Understanding adaptation

Adaptation, along with mitigation, is an essential part of addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with climate change.  Mitigation refers to our efforts to tackle the causes of climate change by reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases.  Irrespective of the success of mitigation efforts, we are still locked into some degree of climate change because of past and present greenhouse gas emissions.  This delayed response will result in temperature and sea-level continuing to increase for several decades regardless of any present-day emissions reductions.  Adaptation is our response to climate change and relates to how we address the risks and exploit the opportunities that a changing climate presents.

Types of adaptation

The IPCC recognises two types of adaptation: autonomous (or spontaneous) adaptation and planned adaptation. 

Autonomous adaptation is where individuals respond ‘naturally’ to climate change, such as farmers changing crop planting dates to ensure quality yields.

Planned adaptation is where deliberate policy actions are undertaken to respond to climate change, such as building a sea-wall to protect against flooding.

Links between adaptation and mitigation

There are a number of potential adaptation responses that may affect mitigation, positively or negatively.  For example, the increased use of air conditioning by individuals (as an autonomous adaptation response) in response to higher temperatures or the increased use of desalinisation or water pumping as a planned adaptation response to water scarcity, all of which, increase energy use and potentially greenhouse gas emissions.

The links between what we do to adapt to climate change and mitigation against it, are important, and what is required is an overall response which encompasses the two with the aim of ensuring the successful transition to a low-carbon society.

Read more about Government policy and legislation relating to adaptation, and the UK's Climate Change Risk Assessment.