The roles of the private sector in climate change adaptation - An introduction

Climate change is set to become one of the most significant – if not the most significant – challenges for economies and societies within the next decades. Adapting to its impacts will be crucial for human wellbeing. While the role and responsibilities of the public sector for supporting adaptation and building resilience have been in focus for a long time, awareness for the need to address and engage the private sector has steadily grown.

This brief shows that the private sector can play three different roles in and for adaptation. More specifically, it can:
1. adapt to climate change;

2. finance adaptation of others; 

3. support others through products and services for resilience.