Climate Change Adaptation And Its Implementation At National And International Levels

Abstract

Climate change adaptation is the second arm of climate change action
and seeks to ensure that all countries tackle the impacts of climate
change by addressing both social and geographical vulnerabilities. The
article discusses adaptation and its application at national and
international levels. It also examines adaptation to climate change as a
developmental challenge and how the principles of sustainable
development can aid climate change action. The article analyses relevant
aspects of national and international instruments relating to climate
change adaptation and spotlights the commitment of Nigeria and South
Africa to climate change adaptation. The article finds that integrating
sustainable development into governance helps adaptation and increases
resilience against the impacts of climate change. The article also
emphasizes the necessity of good governance, particularly protection of
human rights, climate finance and effective land use governance, to
ensure climate change adaptation. The article argues that climate change
adaptation should be viewed more as a developmental, rather than an
environmental, challenge. It further asserts that coordinated action,
especially in relation to land use governance and sustainable development
is required to ensure sustainable climate action. This is particularly so
given that citizens of many developing countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, depend on land and its resources for social and economic
development.