Climate change adaptation

A new report from the EEA called, ‘Overview of climate change adaptation platforms in Europe,’ has said that adaptation platforms in European countries mostly include information on policy action at transnational, national and subnational levels, scientific research output, guidance, decision support tools, experiences from practices and implemented adaptation measures.

EEA Executive Director, Hans Bruyninckx said, “effective adaptation to climate change requires close cooperation between various stakeholders. Cities and businesses are implementing innovative solutions to adapt to climate change also enhancing quality of life and protecting ecosystems. There is already a wealth of knowledge and experience available that should be shared, which can help all stakeholders to connect, be inspired and learn from each other. I believe new research programmes in the EU can further facilitate the cocreation of the knowledge base needed.”

Establishing platforms

Recently, European countries have established information platforms on climate change adaptation. At the moment there are 14 national adaption platforms across EEA member countries and two transitional platforms. These are complemented by Climate ADAPT, the European Climate Change Adaptation platform managed and maintained by the EEA in collaboration with the European Commission. Also, in addition to country and European information, Climate-ADAPT also hosts a section on the Baltic Sea region. Of the 14 national adaptation platforms, seven are directly linked to the implementation of a national adaptation strategy or action plan.

Further findings

The EEA report also looks at links between adaptation platforms and climate services and disaster risk reduction platforms. Adaptation measures cover in general long term and gradual impacts of climate change as well as disasters linked to extreme weather events intensified by climate change. A closer collaboration between climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction platforms can boost the use of available knowledge and contribute to reduce vulnerability.

Edited from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/hse/12052015/climate-change-adaptation/