The Mission Adaptation Public Portfolio is now live and provides an interactive dashboard to explore projects, participants, and key characteristics funded by the Mission and relevant to the Mission.

What's inside?

• Mission projects and participants – review key stakeholders and project details.
• Project characteristics – filtering by hazards, GROWTH steps and adaptation methods.

This tool provides valuable information and transparency, helping regions and stakeholders identify synergies, track progress and explore adaptation solutions between mission-funded and mission-relevant projects.

Browse the dashboard here

A document titled "How to build and finance a better EU green industrial policy" by Sander Tordoir and Elisabetta Cornago from February 2025 looks at the challenges and opportunities for the industry (more…)

This document is the third update of the EU Climate Change Adaptation Barometer, which assesses progress towards the mission's objectives as of 30 September 2024. (more…)

The European Commission has launched a consultation to shape the EU's future long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework), setting out funding priorities across Europe from 2028. This is a key opportunity to ensure that climate change adaptation remains at the heart of future EU investments.

A modern EU budget should be simpler, more efficient and better focused on addressing pressing challenges, including climate resilience. The Commission's proposals include:

• National and regional investment plans designed in cooperation with local authorities
• European Competitiveness Fund to support strategic sectors and technologies
• Better targeting of external action funding in line with EU priorities
• Stronger guarantees for the rule of law

The Commission is calling on all stakeholders to contribute, with a public consultation open until 6 May 2025 at noon. A European Citizens' Panel will also bring together 150 Europeans to discuss and propose recommendations.

Make your voice heard and help shape future EU funding for climate change adaptation. Participate in the public consultation here .

Cities around the world are increasingly relying on trees as a tool for cooling and adapting to climate change. Tree canopy cover is a common metric used in planning and investing in green spaces. (more…)

Publication “Youth on the Move for Climate Action!” is a compilation of youth initiatives in agriculture that address the impacts of climate change. It was created by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome in 2019. (more…)

The Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Unit of DG CLIMA is planning to recruit two contract agents to support the unit's work on the European Climate Change Adaptation Plan as a policy or legal expert.

The deadline for submitting applications for each of these positions is 28 February 2025 at 12:00 Brussels time.

For more details, please visit:

Political Officer | Career in the EU

Lawyer | Career in the EU 

A message The European Topic Centre on Climate Change Adaptation and Land Use (ETC CA) provides an overview of adaptation policies in the member and cooperating countries of the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report focuses on characteristics and conditions of adaptation policies, legislation, monitoring, evaluation and learning from a European perspective.

Key points of the report:

• National adaptation strategies and plans: Most countries have National Adaptation Strategies (NAS) in place, which serve as frameworks for coordinating adaptation activities. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are used to translate NASs into concrete actions. Some countries also have Sectoral Adaptation Plans (SAPs).
• Legal regulations for adaptation: Many countries have legislation for adaptation, with 18 of them have dedicated national climate lawsGermany has a separate adaptation law. The legislation varies in scope and detail, with some countries having obligations only at the national level, while others also at the sub-national level.
• Climate risk assessments: Climate risk assessments (CRAs) are increasingly important for informing adaptation policies. 21 countries have completed extensive assessments and 14 countries have legal mandates to implement them. Regular updates of CRAs are not common and integration of CRAs with monitoring, evaluation and learning systems is limited.
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning: Many countries have implemented aspects of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes, but challenges remain in linking and using them. Measurable adaptation targets are lacking, which complicates the evaluation of MEL. Most countries use process indicators, but outcome-based indicators are lacking.
• Horizontal and vertical integration: Horizontal coordination between sectors is more common than vertical coordination between different levels of government. Some countries have legal mandates for coordination bodies in place.
• Mandatory requirements: There is an increasing trend in Europe towards mandatory adaptation requirements, with more and more countries are adopting legislation to strengthen planning and implementation of adaptation efforts.
• Scientific knowledge and data: The report highlights the importance of using scientific knowledge, analysis and assessments in developing adaptation policies. Regular updates of the CRA are essential to take into account changes in risks and vulnerabilities.
• Challenges and limitations: The report identifies challenges in integrating MEL, linking across governance levels and measuring the results of adaptation measures. It also highlights inconsistencies in terminology and the need to improve data collection at the subnational level. The report has limitations in terms of the availability of some public documents and differences in the depth of information across countries.

