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Journal article

Assessing the distributive equity of adaptation finance: a framework

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Journal article

Assessing the distributive equity of adaptation finance: a framework

In this Climate Policy journal article, the authors call for more localized analysis of which groups receive climate adaptation financing – and how it is used – to truly evaluate whether such financing is equitable and reaches those who need it most.

Zoha Shawoo, Katherine Browne, Nella Canales, Anisha Nazareth / Published on 26 January 2025

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Citation

Shawoo, Z., Browne, K., Canales, N., & Nazareth, A. (2025). Assessing the distributive equity of adaptation finance: a framework. Climate Policy, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2025.2456552

Distributive equity is a question of who gets what. In international adaptation finance, it is broadly agreed that those who are “particularly vulnerable” to the impacts of climate change are most deserving of the financial support to adapt. To date, however, most analysis of whether and how adaptation finance reaches the vulnerable has occurred at the global scale. This paper develops a framework for assessing distributive equity of adaptation finance at the national and sub-national levels.

Adaptation measures will be limited in achieving distributive equity if they only focus on finance allocation, the authors argue, and should also account for how finance is being used to tackle the root causes of vulnerability. Adaptation finance providers should prioritize measures that enhance access to resources, support social protection schemes, enhance the capabilities and opportunities of groups, and lead to the protection of human rights.

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SEI authors

Zoha Shawoo
Zoha Shawoo

Scientist

SEI US

Katherine Browne
Katherine Browne

Team Leader: International Climate Risk and Adaptation; Research Fellow

SEI Headquarters

Nella Canales
Nella Canales

Research Fellow

SEI Headquarters

Anisha Nazareth
Anisha Nazareth

Scientist

SEI US

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