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The role of scientific research as contributing to adaptation, including its public and policy awareness

13 of 27 countries identified scientific research as a trigger for adaptation (Figure 2.1). In addition, in the open-ended responses of the self-assessment survey related to planned next steps (question 42 on risk or vulnerability assessments), eleven of the 21 countries reported that risk or vulnerability assessments are either underway or planned; and six of the 21 countries reported that risk or vulnerability assessments were being conducted for specific sectors or specific sub-national regions or local authorities. Scientific research and these assessments can increase scientific visibility of the need for adaptation and, when and if made available, can increase public and political awareness of the need for adaptation as a response to climate change.

Austria

In 2014 at the latest, an Austria-related “Assessment Report” on the topic of climate change will be released by the Austrian Climate Research Network as a contribution to the discussion on impacts, mitigation and adaptation. In addition, the study ‘Current state of adaptation to climate change in Austria’ (Gingrich et al., 2008) commissioned by the Ministry of Environment, provided a first overview on research projects with a focus on climate change adaptation. The results of this study were converted into a databank (available at www.klimawandelanpassung.at/datenbank/ ) that is being continuously enhanced and updated. Furthermore, since most adaptation actions are to be implemented at provincial, regional and local levels, the research project FAMOUS will support the adaptation process by establishing tailor-made decision-support tools (published in Spring 2014) in close cooperation with key stakeholders and potential users.

Belgium

The evidence presented as a result of the research (modelling) on water courses in the Belspo-funded research CCI-Hydr was a trigger for initiating the adaptation process in Belgium. Earlier available information, such as that based on the report by J.-P. Van Ypersele, did not have a similar affect. The CCI-Hydr became available at the right time and was included within Belgium’s Fifth National Communication (2009) and in some regional reports

Italy

Both political and public visibility play a role in moving forward the adaptation agenda in Italy. In their response, Italy particularly indicated that willingness to develop adaptation policies in Italy is quite high and is increasing more and more. In recent years, Italian universities, national research centres, public and private institutions and foundations have intensified their efforts related to the issue of climate change adaptation with the intention to fill the communication and knowledge gaps between science and policy-making. For example, in elaborating the Italian national adaptation strategy the involvement of the national scientific community was identified as crucial. This included the establishment of a scientific panel of about 100 national scientists and sectoral experts from national scientific institutions and universities.

Throughout the consultation process and public participation that is part of the development of the national adaptation strategy, the inherent uncertainties have been considered. This included informing the main stakeholders on: (1) uncertainties about future projections concerning climate variability; 2) uncertainties related to the future socio-economic development and mitigation commitments and hence emission scenarios; and 3) uncertainties about the implementation of adaptation measures and policies and their impact on the climate change impacts projections. The ultimate purpose of providing this information is to raise the visibility of adaptation and of the need of more flexible approaches to deal with the challenges associated with adaptation.