COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Technical guidance on integrating climate change adaptation in programmes and investments of Cohesion Policy Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS An EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change
Date: 2013-04-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Cohesion Fund, adaptation to climate change, common strategy, economic and social cohesion, joint implementation

EUROPEAN 
COMMISSION 

Brussels, 16.4.2013  
SWD(2013) 135 final 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Technical guidance on integrating climate change adaptation in programmes and 
investments of Cohesion Policy1 

Accompanying the document 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

An EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change 

{COM(2013) 216 final} 
{SWD(2013) 131 final} 
{SWD(2013) 132 final} 
{SWD(2013) 133 final} 
{SWD(2013) 134 final} 
{SWD(2013) 136 final} 
{SWD(2013) 137 final} 
{SWD(2013) 138 final} 
{SWD(2013) 139 final} 

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DISCLAIMER: This document must not being regarded as an official guide from the Commission. The 
document  has  been  finalised  before  the adoption of legal  acts concerning the  Cohesion  Policy  for the 
period  2014-2020.  Therefore,  some  of  the  provisions  referred  to  may  change  in  the  final  regulations 
adopted by the Council and the European Parliament.  

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COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Technical guidance on integrating climate change adaptation in programmes and 
investments of Cohesion Policy1 

Accompanying the document 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

An EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change 

1 

DISCLAIMER: This document must not being regarded as an official guide from the Commission. The 
document has been finalised before the adoption of legal acts concerning the Cohesion Policy for the 
period  2014-2020.  Therefore,  some  of  the  provisions  referred  to  may  change  in  the  final  regulations 
adopted by the Council and the European Parliament.  

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Table of Contents 

Summary .................................................................................................................................... 3 

1. 

1.1. 

1.2. 

1.3. 

2. 

3. 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 5 

Context ......................................................................................................................... 5 

Objectives..................................................................................................................... 6 

Approach ...................................................................................................................... 6 

Cross-cutting issues and approaches............................................................................ 8 

Programming – Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes ..................... 9 

3.1. 

Partnership Agreements ............................................................................................. 10 

3.1.1.  Description ................................................................................................................. 10 

3.1.2.  Key opportunities for integrating adaptation ............................................................. 10 

3.2. 

Operational Programmes............................................................................................ 12 

3.2.1.  Description ................................................................................................................. 12 

3.2.2.  Key opportunities for integrating adaptation ............................................................. 12 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

Launching programmes – promotion and calls for projects....................................... 17 

Description ................................................................................................................. 17 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation ............................................................. 18 

4.2.1.  Programme information and communication............................................................. 18 

4.2.2.  Programme Monitoring Committee ........................................................................... 18 

4.2.3.  Project Commissioning System ................................................................................. 18 

5. 

5.1. 

5.2. 

Project preparation ..................................................................................................... 19 

Description ................................................................................................................. 19 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation ............................................................. 20 

5.2.1.  Assistance and guidance to project applicants ........................................................... 20 

5.2.2. 

Infrastructure projects financed by CEF and Regional and Urban Policy ................. 21 

6. 

6.1. 

6.2. 

7. 

7.1. 

7.2. 

8. 

8.1. 

8.2. 

Project evaluation and selection................................................................................. 21 

Description ................................................................................................................. 21 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation ............................................................. 21 

Project implementation .............................................................................................. 23 

Description ................................................................................................................. 23 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation ............................................................. 23 

Monitoring and evaluation ......................................................................................... 24 

Description ................................................................................................................. 24 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation ............................................................. 24 

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Annexes 25 

Annex 1: Summary of main climate change impacts on Cohesion Policy sectors .................. 25 

Annex 2: Examples of indicators for climate change adaptation in operational programmes 

2007-2013 .................................................................................................................. 25 

Annex 3: Examples of projects addressing climate change adaptation from 2007-2013 

Cohesion Policy ......................................................................................................... 27 

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SUMMARY 

What to do at the Programming Stage 

Programming covers the development of a Partnership Agreement and of Operational Programmes.  

The  Partnership  Agreement  lays  the  ground  for  all  future  European  Structural  and  Investment  (ESI)  Fund 
spending, including Cohesion Policy. 

The Operational Programmes are the key planning tool for Cohesion Policy expenditure. As much detailed 
information as possible should be brought to the programming process, to set in place the necessary conditions 
for integrating adaptation into projects to be funded. 

Key points to bear in mind when developing these documents: 

•  Partnership  Agreements  are  binding  and  the  right  opportunity  to  ‘lock-in’  consideration  climate 

change adaptation throughout the process 

•  Horizontal principles (Article 8 of General regulation proposal) include climate change adaptation – 

use this to ensure the programmes cover climate change impacts 

• 

Ideally,  spending  programmes  should  be  driven  by  development  and  sectoral  strategies  already  in 
place, including adaptation plans or strategies 

•  Consider  using  Cohesion  Policy  funds  directly  to  fund  more  research  and  strategic  planning  for 

climate change adaptation where information is lacking  

•  A new focus on result indicators and required common indicators provides an opportunity to include 

adaptation into indicators for all programmes 

What do to at the Launching Programmes Stage 

The  ‘Launching  Programmes’  stage  covers  setting  up  the  basic  implementing  arrangements  that  will  govern 
how the programme is carried out. Key points to bear in mind include:  

•  Focus  on  raising  awareness  when  communicating  programmes  to  stakeholders,  explaining  that 
programmes have to consider climate impacts and risk prevention and that these requirements will be 
translated to the project level, with associated benefits. 

•  Ensure adaptation is represented on the programme monitoring committee and that the committee has 

access to specialist expertise. 

•  Set up tenders or calls for proposals that stress adaptation requirements 

What do to at the Project Preparation Stage 

The overall goal is to create the conditions for project beneficiaries to prepare proposals where climate change 
adaptation  is  taken  into  consideration.  This  can  be  done  by  Managing  Authorities,  with  support  from 
environmental partners/adaptation experts. Key points to bear in mind include: 

•  Provide training sessions for project applicants to learn more about how climate change impacts their 

projects 

•  Provide specialized expertise (including taking advantage of external programmes like JASPERS) to 

project developers for integrating adaptation 

•  Provide web-based guidance and resources for applicants 

•  Require climate change adaptation in key project preparation tools like Cost-benefit Assessment and 

Environmental Impact Assessment for all projects 

A  combination  of  requirements  (from  the  Commission  but  also  from  Managing  Authorities)  and  targeted 
assistance  with  project  preparation  can  ensure  that  climate  resilience  is  effectively  integrated  into  large 
infrastructure projects. 

What to do at the Project Evaluation and Selection Stage 

The main goal is to give appropriate priority to project applications that consider climate change impacts and 

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incorporate adaptation measures. Key points to bear in mind include: 

•  Project eligibility criteria that cover compliance with adaptation strategies, consideration of impacts 
and how to address them can effectively force project developers to consider adaptation – but may be 
difficult to put in place as they can be restrictive. 

•  Project appraisal criteria and scoring can effectively prioritise projects that consider climate impacts 

•  Consider  whether  environmental  requirements  in  public  procurement  regulations  apply  and  can  be 

inserted in project selection criteria 

•  The  project  appraisal  process  itself  is  important;  evaluators  need  to  understand  how  climate  change 
impacts  the  project  situation.  Involving  external  experts  directly  in  evaluation  bodies  and/or 
educational  support  for  Managing  Authorities  is  needed  to  address  this  issue.  The  production  of 
appraisal guidelines for different project types can also be of use. 

What to do at the Project Implementation Stage 

Project  implementation  is  mainly  carried  out  by  project  beneficiaries.  While  solid  consideration  of  climate 
change adaptation at the programme and project preparation stages can set the stage for effective outcome, it 
will also be necessary for Managing Authorities to monitor project implementation. There are two main ways 
in which this can be done: 

1.  Providing  technical  support  and  advice:  specialized  expertise  can  be  made  available  to  project 
beneficiaries as needed during project implementation. 

2. On-going monitoring: An informal supervision process that enables feedback and communication between 
Managing Authorities and project beneficiaries during the project implementation process. 

The  key  factors  are  having  access  to  adaptation  expertise  (internal  or  external)  and  integrating  the  focus  on 
adaptation into regular monitoring and supervision of project implementation. 

What to do at the Monitoring and Evaluation Stage 

Monitoring  and  evaluation  need  to  be  periodically  reviewed  so  to  integrate  new  information  about 
projected  climate  change  impacts  and vulnerabilities  throughout  the  lifetime  of  the Programmes.  Due  to  its 
central role in the monitoring process, the Monitoring Committee must include sufficient adaptation expertise 
– through direct membership and also access to required external experts. Data and information are the main 
backbone of monitoring mechanisms.  

•  Successful  monitoring  requires  sound  integration  of  adaptation  issues  into  the  indicators  within  the 
Common  Monitoring  and  Evaluation  Framework  (CMEF)  as  well  as  the  milestones  developed  at  the 
programming stage; 

•  A solid indicator framework that includes adaptation (even where adaptation is not the main focus of 
expenditure) and that includes national indicators that go beyond those prescribed at an EU level, will 
ensure an effective monitoring of climate resilience; 

Good cooperation between Managing Authorities and those involved in providing the data will help to ensure 
the right data can be collected. Where there are gaps in data availability, efforts need to be made to fill these at 
the national level.2 

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See  for 
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/climate-impacts-and-vulnerability-2012  

instance  EEA  report  on  climate  change, 

impacts  and  vulnerability 

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in  Europe: 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

1.1. 

Context  

The  impacts  of  climate  change  are  becoming  increasingly  evident  across  Europe.  Building 
capacity  to  cope  with  the  inevitable  impacts  of  climate  change  is  necessary  across  key  EU 
policy  fields,  and  has  a  special  importance  for  expenditure  programmes,  such  as  those 
financed by Cohesion Policy. These programmes, closely linked to overall spatial and socio-
economic development plans, will determine the path of development in many parts of the EU 
for  the  coming  decades.  The  awareness,  skills,  know-how  and  motivation  of  authorities, 
experts  and  other  stakeholders  to  seriously  consider  the  ways  in  which  climate  change  will 
impact the ability of these investment programmes to bring the desired long-term sustainable 
benefits is a critical issue.  

