Efforts to build resilience to climate change remain chronically underfunded, even as storms, floods, fires and heatwaves become ever-more destructive. This isn’t just a shortfall: It’s a missed opportunity.

New WRI research finds that every $1 invested in climate adaptation can yield more than $10.50 in benefits over the next 10 years. Part of this comes from avoiding climate-related losses. But adaptation projects can also create new jobs, improve public health, bolster ecosystems and more — benefits that accrue even when disasters don’t strike.

The research shows that adaptation is more than a necessity; it may be one of the smartest investments of our time. 

Countries are submitting new climate plans this year that will shape the global climate response over the next decade. A few, like the U.S., U.K. and Canada, have already done so. But after years of lagging progress, are the new plans ambitious enough to put the world on a safer track?

Leaders from around the world will converge on Nice, France from June 9th to 13th for the third UN Ocean Conference. In a year of ocean opportunities, this is a critical moment to secure global support and finance for one of the world’s most important natural resources.

Ethiopia planted over 25 billion trees in just four years — and it’s not done yet. The country has become a pioneer in land restoration, in part thanks to a unique funding model. 

New WRI research shows that investing in climate adaptation often yields surprisingly high rates of return. Investments in health sector projects top the charts, at over 78% return on average.