Scaling local and community-based adaptation

This paper makes a case for local actions and community-based adaptation by showing what adaptation success looks like at the local and community level. It recognizes that successful adaptation is process-driven and requires longer-term engagement along a full spectrum of actions, including visioning, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning. This paper identifies key enablers and barriers for successful adaptation actions at the local level, focusing on climate information and knowledge sharing as critical enabling factors, and also examining capacity development, institutional arrangements, and financing. It recommends that local action and CBA be locally led to ensure that adaptation and adaptation financing truly address the priorities and needs of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and encourage equity and social justice. Progression toward locally led action will require devolved decision-making in ways that promote ownership of adaptation processes and outcomes at household and community levels.