Towards a Framework for ADAPTATION

to Climate Change

Insight in EU policy making process.

Results of Green paper consultation.

“Bridging the gap”: Responding to Environmental Change – from Words to Deeds, 14-16 May 2008, Portorož, Slovenia.

by Maria Brättemark, European Commission , DG ENV.D.2

ILLUSTRATING THE PROBLEM

Climate analogues in 2070, Hadley Centre Model, SRES A2

Hallegatte, Ambrosi, Hourcade (2007)

MITIGATION vs ADAPTATION

!Despite our mitigation efforts, climatechange is happening

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

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

ADAPTATION

MITIGATION

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 2000 on 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- 2007

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

INITIATIVES LINKED TO MITIGATION

Contributing to establish a European framework to

" improve the resilienceof 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 cohesionand energy supplyare guaranteed

OBJECTIVES OF ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK

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

Water : too much or too little !

" Water Scarcity and Droughts–2007 Communication

" Full implementation of the Water Framework Directive – key tool !

" Based on four pillars

! Putting the right price tag on water

! Allocating water more efficiently

! Improving drought risk management

! Fostering water performance technologiesand practices

! What’s new : Studies on biofuels, water provision options, demand scenarios – report autumn 2008 !

2007 Directive on the assessment and management of flood risks -

" Preliminary flood risk assessmentof their river basins and associated coastal zones by 2011

" Where real risks of flood damage exist (at least a 1 in 100 year event), flood hazard mapsand flood risk mapsby 2013

" Flood risk management plansfor these zones by 2015

" Revision every 6 yearsin 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

Stakeholder consultation IA

16/5/2008

Green PaperAdaptation to Climate Change

Based on four pillars" Early action in the EU

" Integrating adaptation into EU external actions

" Reducing uncertainty by expanding climateresearch

" 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 responseis required

" Adaptation and mitigation must be considered together

" More researchand knowledge gathering is required

" Greater public debate and awareness raisingneeded

OPINIONS OTHER EU INSTITUTIONS on GREEN PAPER

• CoR opinion adopted in November 2007

• EESC opinion adopted in December 2007

• COUNCIL - October ENV Council conclusions

• 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 beconsidered)

" 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" Proportionalit y- 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