Regional adaptation to climate change: Planning challenges and the approach of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

Russian regions are currently developing measures to adapt to climate change. This study aims to provide a scientific foundation for practical approaches to updating the regional adaptation plan of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It does so by analyzing the key challenges associated with planning processes within the context of the division of authority among different levels of public administration in Russia and examining the region’s economic foundations for adaptation policy. These issues were addressed using general scientific methods, including analysis, synthesis, and scientific generalization, applied to contemporary regulatory frameworks and scientific literature. For the first time, this paper explores the specifics of regulating adaptation activities at the level of an individual Russian region, including legislative conflicts and methodological approaches, which underscores the novelty of this research. Using the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) as a case study, we identify several organizational challenges: limited regional inventories that cover only climate-vulnerable assets; insufficient consideration of regional interests in federal-level adaptation planning; desynchronization between different government levels; absence of standardized approaches to municipal-level adaptation planning; and a lack of engagement among economic entities in implementing adaptation measures. Within this study, regional adaptation is viewed both as a means to mitigate damage—through infrastructural measures such as flood control structures and institutional mechanisms like insurance—and as an opportunity for development via investments in human capital. Among promising financing instruments, catastrophe bonds are examined alongside government incentives designed to promote the achievement of specific adaptation targets. A combination of actionable measures is proposed for inclusion in the updated adaptation plan for the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Priority is given to initiatives that yield rapid results at minimal cost—such as establishing monitoring and response systems, involving municipalities and industries through subsidies in climate action efforts, and implementing scientific and educational policies. The sequential implementation of these practical measures will be integrated into the revised adaptation plan and reflected within the updated Strategy for Socioeconomic Development of Sakha (Yakutia), highlighting the practical significance of this study. Future research prospects include sectoral analyses to assess climate risk levels and develop scientifically grounded forecasts.