Table of contents
- Acknowledgements
- Executive summary
- Objectives, intended users and context of this report
- Outline of this report
- Methodological approach
- Lessons learned from collaborating with member countries through the self-assessment survey
- 1. Rationale for public intervention on adaptation
- 2.1. Key Topic 1: Public and policy awareness of the need for adaptation
- 2.1.1. Awareness of the need for adaptation: what does this include?
- 2.1.2. Findings from self-assessment survey
- 2.1.3. Examples from countries
- 2.1.4. Discussion of findings
- 2.2. Key Topic 2: Knowledge generation and use
- 2.2.1. Knowledge generation and use: what does this include?
- 2.2.2. Findings from self-assessment survey
- 2.2.3. Examples from countries
- 2.2.4. Discussion of findings
- 2.3. Key Topic 3: Planning adaptation
- 2.3.1. Planning adaptation: what does this include?
- 2.3.2. Findings from self-assessment survey
- 2.3.3. Examples from countries
- 2.3.4. Discussion of findings
- 2.4. Key Topic 4: Coordination of adaptation
- 2.4.1. Coordination of adaptation: what does this include?
- 2.4.2. Findings from self-assessment survey
- 2.4.3. Examples from countries
- 2.4.4. Discussion of findings
- 2.5. Key Topic 5: Stakeholder involvement
- 2.5.1. Stakeholder involvement: what does this include?
- 2.5.2. Findings from self-assessment survey
- 2.5.3. Examples from countries
- 2.5.4. Discussion of findings
- 2.6. Key Topic 6: Implementation of adaptation
- 2.6.1. Implementation of adaptation: what does this include?
- 2.6.2. Findings from self-assessment survey
- 2.6.3. Examples from countries
- 2.6.4. Discussion of findings
- 2.7. Key Topic 7: Transnational cooperation
- 2.7.1. Transnational cooperation: what does this include?
- 2.7.2. Findings from self-assessment survey
- 2.7.3. Examples from countries
- 2.7.4. Discussion of findings
- 2.8. Key Topic 8: Monitoring, reporting and evaluation
- 2.8.1. Monitoring, reporting and evaluation (MRE): what does this include?
- 2.8.2. Findings from the self-assessment survey
- 2.8.3. Examples from countries
- 2.8.4. Discussion of findings
- 3. The evolving agenda for national adaptation in Europe
- 4. Glossary
- 5. Acronyms
- 6. References
2.2.3. Examples from countries
This section presents four examples illustrating how different countries have been generating scientific-technical evidence relevant to adaptation policies or adaptation actions through research programmes (examples 1 and 2) and risk or vulnerability assessments (example 3 and 4). The first example focuses on strengthening the knowledge base in support of multi-level climate change adaptation decisions in the Netherlands, the second example illustrates the development of the Italian National Adaptation Strategy using information produced through a strong established stakeholder dialogue and institutional support, the third example describes the use of results from a risk assessment in the UK to develop the National Adaptation Programme, and the fourth example describes the methodological approach used in the cross-sectoral vulnerability assessment in support of the German NAS progress report.
Strengthening of knowledge base in support of multi-level
climate change adaptation decision
The Netherlands
Adaptation to current and projected climate change and variability requires a major investment in the production of scientific evidence and its use in policy decisions at multiple levels. In an attempt to strengthen the knowledge base about climate change and get better prepared to respond to its impacts, the Dutch Government established a National Research Programme. The “Knowledge for Climate” (Kennis voor Klimaat) (2008-2013) is one of the main research projects of this programme. Funded by the Economic Structure Enhancing Fund, with co-financing from other sources, the "Knowledge for Climate" programme aims to develop knowledge and services which will support decisions for local, regional, national and international climate adaptation strategies, as well as to improve climate predictions and climate effect models.
KfC supports three types of studies: i.) studies that aim at meeting urgent needs for adaptation knowledge; ii.) long-term studies that generate more in-depth knowledge; and iii.) studies that combine the produced research findings to develop adaptation strategies (MHSPE, 2009). Research focuses primarily on certain geographical areas in the Netherlands that are vulnerable to climate change and themes that are prioritised in the Dutch adaptation agenda. Major national academic and research institutes (e.g. Wageningen University, the University of Utrecht, the VU University) cooperate with governmental organizations (e.g. central government, provinces, municipalities and water boards) and private companies. The involvement of different stakeholders who not only co-invest but also collaborate in developing research is an important feature of this project, which increases the relevance of the produced information and the chances that this will lead to action (see Key Topic 4 and Key Topic 5).
More information: http://knowledgeforclimate.climateresearchnetherlands.nl
Research programmes in support of the development of national adaptation policies
Italy
The Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea (IMELS) has initiated the process of the preparation of the Italian National Adaptation Strategy to climate change. This aims to provide guidelines for short and long term adaptation, to support the mainstreaming of adaptation in current sectoral policies and to inform future adaptation action plans. A national project called SNAC (“Elementi per una Strategia Nazionale di Adattamento ai Cambiamenti Climatici”) “Elements to develop a National Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change” has been funded by the IMELS, from 2012 to 2014. A comprehensive scientific literature review provided an extensive knowledge base on past, present and future climate change and on impacts and vulnerabilities of micro/macro sectors to climate change (water resources; desertification, soil degradation and droughts; hydrogeological risk; biodiversity and ecosystems; health; forestry; agriculture, aquaculture and fishery; energy; coastal zones; tourism; urban settlements; critical infrastructures). Vulnerability assessments also generated information for two case studies (the mountain areas of the Alps and Apennines, and the Po river basin).
