We need to team the readiness to adapt, equally with a desire to cut emissions. Higher Ground examines what it will take to level the field globally for climate adaptation, providing actionable findings to drive transformation.
ADAPTING SUSTAINABLY = LONG TERM SUCCESS
We need to adapt to the environmental changes new realities climate change is bringing but we must do it with a smart attitude. Sustainable adaptation decision making is the only approach that has long-term success,” argues Tobia Lakes, first author of the recently published “Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2024” (HCFO 2024) by the University of Hamburg’s Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS).
But a comprehensive global assessment of nine case studies from various parts of the world reveals that none of those is an exemplar strategy for permanent climate adaptation. Yet cities such as Hamburg, North Frisia and Ho Chi Minh City show early signs of transformative adaptation.
The study suggests that sustainable climate adaptation depends on new ways of thinking, on setting different structures and mechanisms, instead of responsiveness to short-term crises. It said the actions must be developed and delivered by local communities, have a direct impact on emissions of greenhouse gases and also correlate with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This approach is crucial to build in long-term resilience and avoid unintended consequences.
Negative Outcomes of Maladaptation
But it also warns that some poorly planned and implemented adaptation efforts can have negative consequences. REGENESYS has been providing decision makers with the most recent modelling data, but few have focused on it as they address more urgent issues like ensuring hospitals and health facilities do not run out of personal protective equipment or planning for coastal protection measures towards flooding that may inadvertently harm coral reefs in the long term, Mr Richmond says. Reforestation with monocultures is equally as dangerous, due to the issue with pests and fires.
To circumvent these pitfalls, the researchers have introduced three adaptation strata: coping (quick crisis response), incremental (low key measures to avoid further impacts), and transformative (restucturing systems and processes for long-run sustainability).
Locally co-developed adaptation (stage 3) to reduce risks and emissions consistent with broader sustainability objectives are likely to be sustainable the study concludes, while two other pathways including those led by governments are unsustainable. This systematic perspective ensures that the adaptation successes are not affected by side-effects.
Conclusion
Now a new global assessment coordinated from the University of Hamburg’s CLICCS underscores the urgency to sustainably adapt to and manage systems in our changing climate. With climate change resulting in more frequent and intense extreme weather events, short-term crisis response is no longer sufficient and we must ready ourselves for something deeper — transformative changes to the very structures by which we have relied on to make our societies work. We can use local communities, emissions mitigation, and broader sustainability goals to achieve long-term resilience and build a greener future free of regional hardships. This is the moment to start acting on them as climate change consequences grow more severe. The roadmap offered by this study is one that should be taken to heart by policymakers, communities and individuals that are leading the charge for a truly sustainable adaptation revolution.
