The global goal on adaptation (GGA) was established in the Paris Agreement in 2015 in response to calls from developing countries to scale up action on adaptation. Many parties expected work arising from the Paris Agreement to help operationalize the GGA, but progress was slow until COP26 in 2021, when the Glasgow– Sharm el-Sheik work programme (GlaSS) on the GGA was established.
This paper describes what happened in the intervening years and proposes key questions for Parties to reflect on when engaging in the GlaSS to enhance adaptation action at the regional, national, sub-national and local levels.
It also takes stock of the status and history of the GGA, providing a basis and frame of reference for discussions under the GlaSS. In addition, it provides an analytical summary of emerging points of consensus, along with remaining questions for parties and other stakeholders to consider, when preparing for and participating in the GlaSS.