The  ‘Cohesion  Policy’  covered  by  this  document  refers  to  the  three  following  Funds:  the 
European  Regional  Development  Fund  (ERDF),  the  European  Social  Fund  (ESF)  and  the 
Cohesion  Fund  (CF).  The  guidance  is  mainly  aimed  at  the  2014  –  2020  Cohesion  Policy 
programming period. It is tied closely to the proposed regulations, as they will govern what 
has to be done to plan and implement Cohesion Policy funded programmes and projects3. 

Overall, the proposed regulations for European Structural and Investment Funds 2014 – 2020 
reflect the  increased  importance  that  climate  change  risks  and  the  need  for  adaptation 
have  gained  in  the  European  policy  agenda.  The  regulations  explicitly  mention  climate 
change adaptation as part of the horizontal principle on sustainable development, and a 20% - 
overall  EU  budget  spending  on  climate  change  has  been  proposed,  which  will  include 
spending on adaptation. One of the eleven Thematic Objectives for the Cohesion Policy funds 
is dedicated to climate change adaptation, in the context of overall risk planning and disaster 
management.  National  and/or  regional  risk  assessments  for  disaster  management  are  a  pre-
condition  for  funding.  The  partnership  principle,  which  requires  participation  of 
environmental partners in planning and implementation of programmes, will be reinforced by 
a dedicated act specifying how the cooperation is to be carried out. 

Discussions  with  stakeholders  on  capacity  needs  and  barriers  led  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
cross-sectoral nature of climate change adaptation and the need to integrate it across all types 
of programmes and projects is a major challenge for authorities. Typically, it is environmental 
or  climate  change  authorities  with  responsibility  for  adaptation  who  have  the  obligation 
and/or the desire to ensure that development is carried out sustainably and safely with regard 
to  the  impacts  of  climate  change.  They  are  the  ones  who  will  drive  mainstreaming  of 
adaptation  into  Cohesion  Policy  –  whether  that  is  through  direct  funding  in  a  regional 
development or environment programme, or integration into at-risk sectoral programmes like 
energy and transport. It will be their task to convince authorities and stakeholders responsible 
for overall programmes that adaptation is important and needs to be effectively integrated at 
the strategic and specific project levels. 

For more information -- Methodologies for climate proofing investments and measures under Cohesion 
(Contract  No 
and  Regional 
07.1303/2011/603488/SER/CLIMA.C3)  by  the  Institute  for  European  Environmental  Policy  (IEEP) 

the  Common  Agricultural  Policy 

(CAP) 

policy 

and 

3 

It  should  be  noted  that  this  document  has  been  drafted  on  the  basis  of  draft  regulatory  texts.  Formal 
agreement on Cohesion Policy legislation is not expected until 2013. Some of the provisions referred to 
may change in the final regulations adopted by the Council and the European Parliament 

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together with Ecologic Institute, Milieu, GHK and Environment Agency Austria)  

This guidance draws on the results of the project Methodologies for climate proofing investments and measures 
under  Cohesion  and  Regional  policy  and  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy  (CAP),  funded  by  the  European 
Commission (Directorate General for Climate Action). It is based upon considerable research and stakeholder 
consultation carried out by a dedicated team of multi-disciplinary experts during 2011 and 2012. It is backed by 
a  full  study  which  investigates  climate  impacts  and  associated  vulnerabilities  and  attempts  (based  on  the 
research  available)  to  assess  potential  damage  costs  and  identify  a  menu  of  priority  adaptation  options  that 
should  be  implemented  by  Cohesion  Policy.  The  main  project study  also  includes  a  thorough  analysis  of  the 
proposed  regulations  for  Cohesion  Policy  2014-2020  from  the  perspective  of  climate  change  adaptation,  a 
review of key policy instruments and policy recommendations. 

This guidance builds directly on the elements of this main study, and aims to translate them into readily useable 
information and advice for authorities and stakeholders involved in Cohesion Policy programmes. Comparable 
guidance has also been prepared for the CAP. 

The final report, as well as some sectoral fiches describing main impacts and adaptation options per economic 
sector concerned by EU-funded investment decisions, will be made available on Directorate General Climate 
action's website.  

1.2. 

Objectives 

The  purpose  of  this  guidance  is  to  help  adaptation  experts,  Managing  Authorities  and 
other stakeholders to ensure that Cohesion Policy programmes and projects address and 
consider the expected impacts of climate change and take active steps to reduce climate 
risks.  

It helps to:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

Explain,  in  simple  terms,  where  the  proposed  regulations  provide  opportunities  for 
adaptation  and  point  out  how  they  can  be  applied  at  each  stage  of  the  programme 
cycle 

Suggest  which  types  of  authorities  to  approach  in  each  case  and  what  type  of 
information to bring to the process 

Explain what type of information on climate change impacts and adaptation options 
may be available and when to use it 

Identify,  based  on  practice  and  experience  around  the  EU,  good  examples  of 
programmes, projects and approaches from 2007-2013 that integrate adaptation. 

This guidance has been conceived as a manual, containing advice, methods, tips and examples 
on what to do at each stage to spread the adaptation message and take advantage of legal and 
policy instruments available to them. In addition, sectoral fiches4 provide the information base 
and concrete technical options that can put a practical face on the sometimes unclear topic of 
adaptation.  The  fiches  may  be  useful  directly  to  sectoral  authorities,  project  developers  and 
other interested parties as well. Ideally, Member State authorities will use the Sectoral Fiches 
as a basis for developing more detailed and country-specific versions of these documents as 

information tools. 

1.3. 

Approach 

The  guidance  is  organized  around  six  stages  of  a  typical  cycle  for  Cohesion  Policy 
programmes  that  covers  planning,  implementation  and  monitoring  of  funding  programmes 
and is shown on the next page. Cross-cutting issues and approaches that apply to all stages of 
the  cycle  are  given  up  front.  To  put  climate change  adaptation  and  Cohesion  Policy  sectors 

4 

The sectoral fiches as well as the final report of the project mentioned above will be made available on 
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/adaptation/ 

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into  context  and  serve  as  a  useful  quick  reference  guide,  an  overview  of  the  main  types  of 
impacts that can be anticipated for each sector is also provided in Annex 1.  

2. 

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND APPROACHES 

Climate  change  adaptation  is  important  for  nearly  all  Cohesion  Policy  sectors  and  types  of 
programmes,  and  climate  proofing  sectors  and  investments  at  risk  will  require  concerted 
efforts  on  many  fronts.  These  cross-cutting  issues  and  approaches  are  relevant  across  all 
stages of the programme cycle. 

Partnership 

A key issue of Cohesion Policy is the partnership principle. Enshrined in legislation since the 
2000-2006  programming  period,  this  requires  that  programmes  and  projects  are  carried  out 
with the participation of relevant stakeholders across the social and economic spectrum. This 
includes  regional  and  local  authorities  and  also  ‘environmental  partners’.  The  proposed 
general regulation for 2014-2020 requires that ‘partners’ shall be involved at each stage of the 
programme cycle and shall be members of the monitoring committee. In practice, partnership 
can  range  from  a  very  formal  consultation  exercise  to  genuine  participatory  planning.  For 
cross-sectoral  issues  like  climate  change  adaptation,  the  right  for  environmental/climate 
authorities and experts to have a say in the design of programmes and projects is critical. The 
advice  presented  in  this  guidance  document  relies  heavily  on  this  right,  and  strongly 
encourages adaptation experts to take advantage of it to the greatest extent possible. 

Robust and innovative adaptation planning mechanisms 

Climate change adaptation is complex and requires careful strategic planning to be successful. 
This  guidance  urges  Managing  Authorities  and  stakeholders  to  link  Cohesion  Policy 

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programming  and  investment  decisions  to  existing  adaptation  planning  processes,  which 
should ideally form part of an overall approach to sustainable spatial and economic planning 
for  a  region  or  other  territory.  The  approach  also  reduces  the  risk  of  maladaptation5  in 
Cohesion  Policy  spending,  whereby  poorly  planned  adaptation  actions  actually  increase 
vulnerability to climate change. 

Research and information on climate change vulnerabilities, risks and responses 

Climate change adaptation is a field that is constantly evolving. The period between now and 
the end of the 2014-2020 programming period will bring much new understanding of specific 
and more localized climate threats, their impacts and associated damages. There will also be 
new technical options for adapting to these climate change impacts. Authorities and experts 
responsible for Cohesion Policy should be able to constantly integrate new information, and 
monitoring and evaluation programmes should enable this. 

An excellent starting point is the European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT). 
An initiative of the European Commission, this website is a platform for stakeholders across 
the  EU  to  share  information  on  expected  climate  change  in  Europe;  current  and  future 
vulnerability  of  regions  and  sectors;  national  and  transnational  adaptation  strategies; 
adaptation  case  studies  and  potential  adaptation  options;  and  tools  that  support  adaptation 
planning. 

Cross-Sectoral work approaches 

Recent  experience  with  integration  of  broader  environmental  issues  into  Cohesion  Policy  – 
also a cross-cutting topic – has shown that dedicated networks or other institutional linkages 
dedicated  to  the  topic  can  be  very  effective  at  all  stages  of  the  programme  cycle.  Some 
countries  (Italy,  Poland,  and  Spain)  have  set  up  networks  of  environmental  authorities. 
Generally, significant knowledge and experience is concentrated in these networks and their 
input and mediation can be instrumental for better integration of environment in general and 
climate change adaptation in particular.  

