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Mobilizing Adaptation Action

Every year, global temperatures are increasing due to climate change. The physical risks linked to this increase are escalating rapidly, posing a significant threat to businesses.

 

The cost of inaction is immense – without urgent efforts to decarbonize and build resilience, current estimates show that physical risks could impact financial performance of businesses by 2050, reducing  EBITDA by 5-25% across critical industries in every global region. While mitigation remains critical, swift action on adaptation is essential to safeguard the resilience of workforces, supply chains, communities, and natural ecosystems that businesses depend on.

<p>The challenge</p>

1.The challenge

Despite the growing urgency, businesses face significant barriers to scaling adaptation and resilience efforts. Internally, making the business case for tackling long-term, uncertain risks can be challenging. Companies often struggle with developing comprehensive resilience strategies, identifying the right solutions that align with business objectives, and determining where and how to invest. Effective collaboration with key stakeholders is also essential but complex, requiring coordinated action across locations and business areas.

<p>The business case</p>

2.The business case

As climate change drives more frequent and severe extreme weather events, businesses face increasing exposure to disruptions that threaten operations, supply chains, and financial stability. Furthermore, proactive investment in adaptation and resilience delivers strong returns. Studies show that resilience-focused investments can yield benefit-cost ratios between 2:1 and 10:1, translating into avoided losses, competitive advantages through resilient products and services, and broader social and economic benefits. More resilient businesses are also more attractive to investors, customers, and regulators, reinforcing their long-term viability in an increasingly volatile climate.

<p>The solution</p>

3.The solution

WBCSD supports businesses in managing the impacts of climate change by strengthening adaptation and resilience capabilities within and beyond their value chains. Our work helps companies remain competitive in the face of escalating physical climate risks, ensuring their operations, supply chains, ecosystems, and communities can withstand and recover from disruptions.

To drive meaningful action, we have developed the Business Leaders Guide to Climate Adaptation and Resilience, equipping companies with the tools to secure internal buy-in, establish governance structures, and assign clear responsibilities for building resilience. Looking ahead, we are developing an Adaptation Planning Guidance, set to launch in 2025, which will provide the practical tools and frameworks needed to help businesses design, finance, and implement adaptation solutions and build robust, long-term adaptation strategies.

1. The challenge 2. The business case 3. The solution

Insights from WBCSD members on adaptation

Adaptation Planning for Business

Adaptation planning is a four-step process, starting with setting the scope and adaptation goals, then designing the adaptation solutions, building and implementing the plan, and monitoring and evaluating progress.

Most companies are already assessing their physical risks, but why is implementation still a challenge?

WBCSD’s Mobilizing Adaptation Action Track developed its first Member Insights Report in 2023, drawing on interviews with 22 member companies and a broader member survey. This 2026 edition builds on that work, incorporating the experiences of sustainability and risk experts from 27 member companies.

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Jenny Kwan

Jenny Kwan →

Director, Climate Action & Accountability

Madeline Ojakovoh

Madeline Ojakovoh →

Manager, Climate Adaptation

Alba Rodríguez Ruiz

Alba Rodríguez Ruiz →

Senior Associate, Climate Action