Towards a Framework for ADAPTATION to Climate Change.

Towards a Framework for ADAPTATION to

Climate Change

ILLUSTRATING THE PROBLEM

Climate analogues in 2070, Hadley Centre Model, SRES A2

Hallegatte, Ambrosi, Hourcade (2007)

MITIGATION vs ADAPTATION

Despite our mitigation efforts, climate change is happening

EU goal: to maintain global warming at + 2°C (pre-industrial times)

Efforts in mitigation and adaptation are complementary- the more mitigation done the less adaptation needed and viceversa

ADAPTATION

MITIGATION

Contributing to establish a European framework to improve the resilience of social and economical

systems as well as ecosystems across Europe and in other parts of the world,

reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change

ensure that crucial areas such as food security, human health, ecosystem protection, economic and social cohesion and energy supply are guaranteed

OBJECTIVES OF ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK

Since 1991 the EU is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissionso EU monitoring mechanism for emissions and the absorption of GH gases.

o EU established a system based on market rules, a greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme and specific rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases

o 2000: Communication EU policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: towards a European Climate Change Programme (ECCP I)

o 2001 : European Climate Change Programme (ECCP I)

o 2003 : Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community

o 2004 : Decision 280/2004/EC concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol

o 2005 : ECCP II Communication 2005 "Winning the battle against global climate change“

o 2006 : Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases

o 2006 : Proposal to include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme -2006

o 2007 : Communication 2007 "Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 °C - The way ahead for 2020 and beyond"

o 2007 : Proposal to limit the CO2 emissions from cars

o 2008 : Ambitious package of proposals to fight climate change and promote renewable energy in line with EU commitments

INITIATIVES LINKED TO MITIGATION

UN

Framework Conv.on

Climate Change

Article 4

Communications

Disaster

Prevention and Control

2008

White Paper

Adaptation

Autumn 2008

Floods Directive

2007

Communication

Droughts & Water Scarcity

2007

Green Paper

Adaptation

June 2007

ADAPTATION

FRAMEWORK

And many others…

INITIATIVES LINKED TO ADAPTATION

WATER- EUEU + EXTERNAL

INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT

UN Framework Convention for Climate Change- Article 4- requirement to establish national or regional programmes with measures for climate change adaptation + obligation to cooperate in preparing for adaptation

Adaptation very high on the agenda of the UN climate change conference in Bali (Dec 2007)

Adaptation is one of the building blocks of the Bali Action Plan (structure for the negotiations on post-2012) to be adopted in Copenhagen, in 2009- equal footing with mitigation

EU, through bilateral and multilateral channels, has provided support to programmes and measures to enhance adaptive capacity in developing

countries and most vulnerable countries.

UN

Framework Conv.on

Climate Change

Article 4

Communications

Disaster

Prevention and Control

2008

White Paper

Adaptation

Autumn 2008

Floods Directive

2007

Communication

Droughts & Water Scarcity

2007

Green Paper

Adaptation

June 2007

ADAPTATION

FRAMEWORK

And many others…

INITIATIVES LINKED TO ADAPTATION

WATER- EUEU + EXTERNAL

CommunicationWater Scarcity and Droughts

Refers to full implementation of the Water Framework Directive

Based on four pillars Putting the right price tag on water Allocating water more efficiently Improving drought risk management Fostering water performance technologies and

practices

Directive on Flood Risk Management

MAIN REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTIVE

by 2011 Member States will undertake a preliminary flood risk assessment of their river basins and associated coastal zones

by 2013 Where real risks of flood damage exist (at least a 1 in 100 year event), they must develop flood hazard maps and flood risk maps

by 2015 Member States must draw up flood risk management plans for these zones

these steps need to be reviewed every 6 years in a cycle coordinated and synchronised with the Water Framework Directive

UN

Framework Conv.on

Climate Change

Article 4

Communications

Disaster

Prevention and Control

2008

White Paper

Adaptation

Autumn 2008

Floods Directive

2007

Communication

Droughts & Water Scarcity

2007

Green Paper

Adaptation

June 2007

ADAPTATION

FRAMEWORK

And many others…

INITIATIVES LINKED TO ADAPTATION

WATER- EUEU + EXTERNAL

Development of a Framework for Adaptation

Green Paper

Adopted

June 2007

Stakeholder Consultation

Dec 2007

White Paper

To be adopted

Autumn 2008

Internal Consultation

POLICY MAKING PROCESS

Green Paper Adaptation to Climate Change

Based on four pillars Early action in the EU Integrating adaptation into EU external actions Reducing uncertainty by expanding climate

research Involving European society in the preparation of

comprehensive adaptation strategies

OUTCOME OF STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION

Easier for respondents to identify problems than solutions

Areas most vulnerable identified: water, health and biodiversity, tourism and agriculture

There is a regional variation with regard to vulnerable areas, impacts and policy responses

A “one size fits all” approach will not work

A flexible EU Framework for action could be applied

Urgent response is required

Adaptation and mitigation must be considered together

More research and knowledge gathering is required

Greater public debate and awareness raising needed

OPINIONS OTHER EU INSTITUTIONS on GREEN PAPER

• CoR opinion adopted in November 2007

• EESC opinion adopted in December 2007

• COUNCIL- 3 pagphs in October ENV Council

• EP- Resolution adopted April 2008

All publicly available

The problem- Main areas of vulnerability and uncertainties The benefits of early action at EU level Developing a culture of reducing risk and vulnerability

( for each of following areas different options could be considered)

Awareness raising

Land use

Infrastructure

Market based instruments Funding mechanisms Capacity building, research Principles for action

Possible components of White Paper

Synergies- Priority to measures good for mitigation and adaptation. No regret- Priority to measures beneficial irrespectively of uncertainties Precautionary principle- consider worst-case scenario measures, even if

uncertainties are high (cases where the costs or the magnitude of the impacts in such scenarios would be unacceptable)

Solidarity- between MS, regions, social groups Flexibility and subsidiarity - Adapt° policy should be dynamic and flexible Knowledge based- Adapt° policy should be based on scientific evidence Proportionality- measures must be cost-effective and proportionate Sustainability- Measures must be in line with sustainable development

Principles for action

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/adaptation/index_en.htm