Other options include the set-up of inter-institutional working groups or bodies dedicated to 
the integration of climate change across sectors. The main rationale for the existence of such a 
group  is  the  on-going  involvement  of  experts  from  different  sectors  and  synchronization  of 
their  climate  change  adaptation  efforts.  Networks  and  working  groups  can  be  assisted  by 
external specialized task forces, as in the Italian example below. 

The Italian Network of Environmental and Managing Authorities – example of a specialized task force 

The  Italian  Network  of  Environmental  and  Management  Authorities  is  supported  by  a  task  force  of  experts 
from  a  range  of  environmental  subjects  (water,  waste,  air,  etc.)  and  economic  sectors  (agriculture,  industry, 
energy,  transport,  etc.).  They  give  technical  help  to  the  Italian  Environmental  Authority  for  Structural  Funds 
2000-2006.  The  network’s  role  is  to  improve  integration  of  environmental  issues,  design  and  implement 
sectoral programmes and policies and guarantee the coherence of all actions with Community environmental 
policy and legislation, in the least-developed regions of Italy. 

Source: GRDP 2006, Greening projects for growth and jobs 

5 

Defined  as  ‘action  taken  ostensibly  to  avoid  or  reduce  vulnerability  to  climate  change  that  impacts 
adversely on, or increases the vulnerability of other systems, sectors or social groups’ in an editorial on 
‘Maladaptation’ in Global Environmental Change 20 (2010) pp 211-213. 

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3. 

PROGRAMMING – PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS AND OPERATIONAL PROGRAMMES  

Deciding what to fund and how to fund it – based on a strategic evaluation of development 
needs  and  funding  rules  and  requirements  -  is  the  first  major  step  in  the  Cohesion  Policy 
process.  For  the  upcoming  2014-2020  funding  period,  programming  will  consist  of 
Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes. The Partnership Agreement has to be 
submitted  to  the  Commission  within  four  months  after  entry  into  force  of  the  Common 
Provisions Regulation of the ESI Funds. These documents lay the ground for funding over the 
next seven years and it is therefore critical that they consider climate impacts, direct funding 
opportunities for adaptation and adaptation-related investments across sectors.  

Communication across different sectoral authorities and with the main economic development 
authorities  is  critical  for  programming.  Adaptation  experts  (i.e.  experts  in  environmental  or 
climate change authorities in charge of adaptation, relevant experts in the sectoral ministries 
and  other  knowledgeable  partners)  and/or  Managing  Authorities  will  need  to  mobilize 
available  information  about  the  impacts  of  climate  change  on  Cohesion  Policy  investment 
sectors, as well as the potential measures and technical options for funding, and present it to 
the sectoral and other planning authorities at the right time for consideration into programmes 
and  Partnership  Agreements.  The  availability  of  concrete  information  on  threats,  damage 
costs,  adaptation  options  and  funding  possibilities  is  a  major  factor  for  integrating  climate 
change adaptation. 

3.1. 

Partnership Agreements  

3.1.1.  Description 

The Partnership Agreement essentially summarises a Member State’s plans for using all the 
ESI  Funds6  in  a  way  that  is  consistent  with  the  Europe  2020  Strategy.  The  document  will 
therefore contain a strategic overview of the entire approach to using the Community Funds in 
the Member State. 

Unlike the National Strategic Reference Frameworks used during the 2007-2013 period, the 
Partnership Agreement will be adopted by the Commission by means of an implementing act 
within  four  months  of  its  submission  by  the  Member  State.  This  is  important,  because  it 
means that the Partnership Agreement will be a binding document, with obligations on the 
part  of  the  Member  State.  It  is  therefore  a  good  opportunity  to  ensure  that  consideration  of 
climate  change  impacts  across  all  programmes  and projects is clearly stated up front in this 
binding document.  

Partnership  Agreements  are  to  be  submitted  to  the  Commission  with  the  Operational 
Programmes,  once  the  regulations  are  adopted.7  The  horizontal  principles,  including  the 
Article  8  reference  to  climate  change  adaptation,  disaster  resilience  and  risk  prevention  and 
management  apply  to  the  Partnership  Agreement  as  well  as  programmes.  Furthermore, 
Partnership  Agreements  have  to  be  prepared  in  cooperation  with  the  partners  (including 
environmental partners). 

3.1.2.  Key opportunities for integrating adaptation 

The task of integrating adaptation into the Partnership Agreement will be closely linked to the 
work on the Operational Programmes. It also contains a summary of spending programmes, 

6 

7 

The  Common  Strategic  Framework  (CSF)  Funds  =  include  the  European  Agriculture  Fund  for  Rural 
Development  (EAFRD)  and  the  future  European  Maritime  and Fisheries  Fund (EMFF) in  addition  to 
the three Cohesion Policy Funds (ERDF, ESF, CF) referenced in introduction. 
The  Partnership  Agreement  should  be  in  place  by  1  January  2014  but  this  may  be  delayed  if  the 
regulation adoption process extends into the latter part of 2013. 

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including the ex-ante assessment (and SEA). If adaptation has been taken seriously across the 
programmes, this should be reflected in the content of the Partnership Agreement. There are, 
in  addition,  a  number  of  unique  opportunities  to  stress  the  importance  of  climate  change 
threats to the programmes, as well as the need for spending on adaptation. These are described 
below. 

Financial allocations: The 20% target for climate  change mitigation and adaptation  for  the 
EU budget 2014-2020 will impact the Partnership Agreement as well, which must include the 
total indicative amount of support foreseen for climate change objectives. This is important, 
as direct financial allocations for adaptation will be reinforced in this binding document. 

Ex-ante conditionalities: Also new for 2014-2020 are the ‘ex-ante conditionalities’ contained 
in  the  proposed  regulations.  These  are  legal,  policy,  institutional  and  administrative  factors 
which  must  be  in  place  in  each  Member  State  or  region  in  order  to  ensure  effective  and 
efficient  implementation  of  the  Funds'  assistance.  Insufficient  compliance  may  lead  the 
Commission  to  suspend  payments.  It  is  in  the  Partnership  Agreement  that  Member  States 
must provide the first assessment of the extent to which the conditionalities are fulfilled. For 
conditionalities  that  are  not  fulfilled  at  the  date  of  the  submission,  the  relevant  Operational 
Programmes must detail actions and a timetable to meet the requirements. 

For adaptation, the most important of these conditionalities is the one related to the thematic 
objective on adaptation and risk management (5). The box below provides the details of this 
conditionality, which refers to a set of Council conclusions from 2011 on further developing 
risk assessment for disaster management within the EU.8  

Member  States  will  be  required  to  address  the  extent  to  which  they  have  assessed  disaster 
risk,  and  the  need  for  climate  change  adaptation.  If  this  has  not  been  done  adequately,  they 
will have roughly two years after the adoption of the Partnership Agreement to do so. This, 
combined with the funding opportunity under the adaptation thematic objective (see above), 
provides an excellent reason for those Member States and regions who have not yet managed 
to assess and plan for adaptation to do so now. This will improve overall climate resilience, 
and also strongly support effective Cohesion Policy spending.  

Ex-ante conditionality related to Thematic Objective on Adaptation 

5. Promoting 

5.1. Risk prevention and risk 

management: The existence of 
national or regional risk 
assessments for disaster 
management. taking into 
account climate change 
adaptation. 

climate change 

adaptation and 
risk 

prevention 

(Climate change 

target) 

(referred to in 

Article 9(5) 

A national or regional risk assessment shall be in place 
that includes: 

– A description of the process, methodology, methods 
and non-sensitive data used for national risk assessment; 

– A description of single-risk and multi-risk scenarios; 

– Taking into account, where appropriate, national 
climate change adaptation strategies. 

Source: Proposal for common provisions regulation on ESI funds, EC Com(2011) 615 final, Annex IV p 141 

Priority areas for cooperation: The Partnership Agreement should contain ‘the main priority 
areas  for  cooperation,  taking  account,  where  appropriate,  of  macro-regional  and  sea  basin 

8 

EN 

Conclusions  of  the  Justice  and  Home  Affairs  Council;  11-12  April  2011  on  further  developing  risk 
assessments 
Union 
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/jha/121462.pdf 

management 

European 

disaster 

the 

for 

in 

12 

   EN 

 
                                                 
strategies’.  As  very  often  climate  change  adaptation  is  region-specific  (especially  in  the  big 
countries)  this  will  provide  an  opportunity  to  emphasize  the  relative  importance  of  climate 
change adaptation in the different regions. 

Assessment  of  administrative  capacity:  The  Partnership  Agreement  must  address  the 
administrative capacity of authorities and beneficiaries to ensure efficient implementation of 
the  funds.  This  is  an  opportunity  to  realistically  evaluate  the  national  capacity  to  integrate 
climate  change  adaptation  in  Cohesion  Policy  investments  and  consider  whether  additional 
capacity building activities are needed and how they will be addressed. Here a wide range of 
institutional, administrative and technical capacities to consider climate impacts across all the 
programmes  can  be  considered.  The  capacity  building  training  programme  provided  in 
addition to this technical guidance is an excellent basis for the development of such activities 
targeting adaptation across all sectors and even for beneficiaries.  

This  requirement  (there  is  also  general  ex-ante  conditionality  on  administrative  capacity)  is 
addressed in a capacity building needs assessment and strategy for integrating adaptation 
into  Cohesion  Policy,  which  suggests  a  programme  of  capacity  building  activities  that 
Member States and regions can carry out to improve  the understanding of, and readiness to 
consider climate impacts in programmes and projects. 

Integrated  approach  to  territorial  development:  The  general  regulations  require  that 
Partnership  Agreements  set  out  the  Member  State’s  approach  to  integrated  territorial 
development, which will ensure the coordination of priority interventions supported by all ESI 
funds including support for urban, rural, coastal and fisheries areas and areas with particular 
territorial features, including outermost regions. This territorial perspective is an opportunity 
to address climate change impacts, as they naturally have important territorial effects. Ideally, 
the  approach  presented  in  the  Partnership  Agreement  should  follow  existing  national  and 
regional climate change adaptation strategies, where available. 

