NDC Partnership Mobilizes Over 20 Institutions to Launch Adaptation Guidance for National Climate Pledges

The NDC Partnership and University of Maryland released new recommendations to support national adaptation planning as countries prepare climate pledges. 

23 May 2025 – The NDC Partnership mobilized over 20 institutions, including the University of Maryland as lead academic partner, to release 12 key recommendations for strengthening adaptation through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate pledges due this year.  

With rising global temperatures, scaling adaptation action is essential for economic growth and resilience. Yet, despite increasing climate risks, adaptation efforts remain fragmented and underfunded.  

The gap between current adaptation efforts and the level required to address climate risks is expected to widen without accelerated action. The need for adaptation finance is also significant. Estimates suggest USD 187-359 billion is needed annually for developing countries. NDCs provide an important vehicle for countries to drive adaptation and secure necessary investments. 

Released as countries develop NDCs, the new report offers practical guidance for countries to set and achieve ambitious adaptation targets, while building the human, technical and financial resources required to deliver them. 

The 12 recommendations align with recognized resilience standards, including the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience adopted at COP28. These recommendations offer governments a roadmap to align national efforts with international frameworks, signaling their commitment to global climate resilience. 

H.E. Mr. Ole Thonke, NDC Partnership Co-Chair representative, Climate Ambassador, Denmark: “Adaptation is no longer a choice. All countries – both in the Global North and Global South - are facing a need to adapt to climate change and drive forward climate resilient-development. Adaptation-focused action and investment is crucial both for the public and the private sector to minimize losses associated with climate hazards. The cost of inaction will ultimately be much higher. The new report on “Advancing Adaptation in NDCs 3.0” provides important guidance on how NDCs and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) can help accelerate adaptation action at country level. 

Pablo Vieira, Global Director, NDC Partnership: “Scaling adaptation must be central to global climate action, not an afterthought. Communities are already grappling with escalating climate risks, and NDCs are a critical vehicle for climate-resilient development. As countries prepare NDCs, these recommendations offer a clear path toward accelerated action, enabling governments to secure a sustainable future.” 

Anand Patwardhan, co-author and Professor at the School of Public Policy, University of Maryland: “This collaborative effort provides concrete and actionable suggestions for countries to raise their ambition and accelerate adaptation actions to help achieve the global goal on adaptation and the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience." 

Rosina Bierbaum, co-author and Professor and Roy F. Weston Chair in Natural Economics at University of Maryland, and Professor of Natural Resources and Environment at University of Michigan:  “The recommendations in this paper, while written in the context of the NDC update, are by no means limited to NDC formulation. They are broad enough to be relevant to countries anywhere along the adaptation continuum. They can be used to help develop NDC updates and National Action Plans, but they can be equally useful to strengthen existing NDCs and NAPs. The specific actions showcased in the document can then be tailored to each country’s experience.” 

Read the full report and summary. 

For media inquiries: Caity Pinkard, Press and Outreach Specialist, NDC Partnership Support Unit: caitlin.pinkard@ndcpartnership.org 

About the NDC Partnership      

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 240 members, including more than 130 countries, developed and developing, and more than 100 institutions to deliver on ambitious, transformational climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development.