The background to CAS 2021
The climate emergency is escalating, and communities all over the world will have to deal with the various inevitable effects.
Even while rightly taking measures to mitigate climate change and reduce its causes, we must prepare and adapt to new and extreme conditions. Higher temperatures, more precipitation and rising sea levels, among others, are already taking their toll. Government, business, and other leaders must radically rethink how to protect people, the planet, and our prosperity.
Integrating efforts
The report of the Global Commission on Adaptation, “Adapt Now,” made the case for revolutions in understanding, planning and financing to make climate risks visible, incorporate them into all decisions, and release public and private funding to mitigate them. Collectively, the international community benefits enormously from managing these complex and interconnected challenges.
CAS 2021 provides a unique opportunity for leaders to promote integrated efforts to improve resilience.
Responding to a call for action
At the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019, global leaders endorsed a call for action advocating a vision that puts climate adaptation at the center of decision making, and gives impact response and building resilience for the future “equal and increased urgency.”
This call for action resonates the message of the Global Commission on Adaptation and warns that, while the true costs of adaptation in developing countries could amount to USD 300 billion per year by 2030, there are “substantial benefits to be gained from acting now.”
CAS 2021 responds to this call for action.
Global Commission on Adaptation
The Global Commission on Adaptation comprises more than 30 Commissioners and 22 convening countries, chaired by Ban Ki‑moon, Bill Gates, and Kristina Georgieva. It seeks to accelerate adaptation action and increase political support for building climate resilience.
Netherlands minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, and chairman of Royal DSM, Feike Sijbesma, are the Dutch members of the Global Commission.
Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organisation, hosted by the Netherlands, with the role of a solutions broker to accelerate, innovate, and scale adaptation action for a climate resilient world. The GCA acts as managing partner for the Global Commission.

Documents
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Adaptation Gap Report 2020
The fifth edition of the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report looks at progress in planning for, financing and implementing adaptation – ...
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Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience
This report by the Global Commission on Adaptation makes the case for climate adaptation, providing specific insights and ...
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A Call for Action: Raising Ambition for Climate Adaptation and Resilience
A call for action presented by the Resilience and Adaptation Coalition and endorsed by 118 countries and self-governing ...
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UN Climate Action Summit Report and Call to Action
Summary of the achievements of the United Nations Climate Action Summit of 23 September 2019, including a roadmap of the way ...