The European strategy for adapting to climate change has made progress over five years; its effectiveness on the ground needs to be increased, as its objectives have not been fully achieved, but it remains relevant, according to the report on the implementation of this strategy, published on Monday 12 November by the European Commission, one year late.
This strategy, adopted in 2013, aims to promote action by Member States, ensure resilient action on climate change at EU level and better informed decision-making (see EUROPE 11935, 10870). Under this strategy, the Commission was required to report to Parliament and the Council in 2017 and, if necessary, to propose a revision. For the time being, there is no question of this, whereas in April 2017 the European Environment Ministers had laid the foundations for adaptation strategies adjusted to the Paris Climate Agreement (see EUROPE 11774).
The Commission believes that, for the future, the EU's strategy could be more effective in terms of: - disaster risk reduction; - integration of adaptation into EU maritime and fisheries policy and coastal regions in general; - development and use of tools for investors and insurers to further integrate climate change into their risk management; - use of private investment; - ecosystem-based adaptation (such as agricultural conservation practices, green infrastructure, nature protection).
According to the evaluation report, the strategy is broadly consistent with other adaptation policies and measures at local, regional, national and EU level, but coherence with international policies and initiatives should be strengthened. "Looking ahead, the strategy should be reframed to better align it with the evolving international policy framework and to better assess the implications for the EU of the transboundary impacts of climate change impacts on third countries, including through migration, trade and financial flows," the Commission says.
Among the progress made so far, the Commission notes that the number of Member States with a national adaptation strategy has increased from 15 to 25. The adoption of adaptation strategies has been accelerated by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI), the institution says.
She pointed out that since 2014, the LIFE programme has funded 60 adaptation-related projects worth €184 million, which, when completed, are expected to have an impact on about a quarter of the EU's territory. LIFE also contributes to the implementation of national and regional adaptation strategies in Greece and Cyprus.
Another step forward is the introduction of adaptation into the Covenant of Mayors. In April 2018, 1,076 mayors from 25 Member States signed the Convention and committed themselves to conducting vulnerability and risk assessments, as well as developing and reporting on adaptation plans.
The report is available online: https://bit.ly/2T8Wd44. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)