This paper is the third of a series of AIXG papers on the role that national policy frameworks of various sectors play in adaptation to climate change. The aim of this paper is to identify and analyse policy frameworks that are important for facilitating adaptation to climate change impacts in coastal zones. The paper is based on a case study analysis of the Gulf of Mexico and examines two countries, the US and Mexico. It considers two climate change effects specific to coastal areas: sea level rise and storms. Other climate change impacts such as changes in temperature, precipitation and winds that also affect coastal areas are beyond the scope of this analysis