A new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report reveals that developing countries are receiving less than 10% of the funding they need to adapt to worsening climate impacts, leaving millions vulnerable to extreme weather, food insecurity, and economic instability.
Key Findings from the Adaptation Gap Report
- By 2035, developing nations will require over $310 billion annually to adapt to climate change.
- In 2023, only $26 billion was delivered—less than one-tenth of what’s needed.
- Adaptation measures include flood defenses, elevated infrastructure, and improved drainage systems.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that “adaptation is not a cost—it is a lifeline,” urging immediate action to close the funding gap and protect vulnerable communities.
Climate Finance and COP30 Roadmap
The report comes ahead of COP30, the UN Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, where climate finance will be a central issue. The “Baku to Belém Roadmap” aims to mobilize $1.3 trillion by 2035 from public and private sources not just for adaptation, but also for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen called for more grant-based funding rather than loans, to avoid deepening debt burdens for vulnerable nations.
Health Impacts and Fossil Fuel Subsidies
The World Health Organization (WHO) also released findings showing that climate inaction is costing millions of lives annually:
- Heat-related deaths have increased by 23% since the 1990s, reaching 546,000 deaths per year
- 124 million people faced food insecurity in 2023 due to droughts and heatwaves
- Productivity losses from heat exposure totaled $1.09 trillion
Despite these costs, governments spent $956 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2023—more than triple the amount pledged for climate adaptation.
Solutions Are Within Reach
Dr. Marina Romanello of the Lancet Countdown stressed that the rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and shift to clean energy and sustainable diets could save over 10 million lives annually. She urged global leaders to act decisively, noting that “we already have the solutions at hand to avoid a climate catastrophe”.
Environment Correspondent, TWW News
Diya is a journalist at TWW News specializing in environmental reporting with a global lens. Her work spans climate policy, conservation breakthroughs, and the intersection of ecological justice and geopolitics. With a sharp eye for data and a commitment to public accountability, Diya covers stories that matter—from rising sea levels to green tech innovation—with clarity, urgency, and impact.
She brings a background in environmental science and field reporting, often spotlighting underrepresented communities and frontline climate defenders. At TWW News, Diya’s coverage is engineered for credibility, legal rigor, and Global grade editorial standards, helping readers navigate the complexities of a changing planet.