Annexes to COM(2013)216 - Communication from the Commission: An EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2013)216 - Communication from the Commission: An EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2013)216  |
| date | April 16, 2013 |
4.2. Better informed decision-making
Adaptation knowledge for decision-making is improving: there are a growing number of research programmes, national and regional adaptation strategies and vulnerability assessments. More climate data, climate services and web portals have become available[17]. The 5th Assessment Report of the IPCC will be adopted in 2014. Still, substantial knowledge gaps need to be filled.
A solid knowledge base is also essential to drive innovation forward and support the market deployment of innovative climate adaptation technologies. The future EU programme for research and innovation – Horizon 2020 – will address climate change adaptation through its "societal challenges" priority, and by investing in excellent science and promoting innovation.
Action 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. As part of the implementation of the Strategy, the Commission will further work with Member States and stakeholders in refining these knowledge gaps and identifying the relevant tools and methodologies to address them. The findings will be fed into the programming of Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) and will address the need for better interfaces between science, policy making and business. They will also be used to improve the information available on Climate-ADAPT. The Commission will promote EU-wide vulnerability assessments, taking into account, inter alia, the cross-sectoral EU overview of natural and man-made risks that it will produce in 2013. It will notably support the Joint Research Centre in its work on estimating the implications of climate change, and undertake a comprehensive review of what global climate change will mean for the EU. This will feed into the upcoming 'Integrated threat and risk assessment reports' to be adopted by the Commission and the High Representative (2015). Action 5: Further develop Climate-ADAPT as the ‘one-stop shop’ for adaptation information in Europe. The Commission and the EEA will improve access to information and develop interaction between Climate-ADAPT and other relevant platforms, including national and local adaptation portals (2013/2014). Special attention will be given to cost-benefit assessments of different policy experiences and to innovative funding, via closer interaction with regional and local authorities and financial institutions. The inclusion of the future Copernicus[18] climate services will be prepared in 2014.
4.3. Climate-proofing EU action: promoting adaptation in key vulnerable sectors
One priority and responsibility for the Commission is to mainstream adaptation measures into EU policies and programmes, as the way to ‘climate-proof’ EU action.
Adaptation has already been mainstreamed in legislation in such sectors as marine waters[19], forestry[20], and transport[21]; and in important policy instruments such as inland water[22], biodiversity[23] and migration and mobility[24]. The Commission staff working document on climate change, environmental degradation and migration accompanying this Communication provides further insight on the latter.
In addition, the Commission has tabled legislative proposals on integrating adaptation in agriculture and forestry[25], maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management[26], energy[27], disaster risk prevention and management[28], transport[29], research, health[30], and the environment[31].
These moves to mainstream climate change adaptation into EU policies will be pursued in priority fields such as energy and transport. In health policy, most human, animal and plant health measures and systems are already in place, but they need to be adjusted to whatever new challenges climate change will bring. The three Commission staff working documents on health, marine and coastal areas, and infrastructure, accompanying this Communication set out what the Commission is currently doing in this area.
Forthcoming policy initiatives, in areas such as invasive alien species (2013), green infrastructure (2013), land as a resource (2014-15), and a new Forest Strategy (2013) are also expected to consider adaptation. Guidelines on adaptation and coastal zone management are being formulated (2014), and guidelines on adaptation and the Natura 2000 network are shortly to be issued (2013).
Infrastructure projects, which are characterised by a long life span and high costs, need to withstand the current and future impacts of climate change. Building on the recent mandate to assess the climate change implications for Eurocodes[32], our work with standardisation organisations, financial institutions and project managers needs to analyse to what extent standards, technical specifications, codes and safety provisions for physical infrastructure should be strengthened to cope with extreme events and other climate impacts.
Disaster insurance has a generally low market penetration rate at the moment in Member States[33]. Discussions should take place with stakeholders on the basis of the Green Paper on the insurance against natural and man-made disasters.
Action 6: Facilitate the climate-proofing of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Cohesion Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Guidance is being provided as part of the Strategy on how to further integrate adaptation under the CAP and the Cohesion Policy. Similar guidance will be issued in 2013 for the CFP. It is aimed at managing authorities and other stakeholders involved in 2014-2020 programme design, development and implementation. Member States and regions can also draw on the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy and CAP to address the knowledge gaps and invest in the needed analyses, risk assessments, tools and build up capacities for adaptation. Action 7: Ensuring more resilient infrastructure In 2013 the Commission will launch a mandate for European standardisation organisations to start mapping industry-relevant standards in the area of energy, transport and buildings, identifying standards to be revised for better inclusion of adaptation considerations. It will also provide with the Strategy guidelines for project developers working on infrastructure and physical assets, with a view to climate-proofing vulnerable investments. Drawing on the results of its Communication on Green Infrastructure, the Commission will in 2013 explore the need for additional guidance for authorities and decision makers, civil society, private business and conservation practitioners to ensure the full mobilisation of ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation. Action 8: Promote insurance and other financial products for resilient investment and business decisions. The Green Paper on the insurance of natural and man-made disasters, adopted together with this Strategy, is a first step in encouraging insurers to improve the way they help to manage climate change risks. The Commission's aim is to improve the market penetration of natural disaster insurance and to unleash the full potential of insurance pricing and other financial products for risk-awareness prevention and mitigation and for long-term resilience in investment and business decisions (2014-2015).
