vulnerable (P2)
• Decreasing emissions as a way to minimize future adaptations (P4)
• Recognizing that adaptation needs to be implemented in a 'gender-responsive' manner (P5)
• Using both scientific and traditional knowledge to create the best local strategies (P5)
• Sharing information on what has worked in the past, increasing scientific knowledge, and offering specific solutions for the future (P7)

I thought this was a very comprehensive plan for adaptation. I love that it is so closely tied to development, which is exemplified by their nod to adaptation that does not perpetuate forms of gender discrimination. I also appreciate the balance of scientific and traditional knowledge as locals will know the subtleties of their local environment.