Conclusions and the way forward:

• Adaptation policies in many European countries are being significantly updated and developed.
• The emphasis is on introducing measurable targets for adaptation and improving monitoring and evaluation.
• International cooperation and sharing of experience are key to effectively addressing cross-border risks.
• A better one is needed coordination between different levels of public administration and harmonisation of policies.
• Promoting knowledge sharing, capacity building and investment in adaptation measures are key to successful policy implementation.

The report provides a valuable overview of adaptation policies in Europe, highlighting progress made but also remaining challenges. It serves as a basis for further developing adaptation policies and strengthening climate resilience. Spring

Glossary of key terms

• Adaptation: Adapting to the actual or expected impacts of climate change.
• CRA (Climate Risk Assessment): Climate risk assessment. A systematic process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating risks related to climate change.
• Horizontal integration: Cooperation and coordination between different sectors within one level of government (e.g. cooperation between ministries at the national level).
• MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning): Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. A system for tracking progress in adaptation, evaluating the effectiveness of policies and learning.
• NAP (National Adaptation Plan): National Adaptation Plan. An action plan that specifies how a national adaptation strategy is to be implemented.
• NAS (National Adaptation Strategy): National Adaptation Strategy. A policy document that outlines a country's long-term vision and strategic approach to adaptation.
• Sectoral Adaptation Plan (SAP): A plan aimed at adapting to climate change in a specific economic sector.
• Vertical integration: Cooperation and coordination between different levels of government (e.g. cooperation between national, regional and local levels).

Following the European Court of Auditors' report of 2021 and 2021, also in collaboration with FOREST EUROPE, a new set of 8 case studies and 3 adaptation options in the forestry sector have been published on Climate-ADAPT.

Sample case studies:

• Afforestation initiatives in large areas affected by drought and pests in Germany (decision support for forest owners in Hesse; large-scale forest restoration in North Rhine-Westphalia)

(More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

The Strategic Advisory Board will help the European Commission to further design Destination Earth (DestinE) as one of the EU's flagship initiatives responding to the twin challenges of the green and digital transformations. Two high-precision digital twins of the Earth are to be developed to monitor and simulate natural and human activities and to develop and test scenarios that would enable more sustainable development and support European green transition policies. Adaptation plays a key role in this, as one of the digital twins will be dedicated to climate change adaptation. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

After three years of the EU Climate Change Adaptation Mission, a comprehensive survey has gathered feedback from Charter signatories and key stakeholders to assess its progress and impact. The survey highlights the mission's essential role in equipping regions and local authorities with tools and support to build climate resilience, while identifying opportunities for improvement to enhance its accessibility and effectiveness.

Key findings highlight the importance of collaboration, targeted support and user-friendly resources in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. With the upcoming Mission Forum in Wroclaw, Poland, offering a platform to showcase local actions and strengthen engagement across Europe, the survey revealed significant interest from respondents in presenting at this forum. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

Climate change mitigation focuses on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main cause of global warming. The aim is to slow down or stop the process of climate change and reduce its negative impacts.

Examples of mitigation measures:

• Increasing the use of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydropower)
• Increasing energy efficiency buildings, transport and industry
• Reducing deforestation and promoting afforestation
• Development and deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies

Adaptation to climate change focuses on adaptation to ongoing and expected climate changeThe goal is reduce vulnerability against the negative impacts of climate change and to take advantage of any opportunities.

Examples of adaptation measures:

• Construction of flood barriers and coastal protection against rising sea levels
• Implementation of early warning systems for extreme weather events
• Growing more resilient crops and implementing adaptation strategies in agriculture
• Infrastructure adaptation (e.g. bridges, roads, buildings) changed climate conditions
• Improving water resources management systems

It is important to emphasize that Mitigation and adaptation are complementary strategieswhich is necessary implement together. Mitigation of climate change will reduce the magnitude of future changes and thus reduce the need for adaptation. However, adaptation is essential to address the already existing and unavoidable impacts of climate change.

