A report from the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) has warned that a yawning gap in adaptation finance for developing countries is putting lives, livelihoods and entire economies at risk.
The Adaptation Gap Report 2025: Running on Empty has been released to inform negotiations at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, later this month.
It finds that while adaptation planning and implementation are improving, adaptation finance needs in developing countries such as Malawi by 2035 are over $310 billion per year, 12 times the current international public adaptation finance flows.
According to the report, if current finance trends continue, the Glasgow Climate Pact goal of doubling international public adaptation finance from 2019 levels by 2025 will not be achieved.
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It adds that the New Collective Quantified Goal for climate finance is not ambitious enough to close the finance gap.
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The report further appeals to the private sector, which it says can do more, with the potential to provide around $50 billion per year if backed by targeted policy action and blended finance solutions.
In his message on the report, UN Secretary- General António Guterres reiterated that climate impacts are accelerating.
“Yet adaptation finance is not keeping pace, leaving the world’s most vulnerable exposed to rising seas, deadly storms and searing heat.
“Adaptation is not a cost; it is a lifeline. Closing the adaptation gap is how we protect lives, deliver climate justice and build a safer, more sustainable world. Let us not waste another moment,” Guterres said.
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Speaking during a virtual press conference to mark the launch of the report, Unep Executive Director Inger Andersen lamented the rise in climate impacts such as heatwaves, wildfires and floods.
“Very sadly, as we speak, Jamaica is dealing with the impacts of the strongest hurricane ever to hit the country as Hurricane Melissa continues its path towards Cuba, with catastrophic flash flooding being reported,” Andersen said.
She added that as a result of these climate impacts, the poor and vulnerable are dying, suffering poor health and seeing their livelihoods damaged.
Andersen challenged developed nations to invest in their own adaptation and climate resilience, and to provide financial support to developing countries least responsible for the climate crisis to do the same.
In line with global adaptation finance goals, the Adaptation Gap Report tracks finance from developed country contributions to developing countries.
Malawi, like many developing countries, is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture, limited infrastructure and high poverty levels.
Climate variability continues to threaten food security, water resources, health and overall livelihoods.
Adaptation strategies include climate-resilient agriculture, small-scale irrigation, diversified livelihoods and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
However, their effectiveness is said to be constrained by limited resources, technological gaps and insufficient international support.
Malawi is currently grappling with a food insecurity crisis, prompting President Peter Mutharika to declare a state of disaster in 11 of the country’s 28 districts following what are said to be climate-induced prolonged dry spells.
