Advancing Adaptation with the McKinsey Global Institute

In episode 247 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons hosts Dr. Mekala Krishnan, partner at the McKinsey Global Institute, for an inside look at how one of the world's most influential private research institutions is approaching climate adaptation. Drawing from MGI's recent report, Advancing Adaptation, the conversation explores what it would actually cost to protect people and economies from escalating heat, flooding, drought, and wildfire — and why investment still falls short even when the economic case is strong.. The discussion also examines how ideas developed within a private firm travel into real-world decision-making, and why governance, leadership, and awareness remain critical to ensuring that new data and tools translate into action. For listeners working at the intersection of climate risk, finance, infrastructure, and policy, this episode offers a clear view into how the private sector is framing adaptation — and what that framing could mean for the future of the field.

Transcript of episode available here.

Key Themes Covered in This Episode

• Why the McKinsey Global Institute is focusing on adaptation now
• What it costs to respond to rising physical climate risk
• The resiliency gap and why investment remains insufficient
• How climate risk is entering mainstream economic thinking
• What large-scale adaptation models include — and exclude
• Governance, leadership, and awareness as scaling constraints
• The need for shared language between public and private actors

Links & Resources from This Episode

Advancing adaptation: How evolving hazards could shape the agenda

Dr. Mekala Krishnan

Ten key requirements for a systemic approach to climate adaptation

For Educators & Students

This episode is well-suited for courses on climate adaptation, environmental economics, climate risk management, corporate sustainability, public policy, or infrastructure finance.

Key themes include physical risk modeling, cost-benefit analysis, capital allocation, governance constraints, and the expanding role of the private sector in adaptation.

Professors are welcome to assign this episode or excerpts in syllabi.

Who Should Listen to This Episode

• Climate adaptation and resilience practitioners
• Corporate sustainability, risk, and strategy professionals
• Urban and regional planners working on long-term resilience
• Insurance, finance, and reinsurance professionals
• Researchers and students studying climate governance or environmental economics
• Government staff involved in adaptation planning
• Funders interested in scaling adaptation solutions
• Climate communicators bridging public and private perspectives

ClimateTech Connect Conference Mentioned in the Episode!

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