Philosopher/poet Santayana said that ‘those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it'.  Climate adaptation is too young a discipline to fully appreciate its continuing evolution. Yet there has been dramatic growth in research, policy and practice around the world especially over the last 15 years; and there is some urgency to draw on the learning from this experience.

This presentation summarises some of the main themes and evolution of adaptation practice and framing over time. It draws on major syntheses including the five IPCC assessments up to 2014; and in Australia, on those projects, including some led by the author, that have synthesised practical project approaches and learning, drawing extensively on stakeholders' experience.

It identifies evolution through a number of ‘generations' of adaptation practice and framing. Some of these have already been well discussed in the literature such as the evolution from the initial ‘top-down' scenario-driven climate impact and risk assessments; through to ‘bottom up' vulnerability assessments grounded in current-day social attributes; and in more recent times, incorporation of these supposed opposites into more integrated assessment approaches. However this is a very limited view of alternative adaptation framings, especially given the increasing need to move from risk assessment to options, decisions and action; and to ongoing cycles of adaptive change and engagement.

Based on the evidence to date, a more holistic synthesis is presented of the various dimensions of adaptation framing, and how appreciation of their nature and evolution can help decision-makers and practitioners move forward with stakeholders.