Climate Adaptation

An effective climate policy should address not only mitigation but also adaptation strategies. Climate adaptation seeks to lower the risks posed by the consequences of climatic changes. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather and climate-related events such as heatwaves, droughts and floods will increase in many regions, leading to many adverse impacts on ecosystems, economic sectors, and human health and well-being.

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the overall economic damage resulting from weather and climate extremes in the 32 EEA member countries during the period 1980-2019 amounted to €446 billion. In 2021, the Commission adopted a new EU Adaptation Strategy which is a key part of the European Green Deal and aims to bolster the efforts to protect nature, people and livelihoods from the inevitable impacts of climate change. Based on four principal objectives; smarter, swifter and more systemic adaptation and support for international action, the strategy seeks to accelerate the transition to a more climate-resilient and climate-prepared Europe.

The issue of climate adaptation covers a wide range of specialist fields. Therefore, in municipalities, the employment of adequate administration and implementation structures is key to have an integrated proceeding, taking into account different perspectives and requirements. Initiatives available to support municipalities and regions for climate adaptation strategies and measures take this into account by offering structured support to municipalities and regions.

Objective

• Introduce the topic of climate adaptation by sharing knowledge and initiate a discussion forum
• Develop and support strategy papers for the European Union
• Support the implementation and development of regional and local observation tools
• Support communities and public authorities in their “integrated” energy-climate planning approaches