May 2026 Julie RozenbergThomas Farole Scaling up ClimateAdaptation Finance in May 2026 Julie RozenbergThomas Farole © 2026 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank1818 H Street NW This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. Thefindings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of thedata included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors,omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use ofor failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation uponor waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bankencourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressedto World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington,DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org. Cover design: adapted by Michael Alwan Contents Abbreviations.................................................................................................................... vAcknowledgments............................................................................................................ viExecutive Summary......................................................................................................... vii Growing Climate Risks in Europe and Central Asia Call forAdaptation Investments..................................................................... 1 Section 1. Section 2.How Much Adaptation Finance Is Needed in Europe and CentralAsia and How Do Needs Compare with Finance Flows?.................... 5 2.1.What are the adaptation investment needs in Europe andCentral Asia?.......................................................................................... 52.2.What have recent adaptation finance flows looked like in Europeand Central Asia?.................................................................................. 8 Section 3.How Ready Is Europe and Central Asia to Close the AdaptationFinance Gap?.................................................................................... 11 3.1.How well-prepared is Europe and Central Asia to enable A&Rinvestment?......................................................................................... 123.2.How well-prepared is Europe and Central Asia to mobilize financefor adaptation?.................................................................................... 153.3.What are the main barriers to adaptation investment in Europe Section 4.What Returns Can Be Expected on Adaptation Investments?......... 18 Section 5.What Financing Modalities Exist? An Adaptation Finance Typologyfor Europe and Central Asia............................................................. 22 Section 6.How Can Adaptation Finance Be Increased in Europe andCentral Asia?.................................................................................... 26 6.1.Increasing demand for adaptation finance: establishing theconditions for adaptation investments................................................ 266.2.Mobilizing public finance and private capital for adaptationinvestments.......................................................................................... 33 Section 7.Conclusion and Country Priorities.................................................... 43 Boxes 1Limitations of adaptation investment needs assessments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72Overview of the A&R Readiness Assessment and overall Europe and Central Asia results. . . . . .123Triple Dividends of Climate Resilience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Figures 1Count of climate-related natural disasters in Europe and Central Asia by 20-year period(1901–2022). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Share of population exposed to climate hazards (2021). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Climate impact on crop production under alternative composite climate scenarios inArmenia (left) and Poland (right). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Percent change in GDP from RCP 4.5 climate scenario relative to 2050 baseline inWorld Bank CCDRs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55Adaptation investment needs as a percentage of GDP (left) and sector