5. Governance, financing and review
5.1. 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 should also appoint national contact points by the end of 2013, to coordinate communication between their countries and the Commission and contribute to awareness-raising and reporting activities.
The Commission will continue to consult and cooperate with stakeholders to ensure proper and timely implementation of the Strategy.
5.2. Financing adaptation
Improved access to funding will be a critical factor in building a climate-resilient Europe. The draft 2014-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) includes a proposal for increasing climate-related expenditure[34] to at least 20 % of the EU budget. It is strategically important for such investment to be climate-resilient. Specifically, the Commission has included climate change adaptation in its proposals for all relevant EU finance programmes for 2014-2020. The European Structural and Investment funds[35] as well as Horizon 2020 and the LIFE programme will provide significant support to Member States, regions and cities to invest in programmes and projects on adaptation, especially in the framework of the dedicated Investment Priorities on adaptation in the ERDF and Cohesion Fund.
Moreover, several EU funds and international financing institutions, such as the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, also support adaptation measures. The Commission will explore further ways of accommodating some adaptation investment expenditure, such as expenditure co-financed by the EU in the assessment of Stability and Convergence Programmes[36].
In addition, there are specific funds – including at national level – and public financial institutions that support adaptation action, e.g. on flood control and drought management. Climate-ADAPT will be providing more information on potential sources of funding. Member States can also use EU ETS auction revenues as a source of financial support for adaptation[37].
To ensure successful implementation, authorities in the Member States are encouraged to develop synergies between the various funding streams, especially EU funding and support programmes in order to strengthen the impact of investments and avoid, where possible, funding gaps.
5.3. Monitoring, evaluation and review
Monitoring and evaluating climate change adaptation policies are crucial. The emphasis is still on monitoring impacts rather than adaptation action and its effectiveness. The Commission will develop indicators to help evaluate adaptation efforts and vulnerabilities across the EU, using LIFE funding and other sources.
In 2017 the Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the state of implementation of the Strategy and propose its review if needed. The report will be based on information provided by Member States under the Monitoring Mechanism Regulation[38] on national adaptation planning and strategies, the annual implementation reports for programmes funded by the European Structural and Investment funds in the period 2014-2020 and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 5th Assessment Report to be issued in 2014.
6. Conclusion
This Strategy 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 is proposed to do this by encouraging and supporting action by the EU Member States on adaptation, by creating a basis for better informed decision-making on adaptation in the years to come, and by making key economic and policy sectors more resilient to the effects of climate change.
[1] EEA report N°12/2012. Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012
[2] ibid.
[3] EEA Adaptation in Europe report (forthcoming 2013)
[4] Number of tropical nights and hot days; change in annual and summer precipitation (2071-2100 compared to 1961-1990); change in fire danger; and number of people and gross value added affected by floods (2050)
[5] Detailed explanations on each element included in this figure are provided in the Impact Assessment (SWD(2013)132, part 2, section 1.1.3.)
[6] EEA report No 12/2012. Such estimates include impacts of climate change on river floods, coastal zones, energy for cooling and heat mortality. All figures presented in this section are based on the same medium to high greenhouse gas emissions scenario (A1B), leading to temperature increases above 2°C
[7] EEA report No 12/2012
[8] Rojas, R., Feyen, L., and Watkiss, P. (2013)
[9] Kovats et al. (2011). ClimateCost, as referred to in EEA report N°12/2012
[10] Feyen, L. and Watkiss, P (2011)
[11] Ibid.
[12] COM(2009) 147 Final. See the impact assessment for a full review of implementation
[13] http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/ focuses on EU-level information, with links to national action. Several Member States have developed national information platforms
[14] See http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/web/guest/adaptation-strategies
[15] City-level adaptation has been addressed in detail in the EEA 2012 report ‘Urban adaptation to climate change in Europe’ (EEA 2012): http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/urban-adaptation-to-climate-change
[16] See http://eucities-adapt.eu/cms/
[17] As reported to Climate-ADAPT. Source: EEA Adaptation in Europe report (forthcoming, 2013)
[18] Previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security)
[19] Council Directive 2008/56/EC and EU Regulation No 1255/2011
[20] Regulation (EC) 2152/2003
[21] Decision 661/2010/EC
[22] COM(2012)673 final
[23] COM(2011)244 final
[24] COM(2011) 743 final
[25] http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/legal-proposals/index_en.htm
[26] COM(2013) 133 final
[27] COM(2011) 665/3
[28] COM(2011)934 final
[29] COM(2011) 650/2 final
[30] http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/planned_ia/docs/2013_sanco_002_eu_plant_health_law_en.pdf
[31] COM(2012) 628 final
[32] Eurocodes are a set of harmonised technical rules for the structural design of construction works in the EU developed by the European Committee for Standardisation
[33] Joint Research Centre, European Commission (2012), Natural catastrophes: Risk relevance and insurance coverage in the EU
[34] referring to both climate change mitigation and adaptation
[35] The Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)
[36] As set out in the recent Blueprint for a deeper and genuine economic and monetary union, COM(2012) 777 final
[37] Article 10(3)(a) of Directive 2003/87/EC as amended by Directive 2009/29/EC
[38] http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/g-gas/monitoring/