Transnational cooperation can be seen as a way to ensure cross-border coherence in adaptation but also as a way to learn and exchange good practices, not necessarily restricted to neighbouring countries. The EU Adaptation Strategy (EC, 2013a) stresses the need to consider cross-border issues in national adaptation strategies as well as in impact and vulnerability assessments. Consequently, the EU Strategy encourages countries to address cross-border issues and also foresees EU funding (e.g. LIFE and regional cooperation funds such as INTERREG) to support such activities. Transboundary cooperation has so far focused on the use of transboundary natural resources or ways to deal with transboundary environmental impacts and risks. Adaptation to climate change is increasingly also becoming an issue of transboundary cooperation.
Transnational cooperation covers both cross-border cooperation between (neighbouring) countries and transboundary cooperation among countries with shared transboundary resources (e.g. water, protected areas) or otherwise shared interests. In the context of this report transnational cooperation refers to cooperation within Europe and thus excludes international cooperation with developing countries. Transboundary cooperation between regions within a country is not considered here.
For further definitions see the Glossary in Chapter 4.