Accessible, adequate and predictable finance is a precondition for planning and implementing climate change adaptation actions around the world, and is especially important for developing countries. This technical paper explores the various dimensions of adaptation finance that featured in the 2019 technical examination process on adaptation, offering insights into the global adaptation finance landscape, the link between adaptation planning and finance, assessing the impact of adaptation finance and the role of the private sector. The paper also distils the key messages that emerged from the 2019 technical expert meetings on adaptation.