Global plan launched to track climate adaptation progress

At the 2025 global climate summit, COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, a significant decision was made regarding progress indicators for climate adaptation. Countries agreed on a new set of measures known as the “Belém Adaptation Indicators.”

These indicators were developed through a two-year UN process and aim to provide a shared understanding of whether the world is improving in its efforts to adapt to climate impacts, such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, coastal erosion, crop losses, and climate-driven displacement.

Belem Indicators

The Belém Adaptation Indicators consist of 60 simple measures designed to track how well countries are adapting to climate change. These measures consider factors affecting daily life, including water security, food systems, health, housing, early warning systems, ecosystems, and local economies. The indicators assess whether communities are becoming safer and better able to cope with climate threats, rather than solely focusing on written policies.

The indicators are grouped into key themes: reducing climate risks, strengthening resilience, protecting ecosystems, supporting vulnerable people, and tracking finance and resources. Together, these measures provide a shared way to monitor progress and identify areas where support is urgently needed.

Why this matters for Africa

Africa is experiencing some of the most severe climate impacts globally, including devastating floods in west and central Africa and record-breaking heat across the Sahel. Despite these challenges, African communities are developing their own solutions, such as local early warning systems and innovative farming practices.

The Belém Indicators offer a global way to recognize these efforts, monitor progress, and identify where help is most needed. A focus on equity ensures that the most at-risk populations are not overlooked.

But the indicators are not perfect

While the adoption of the Belém Adaptation Indicators is a positive step, they require further refinement. Negotiators and experts have noted that some elements were softened during final negotiations, making some indicators broader or less precise than initially intended. Many countries, particularly in Africa, lack the systems and resources to regularly collect the necessary data, such as assessments of climate impact damage and identification of vulnerable communities.

A two-year window: from Belém to Addis Ababa

Countries have agreed on the “Belém–Addis Vision,” a two-year process to refine the framework. COP32, in 2027, will be hosted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the indicators are expected to be clearer, more usable, and better suited to different regions by then.

Africa can lead, not just follow

Africa’s climate challenges are diverse and rapidly changing, making it an ideal testing ground for global indicators. The continent is also a source of innovation, with community-based disaster preparedness, Indigenous knowledge systems, and strategies for managing climate mobility offering valuable lessons.

To fulfill this role, Africa will require support to integrate these experiences into the indicator framework.