A study of USAID program evaluations critically assesses how peacebuilding programming can also produce adaptation benefits (and vice versa). Read the story
USAID strengthens the resilience of vulnerable populations to the impacts of climate change by partnering with countries to apply best practices, science, knowledge and tools.
Adaptation Fact Sheet 
(pdf - 481k)
Climate change is devastating communities around the world. From droughts and floods, more intense storms, increasing temperatures and rising sea levels, climate impacts are pervasive across sectors and geographies—disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations and exacerbating injustices. Not only does climate change pose new risks, it aggravates existing social, economic, and environmental pressures like urbanization, land use change, and environmental degradation.
USAID partners with more than 30 countries to strengthen their ability to manage the impacts of climate change in their communities.
USAID helps communities prepare for climate change and manage its impacts, all while protecting critical development gains. Addressing climate risk in these communities requires adding a climate-lens to development efforts, by improving the availability, quality and use of weather and climate information available to decisionmakers. It also requires integrating climate adaptation measures into governance, planning, and budgeting processes to ensure equitable, climate-resilient outcomes.
Adaptation programming that is specific to local needs protects lives, promotes productive livelihoods, and supports resilient ecosystems. USAID puts this into practice by working with partners on the ground to develop, implement, and disseminate research, tools, and best practices to decisionmakers and other local actors in sectors that are prone to damaging effects from the climate crisis—like agriculture, health, water, and natural resource management. To support these sectors and communities, USAID mobilizes finance for adaptation through blended finance and green bonds to support resilient urban infrastructure, and provides assistance to partner countries to independently monitor and manage climate-related risks.
An integral part of USAID’s operations is the systematic incorporation of the climate risk management process—the process of assessing, addressing, and adaptively managing climate risks—in the design of all programs and strategies to improve their impact and sustainability.
This USAID–NASA partnership helps more than 50 countries access and use satellite data to address challenges in food security, water, weather, climate, and land use via global hubs in the Amazon, West Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, Hindu Kush-Himalaya, and Lower Mekong regions. Visit the website
This project has shifted the enabling environment in Peru to support natural infrastructure as an effective adaptation strategy that safeguards water supplies and increases climate resilience. National policies and commitments from water utilities have generated over $160 million to support ecosystem services, disaster risk management, and natural infrastructure. Visit the website
This program has trained more than 5,000 men and women policymakers on gender and environment linkages worldwide, supporting national, regional, and global climate and environmental activities that also serve to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality. Visit the website
ATLAS improves the quality and effectiveness of climate risk reduction in development programs through adaptation assessments, thought leadership, and capacity building. Browse the country and regional climate risk profiles as well as resources on approaches and methodologies. Visit the website
GCAN enhances the understanding of linkages between climate, gender, and nutrition to improve resilience, women’s empowerment, and nutrition outcomes. GCAN supports the collection and use of data to improve programming and advance climate smart and resilient agriculture. Visit the website
Last updated: June 15, 2021
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