Preparing Brazilian cities to face the impacts of climate change increasingly depends on strengthening the capacities of public officials. To support this effort, the free online course “Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Municipal Public Policy Instruments” is now available. The initiative is supported by the ProAdapta Project, implemented through the Brazil-Germany Cooperation for Sustainable Development by GIZ and funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government.
Designed for public officials, technical staff from municipal, state, and federal governments, as well as professionals and anyone interested in the climate agenda, the course explores strategies for integrating Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban planning and public policy. The course is free of charge, fully online, requires approximately 10 hours to complete, and includes a certificate upon completion.
Developed by the Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection, the Center for Sustainability Studies at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGVces), and the Urban Bioconnection Alliance, the course brings together the expertise of multiple organizations to strengthen the technical capacity of Brazilian municipalities to address climate challenges. In addition to ProAdapta, the initiative is supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), the Ministry of Cities, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).
Strengthening Climate Adaptation Policies
ProAdapta’s support for this initiative reinforces its commitment to advancing climate adaptation policies in Brazil. By investing in the capacity building of public officials and technical staff, the project contributes to the integration of nature-based approaches into public planning instruments, helping states and municipalities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Across five modules, participants will explore the principles of Ecosystem-based Adaptation, practical applications, pathways for integrating EbA into municipal public policies, and its contribution to climate justice. The course also presents practical examples of green infrastructure, ecosystem conservation, and urban planning approaches that help reduce risks associated with floods, landslides, urban heat islands, and other climate-related impacts.
Building More Climate-Resilient Cities
The training course is also part of AdaptaCidades, a Brazilian Federal Government initiative that supports municipalities in developing local climate adaptation plans. By expanding access to technical knowledge and practical tools, the initiative aims to strengthen local climate planning and implementation.
As extreme weather events become more frequent and intense across Brazil, strengthening local capacities is essential to translating knowledge into effective public policies. By supporting initiatives such as this, IKI, through the ProAdapta Project, helps Brazilian cities become better prepared to protect communities, conserve biodiversity, and promote more resilient and sustainable development.
