The overall aim of the EU Adaptation Strategy is to contribute to a more climate-resilient Europe. This means enhancing the preparedness and capacity to respond to the impacts of climate change at local, regional, national and European Union levels, developing a coherent approach and improving coordination. The strategy takes account of global climate change impacts, such as disruptions to supply chains or impaired access to raw materials, energy and food supplies, and their repercussions on the European Union. Therefore this document sets out a framework and mechanisms for bringing the EU's preparedness for the current and future impacts of climate change up to a new level. It creates a basis for better informed decision-making on adaptation in the years to come. Building upon its pilot project “Adaptation strategies for European cities”, the Commission promotes urban adaptation strategies. Adaptation action by cities will, in particular, be developed in coordination with other European Union policies aimed to improve the quality of urban life by pursuing EU climate and energy objectives. The following Actions are envisaged: (1) Encourage all Member States to adopt comprehensive adaptation strategies; (2) Provide LIFE funding to support capacity building and step up adaptation action in Europe (2013-2020); (3) Introduce adaptation in the Covenant of Mayors framework (2013/2014); (4) Bridge the knowledge gap (the key knowledge gaps are information on damage and adaptation costs and benefits; regional and local-level analyses and risk assessments; frameworks, models and tools to support decision-making and to assess how effective the various adaptation measures are; means of monitoring and evaluating past adaptation efforts); (5) Further develop Climate-ADAPT as the "one-stop shop" for adaptation information in Europe; (6) Facilitate the climate-proofing of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Cohesion Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP); (7) Ensuring more resilient infrastructure; (8) Promote insurance and other financial products for resilient investment and business decisions. Regarding governance, the aim is to provide a framework for coordination. The Commission will facilitate policy coordination and will seek to cooperate with Member States through the existing Climate Change Committee. Member States must appoint national contact points in order to coordinate communication between their countries and the Commission and contribute to awareness-raising and reporting activities.
2013-04-16