Brussels, 19/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - Adapting to climate change is an urgent necessity and even if measures to be taken are the prerogative of member states - and principally local authorities - EU environment ministers support the development of a framework for a European climate change adaptation strategy and mechanisms that can help the EU enhance, as cheaply as possible, its resilience to global warming that has already been affecting the whole of Europe. The increased frequency of extreme weather conditions we are currently experiencing and have experienced over the few years bears this out. The conclusions adopted in Luxembourg on Tuesday 18 June by the Environment Council welcome the communication presented by the European Commission on 17 April last, as a means for laying the foundations of a future EU strategy on the matter and also spell out in writing what was advocated in words by EU 27 ministers at the informal ministerial session in Dublin (22-23 April). Incorporating adaptation into all appropriate EU policies and proposals for EU action, particularly in the common agricultural policy, cohesion policy and common fisheries policy, is the watchword in these conclusions and a call to the European Commission.
This progress can be included in the list of achievements of the outgoing Irish Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Phil Hogan, Irish Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, was delighted with this positive step taken by ministers towards an EU climate policy emphasising a gradual and coherent adaptation response across Europe and throughout member states.
Encouraging more resilient infrastructure, examining whether there is a case to draft additional guidelines to steer the ecosystem-based adaptation approaches and exploring the potential offered by insurance and other financial products to guarantee robust investments for companies are the other things the European Commission has been asked to do.
The Council highlights the need to change gear in action “at all levels and by all relevant parties” in order to meet the challenge of adapting as effectively as possible. The impact of climate change - flooding, drought, heatwaves, rising sea levels, soil erosion - can vary considerably from one European region or area to another, meaning that most of the adaptation measures must be decided upon at national, regional or local level as well as at cross-border level, and they must be based on the best knowledge and practices available and take account of the specific conditions peculiar to each member state. However, the Council lays emphasis on the importance of including the concerns connected to adaptation in all of the relevant policies at all levels (European, national, regional and local) in order to respect the principle of subsidiarity.
It welcomes initiatives aiming to include adaptation in agriculture, forestry, maritime facilities planning and the integrated management of coastal areas, in the energy sector, risk prevention and management, transport, research, health and the environment, and calls on the Commission to take inspiration from the initiative of the Convention of Mayors in its support of adaptation in cities. Adaptation is a vital addition to the ambitious efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which is required by the international community, in order to achieve the objective of keeping the rise in average temperature at two degrees Celsius (compared to pre-industrial levels), the Council points out. (AN/transl.fl)