Global Commission on Adaptation: Benefits of climate adaptation far outweighs the costs

Adaptation can help cut the losses climate change is causing. The net benefit of proper adaptation could be $7.1 trillion between 2020 and 2030, according to a new report by the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA).

The report looks at the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) in five key areas of adaptation, including
i) Early warning systems
ii) Climate-resilient infrastructure
iii) Improved dryland agriculture and crop production
iv) Mangrove protection
v) Investments in making water resources more resilient

The BCR ranges from 2:1 to 10:1. This means for every dollar spent on adaptation, the net benefit could be two to 10 times higher.

For example, early warning systems worth $800 million in developing countries can avoid losses of $3–16 billion per year, added the report. Similarly, mangroves help avoid losses amounting to $80 billion per year from coastal flooding and protect 18 million people.

But, money required for adaptation is still not flowing in, stressed the GCA report.

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