It is projected that the costs of adaptating to the impacts of climate change over the coming decades will be in the order of tens to hundreds of billions of US dollars per annum. The OECD's research and analysis has explored how countries can pursue innovation, engage with private sector and use a full range of policy instruments to prepare for these impacts in an efficient  and equitable way.

Adaptation and Innovation: An Analysis of Crop Biotechnology Patent Data (2012) presents a quantitative analysis of innovation in crop biotechnology for adaptation, based on patent application data for innovations to help plants cope with environmental stresses. Also available in French.

Private Sector Engagement in Adaptation to Climate Change: Approaches to Managing Climate Risks (2011) examines businesses' awareness of and responses to climate change risks, the factors which affect their engagement in adaptation, and how the public sector can enable action. Also available in French.

Plan or React? Analysis of Adaptation Costs and Benefits using Integrated Assessment Models (2010) uses an integrated modelling framework to examine the global and regional costs of adaptation, and the most efficient and effective mix of different adaptation and mitigation policies.

Economic Aspects of Adaptation to Climate Change - Costs Benefits and Policy Instruments (2008) provides a critical assessment of adaptation costs and benefits in key climate sensitive sectors, and the potential and limits of economic and policy instruments for motivating adaptation.

Developing countries are projected to be particularly vulnerable to climate change - environmentally, economically and socially. It is therefore crucial that adaptation is included in development programmes and economic growth plans.  Moreover, as international funding targeted at  adaptation increases, it important to ensure the effectiveness, equity and efficiency of  adaptation interventions, through robust monitoring and evaluation.


Key Publications:

The OECD policy guidance Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Co-operation: Policy Guidance (2009) provides essential information and advice on how to mainstream climate change into development, including into national-, sectoral-, project-  and local-level development policies.

Climate change will have signigicant impacts across OECD countries - it will affect key economic sectors, such as health, agriculture and water, and the delivery of public services. While developed countries have made significant progress in adapation planning and implementation over the last decades, significant policy challenges remain. The OECD has been active in helping countries to share their adaptation experiences and inform the development of policy solutions.

Key Publications:

Policy Forum on Adaptation to Climate Change in OECD countries (2012) brought together adaptation practitioners and experts to discuss progress in national adaptation planning, including  common challenegs and successes, monitoring and evaluation, and the role of the private sector.