Protected areas are essential for ecosystem function and biodiversity conservation as well as for many nations’ efforts to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. In the absence of local climate adaptation and mitigation policies, species in protected areas face an existential threat. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to analyse the link between climate change adaptation, mitigation, and policy frameworks in protected areas in Zimbabwe. This study adopted a qualitative approach by analysing peer-reviewed publications on climate change mitigation and adaptation in protected areas from Scopus database. The results reveal that protected areas help achieve biodiversity conservation goals and sustain the livelihoods of local communities. However, they face serious threats from climate change and climate variability. Climate adaptation and mitigation strategies are, therefore, key in safeguarding protected areas from the effects of global warming. The findings also highlight the importance of a comprehensive policy framework in the conservation of biodiversity in protected areas. They further suggest that various policy and legislative tools have varied implications in ensuring adaptive capacities and informing mitigation strategies in protected areas.