COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Adaptation preparedness scoreboard Country fiches Accompanying the document REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on the implementation of the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change
Date: 2018-11-12
Institutions: Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
Subjects: EU financing, EU strategy, adaptation to climate change, climate change, common agricultural policy, common fisheries policy, environmental cooperation, investment, migration policy, natural disaster

EUROPEAN 
COMMISSION 

Brussels, 12.11.2018 
SWD(2018) 460 final 

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 

Adaptation preparedness scoreboard Country fiches 

Accompanying the document 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL 

on the implementation of the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change 

{COM(2018) 738 final} - {SEC(2018) 472 final} - {SWD(2018) 461 final} 

EN 

  EN 

 
 
 
 
 
Table of contents 

Note to the Reader ..................................................................................................................... 2 

Austria ........................................................................................................................................ 3 

Belgium .................................................................................................................................... 27 

Bulgaria .................................................................................................................................... 54 

Croatia ...................................................................................................................................... 78 

Cyprus .................................................................................................................................... 105 

The Czech Republic ............................................................................................................... 126 

Denmark ................................................................................................................................. 150 

Estonia.................................................................................................................................... 181 

Finland ................................................................................................................................... 207 

France ..................................................................................................................................... 234 

Germany ................................................................................................................................. 259 

Greece .................................................................................................................................... 287 

Hungary.................................................................................................................................. 310 

Ireland .................................................................................................................................... 334 

Italy ........................................................................................................................................ 365 

Latvia ..................................................................................................................................... 391 

Lithuania ................................................................................................................................ 412 

Luxembourg ........................................................................................................................... 435 

Malta ...................................................................................................................................... 453 

The Netherlands ..................................................................................................................... 475 

Poland .................................................................................................................................... 502 

Portugal .................................................................................................................................. 529 

Romania ................................................................................................................................. 566 

Slovakia.................................................................................................................................. 592 

Slovenia.................................................................................................................................. 617 

Spain ...................................................................................................................................... 642 

Sweden ................................................................................................................................... 667 

The United Kingdom ............................................................................................................. 695 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note to the Reader 

This Staff Working Document collects the adaptation preparedness scoreboard country fiches 
for each Member State. Under Action 1 of the EU’s Strategy on adaptation to climate change 
(COM(2013)216),  in  collaboration  with  the  Member  States,  the  Commission  developed  an 
‘adaptation  preparedness  scoreboard’.  Using  the  scoreboard,  the  Commission  prepared 
country fiches on each Member State in an iterative consultation process.1 The country fiches 
assess the Member States’ adaptation policy, including the content of NASs and plans, for the 
following aspects: 
 
  Quality of national vulnerability assessments 
  Knowledge creation (national observation systems in relevant sectors2 and climate 

Institutional structure 

modelling), transfer and use 

  Action plans: 

-  Quality (incl. the basis used for assessment of adaptation options)  
-  Actual implementation mechanisms 

  Funding mechanisms 
  Mainstreaming into sectoral policies, in particular: 

-  Disaster risk reduction 
-  Spatial planning 
-  Environmental impact assessment (EIA) (how the Directive is transposed)  
-  Insurance policy 

  Transboundary cooperation 
  Monitoring mechanisms in different sectors and governance levels 

The fiches are based on internal work by the Commission and on targeted assistance from an 
external contractor. They also served as input to the assessment of Action 1 of the Strategy 
during its evaluation.  Annex  IX of the Commission’s linked SWD on the evaluation  of the 
Strategy presents a horizontal assessment of the 28 country fiches,  while Annex X presents 
the list of scoreboard indicators and the methodology used in applying them. 

The  assessments  in  the  country  fiches  (yes/no/in  progress)  need  to  be  read  in  conjunction 
with  the  narrative  that  accompanies  them.  They  assess  the  state  of  play  within  each  EU 
Member  State.  While  all  effort  has  been  made  to  ensure  the  coherence  across  fiches  in  the 
assessment  of  the  same  indicator,  it  should  not  be  directly  compared  across  the  Member 
States.  Two  countries  with  a  "yes"  on  the  same  indicator  could  have  a  different  national 
situation leading to that assessment. Not all indicators have the "in progress" status, some can 
only be "yes" or "no".  

1 The first versions of the fiches, prepared in consultation with the Member States in 2014-15, were 

unpublished and used to fine-tune the scoreboard. The second drafts were published, after consulting the 
Member States, as background documents to the public consultation on this evaluation in December 2017. 
https://ec.europa.eu/clima/consultations/evaluation-eus-strategy-adaptation-climate-change_en The final 
Member State consultation on the draft fiches took place in June 2018. 

2 These relate for example to meteorology, floods, drought, sea level, coastal erosion, biodiversity, 
human/animal/plant health etc. 

