Adaptation and resilience are central components of the 2026 climate agenda.

However, we lack a shared structure for planning, tracking and financing the actions that protect populations from the dynamic and increasing risks of a warming climate. UNEP flagged that by 2035, developing countries' adaptation finance needs are estimated at $310 billion to $365 billion per year, while international public adaptation finance flows to developing countries were only about $26 billion in 2023.

During the session, we will launch the co-developed Adaptation Element Framework (AEF): a common structure for urban resilience that complements mitigation-focused Transition Element Framework already used by over 450 cities for mitigation planning. Grounded in IPCC science and real-world adaptation practice, the AEF identifies 39 Resilience Shifts: the changes cities need to make to become more resilient to flooding, heat, drought, storms and other hazards. Each shift is linked to suggested interventions and measurable indicators, allowing cities to track resilience over time and across a portfolio rather than through a single-project approach.

Following the live demonstration, invited experts will share their reflections on the framework, perspectives on the evolving adaptation and resilience landscape, and insights from their own research and projects on what cities, regions and nations need to translate resilience ambitions into action.

Moderator:

• Dr. David Corbett, Strategic Partner Manager & Country Director Canada, ClimateView

Speakers and panellists:

• Emilie Becault, Senior Manager, Cities, States & Regions, CDP
• Dr. Fulya Kandemir, Senior Researcher, CLIMAAX–MUHIR Team Leader, Climate Change and Zero Waste Department, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality
• Prof. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Vice-Chair, IPCC 
• Aklilu Fikresilassie, Cities Director for Africa & Country, World Resources Institute Representative for Ethiopia
• Asif Nawaz Shah, Deputy Director, Strategy and Implementation, Multilevel Partnerships, Global Covenant of Mayors
• Lucas Turmena, Senior Research Associate, Zero-Carbon Trajectories, United Nations University