The publication “Data for Climate Action” highlights the role of national statistical offices (NSOs) in both of these areas. NSOs can provide data and analysis to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures. They can also provide information on vulnerability to climate change and the effectiveness of adaptation measures. Spring

NSIs play a crucial role in informing the public about climate change issues, as they are a trusted source of data and information. The basic principle of their functioning is independent and impartial provision of data on economic, demographic, social and environmental topics. In today's world, where unverified information and disinformation are spreading, their role in providing reliable statistics on climate change is particularly important.

The publication identifies several ways in which NSIs can contribute to informing the public:

1. Publishing relevant and high-quality statistics: In addition to data on greenhouse gas emissions, the NSI should also provide other types of climate statistics, for example on the impact of climate change on health, the economy, or biodiversity.
2. Simplifying data access and interpretation: NSIs should publish data in a comprehensible form, supplement it with explanatory comments and visualizations, and use plain language.
3. Active communication with the public: NSAs should proactively reach out to the public through press releases, environmental reports, interactive websites and social media. It is also important to organize educational activities for schools and universities to raise awareness about climate change and relevant statistics.
4. Cooperation with the media: Journalists play a key role in communicating information to the public. NSIs should provide them with the necessary support, for example through specialized service lines and press releases focused on current issues.
5. Taking into account the needs of different user groups: NSIs should publish information in a variety of formats and at different levels of detail to meet the needs of the general public, experts, and journalists.

The publication emphasizes that NSOs must be responsive to user needs and regularly evaluate their experience with data accessOnly in this way can they ensure that their work is relevant and helps raise public awareness of the issue of climate change.

In addition to the points above, it is important that the NŠU cooperated with other actors in the field of climate change, such as government agencies, research institutions and non-governmental organizations. This collaboration will help ensure that the public has access to comprehensive and reliable information on climate change and its impacts. Spring

Glossary

• Climate change adaptation: Adapting to current or expected impacts of climate change to reduce damage and take advantage of potential opportunities.
• Greenhouse gas emissions inventory: Systematic recording of greenhouse gas emissions from various sources and their removals within a given area and time period.
• Climate finance: Financial resources intended to support climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Individual country plans setting out their climate change mitigation commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• Paris Agreement: The 2015 global climate change agreement aims to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
• Residence principle: Recording greenhouse gas emissions based on the economic activity of resident units in a given national economy.
• Territory principle: Recording greenhouse gas emissions based on their release in a given area.
• SEEA: Environmental and economic accounting system.
• Just transformation: A transition to a low-carbon economy that is socially just and ensures that no one is left behind.
• Climate change mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing their removals to mitigate climate change.

Heat waves pose a serious health risk, especially for certain groups of the population. Their bodies have difficulty adapting to high temperatures, making them more susceptible to health complications. The groups most at risk include:

Children:

• Babies and young children have underdeveloped body temperature regulation system, their sweat glands are not fully functional and their body surface area is larger in relation to their weight than adults. This causes a faster rise in body temperature and an increased risk of overheating.
• Children need regular hydration and protection from direct sunlight, especially at lunchtime.
• Never leave children in a parked car., not even for a short time, because the temperature inside the vehicle can rise very quickly and endanger their lives.

Older people:

• The cardiovascular system of older people is not as efficient in heat dissipation from the body.
• Their the ability to sweat decreases and they often do not feel thirsty even after losing fluids, leading to dehydration and the risk of overheating.
• Older people should to control the temperature in the room and keep it below 26°C.
• It is important to pay attention to sufficient fluid intake and consult with your doctor about possible medication adjustments.

Sick people:

• People with cardiovascular or kidney problems, diabetes, central nervous system diseases, or mental disorders such as schizophrenia are particularly sensitive for heat-related illnesses.
• People with dementia are also very vulnerable.
• Taking medicationthat affect blood circulation, the body's water and electrolyte balance, or the nervous system, may also increase the risk health problems in hot weather.
• It is important regular body temperature check and consulting with a doctor about adjusting medication.

In addition to these groups, people working outdoors and homeless people are also at risk.

All of the above groups should be especially careful during heat waves and follow heat protection recommendations, such as:

• Stay in a cool environment, in the shade, or in air-conditioned areas.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, diluted juices, and herbal teas.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity during peak heat.
• Wear light and bright clothing.
• Watch for signs of overheating, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and fainting.