3.2. 

Operational Programmes  

3.2.1.  Description 

The Operational Programmes are the key planning tool for Cohesion Policy expenditure. They 
contain,  at  a  minimum,  a  development  strategy  for  the  funding  covered  by  the  programme; 
funding  priorities  and  specific  objectives  and  indicative  actions;  financial  appropriations; 
indicators; a review of horizontal principles. Operational Programmes are subjected to an ex-
ante assessment for overall consistency and accuracy and also, where applicable, a Strategic 
Environmental Assessment. They are submitted to the Commission for review and approval, 
based  on  consistency  with  the  Europe  2020  objectives  and  Cohesion  Policy  regulations. 
Typically,  Member  States  prepare  regional-level  programmes  covering  general  regional 
development and sectoral programmes at the national level for major intervention sectors (e.g. 
transport, environment, energy etc.)  

Member States are encouraged to ensure a better integration of the funds (ERDF, ESF, CF) 
through  different  tools  provided  by  the  Common  Provisions  Regulation  (multi-funds 
programmes,  joint  monitoring  committee,  integrated  territorial  investment,  community-led 
local development). 

3.2.2.  Key opportunities for integrating adaptation 

Horizontal Principles: The proposed General regulation requires that programmes describe 
how  they  address  the  two  horizontal  principles  in  Articles  7  (gender  equality  and  non-
discrimination) and 8 (Sustainable development). Article 8 requires inter alia the promotion 
of climate change adaptation, disaster resilience and risk prevention and management in the 
programmes  and  Partnership  Agreements.  Specific  actions  to  take  these  requirements  into 

EN 

13 

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account must be included in the Operational Programmes9. While these principles are not new 
to Cohesion Policy, the mention of climate change and adaptation is something new for 2014-
2020.  The  specific  sections  required  in  Operational  Programmes  to  address  the  horizontal 
principles  must  now  explain  exactly  how  climate  change  impacts  have  been  taken  into 
account and how the necessary adaptation measures will be implemented. 

Cohesion Policy programmes will need to set out the indicative amount of support for climate 
change  objectives.  This  is  another  opportunity  to  stress  the  advantages  of  integrating 
adaptation  concerns  across  all  the  programmes.  If  properly  tracked,  these  expenditures  will 
contribute to the overall target.  

Another  important  reference  to  climate  change  adaptation  is  in  the  Commission  Staff 
Working  Document  ‘Elements  for  a  Common  Strategic  Framework  2014  to  2020’.  This 
document states specifically that all the ‘investments to be supported by ESI Funds should be 
resilient  to  the  impact  of  climate  change  and  natural  disasters  (increased  risks  of  flooding, 
heat waves, extreme weather events, etc).’ 10  

Programming  follows  a  logical  process  –  first  a  development  strategy  is  set  forth,  which 
identifies  and  justifies  priority  axes  for  spending.  Funding  priorities  describe  the  objectives 
and  parameters  for  spending  –  e.g.  the  future  development  of  projects.  Each  stage  of  the 
process and section of the programme document offers an important opportunity for focus on 
climate impacts and adaptation actions. 

Development strategy: At the strategic level, information on climate change threats relevant 
to  the  Member  State,  region  and  sector  will  be  required,  to  understand  how  the  changing 
climate interacts with the programme in two main ways: 

(1) 

(2) 

The  risk  that  climate  change  will  impede  programme  objectives.  For  example, 
temperature  increase  changes  tourism  patterns  upon  which  economic  growth 
depends.  Or  extreme  heat  increases  threaten  the  functioning  of  new  roads  or 
railways. This can be included in the baseline strategic analysis of the Member State, 
region or sector, in order to pave the way for designing investment priority axes that 
take these risks into account. 

The  opportunities  for  direct  funding  of  climate  change  adaptation  activities. 
These may include infrastructure directly aimed at preventing or mitigating climate 
risks,  such  as  flood  defenses.  It  can  also  include  soft  measures  such  as  the 
development  of  adaptation  strategies  and  action  plans,  or  disaster  management 
systems. 

Ideally,  climate  change  impacts  and  adaptation  strategies  are  part  of  robust  spatial  and 
development  planning  in  a  region  or  Member  State,  and  Cohesion  Policy  programming  can 
build on those, particularly for infrastructural interventions. In addition, programmes should 
take  account  of  the  opportunities  offered  to  develop  new  economic  sectors  linked  to  the 
adaptation policy. 

Priority  axes:  Spending  priorities  specify  what  gets  funded.  Experience  from  2007-2013 
programmes  has  shown  that  even  if  an  issue  (e.g.  climate  change  impacts)  is  presented  as 
important  in  the  development  strategy,  it  may  still  not  have  a  direct  influence  on  funding 
priorities. Therefore the language here is important – this will translate directly into tenders or 
calls  for  projects  and  therefore  govern  how  projects  are  designed.  If  climate  impacts  are 

9 
10 

See Article 87 (3)(i) 
Commission  Staff  Working  Document  Elements  for  a  Common  Strategic  Framework  2014  to  2020, 
SWD(2012) 61 Section 5 p 12. 

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14 

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particularly important for a region or sector, they should be mentioned directly in the funding 
priorities.  

Again, two main aspects need to be considered: direct funding opportunities and also the need 
to build resilience across all programmes, which may require adjustments to planned priorities 
and measures.  

In  the  programmes,  the  language  referencing  adaptation  options  should  be  as  concrete  as 
possible.  For  example,  in  a  Transport  Operational  Programme,  ‘all  roads  to  be  constructed 
will consider the effects of temperature increase and temperature extremes’. This language is 
general enough to be included in an Operational Programme, but concrete enough to guide the 
ensuing project development. 

The  table  below  provides  examples  of  some  of  the  adaptation  options  from  the  Sectoral 
Fiches, and the type(s) of Operational Programme(s) they may address. 

Sample adaptation options and corresponding programme types 

Adaptation Option 

Type(s) of Operational Programme(s) 

Buildings: energy efficient adaptation of homes 
against heat (e.g. passive cooling systems, based on 
renewable energies). 

Regional OPs in regions with increasing average 
temperatures and number of heat days; 

OPs for the environment and energy sectors where 
synergies with climate change mitigation are possible. 

Energy: Targeted retrofitting to increase the 
robustness of thermal power plants in coastal areas 
to prevent damage in case of coastal flooding and 
storms 

Regional OPs for regions with increased incidence of 
coastal flooding and storms; OPs for the energy sector 
and infrastructure. 

Health: heat warning systems to prevent adverse 
effects for human health in extreme heat 

Regional OPs including priority axes for urban centres; 
Regional OPs for affected regions. 

Industry: awareness raising to companies regarding 
adaptation to climate change (to trigger autonomous 
adaptation and identify new business opportunities). 

Social infrastructure OPs that may include health 

Regional OPs to raise economic competitiveness of 
local businesses; national level OPs addressing business 
support (sub-themes: economic development, 
competitiveness, innovation, research and development, 
and technical assistance) 

Tourism: diversification of tourist offers in different 
regions (e.g. to address unreliable snow cover in 
winter and extreme heat in the summer). 

Regional OPs for affected regions. National level OPs 
on tourism.  

Transport: Heat-resistant asphalt and adjustment of 
maintenance (to prevent damage to and/or premature 
wearing of road pavements). 

OPs addressing the transport sector and infrastructure in 
general; Regional OPs with anticipated increase of 
extreme weather events and variability in temperatures. 

Water: additional rain overflow basins to adapt 
sewage systems against flooding, enhancing water 
storage. 

Regional OPs for regions with anticipated increase in 
incidence of storms and flooding; 

Environmental infrastructure OPs 

Crosscutting: remote sensing and satellite imagery 
for early warning systems: for extreme weather 

Environmental infrastructure OPs  

EN 

15 

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Sample adaptation options and corresponding programme types 

Adaptation Option 

Type(s) of Operational Programme(s) 

events to prevent adverse effect on human health 
and damages to virtually all economic sectors. 

Source: 
07.1303/2011/603488/SER/CLIMA.C3). 

Sectoral 

Fiches 

as 

part 

of 

the 

final 

report 

of 

the 

support 

project 

(Contract  No 

Below  are  some  examples  of  2007-2013  Operational  Programmes  that  incorporate  climate 
change adaptation. 

Examples from Operational Programmes (2007-2013) 

In  Malta,  the  Operational  Programme  ‘Investing  in  Competitiveness  for  a  Better  Quality  of  Life’  addresses 
climate  change  adaptation  directly.  Priority  area  5,  Safeguarding  the  environment,  includes  adaptation  to 
climate change with emphasis on addressing extreme weather events. 

In France, the Operational Programme for the Loire Basin identifies Boosting the competitiveness of the Loire 
region by reducing the vulnerability of business activities in the basin to flooding as Priority Axis 1, allocating 
48.7%  of  the  total  budget  of  €74  million  to  this  goal.  The  costs  avoided  in  terms  of  damage  and  loss  of 
business, are estimated at €26 million.  

In Romania, the Operational Programme ‘Environment’ addresses climate change adaptation in priority axis 5 
Implementation  of  adequate  infrastructure  of  natural  risk  prevention  in  most  vulnerable  areas,  including 
investments for preventing flood and stopping coastal erosion. 

In  Slovenia,  the  Operational  Programme  ‘Environment  and  Transport’,  the  link  is  made  between  the 
vulnerability  of  the  economy  and  floods  and  climate  change  (p.50).  In  the  priority  axis  Environment 
protection—water  sector,  the  OP  also  acknowledges  that  climate  change  is  expected  to  make  flooding  more 
prevalent  and  severe  in  the  future,  therefore  preventive  arrangements  for  protection  against  floods  is  crucial. 
Climate change is listed both as a threat and an opportunity for the programme overall. 

