The paper focuses on adaptation policies at the regional scale with an in-depth analysis of the ways to define them starting from the broader framework of sustainable development. The analysis considers the case study of Liguria, a highly vulnerable territory to climate change, which has followed this kind of process. In particular, advantages and critical issues of using previously tested methodologies and structures are highlighted. The evaluation of the planning process has been carried out on the basis of the insights proposed by Adger et al. (2005) focusing on some crucial elements of adaptation policies: effectiveness, equity, and legitimacy.