Mining the Untapped: Autonomous Climate Adaptation and Social Innovation in Informal Systems
Over a billion people today live in informal settlements, where climate risks are acute yet innovation thrives. This paper explores how informal systems connect to social innovation and resilience—and why decision-makers must meaningfully support them.
As rapid urbanization expands informal settlements, which are now home to 1.1 billion people globally, these communities face acute socio-economic exclusion and climate vulnerability, yet remain marginalized in formal adaptation policy. This publication reframes informal systems not as deficits but as engines of autonomous adaptation and social innovation. Drawing on literature and expert interviews, it shows how locally led solutions—such as savings groups, sanitation innovations, and mutual aid networks—build resilience in the absence of state support.
In the report, we argue that informal institutions and social innovations can strengthen governance, empower marginalized groups, and enhance climate responsiveness. In light of this, we call for recognizing informal actors as legitimate partners, providing flexible financing and capacity-building, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and embedding continuous learning to ensure equitable and effective climate adaptation.
