From the launch of the SIDS Centre of Excellence at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly to adaptation discussions throughout Climate Week NYC, Morphosis Partner Jennifer Blanke engaged in a series of conversations exploring how public and private actors will come together to increase private capital flows toward adaptation investment.
Here are four takeaways from Jennifer’s time in New York:
Adaptation is moving up the agenda
With potential warming predicted to reach beyond 1.5 °C and heading north of 2°C by 2050, the conversation is evolving beyond mitigation strategies. Adaptation is gaining serious attention as a strategic, investable response to accelerating climate risk.
Private capital is the missing link
There is growing alignment on the need to unlock private capital flows at scale. The focus must shift from one-off project funding to creating investable, scalable markets, especially in underserved and climate-vulnerable regions where risk is rising but resources remain limited.
Climate risk is reshaping financial decision-making
Physical climate risk is now a frontline consideration for investors and asset managers. What once was viewed as a distant threat has become a real-time factor in pricing, risk management, and capital allocation. This is prompting a surge of interest in solutions that build systemic resilience across sectors.
Adaptation still lacks a roadmap
While political will is rising, many stakeholders still lack clarity on how to move from commitments to coordinated action. High-level meetings are essential, but there is strong demand for frameworks and guidance that link capital with measurable outcomes and tangible progress - especially as momentum builds towards COP30.
Overall, one message resonated strongly: climate actors must break out of their silos. Adaptation cannot be addressed in isolation. It touches infrastructure, health, finance, agriculture, and livelihoods, and so, cross-sector coordination is essential.
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