In Hungary, the Operational Programme ‘Environment and Energy’, the Wise Management of Natural Assets 
priority  axis  shows  consideration  for  adaptation  to  climate  change.  It  suggests  that  the  maintenance  and 
restoration of natural ecosystems can help the society to adapt to climate change. In addition, indicators have 
been developed to monitor progress in flood prevention.  

In  the  Czech  Republic,  the  Operational  Programme  ‘Environment’  links  climate  change  to  increased 
occurrence  of  extreme  weather  phenomena,  such  as  storm  rainfalls  and  local  floods,  long-lasting  droughts, 
windstorms  etc.  As  a  consequence,  actions  under  priority  axis  1—Improvement  of  water  management 
infrastructure and reduction of flood risk—include reduction of flood risk. 

Source: Compilation from relevant programming documents (Contract No 07.1303/2011/603488/SER/CLIMA.C3) 

Programme  Assessment  (ex-ante  evaluation  and  SEA):  The  General  regulation  (Article 
48)  calls  for  an  ex  ante  evaluation  of  programmes,  which  should  incorporate  a  Strategic 
Environmental  Assessment  (SEA),  as  this  Directive  (2001/42/EC)  will  apply  to  most 
programmes.  

Overall, the ex-ante evaluation examines consistency of the programme strategy with funding 
priorities and the regional situation. It is therefore a chance for re-appraisal of the treatment of 
climate  impacts  in  funding  priorities,  particularly  if  opportunities  were  missed  during  the 
early programming stages. Recent Commission guidance on carrying out ex-ante assessment 
for  Cohesion  Policy11  emphasises  the  importance  of  ex-ante  assessment  for  the  2014-2020 
programming period, as a tool to reinforce linkages to the Europe 2020 Strategy.  

11 

Guidance  document  on  ex-ante  evaluation,  European  Commission  DG  Regional  Policy  and  DG 
Employment Social Affairs and Inclusion, June 2012 

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SEA, with its focus on environmental issues, is another important opportunity to consider how 
responsive the programme is to climate change impacts that threaten its objectives, as well as 
the  general  adaptation  needs  of  the  region  or  Member  State.  SEA  is  of  particular  value  for 
programmes  that  do  not  directly  address  environmental  objectives,  (e.g.  transport,  energy, 
regional development) because it can open the door for the input of environmental authorities, 
experts and stakeholders. Nevertheless, experience from many Member States from the 2007 
– 2013 period has shown that SEAs were carried out late in the programming process, and had 
relatively  little  effect  on  assessing  or  improving  the  overall  impact  of  programmes  on 
environment. Careful attention is needed to following good practice is carrying out SEAs for 
Operational Programmes. Guidance for the 2007 – 2013 Cohesion Policy programmes12 and 
other good practice can be very useful here. 

For  good  advice  on  how  climate  change  adaptation  can  be  integrated  into  SEA,  see  DG 
Environment’s guidance on integrating climate change and biodiversity into SEA.13 Particular 
reference to biodiversity  and  climate  change legislation is also made with regard to SEA in 
the Commission’s guidance on ex-ante assessment. 

Indicators  

Each priority axis will need indicators. Output indicators relate to project outputs; and result 
indicators  should  show  how  overall  project  results  contribute  to  the  objective  set  out  in  the 
spending  priority.  Where  there  is  direct  spending  on  climate  change  adaptation,  it  will  be 
important  to  have  indicators  that  effectively  illustrate  adaptation  successes.  It  is  a  greater 
challenge  to  develop  indicators  that  assess  indirect  objectives,  such  as  climate  proofing  of 
sectoral investments. However, where important adaptation concerns have been successfully 
inserted into funding priorities, they should be backed up with relevant indicators. These will 
be  essential  for  project  preparation,  implementation  and  the  programme  monitoring  and 
evaluation stages. 

The  proposed  regulations  for  2014-2020  place  greater  emphasis  on  the  use  of  common 
indicators  across  the  Member  States,  and  on  monitoring  for  results.  A  number  of  general 
indicators for each policy field or sector are given in the fund-specific regulations; the ERDF 
regulation  specifies  two  indicators  for  risk  prevention  and  management,  under  the 
Environment category. These are listed in the table below. 

Proposed  common  indicators  for  measuring  progress  on  risk  prevention  and  management  in  the 
proposed ERDF regulation for 2014-2020 

Unit 

Name 

Risk prevention 

Persons 

Population benefiting from flood protection 

and management 

measures 

Persons 

Population benefiting from forest fire protection 

and other protection measures 

Source: Proposal for specific provisions regulation on the ERDF, EC Com(2011) 614 final, Annex p20 

These proposed indicators are a good start, and the fact that the regulations propose specific 
indicators  in  this  area  is  a  considerable  improvement  from  the  2007-2013  funding  period, 
where  no  required  common  indicators  are  identified.  However,  the  two  indicators  proposed 

12 
13 

Handbook on SEA for Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, GRDP 2006 
Practical  guidance  for  integrating  climate  change  and  biodiversity  into  SEA  procedures,  DG 
Environment, forthcoming 2013 

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17 

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above do not directly address adaptation, but rather risk prevention and management. They do 
not track whether and how programmes and/or projects have considered climate change risks 
and  considered  ways  to  mitigate  them;  further  indicators  would  need  to  be  developed  to 
effectively consider adaptation. 

The  table  below  gives  examples  of  specific  output  and  result  indicators  that  programmes 
could  use.  Crafting  indicators  that  really  measure  the  extent  to  which  programmes  build  in 
climate  resilience,  across  all  priority  sectors  is  necessary  to  demonstrate  the  benefits  of 
climate proofing. 

Examples of indicators for specific adaptation options 

Adaptation option 

Output indicator 

Result indicator 

Heat-resistant asphalt and adjustment 
of maintenance 

Km of new road with heat-
resistant asphalt 

Volume of passenger and freight 
traffic to benefit from better and 
resilient roads  

Retrofitting existing road 
infrastructure concerning increased 
precipitation (e.g. increasing drainage 
system) 

Adaptation of rail infrastructure to 
heat and temperature change 

Km of road retrofitted for 
increased precipitation 

Number of years for which road 
infrastructure will last, based on 
current projected climate impacts. 

Km of rail infrastructure 
adapted to increased 
temperatures 

Volume of passenger and freight 
traffic to benefit from better and 
resilient rails 

Source: Source: Compilation made in support project (Contract No 07.1303/2011/603488/SER/CLIMA.C3) 

Further  examples  of  indicators  covering  disaster  and  risk  management,  including  climate 
change  adaptation,  from  selected  2007-2013  Operational  Programmes  are  contained  in  the 
table in Annex 2. 

Community-led local development (CLLD): Another promising component in the proposed 
regulations  for  2014  –  2020  is  the  new  initiative  for  community-led  local  development 
(CLLD). These are meant to promote integrated and multi-sectoral area-based developments 
and  actions.  They  are  bottom-up  initiatives,  meaning  that  regions  and  local  communities 
should  define  priorities  and  actions.  Such  initiatives  could  provide  good  opportunities  to 
ensure  that  climate  change  adaptation  is  better  integrated  into  local  development;  they  may 
include targeted capacity building efforts at local levels. 

Officially,  programme  monitoring  is  established  through  a  ‘performance  framework’ 
designated  in  the  Cohesion  Policy  regulations  (Article  19  and  Annex  I  of  the  proposed 
General regulation). Working within this required framework, there are many opportunities to 
ensure  that  adaptation  is  integrated  into  programme  implementation  and  to  enable  on-going 
adaptive capacity within the programmes over their seven years of implementation. 

Standard format for the performance framework for 2014-2020 

Priority 

Indicator and 
measurement unit, 
where appropriate 

Milestone for 2016  Milestone for 2018  Target for 2022 

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4. 

LAUNCHING PROGRAMMES – PROMOTION AND CALLS FOR PROJECTS 

4.1. 

Description 

For  this  guidance,  the  ‘Launching  Programmes’  stage  covers  setting  up  the  basic 
implementing  arrangements  that  will  govern  how  the  programme  is  carried  out  –  e.g.  the 
information  and  communication  procedures  and 
programme  monitoring  committees, 
calls/tenders  or  commissioning  procedures  for  projects.  When  and  how  these  arrangements 
take place will vary according to the size/type of programme and customs within the Member 
State  institutions.  Some  aspects  of  these  arrangements  may  be  included  in  the  Operational 
Programme documents themselves. 

Regardless of how or when the programme set-up is prepared there are important things to do 
for  climate  change  adaptation.  Information  and  communication  are  the  external  face  of 
programmes,  and  they  can  raise  the  awareness  of  beneficiaries  –  particularly  important  for 
non-environmental  programmes  where  potential  beneficiaries  may  not  consider  climate 
change impacts at all. Calls for projects emphasize what is important for funding and guide 
beneficiaries  in  project  design.  Other  aspects  of  the  programme  set-up  –  the  monitoring 
committee members, selection committees, etc will also have an important impact.  

4.2. 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation 

4.2.1.  Programme information and communication 

Programme arrangements will be defined by the Managing Authority or Implementing Body 
responsible  for  each  programme,  and  these  institutions  should  be  the  key  focus  here. 
Communication and information materials may be the first real contact that local stakeholders 
–  including  project  developers  and  also  beneficiaries  and  the  general  public  –  have  about  a 
funding programme. This communication should include the overall aim of a programme to 
support climate-resilient development. If there is very limited knowledge about or awareness 
of climate impacts in the Member State or region, then the programme may also announce the 
intention  to  carry  out  further  studies  such  as  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments,  using 
programme funds. 

For  regional  Operational  Programmes  this  targeted  communication  can  focus  on  climate 
change impacts in the region as a whole, the region’s response to it through regional policies 
and  strategic  documents  as  well  as  linkages  to  these  in  the  programme.  For  sectoral 
programmes,  the  emphasis  should  be  on  the  opportunities  to  integrate  climate  change 
adaptation measures in the concrete sector. The overall goal in communication is to translate 
sometimes confusing programming language into concrete goals and expected actions. 

