Climate change impacts include direct risks such as drought, intense rainfall and heat waves, but can also trigger secondary stresses such as the spread of pests, increased competition for resources, human and species migration and biodiversity losses. Food security may be particularly at risk in arid, semi-arid, and fragile mountain and coastal ecosystems, small islands, developing and least developed countries of the world.

In the context of climate change, adaptation refers to adjustments in human and natural systems to respond to actual or expected climate impacts. Adapting to climate change will depend on adjustments and changes at every level, from community-based to national and international. The range of practices that can be used to adapt to climate change is diverse, and includes changes in behaviour, structural changes, policy-based responses, technological responses and managerial responses. 
 
FAO’s climate-related work covers both short-term fluctuations (climate variability) and longer-term aspects (climate change).  FAO's role in relation to climate change has gradually advanced from that of advising countries on possible climate change impacts, to an active performance in mobilizing the double role of forestry and agriculture in mitigation and adaptation. Disaster Risk Reduction in the context of current weather extremes emerged as suitable entry point to actively address climate change with farmers and rural communities.