In October 2025, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its latest report titled ‘Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) 2025: Running on Empty’. The report estimates that developing nations will need USD 310–365 billion annually by 2035 for climate adaptation, about 12 times higher than the current global public adaptation finance of USD 26 billion(2023).
- The report was released ahead of the Conference of Parties (COP30) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which is scheduled to be held in Belem, Brazil.
Exam Hints:
- What? Release of Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) 2025
- Released by: UNEP
- Report Name: Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) 2025: Running on Empty
- Adaptation Finance Need: USD 310–365 billion annually by 2035 for developing nations
- Finance Gap: 12 times higher than current public adaptation finance (USD 26 billion in 2023)
- Inflation-Adjusted Need: USD 440–520 billion annually by 2035
About AGR:
Report: The Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) is UNEP’s annual flagship study that tracks global progress in climate adaptation planning, implementation, and finance toward achieving climate resilience goals.
Published By:Prepared by the UNEP–Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) with support from global institutions and experts.
Key Findings of AGR 2025:
Warning:The report cautions that if current adaptation finance trends persist, the Glasgow Climate Pact goal of doubling 2019 adaptation finance to about USD 40 billion by 2025 is unlikely to be achieved.
Insufficient Adaptation Funds: The report reviewed the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) set at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, which targets USD 300 billion annually by 2035 for climate action in developing nations.
- However, it warns that this amount will fall short of closing the adaptation finance gap, as inflation-adjusted needs could rise to USD 440–520 billion per year by 2035.
Support from Climate Funds: The report highlighted that financial support from climate funds like: Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has increased to nearly USD 920 million (in 2024), marking an increase of 86% over the period of 5 year, with an average of USD 494 million between 2019 and 2023.
Status of National Adaptation Plans: The report highlights that 172 countries currently have at least one national adaptation policy, plan, or strategy, but 36 of these are outdated, having not been updated in over a decade.
Not Tracking of Adaptation Policies: As per the report, globally, over 1,600 adaptation actions were implemented by various countries, in sectors such as: biodiversity, agriculture, water, and infrastructure, but very few countries have tracked or reported their final outcomes.
Private Sector Investment: The report has projected that private sector investment in national adaptation priorities are expected to increase from the current USD 5 billion to USD 50 billion per year with supportive policy and blended finance mechanisms.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
Executive Director(ED)- Inger Anderson
Headquarters- Nairobi, Kenya
Established- 1972