4.2.2.  Programme Monitoring Committee 

One  good  way  to  stay  involved  in  a  programme  is  through  the  programme  monitoring 
committee.  Regulations  stipulate 
include 
representatives of the partners – this opens the door for adaptation experts. This will help to 
ensure better communication with the Managing Authority and/or Implementing Body and to 
remain aware of each step of the process. 

the  monitoring  committee  needs 

that 

to 

Monitoring  Committees  are  to  adopt  the  selection  criteria,  which  can  be  fed  into  by  the 
aspects addressed in section 6 of this guidance. 

4.2.3.  Project Commissioning System 

Managing  Authorities  commission  projects  in  different  ways  –  through  tenders  for  very 
specific  projects,  open  calls  for  applications  that  meet  certain  objectives  or  other  means. 
Whatever  the  style  for  project  calls,  there  is  a  chance  to  stress  the  importance  of  climate 

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19 

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resilience  to  those  who  will  be  developing  and  implementing  projects.  The  information  for 
these can come from many sources and range from a general consideration of climate impacts 
to a call for specific adaptation options where required: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Programme  horizontal  principles,  if  they  reflect  climate  change  impacts, 
adaptation,  or  risk  management/prevention  can  be  quoted  here  for  potential  project 
developers 

Adaptation strategies or risk assessments for the relevant geographic area, stating 
how proposed projects should take certain factors into account 

Where  relevant  indicators  have  been  developed  for  the  programme,  these  can  be 
directly quoted in the calls 

If specific adaptation options need to be integrated into infrastructure, this can also 
be stated directly in the call 

Links to known technical standards or design guidance for the sector or relevant 
project types 

Outline  project  selection  criteria  related  to  climate  change  adaptation  as  well  as 
their weight; 

Provide  references  and  links  to  different  guidance  documents  or  contacts  of 
departments/units which could be of help; 

Consider  using  different  co-financing  rates  for  different  types  of  projects,  and 
raising the rate (where allowed) for projects that consider necessary adaptations that 
may not be cost effective. 

These  calls  should  aim  to  stimulate  thinking  on  climate  change  adaptation  options  among 
potential  project  beneficiaries.  Application  materials  should  also  aim  to  question  the 
applicants’  understanding  of  climate  threats  and  potential  impacts  on  the  proposed  projects 
and provide the  opportunity  for  them to propose a plan for handling this  risk,  including the 
integration of adaptation options into the project. 

Examples of approaches to programme communication from 2007-2013 Cohesion Policy 

In 2008 the region of Northern Ostrobothnia in Finland applied the theme of ’Climate Change Adaptation and 
Mitigation’ to a round of calls for proposals. Approximately half of the annual budget of 3-3.5 million EURO 
from the SF was available for CC projects. Dissemination of information of the thematic call is essential. It is 
needed to inform the relevant public about the call before it is launched as the time from start until the deadline 
often is short. In Northern Ostrobothnia advertisements of the call for proposal were included in the six largest 
newspapers and a leaflet in a regional daily newspaper as a channel for awareness raising.  

In France following the ‘common governance’ concept there is a common application form for ERDF and state 
funding (Nord-Pas de Calais). Section II of the application form is called ‘Analysis of taking into consideration 
of  the  environment’.  Part  1  analyses  the  legal  environmental  procedures  that  the  project  proponent  has  to 
comply  with  during  the  implementation  of  the  project.  Part  2  is  called  ‘Potential  negative  environmental 
impacts, correction measures and project monitoring indicators’. This obliges the proponent to consider such 
correction measures and the first vector of action is ‘combating climate change’. 

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5. 

PROJECT PREPARATION 

5.1. 

Description 

The  preparation  of  projects  in  response  to  calls  or  tenders  is  another  important  stage  for 
climate  change,  as  it  is  here  that  the  specific  project  objectives,  measures  and  outputs  are 
defined in detail.  

The  types  of  projects  funded  by  Cohesion  Policy  and  the  resulting  project  preparation 
processes  are  varied.  Large  scale  infrastructure  projects  may  require  dedicated  climate 
proofing,  as  well  as  complex  feasibility  studies,  cost-benefit  analyses  and  Environmental 
Impact Assessment (EIA) according  to  pre-defined  laws  and  guidelines.  Softer,  more  cross-
sectoral projects in sectors such as research, business support, training and employment can 
benefit from more innovative approaches to integration of climate change adaptation, such as 
awareness-raising  and  educational  measures.  The  different  types  of  projects  will  have 
different preparation processes and therefore present different opportunities for consideration 
of climate change impacts and integration of adaptation measures. 

Annex 3 includes a list of projects where climate change impacts have been considered in the 
2007-2013 programming period. Climate change adaptation has either been a major goal or a 
sub-priority of the projects, and the examples show a variety of project level types (regional, 
national and cross-border).  

5.2. 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation 

5.2.1.  Assistance and guidance to project applicants 

Below are suggestions of ways in which Managing Authorities and other actors in Regional 
and Urban Policy can support the project preparation process through assistance and guidance 
to project applicants: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Resources.  Provide  beneficiaries  with  as  many  relevant  technical  resources  as 
possible. These can aim at general awareness-raising on specific sectors or specific 
considerations  at  the  design  stage.  National  studies,  adaptation  strategies  and  other 
resources  on  impacts  and  adaptation  options  will  also  be  valuable.  These  can  be 
provided  through  a  dedicated  space  on  the  website  of  the  Managing  Authority  and 
links on project application forms.  

Training  sessions.  Training  sessions,  which  bring  together  groups  of  similar 
beneficiaries  or  can  be  arranged  around  a  certain  theme  or  sector,  can  have  an 
important effect on awareness raising and also building technical capacity. They may 
be organised prior to the launching of the tender or immediately after that.  

Specialised  support.  Designate  special  personnel  responsible  for  supporting 
beneficiaries  with  integrating  climate  change  adaptation  considerations.  These  may 
be  people  within  an  environment/climate  change  authority,  a  special  unit  in  the 
Managing Authority, or externally hired experts. If climate adaptation is not enough 
of a concern on its own to merit this, it may be combined with climate change overall 
or even environmental sustainability. The specialised unit/experts should be aware of 
the  threats,  the  potential  impacts  and  damages  for  different  regions,  the  concrete 
technical  adaptation  options  for  different  sectors  and  their  fundability  within  the 
framework of Cohesion policy. 

Good  practices.  Provide  examples  of  good  practices  in  integrating  climate  change 
adaptation  into  particular  project  types.  This  can  be  especially  useful  in  sectors  or 
areas where national good practices are missing.  

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Providing assistance to project applicants on climate change issues: 2007-2013 examples 

The  Welsh  European  Funding  Office,  which  manages  Convergence  and  Competitiveness  programmes  in 
Wales, has a range of guidance available on its website for project developers, including how to implement the 
environmental sustainability ‘cross-cutting theme’ – which covers climate change impacts through checklists. 
The authority also provides project development officers to direct assist applicants, step-by-step in developing 
quality projects for funding.  

The  Swedish  Network  of  Municipalities  on  Climate  Change  was  initiated  in  2003  and  consists  of 
municipalities and county councils that share the commitment to reduce greenhouse gases at local level. One of 
the services of the network is the climate coach. This is a phone service where municipalities can get targeted 
assistance in initiating climate work at the municipality level and developing climate strategies. The service is 
free of charge for municipalities and is financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.  

In Austria a similar mechanism to the Swedish climate coach is available. It is possible to get state subsidized 
advice  from  regional  and  national  agencies.  Consultancy  for  identification  of  climate  measures  can  also  be 
financed  by  Cohesion  Policy  programmes.  Austria  also  included  a  link  between  investments  and 
consultancy/coaching for awarding national funding to projects. Applicants are eligible for higher co-financing 
rates if an energy consultant is engaged. Such an approach may be extended to Cohesion Policy programmes 
and to climate change adaptation.  

In the UK, South West of England a cross programme advisory group on Environmental Sustainability is in 
place  for  both  Competitiveness  and  Convergence  Programmes.  An  Environmental  Sustainability  Manager 
investments and partners in delivering the strategic environmental sustainability objectives of the Operational 
Programmes. 

Sources:  ENEA-REC  (2009)  Improving  the  climate  resilience  of  Cohesion  policy  funding  programmes;  WEFO  website 
http://wefo.wales.gov.uk/ 

5.2.2. 

Infrastructure projects financed by CEF and Regional and Urban Policy  

Infrastructure projects will require specific attention because of their long lifetime of in some 
cases up to 70 years. Climate change considerations, such as resilience, need to enter through 
the  whole  project  cycle  in  order  to  be  successful.  It  enters  therefore  already  with  the 
identification of project, in project design, technical, economic and environmental feasibility, 
project implementation and its operation14.  

6. 

PROJECT EVALUATION AND SELECTION  

6.1. 

Description 

The  evaluation  and  selection  stage  is  particularly  important  for  ensuring  that  projects  to  be 
funded are both ‘climate proofed’ (e.g. resilient to projected climate change impacts) and that 
they  support  the  overall  goals  of  the  programme  and  its  contribution  to  relevant  adaptation 
strategies and other policies.  

There  are  different  methods  of  evaluating  projects,  which  will  depend  on  the  type  of 
programme  or  call.  In  some  cases  projects  are  ranked  against  each  other  and  the  best  ones 
selected; in others a pre-designated project concept and beneficiary (e.g. for construction or a 
waste  water  treatment  plant)  is  evaluated  in  detail.  In  all  cases  there  are  important 
opportunities  at  this  stage  to  ensure  that  projects  integrate  adaptation,  through  project 
eligibility, selection and scoring criteria and careful attention to the appraisal process.  