If overheating is suspected, medical attention should be sought immediately. Spring

Citizen events engage, connect, and empower communities to prepare for the impacts of climate change. They include activities such as hands-on workshops, informational exhibitions, community forums, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. The aim of these events is to inform and inspire local communities to actively participate in adapting to climate change. (More on climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu)

As Europe accelerates its transition to climate neutrality, cities are stepping up. But this green transition comes with a significant challenge: financing. The European Commission estimates that with limited public subsidies, traditional financing methods will only cover 20-30% of the 1T3T of investment needed to achieve the necessary scale of the climate and energy transition. As it says Sylwia Słomiak, Senior Advisor for Climate Finance at Eurocities : "Cities, public authorities and regions must start looking elsewhere."

This reality forms the backdrop to the European Commission’s work on the upcoming Clean Industry Deal, a framework that promises to strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness while meeting ambitious climate goals. Cities are testing innovative financing models that reduce subsidy dependency, lower energy costs and promote long-term sustainability. However, regulations and a lack of resources still pose barriers for many cities to adopt these models. (More on eurocities.eu)

The document entitled ""A Manual for Engaging Stakeholders and Citizens in Climate Change Adaptation" It is aimed at regional and local authorities and highlights four key actions for engaging stakeholders and citizens in climate change adaptation:

• Communication: Providing clear and accessible information.
• Stakeholder and community engagement.
• Connecting stakeholders and citizens in order to facilitate cooperation.
• Enabling collective and individual action.

The manual guides users through relevant participatory activities and highlights tools, good practices and examples for engaging stakeholders and citizens in all steps of the climate change adaptation planning cycle, as outlined in the Regional Adaptation Support Tool (RAST).

The manual is divided into six steps, which correspond to the steps in the climate change adaptation planning cycle.

Step 1: Preparing the groundwork for adaptation This step is crucial because it involves gathering and organizing the essential elements needed to begin the adaptation planning process. This includes identifying key stakeholders and citizens involved in the process. In this step, you can develop an engagement strategy that is tailored to your local context.

Steps 2, 3 and 4: Assessing climate risks and vulnerabilities and identifying, assessing and selecting adaptation options In these steps, you can consult stakeholders and citizens to improve your climate change adaptation strategy or plan.

Step 5: Implementation of adaptation policies and measures The involvement of stakeholders and citizens in the implementation of climate change adaptation policies and measures is crucial to ensure their effectiveness.

Step 6: Monitoring, evaluating and learning Engaging stakeholders and citizens in monitoring, evaluation and learning can strengthen their understanding of needs and foster their support and engagement in the implementation of your climate change adaptation plan.

In the manual you will find concrete examples of tools, good practices and experiencesthat will help you effectively involve stakeholders and citizens in all steps of climate change adaptation planning. Spring

Climate change (CC) has become such an important economic, social and environmental issue that it has been renamed the “climate crisis” in mainstream discourse. This crisis highlights the urgency, especially as many countries report an increase in climate-related events. Europe has set many goals to address the climate crisis using a top-down approach; at the other end of the spectrum, individuals are motivated to act, but many are unsure of how and where to act.

LIFE Terra aims to create a movement that plants 500 million trees in 5 years, harnesses and monitors nature’s own carbon sequestration mechanism and empowers citizens to take urgent action against the climate crisis. It will unite stakeholders through a platform that will facilitate tree planting, engage future generations through key communication and education activities, and monitor progress on cutting-edge European technologies to support a sustainable long-term business model for soil restoration and large-scale carbon sequestration. ( More on lifeterra.eu)

As 2025 approaches, cities’ efforts to reduce traffic congestion, tackle air pollution, improve access to housing and reduce flood risk are receiving more attention than ever before. These initiatives are important for the more than 4 billion people who live in urban centers around the world, and they also have huge implications for the planet and global environmental goals. (More on thegef.org)

A message The European Environment Agency examines how justice is embedded in EU policies for sustainable transitions. It analyses the different dimensions of justice – distributive, procedural and recognition – in key EU strategies and sectoral policies, drawing on case studies from national, regional and city levels. It focuses on the challenges of the uneven impact of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on different social groups and regions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach. The report offers recommendations for policymakers on how to improve the governance of just transitions and ensure that no one is left behind. It includes examples from countries such as Spain, Finland, Estonia, Italy and Barcelona. Spring