This paper provides highlights of the institutional context for tackling climate change across South Asia based on an assessment carried out as part of the Action on Climate Today (ACT) programme. The assessment took place in late 2015/ early 2016 at the national level in Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, and at the sub-national level in six states in India (Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Odisha). The institutional context for tackling climate change refers to issues such as the level of institutional capacity, political will, available financial resources etc. These aspects define whether and why tackling climate change is a priority for governments and their ability to define and deliver effective adaptation strategies. The results from this assessment process are location specific, and it is difficult to draw regional conclusions. However, this paper draws out some of the trends and commonalities across the different national and sub-national contexts, as well as highlights where some of the differences lie.