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Climate Action
News article29 September 2022Directorate-General for Climate Action

More signatories join the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change

100 more regions and local authorities sign the Charter of the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change in support of the goals of the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy.

Mission on Climate Adaptation

Today, the European Commission announced that 100 more regions and local authorities are joining the Charter of the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change, following the announcement of the first signatories in June. The Mission supports the goals of the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy.

These regions and local authorities declared their willingness to cooperate, mobilise resources and develop activities to reach their adaptation goals. A further 23 private companies, service centres, research networks and local action groups dedicated to improving climate resilience will endorse the Charter and become Friends of the Mission.

The total number of signatories to the Mission Charter now stands at 215 from 24 Member States, with 13 more parties coming from countries associated or potentially associated with Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation programme.

All signatories will become part of a community of practice on adaptation to climate change allowing them to network, connect and share experiences, and will be invited to a coordination event at the end of the year.

From deadly heatwaves and devastating droughts, to wildfires and coastlines eroded by rising sea levels, climate change is already taking its toll in Europe. Its impact affects not only the environment and economy, but also the health of Europeans. The frequency and severity of climate and weather extremes is increasing, so we need to speed up solutions that build climate resilience.

The Mission Adaptation aims to support at least 150 regions and communities in accelerating their transformation towards climate resilience by 2030. It will help these regions and local authorities to better understand, prepare for and manage climate risks, as well as to develop innovative solutions to build resilience. The Commission also recently proposed the Nature Restoration Law to help nature recover and to support communities to better prepare for the worst impacts of the dual climate change and biodiversity loss crises.

The Mission Adaptation will receive €370 million of Horizon Europe funding for the period 2021-23. The research and innovation actions will help rebuild areas impacted by extreme weather events, restore floodplains, as well as exploring vertical farming and prototype insurance approaches, or designing a ‘perfectly adapted' city ready to withstand a storm or heatwave. The Mission also makes it possible to build joint initiatives with other EU Missions and programmes, and provides opportunities for networking, exchange of best practices between regions and local authorities, and support to engage citizens.

The Commission encourages applicants from all Member States to sign the Charter. This will allow for the broadest uptake of adaptation measures in Europe and lead the way towards a climate-resilient future.

Members of the Commission said:

Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans said: “Every town, city, and region in Europe is affected by the climate crisis. And every one of them is rolling out solutions or looking for new ideas. We want to bring these communities together so that they can test and deploy the best possible solutions to become more resilient to climate change. The new signatories who joined today will be able to benefit from the Mission’s community of practice, receive and provide support to each other, and thus advance their local adaptation efforts.”

Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Mariya Gabriel, said: The Mission is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the transformative power of research and innovation at local scale. To tap into its full potential, we must accelerate the transfer of adaptation solutions to society at large. I am confident the cohort of signatories will pave the way to a green, clean, and healthy future."

Background

On 14 March 2022, the Commission invited EU regions and local authorities to join the Mission. Following today's announcement, the new signatories will benefit from the Mission Implementation Platform, which will be operational in early 2023. Together, they will develop pathways towards climate resilience while having access to climate data and methodologies for climate risk assessments and receiving tailor-made guidance on effective adaptation measures.

The Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change started in September 2021 with the adoption of a Communication on EU Missions, followed by the approval of all five Missions' implementation plans. The four other EU Missions cover global challenges in the areas of climate-neutral and smart cities, restoring our ocean and waters, healthy soils and cancer. A dedicated Work Programme for Horizon Europe Missions was published on 15 December 2021. The Missions support  Commission priorities, such as the European Green DealEurope fit for the Digital AgeBeating Cancer and the New European Bauhaus.

For More Information

Factsheet on Signatories to Mission Adaptation's Charter

EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change

Adaptation to Climate Change

EU Adaptation Strategy

EU Missions in Horizon Europe

 

 

Details

Publication date
29 September 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Climate Action