This session spotlights a defining moment in the global effort to build resilience where it matters most: in people’s lives. Across regions, tangible progress is taking shape as smallholder farmers and fisherfolk access finance to adapt to shifting seasons, communities benefit from early warning systems, homes are reinforced against extreme weather, and ecosystems are restored to protect livelihoods.
As the climate crisis worsens, resilience has become essential for stability, survival, and shared prosperity. It connects adaptation, equity, and economic security, demonstrating that investments in resilience provide tangible social and economic benefits. While the latest Race to Resilience report shows clear progress from promises and planning to action and real-world impact, much remains to be done. The challenge is still significant, and we are still a long way from protecting people from harm.
This session will examine how to scale effective solutions, enhance locally led action, provide adequate and predictable funding, and incorporate resilience into core climate and development strategies. It will also cover how progress can be measured through people-centred metrics and frameworks that reflect real outcomes for communities and ecosystems.
Purpose and Focus
Building on the progress and gaps highlighted in the Race to Resilience report, and as the world adopts metrics to assess the Global Goal on Adaptation, operationalises the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, and launches new funding modalities, this session explores what “people-centred adaptation” means in practice and how the pledges made at COP30 and other future meetings can deliver it. It will examine ways to include those most vulnerable to climate impacts yet least responsible for emissions. Drawing on contributions from action-oriented adaptation research, trust-based philanthropy, innovative finance, and grassroots leadership, speakers will share insights on making adaptation inclusive, just, and rooted in local realities.
Key Message from the Session
Resilience that works begins with people. Every pledge must deliver tangible outcomes, promote dignity, and respond meaningfully to emerging opportunities in places where climate impacts are felt most, among people and communities least responsible for the problem.
Objectives
- Highlight the legacy of COP30 in putting people at the centre of climate action.
- Showcase practical examples of equitable and locally led adaptation across sectors and regions.
- Converge towards a shared vision of inclusive, people-centred resilience in the Global South.
- Identify metrics and mechanisms that link adaptation finance and delivery to lived outcomes.
- Chart pathways to strengthen collaboration between governments, communities, and the private sector.
Moderator
Marcia Toledo. Director Adaptation & Resilience / Race to Resilience / Climate High-Level Champions.
Speakers
- Ratna Pawitra. Head of Grants Programme / Samdhana Institute / Indonesia
- Jayvy Gamboa. Assistant Director for Policy and Governance / Manila Observatory / Philippines.
- Albert Salamanca. Head of Secretariat / Adaptation Research Alliance.
- Marina Estrada Muñiz. Generación Clima Spanish Youth Delegate and UNICEF Young Advisory Group / Spain
- Fundacion Avina (speaker to be confirmed)