Turning National Adaptation Plans into Local Action: Lessons from Brazil, India and Indonesia

In large and decentralized countries like Brazil, India and Indonesia, translating national adaptation plans into impactful local action remains a major challenge. The complexity of tailoring adaptation responses to diverse geographies is compounded by fragmented governance, uneven capacity, and gaps in data and finance. As climate impacts intensify, strengthening connections between national and subnational governments will be critical to overcoming these barriers and ensuring adaptation efforts reach the communities most vulnerable to climate change.

Frameworks and political support are emerging in support of stronger vertical integration, with local realities and priorities shaping national decisions and national systems and resources supporting local implementation. But what will it take to make this integration work in practice? How can countries move from fragmented efforts to coordinated action across levels of government? And how can we ensure subnational governments are equipped to deliver adaptation where it matters most?