Knowledge base produced through this process was further enhanced by an ongoing dialogue on climate change adaptation among national institutions. Two panels were established for this purpose. An “institutional panel” coordinated by the Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea, involving representatives of relevant institutions (e.g. Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policies, Ministry of Health) and other institutional stakeholders (e.g. Department of Civil Protection, Union of Italian Provinces), and a "technical panel of experts", involving about 100 members of the national scientific community (Medri et al., 2013). The involvement of stakeholders at multiple levels was one of the advantages of the adopted approach, contributing not only to the provision of information for the development of the Italian NAS but also to raising the awareness for the need for efficient adaptation planning.
More information: www.minabiente.it; www.cmcc.it/projects/snac-elements-to-develop-a-national-adaptation-strategy-to-climate-change
Risk assessments in support of adaptation action
United Kingdom
The Climate Change Act 2008 presents a framework for a long-term response to climate change in the UK and formulates climate change mitigation and adaptation laws in the country Among others it requires the production of a UK wide Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) every five years and the development of national adaptation programmes based on the results of the former (DEFRA 2012a).
The first UK CCRA Evidence Report became available in 2012. It provides a detailed analysis of potential impacts, risks and opportunities that might emerge in the UK as a result of climate change both in and across a set of eleven sectors (agriculture; biodiversity and ecosystem services; built environment; business, industry & services; energy; floods and coastal erosion; forestry; health; marine and fisheries; transport; water ) (DEFRA, 2012b). Also, it provides an estimation of monetary values for certain risks when available data allowed it (DEFRA, 2012a).
The overall approach is based on the UK Climate Impacts Programme Risk and Uncertainty Framework, namely its first three stages; identification of problem and objectives, establishment of decision-making criteria and assessment of risk (DEFRA, 2012a). A wide range of quantitative, semi-quantitative and qualitative methods (e.g. literature reviews, workshops, interviews, expert opinion, analysis of historical data, modelling, mapping exercises, application and further development of frameworks, multi-criteria scoring, metrics) were used at different stages of the assessment depending on their objectives. This approach allowed for an optimum use of the existing knowledge and human resources. At the same time it supported the identification of the areas which require more attention (DEFRA, 2012b), and the type of new knowledge that needs to be generated.
Evidence from the first CCRA was used as the base for the development of the UK National Adaptation Programme for the period 2013-2018. This includes the objectives and necessary policies to support decisions for UK's adaptation to climate change (e.g. prioritisation for action and appropriate adaptation measures (DEFRA, 2012a)). Relevant decisions are further supported by economic analysis of adaptation options and the results of a study looking at how climate change impacts beyond the UK borders might affect the country (DEFRA, 2012a).
More information: www.gov.uk/government/policies/adapting-to-climate-change; www.gov.uk/government/policies/adapting-to-climate-change/supporting-pages/national-adaptation-programme
Cross-sectoral vulnerability assessment in support of the development of adaptation strategies
Germany
Following the first German vulnerability assessment (Zebisch et al., 2005), which informed the German Adaptation Strategy (2008), a new vulnerability assessment was commissioned by the Inter-ministerial Working Group on adaptation in 2011. It served to support the progress report of the adaptation strategy (due in 2015). The assessment focuses mainly on current and short term vulnerability (2021-2050) which align with the timeframe for most adaptation decisions, while long term vulnerability (2071-2100) is investigated only with reference to specific climate change impacts. The assessment is expected to cover all of Germany and each of the 15 sectors that were addressed in the German NAS.
A new element of this assessment is that it will also investigate cross-sectoral relationships, enabling the comparison of vulnerabilities and the identification of spatial and thematic hot-spots for the prioritisation of adaptation needs. A systemic approach using cause-effect chains between climate signals and climate impacts was designed for undertaking this task. This allowed for the identification of the most important chains and the selection of appropriate climate impact models or indicators. Scientific officers from public authorities selected the climate change impacts that were to be investigated in detail in the assessment. When no quantitative data was available, expert judgment was used to estimate future trends for specific climate impacts. Adaptive capacity was separated into a 'generic capacity', expressed by generic indicators, and 'sector specific capacity', estimated based on expert judgments. To compare and aggregate the quantitative and qualitative data, climate change impacts were normalized and semi-quantitative classes were created. This structured approach facilitated the identification of the most important climate impacts and highlighted the knowledge gaps that currently exist. The uncertainty of climate change projections was accounted for through an ensemble of climate models, while a range of trends in future socio-economic development was taken into account with the use of two different scenarios covering economic, demographic and spatial change.
In addition to the variety of the methods used, a strong element of the methodological approach employed for the German cross-sectoral vulnerability assessment was the "Netzwerk Vulnerabilität". This "vulnerability network" consists of 16 different public authorities supported by a scientific consortium. Scientific officers from public authorities, who have a wide expert knowledge and experience in taking normative decisions, collaborated with members of the scientific community, who can provide detailed and robust evidence and contribute to the development of an objective and transparent process. Such collaborations can facilitate communication between the two fields and ensure that the results of such efforts are used in the following stages of the adaptation policy process.
More information: www.anpassung.net (in German), www.netzwerk-vulnerabilitaet.de