Unpacking the Belem-Addis Vision for Africa’s Climate Adaptation

In the wake of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the world took a step toward making climate adaptation more measurable and meaningful.

Countries agreed on a set of global indicators under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and launched what is now known as the Belem-Addis Vision, a two-year process to refine those indicators and turn them into practical tools ahead of COP32 in Addis Ababa.

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) recently brought together experts, civil society leaders, and practitioners for a focused webinar titled “Advancing the Belem-Addis Vision on Adaptation.”

The conversation aimed to translate the emerging framework into concrete actions that address Africa’s specific resilience needs, from finance gaps to community-led solutions.

The discussion opened with a global perspective. Bertha Argueta, Senior Policy & Advocacy Officer at Eurodad, set the stage by noting that COP30 marked a turning point. “COP30 marked a turning point for adaptation, both in advancing finance discussions and strengthening indicators to track progress,” she said. But she was quick to add that much more is needed to ensure delivery reaches those most vulnerable.

From there, the conversation zeroed in on the realities facing the continent. Julius Ng’oma, Coordinator of the Civil Society Network on Climate Change in Malawi, pointed to persistent gaps in linking adaptation with loss and damage. “Tripling adaptation finance is not enough—we still lack clarity on baselines, and current resources fall far short of what is needed to address loss and damage,” he noted. He called for clearer frameworks and better alignment between finance promises and actual needs.

Charles Mwangi, Head of Programs and Research at PACJA, brought the discussion closer to home with a pointed question: “Do we truly lack resources for climate action—or are our priorities misplaced?” He highlighted the huge contrast between global spending on conflict and the chronic underfunding of climate work. Even with commitments to double or triple adaptation finance, Mwangi said the gap remains vast. His message was direct—Africa needs pragmatic, grant-based solutions and stronger accountability mechanisms to make sure funds actually reach the communities that need them most.

Ecosystems and biodiversity took centre stage next. Dr Yemi Katerere, Independent Environmental and Policy Expert with the African Civil Society Biodiversity Alliance, reminded participants that adaptation cannot succeed without healthy natural systems. “Adaptation depends on biodiversity; when ecosystems collapse, the effectiveness of adaptation strategies is reduced,” he explained. He stressed that thriving ecosystems are the backbone of food systems, water regulation, and community resilience, and urged greater integration between climate and biodiversity efforts.

Friday Phiri, Climate Change and Advocacy Lead at AMREF, shifted the focus to people. “Adaptation becomes real only when it is locally driven and community-led,” he said. Non-state actors, he added, play a vital role in delivering solutions, raising awareness, and ensuring no one is left behind.

The urgency of food security came through strongly in remarks by Lydia Chibambo, Coordinator of the Zambia Climate Change Network. With agriculture at the heart of most African economies and livelihoods, she warned that adaptation is becoming more critical as climate impacts intensify, yet financing for the sector remains woefully small. “Adaptation is becoming increasingly critical as climate impacts intensify, yet financing remains insufficient, with only a small share reaching the agriculture sector,” she noted. Chibambo called for more grant-based finance, locally driven solutions, and scaled-up investment in technology and agroecological practices to protect food security.

Water, often called the lifeblood of adaptation, closed the circle of discussions. Tove Lexen, Policy Advisor on Climate at WaterAid Sweden, highlighted the stark numbers: millions in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services. “In Sub-Saharan Africa, millions still lack access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene. Closing this gap is critical for effective climate adaptation,” she said. She emphasised that water is a cornerstone for both resilience and broader development, and pushed for stronger indicators, clearer methodologies, and increased finance to turn global commitments into tangible results on the ground.

As the road to COP32 in Addis Ababa begins, the webinar served as a timely reminder that adaptation is not an abstract goal; it is about safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and the future of the continent.