The UNFCCC COP20 in Lima in December 2014 marked another important step in international policy attention for adaptation in the face of climate change. As the outlines of a new climate agreement, to be agreed in Paris at the end of 2015, become clearer - allowing a large measure of discretion to countries to determine their own contributions to emissions reduction – much greater emphasis is being placed on adaptation and building resilience. The talk will try to assess the current state of the international policy debate on adaptation and loss-and-damage, what this means for the Paris agreement and look forward to implications for adaptation action and research.