in the face of が決まり文句です。
In the face of climate change, companies and reserchers on land and at sea are taking part in projects to cope with higher temperatures, in addition to mounting efforts to reduce green-gas emissions around the world.
In the face of criticism of the poor result of Japanese pupils in recent international surveys of academic ability, the ministry in charge of education has begun to review its 3-year-old concept for education with latitude. (latitude 自由、狂範囲、ここではゆとり教育の意味)