14 

See for instance the "Guidelines for Project Managers: Making vulnerable investments climate resilient" 
to be made available on DG Climate action's website immediately after the adoption of the EU Strategy 
on adaptation to climate change.  

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6.2. 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation 

Eligibility  criteria:  One  efficient  way  to  actively  promote  projects  that  seriously  consider 
climate  change  adaptation  is  through  announcing  strict  eligibility  criteria  for  projects, 
particularly for sectors where climate change risks are a priority. Eligibility criteria should be 
balanced and reasonable, so that they have an impact without being too restrictive. 

Possible eligibility criteria related to climate change adaptation can be: 

• 

• 

• 

The project must demonstrate understanding of climate change impacts and propose 
a strategy for dealing with them;  

The  project  should  include  concrete  technical  and  other  soft  measures  related  to 
climate change adaptation; 

The project application must be in line with the national/regional climate change 
adaptation  strategy  or  climate  change  risk  analysis  (where  a  strategy  is  not 
available) 

Below  is  an  example  where  eligibility  criteria  have  been  used  in  France  for  the  2007-2013 
programming  period  to  cover  environmental  sustainability  overall.  It  may  be  the  case  that 
criteria will conform to the horizontal priority from the regulations – adaptation could easily 
be integrated into these criteria. 

Eligibility conditions for ERDF-funded projects in the field of ‘Environment, Risk Prevention’, France 
(2007-2013) 

•  The project must submit an action program on ‘environment – climate’ over 3 years. 

•  Natural heritage preservation projects must comply with local environmental conditions and ecosystem 

integrity. 

•  The  contracting  authority  must  conduct  an  impact  assessment  that  shows  the  project  will  not  lead  to 

degradation of natural habitats, prepare a note on landscape integration 

•  The  project  has  to  provide  an  initial  inventory  of  the  environmental  situation  in  the  area  of  project 
implementation,  a  presentation  of  the  expected  positive  environmental  impacts,  and  compensatory 
measures for possible negative impacts and a description of his experience in the field. 

Source: ADEME 

Appraisal criteria: The criteria used to appraise or evaluate projects have the double added 
value  of  encouraging  project  developers  to  consider  adaptation  from  the  start  (because  they 
know  it  will  be  evaluated)  and  ensuring  that  the  project  appraisal  process  focuses  on  this 
issue.  Appraisal  criteria  should  be  specific  and  well-designed  to  the  type  of  project  being 
evaluated.  For  adaptation,  they  should  focus  on  the  specific  impacts/threat  (e.g.  flooding, 
temperature  extremes)  and  responses  (e.g.  cooling  capacities;  use  of  resilient  construction 
materials) that affect the type of project. In non-infrastructure sectors, appraisal criteria may 
ask  whether  the  project  has  taken  advantage  of  opportunities  to  improve  overall  adaptive 
capacity, such as inclusion of training/awareness programmes or research and risk assessment.  

Scoring:  When  proposed  projects  are  ranked  against  each  other,  scores  can  be  attached  to 
specific criteria. There is already extensive experience with attaching a proportion of the score 
line  with  horizontal  priorities  addressing  sustainable 
to  environmental  criteria, 
development.  Adaptation  can  be  prioritized  within  an  overall  allocation  of  project  score  to 
environment or even allocated its own score, if it is a major concern for the region or sector. 

in 

Appraisal  mechanism:  Appraisal  and  scoring  of  projects  may  be  carried  out  by  the 
Managing  Authority,  individual  external  experts,  an  evaluation  committee,  appraisal  panels, 
etc.  In  all  cases,  the  level  of  skills  and  knowledge  of  the  evaluators  to  understand  and 

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appreciate  climate  change  adaptation  is  of  utmost  importance.  Therefore,  Managing 
Authorities  and  adaptation  experts  may  consider  special  thematic  trainings  for  evaluators  in 
order  to  increase  their  awareness  on  climate  change  impact  and  climate  change  adaptation 
options across sectors. Project appraisal guidelines for project types can also help. 

Additionally,  the  application  of  the  partnership  principle  at  this  stage  would  ensure  the 
involvement  of  knowledgeable  bodies  and  organizations  at  a  key  stage,  which  may  also 
include  non-governmental  experts.  Overall,  the  presence  of  climate  change  experts  in  the 
evaluation  committees  increases  the  chances  for  stronger  consideration  of  climate  change 
adaptation.  In  some  cases,  this  can  involve  external  support  bodies  for  the  Managing 
Authority, as shown in the example below from France. 

Support for project appraisal in France 

The  Nord-Pas  de  Calais  region  in  France  has  an  Environmental  Support  Mission  (MAE),  composed  of  one 
representative of the state and one representative of the region and its goal is to help integrate the environment 
as much as possible into the Structural Funds and other regional development funds. MAE carries out a number 
of support functions for the authority: 

•  Assist with the development of project application materials 

• 

Inform  and  educate  project  evaluation  services  on  environmental  issues  (through  meetings  and 
guidance documents) 

•  Prepare  and  help  strategic  decisions:  help  the  evaluators  with  problematic  applications  in  order  to 
suggest  environmental  improvements.-  The  evaluation  services  are  not  obliged  to  take  into 
consideration  MAE’s  opinion  but  it  actually  happens  in  practice  and  there  is  a  good  cooperation 
between them. 

•  Prepare the monitoring documents: monitor the taking into consideration of the environment through 

formal evaluation. 

Source: adapted from ENEA-REC (2009) Improving the climate resilience of Cohesion policy funding programmes 

7. 

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION  

7.1. 

Description 

Project  implementation  is  a  very  important  stage  of  the  programme  cycle  as  it  is  the 
culmination  of  all  previous  efforts  at  the  programming  stage  and  the  subsequent  stages. 
Consideration of climate change adaptation at all other stages would be useless if it does not 
lead  to  concrete  physical  or  other  outputs.  The  key  task  for  Managing  Authorities  (and 
adaptation  experts  who  support  them)  is  to  be  available  for  on-going  support  during  the 
project  implementation  stage,  which  is  primarily  carried  out  by  the  project  beneficiaries. 
There are examples of this from the 2007-2013 programming period. 

7.2. 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation 

There  are  two  main  ways  in  which  Managing  Authorities  and  associated  stakeholders  can 
ensure that climate change adaptation commitments are implemented in practice: 

• 

• 

Providing technical support and advice; 

On-going monitoring and ensuing feedback to beneficiary and Managing Authority.  

Providing  technical  support  and  advice:  If  the  programme  has  dedicated  climate  change 
adaptation  support  either  through  internal  staff  or  external  experts,  this  can  be  targeted 
towards  project  implementation  as  well.  In  extreme  cases,  staff  within  the  programme 
managing authority can serve as an interface between the project beneficiary and very specific 
climate change adaptation experts. 

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Ongoing  monitoring:  Another  approach  at  this  stage  is  regular  monitoring  of  project 
implementation  with  focus  on  climate  change  adaptation.  Practically,  there  are  a  number  of 
ways  in  which  this  can  take  place.  It  can  be  integrated  into  on-going  monitoring  of  project 
implementation.  For  projects  with  critical  adaptation  options,  specialized  monitoring  can  be 
set  up,  integrated  with  technical  support  as-needed.  Additionally,  and  especially  valid  for 
long-lasting infrastructure projects there should be a system in place which ensures that new 
technical  achievements  in  a  field  (e.g.  technical  options  for  climate  change  adaptation  in 
transport) are fed to project beneficiaries in a timely manner.  

On-going monitoring of project implementation: an example from the UK 

In  the  UK,  programmes  carry  out  on-going  management  of  the  delivery  of  cross-cutting  themes  of 
environmental sustainability and equal opportunities. The monitoring arrangements for projects include Project 
Engagement and Risk Assessment Visits (PEVs) and on-going Project Progress and Verification Visits (PAVs). 
Through  engagement  at  these  project  stages  it  is  possible  to  monitor  delivery  of  cross  cutting  theme 
requirements whilst also capturing foreseen and unforeseen project impacts. 

8. 

MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

8.1. 

Description 

Monitoring and reporting on programme implementation and their outcomes are a challenging 
but nonetheless critical programme stage. In some Member States, the lack of strategic policy 
frameworks at the national and/or regional level, coupled with insufficient knowledge base on 
climate impacts can make integration into the monitoring system a challenging task.   

In addition, knowledge is developing at a rapid pace, and will continue to do so through 2020 
and beyond. As a result, important information may become available within the lifetime of 
current  Programmes,  particularly  in  areas  where  research  currently  lags  behind.  This  means 
that monitoring efforts in relation to climate adaptation need to be under periodic review so 
that new evidence can be incorporated into the monitoring and evaluation process during the 
lifetime of the programme. 

Adaptation  experts  should  be  aware  of  these  challenges  and  be  ready  to  assist  Managing 
Authorities and the programme monitoring committee in tackling these challenges. 

8.2. 

Key opportunities for integrating adaptation 

Overall,  monitoring,  reporting  and  evaluation  follows  the  overarching  performance 
framework,  with  its  indicators,  milestones  and  targets  as  set  out  in  the  Partnership 
Agreement  as  well  as  in  the  Common  Monitoring  and  Evaluation  Framework  (CMEF) 
established by the Commission. The indicators developed at  the Programming stage will be 
used by the Monitoring Committee during the annual review meetings and will also feed into 
the annual implementation reports as well as into progress reports on the implementation of 
the Partnership Agreement, ex ante and ex post evaluations. 

The Monitoring Committee is an obligatory body (as explained at the programming section) 
which has the potential to guide the effective and efficient programme implementation. The 
participation  of  a  climate  change  adaptation  expert  will  increase  chances  for  providing  a 
climate change relevant input to the committee, the Managing Authority and finally – to the 
beneficiaries. 

