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Climate change is forcing people to adapt to changing environmental conditions. But what really makes the difference is how they do it. The recently published "Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2024" by 73 authors shows that, in the long run, only sustainable adaptation can succeed. This global assessment by University of Hamburg's Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) also provides practical recommendations.

"Successfully adapting to the impacts of climate change is just as difficult and challenging as reducing emissions of every kind," says Anita Engels, Professor of Sociology and leading author of the assessment. "Yet, both are needed."

On the basis of nine case studies in diverse geographical contexts, including Nepal, Namibia, Lower Saxony (Germany), São Paulo, Ho Chi Minh City, Hamburg, North Frisia (Germany), Taiwan, and the Maldives, CLICCS researchers have analyzed a broad range of adaptation measures in response to climate risks.

None of the cases assessed can currently be regarded as exemplifying a sustainable adaptation strategy. However, Hamburg, North Frisia, and Ho Chi Minh City were able to demonstrate initial approaches to transformative adaptation. The research teams, which included people from the contexts under investigation, furthermore identified key conditions for sustainable climate adaptation.

Developing sustainable measures together with the local populace

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