For the purpose of the present Strategy the term adaptation refers to initiatives and measures enacted to “decrease the sensitivity of natural or human systems to the actual or expected effects of climate change”. Adaptation activities seek to reduce vulnerability to climate change, to increase resilience, and to take advantage of potential opportunities presented by changing climatic conditions. Adaptation can be brought about in many ways and at various levels of action: forward-looking (proactive) or in response to specific climatic effects (reactive), on the public or private level, autonomously or planned. In particular, the objective of the present Austrian Adaptation Strategy is to avoid the adverse effects of climate change on the environment, society, and the economy and to fully utilize any opportunities that may arise. The adoption of an adaptation strategy should strengthen natural, social, and technological adaptive capacities. Adaptation measures should thus involve no social downsides; rather, they should minimize risks to democracy, health, security, and social justice. The need for adaptation affects different decision-making levels, from public administration units with their various responsibilities over different economic sectors to individual people. Adaptation is a challenge that involves the entire society, requiring a well-coordinated approach that mediates between affected areas and between actors. As a nationwide framework for the alignment of necessary adaptation measures, the strategy aims to bring together relevant actors, support cooperative action and facilitate the use of synergies through cooperation whenever possible. It seeks to provide recommendations for each of the various areas and to identify linkages for all the actors challenged with implementation. In accordance with the precautionary principle, the strategy attempts to lay a foundation for forward-looking action with regard to future climate change impacts and to foster successful implementation. A proactive approach is recommended, because as climate change progresses, the opportunities for successful adaptation diminish and the associated costs increase. Despite considerable scientific knowledge, the effects of climate change in many areas are still subject to uncertainty. A primary focus in the design of the strategy was therefore the development of flexible and robust recommendations for action that can easily be adjusted to diverging requirements and serve secondary benefits. No-regrets and win-win measures are worthwhile in any case, as they provide further social, ecological, or economic benefits regardless of the extent to which climate change is accelerating. Another important objective is to identify linkages between the areas for action and related recommendations in order to avoid negative impacts in other areas and possible conflicts in the implementation process. Another key objective is to increase awareness at all levels in order to sensitize actors and make the complex issue of adaptation to climate change more tangible. The text consists of 9 Parts as follows: Introduction (1); Political Environment (2); Objectives (3); Development of the Austrian Adaptation Strategy Climate Change in Austria (4; Climate Change in Austria (Global Climate Scenarios; Regional Climate Scenarios for Austria; Anticipated Future Effects of Climate Change - Based on Climate Scenarios for Austria); Challenges to Adaptation (6); Social Aspects of Climate Change (7; Guiding Principles of Adaptation (8; Criteria for Prioritizing the Recommendations for Action (9); The Status Quo of Adaptation in Austria – Federal State Initiatives (10); Research Environment and Research Needs (11); Good Practice (12; Communication and Education (13); Global Context (14; Recommendations for Action . (15); Resource Requirements in the Course of Adaptation to Climate Change(16); Outlook and further Steps (17); References (18).
Austria · 2012-01-01