This paper explores the opportunities and barriers inherent in mainstreaming climate adaptation as part of current developmental projects already underway in Mozambique. The paper offers a multi-level framework to analyse institutional barriers and points of intervention where the process of mainstreaming climate adaptation can begin. This framework, it is asserted, can be individualised according to the requirements of any developing economy. Analysing Mozambique’s internal investment patterns, the paper notes that a significant amount of the nation’s limited financial resources are spent as developmental assistance in regions with high exposure to climate extremes. Despite awareness of climate risks, it is argued that administrators within the country are delayed by:

the lack of skilled human resources
unavailability of relevant information
erosion of institutional memory
lack of institutional co-ordination and participation
scarcity of funds
excessive focus on short-term developmental priorities rather than creating long-term, sustainable development