Data  and  information  are  the  main  backbone  of  monitoring  mechanisms.  A  solid 
indicator  framework  that  includes  adaptation  (even  where  adaptation  is  not  the  main 
investment  focus)  will  determine  the  data  requirements  for  monitoring  climate  resilience  as 

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programmes  are  implemented.  Good  cooperation  between  Managing  Authorities  and 
information sources will help to ensure the right data can be collected.  

The  measurement  of  direct  expenditure  on  climate  change  adaptation  is  of  utmost 
importance as this is the only way for the Managing Authorities to know if sufficient resource 
has been channelled to climate change adaptation measures. While important in its own right 
as  a  mechanism  for  tracking  expenditure,  this  is  also  useful  because  it  draws  attention  to 
climate  change  in  the  monitoring  mechanism  overall  and  is  therefore  a  reason  to  convince 
relevant national authorities and Managing Authorities to consider climate change adaptation 
more carefully.  

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ANNEXES  

Annex 1: Summary of main climate change impacts on Cohesion Policy sectors 

This summary gives a broad indication of what types of impacts can be expected from climate 
change  within  the  main  Cohesion  Policy  sectors.  Expenditure  figures  give  an  idea  of  the 
Cohesion Policy funding that has been allocated for the sectors for 2007-2013. 

Summary of climate change impacts  on Cohesion Policy sectors 

Receptor 

Type of CP 
expenditure* 

Level of planned 
CP expenditure 
(€m)** 

Types of impact associated with  the threats from 
climate change 

Population – 
Health 

Health 
infrastructure 

9,179 

Population – 
Buildings 

Housing 
expenditure 

891 

Tourism 

Support for the 
tourism sector 

5,704 

Energy supply  Conventional and 
renewable energy 
plant and 
transmission  
systems 

10,730 

Water 
infrastructure 

21,949 

Water supply and 
wastewater 
treatment 
(WWT) 

Transport 

Investment by 
mode 

82,492 

There are mortality risks from all types of threats. The 
largest threat is from heat waves, especially in urban 
areas. Impacts from some threats such as lower air quality 
and disease are less well understood. 

Damage from floods and storms is the most significant. 
In addition households in the Mediterranean and 
Central/Eastern regions are likely to incur increased 
energy costs for cooling. 

Higher temperatures and water shortages may cause 
reductions in summer tourism numbers in the 
Mediterranean and Central/Eastern regions, offset in part 
by increased tourism offers in shoulder months.  

Energy demand is likely to increase for cooling, 
especially in the shorter-term until building standards and 
designs adjust. Energy supply costs are also likely to 
increase due to reduced availability of water for cooling, 
and for hydro and biomass energy production. Damage 
from floods, storms and soil erosion is also likely to be 
significant. Costs will be passed onto users. In the longer-
term new energy plant designs should be adapted. 

Water scarcity and sea water intrusion requiring 
treatment will increase water supply costs (e.g. from 
increased distribution and pumping costs). Treatment 
costs may rise for WWT plants that discharge to rivers 
with reducing flows. 

Transport infrastructure is at risk from floods, storms and 
temperature extremes. Indirect costs to users and the 
economy are significant. Increased risks include floods, 
soil erosion and fires, with particular impact on the 
railway system 

Sources: Cohesion Policy expenditure (DG Regional Policy); Impacts: (Own assessment) 
* Excludes cross-cutting expenditure on risk assessment; ** 2012 indicative Cohesion Policy funds allocated for 2007-2013 
to selected categories.  

Annex  2:  Examples  of  indicators  for  climate  change  adaptation  in  operational 
programmes 2007-2013 

Examples of indicators for climate change adaptation in Operational Programmes (2007-2013) 

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Operational 
programme 

Poland: OP Lubelskie 

Indicator 

Target/Baseline 

Indicator  for  environment  and  risk  prevention: 
number  of  households  covered  by  flood  protection 
systems 

thousand  persons  by 

15 
2013/NA  

Poland: OP 
Environment and 
Infrastructure 

Number  of  posts  and  specialist  equipment  used  for 
analysis, 
forecasting  and  effective  emergency 
response (numbers) 

494  in  2013/  2  baseline  in 
2004 

Time  of  identification  and  response  to  risks  on  the 
national level (hours) 

3 in 2013/ 6 baseline in 2004 

Number of people  covered  by  anti-flood  protection 
(number of people) 

50,000  in  2013  (2,750,000  in 
2015)/ 0 baseline in 2004 

Number  of  people  covered  by  protection  against 
other risks than flood (number of people) 

1,350,000  in  2013/  750,000 
baseline in 2004 

Number  of  elaborated  plans  concerning  basin 
management,  including:  water  management  plans, 
water  and  environment  programme  and  flood 
occurrence risk management plans 

21 in 2013/ 0 baseline in 2004 

Proportion and number of population with adequate 
flood damage protection (in line with legislation) 

1.63  million,  71%  by  2015/ 
0.94, 41% baseline in 2006 

Measurement: million (person),% 

Number of flood prevention projects; Measurement: 
piece 

40 in 2015/ 0 baseline in 2007 

Number of projects in the field of risk prevention 

7 in 2013/ NA 

Number of people benefiting  from  flood protection 
measures  (additional  population  served  by  water 
projects) 

30,000 in 2013/NA 

Flood endangered area (ha) 

220,000 
baseline in OP 

in  2013/  300,000 

Hungary: OP 
Environment and 
Energy 

Slovenia: OP 
Environment and 
transport 

Romania: OP 
Environment sector 

Number of projects on flood protection 

10 in 2015/ 0 baseline in 2006 

Number of inhabitants—population benefiting from 
floods  protection  projects  in  the  SOP  intervention 
areas 

1.5  million 
baseline in 2006 

in  2015/  0 

Reduction  of  incidence  to  floods  risk  in  the  SOP 
intervention areas (in %) 

30%  in  2015/  100%  baseline 
in 2015 

Czech Republic: OP 
Environment 

Number  of  flood  control  bodies  (commissions) 
connected 
reporting  and 
flood  prediction, 
warning system 

to 

120 (NA)/ 0 baseline in 2007 

Number  of  projects  focused  on  flood  or  forest  fire 
protection,  and  eventually  on  other  preventive 

250  in  2013/  0  baseline  in 
2070  

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Examples of indicators for climate change adaptation in Operational Programmes (2007-2013) 

Operational 
programme 

measures 

Indicator 

Target/Baseline 

Source: Compilation from relevant programming documents (Contract No 07.1303/2011/603488/SER/CLIMA.C3) 

Annex  3:  Examples  of  projects  addressing  climate  change  adaptation  from 
2007-2013 Cohesion Policy 

Examples of projects addressing climate change adaptation from 2007-2013 Cohesion Policy 

Project 

Type 

Northern Ostrobothnia regional climate strategy. Finland 

The main goals of the project are to draft a regional scenario for climate change, a 
basic  strategy  for  adaptation  and  mitigation,  climate  programmes  for  different 
sections  (energy,  industry,  traffic,  land  use,  building,  health,  tourism  and  travel, 
private  consumption  etc.)  and  climate  programmes  for  regions  (several 
municipalities).  

The total cost is €117,000  

(North Ostrobothnia Regional Environment Centre) 

Channelling water for a safer region, Spain 

The project aims to prevent the risks of heavy rainfall and flooding, through 
controlling water flows and undertaking strategic construction works.  The flood 
protection works planned under this project include the construction of a dam, 
extensions to the present course of the Gallinera river basin and a collection of 
measures for better drainage, canalisation and water flow diversions. 

The total cost of the project is €31,900,000, with an EU contribution of 
€22,300,000 

Limiting floods, nurturing nature, Hungary 

The main goal of the project id to cut the risk of damaging floods in the area 
around River Szamos. The goal would be attained with building a reservoir in 
north-east Hungary, covering the area of some 51sq. In addition to protection 
from flood risk, the reservoir would enable better landscape management (e.g. 
landscape irrigation). 

Expected benefits of the project include a major reduction in flooding for the 
205,000 people who live in the surrounding area. 

The total cost of the project is €62,014,200, with a €52,712,100 contribution from 
the Cohesion Fund.  

Funding 
climate change strategy 

of 

regional 

Skills for climate change 
adaptation in  a vulnerable 
location 

Funding climate change 
adaptation in a vulnerable 
area 

Natural risk prevention in the county of la Garrotxa, Spain 

The project aims primarily to prevent natural risks, in particular floods (including 
cleaning of river banks) and forest fires (covering the development of a county-
wide plan for the prevention of fires, upgrading of rural roads, construction of 
water pools and management of combustible vegetable mass). 

Funding climate change 
adaptation in a vulnerable 
area 

The ERDF contribution amounts to €450,000. 

An integrated approach to flood relief, Malta 

The National Flood Relief Project (NFRP) therefore aims to develop an integrated 

Funding climate change 
adaptation in a vulnerable 

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Examples of projects addressing climate change adaptation from 2007-2013 Cohesion Policy 

Project 

approach to storm water and valley management along with mitigating the 
increasingly adverse effects of climate change on urban areas that are particularly 
susceptible to flash floods. The project involves constructing a network of 
underground tunnels, canals and bridges which will be capable of draining flood 
water into the sea. These excavations will involve lined tunnels equipped with 
access ramps. 

Cost: €60,100,000 with an EU contribution of €43,100,000 

Raising flood protection levels in the Prut Barlad catchments (Romania) 

Flood protection and prevention are the central aims of this project. The works 
undertaken include constructing polders, dredging and stabilising river beds, and 
providing flood hazard and flood risk mapping. 

Some 16,000 local residents will directly benefit from better protection from 
floods, notably through new alert systems giving 3 to 4 hours warning to those in 
the risk areas of the Bahlui River basin. 

The total cost of the project is €58,521,100, with an EU contribution of 
€48,008,200. 

Type 

area 

Funding climate change 
adaptation in a vulnerable 
area 

Source: Compilation from relevant programming documents (Contract No 07.1303/2011/603488/SER/CLIMA.C3) 

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