{
  "abstract": "Climate change adaptation demands actionable knowledge to navigate complex, context-specific risks. Existing frameworks for climate literacy that rely on climate science awareness fall short of enabling effective adaptation. This article introduces climate change adaptation literacy as a distinct capability bridging the knowledge-to-action gap. Drawing on conceptual and empirical literature, we propose a five-pillar framework: understanding climate impact pathways, risk perception and interpretation, adaptation competencies, reflexive and learning capacities, and ethical and emotional engagement. We review global literacy patterns, sectoral applications, and barriers to adaptive action. Distinguishing adaptation literacy from climate literacy, we argue for a transformative approach that includes integrating diverse knowledge sources, participatory governance, and justice-oriented strategies. Strengthening adaptation literacy is essential for climate-resilient development and locally led adaptation. We outline research priorities for embedding adaptation literacy across education, policy, and professional practice.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Climate Risk Lab, African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town",
    "Preserving Legacies",
    "Department of Government, Cornell University",
    "School of Environment and Sustainability, Indian Institute for Human Settlements",
    "Grant Funding Department, City of Cape Town",
    "Risk and Resilience Department, City of Cape Town",
    "Department of Archaeology, Durham University",
    "Climate Change Institute, Australia National University"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Nicholas P. Simpson"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Salma Sabour"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Talbot M. Andrews"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Fred Emmanuel Sato"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Chandni Singh"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Daniel L. Sullivan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Albert Ferreira"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Joanne Clarke"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        7
      ],
      "name": "Stuart Mark Howden"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Christopher H. Trisos"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/10d3ds0q2njqt.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s44168-026-00403-0",
  "fulltext_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-026-00403-0",
  "id": "10d3ds0q2njqt",
  "issns": [
    "2731-9814"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-026-00403-0",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "GE1-350"
    ],
    [
      "lcc",
      "QC851-999"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2306|Sustainability and Climate Change Governance"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7166517922",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s44168-026-00403-0_reference.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-06-01",
  "publisher": "Nature Portfolio",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/10d3ds0q2njqt.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:46:38Z",
      "native_id": "f971441d447647b78c672ba80857ee4f",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-026-00403-0"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "earth",
      "origin": "openalex:2306|Sustainability and Climate Change Governance",
      "subfield": "climate"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Climate change adaptation literacy",
  "title_text": "Climate change adaptation literacy",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T13:46:38Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/10d3ds0q2njqt",
  "venue": "npj Climate Action",
  "versions": []
}