Shaping the future of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change

Over the last two days, around 600 registered participants from Europe and beyond took part in the annual Forum of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. Representatives of the EU institutions, charter signatories, Friends of the Mission, national and regional authorities, financial institutions, and researchers took part in the discussions. During the Forum they reflected on how to increase collaboration between European, national authorities, regions, financial institutions and other public and private Mission actors to deliver on adaptation, improve climate risk management practices and societal preparedness, and to accelerate the uptake of adaptation solutions across the society and different levels of administration.

Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, said “The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change is an important catalyst for transformation across European communities, through synergies with other climate missions, we develop a more comprehensive response. This Forum bears testament to our progress with over 300 signatories now committed to the mission charter, together you represent over 40% of the EU population. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for generations to come. Let’s be good ancestors.”

In addition to plenary sessions, online and in physical participants were involved into active discussions during breakout sessions to identify the main challenges they face during their adaptation journey. These involved:

·       A need for increased awareness and understanding about climate change and adaptation;

·       More technical knowledge and capacity in regions and local entities;

·       Appropriate funding for adaptation measures and need for accessible funding opportunities;

·       More engagement from the private sector in climate adaptation efforts;

·       Better cooperation and coordination efforts between the national, regional and local authorities.

In her concluding remarks, Elina Bardram, Mission Manager and Director in DG CLIMA, highlighted that no sector is immune to the negative impacts of climate change and that against the backdrop of the increasingly drastic and widespread impacts of climate change in Europe, we must work relentlessly to break the silos to bring coherence and integration to our European efforts of preparedness and resilience to climate change.

The Second Mission Forum undoubtedly showed that the Mission Adaptation community is very active, powerful and determined to act as agent of change at European, national and regional levels.

The recording is available on the webpage of the Second Forum of the Mission adaptation to climate change (europa.eu). Presentations will be uploaded shortly.

Background

The Mission on Adaptation aims to support regions and communities in accelerating their transformation to 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. 

308 regional and local authorities from 25 EU countries, with 17 more parties coming from countries associated or potentially associated with Horizon Europe, have signed the Mission Charter, declaring their willingness to cooperate, mobilise resources and develop activities in their respective region and communities to reach their adaptation goals. Other entities, such as research institutions or businesses were invited to endorse the Charter and join the Mission’s community of organisations working together towards climate resilience as Friends of the Mission.

More information

Adaptation to climate change (europa.eu)

The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change portal was launched on 1 April 2023, providing relevant knowledge, data and resources to European regional and local authorities to prepare and plan for climate resilience.