Page 2 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard country fiche for 

Austria 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 4 

POLICY FRAMEWORK .......................................................................................................... 5 

Adaptation strategies .............................................................................................................. 5 

A1. National adaptation strategy ........................................................................................ 5 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels .................................................... 5 

Adaptation action plans .......................................................................................................... 5 

B1. National adaptation plan .............................................................................................. 5 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ........................................................... 6 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ............................................................................................. 6 

SCOREBOARD ......................................................................................................................... 7 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation .......................................................................... 7 

1.  Coordination structure ................................................................................................. 7 

2  Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ..................................................... 8 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change ............................................ 10 

3  Current and projected climate change ....................................................................... 10 

4  Knowledge gaps ........................................................................................................ 11 

5  Knowledge transfer ................................................................................................... 12 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options ................................................................................. 14 

6  Adaptation options’ identification ............................................................................. 14 

7  Funding resources identified and allocated ............................................................... 15 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action .............................................................................. 15 

8  Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes...................................................... 16 

9 

Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 18 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ................................................. 21 

10  Monitoring and reporting....................................................................................... 21 

11 

Evaluation .............................................................................................................. 22 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................... 24 

Page 3 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ACRP 

APCC 

Austrian Climate Research Programme 

Austrian Panel on Climate Change  

BMNT 

Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism 

CCCA 

Climate Change Centre Austria 

COIN 

Costs of Inaction 

EAA 

EIA 

Environment Agency Austria 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

EUSALP 

EU Strategy for the Alpine Region 

LURK 

Provincial Environmental Speaker’s Conference 

NAP 

NAS 

NGO 

National Adaptation Plan 

National Adaptation Strategy 

Non-Governmental Organisation 

NUTS 

Classification of Territorial Units for Statistics 

PACINAS  

Public Adaptation Costs: Investigating the National Adaptation   Strategy 

PATCH:ES  

Private Adaptation Threats and Chances: Enhancing Synergies 

SEA 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

SKKM 

Strategy for National Crisis and Disaster Protection Management 

VIOLA 

Violent Observed Local Assessment 

ZAMG 

Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics 

ÖREK 

Austrian Spatial Planning Concept 

ÖROK 

Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning  

Page 4 of 743 

 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

In  Austria,  a  national  adaptation  strategy  (NAS)  was  adopted  on  23rd  October  2012  by  the 
Council  of  Ministers  and  endorsed  by  the  Provincial  Governors’  Conference  on  16th  May 
2013. The Austrian NAS consists of two parts: a Strategic Framework (or “Context”) and an 
Action Plan3. The aim of the Austrian NAS is to avoid the adverse effects of climate change 
on the environment, society, and the economy and to fully utilise any opportunities that may 
arise.  The  NAS  aims  to  create  a  national  framework  to  ensure  coordination  and 
harmonisation  of  the  various  climate  adaptation  activities  in  all  areas.  In  August  2017,  a 
revised  version  of  the  NAS  was  adopted  by  the  Austrian  Council  of  Ministers,  which  was 
subsequently also approved by the Conference of the Governor’s of the Bundesländer (NUTS 
II) in November 2017. This new version aims to update and further develop the NAS, while 
preserving its overall structure. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

In  Austria,  the  Bundesländer  have  legislative  and  executive  powers  (e.g.  with  regard  to 
spatial planning, nature protection, transport), which are relevant to climate adaptation. The 
Bundesländer are also responsible for the administration, implementation and enforcement of 
certain  federal  laws  at  lower  levels  of  government.  Representatives  from  all  Bundesländer 
were actively involved in the development of the NAS and NAP. 

The Bundesländer have either developed regional adaptation strategies (Oberösterreich, 2013; 
Steiermark, 2015; Vorarlberg, 2016; Salzburg, 2017) or integrated adaptation and mitigation 
strategies  (Tirol,  2015),  or  have  integrated  adaptation  into  existing  climate  mitigation 
strategies  (Niederösterreich, 2011;  Wien, 2009).  Kärnten  is  in  the  process  of  preparing  a 
climate  adaptation  strategy.  In  Burgenland,  adaptation  measures  are  directly  integrated  into 
sectoral  programmes  and  strategies.  The  Bundesländer  propose,  enact  and  implement 
measures. Overall, 93.6% of the population and 88.6% of the territory of Austria are covered 
by sub-national adaptation strategies (with Kärnten as the only Bundesland without one). 

Adaptation action plans  

B1. National adaptation plan 

A national adaptation plan (NAP) was adopted in 2012 (as part of the NAS) and revised in 
2016 (and approved together with the revised NAS in 2017, see above). The NAP presents a 
catalogue  of  136  adaptation  options  for  14  areas  of  action.  These  areas  are:  agriculture, 
forestry,  water  resources  and  water  management,  tourism,  energy  (with  a  focus  on  the 
electricity industry), protection from natural hazards, construction and housing, disaster risk 

3 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2017). The Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Part 1 – 
Context and Part 2 – Action plan. Available (in German) at: 
https://www.bmnt.gv.at/umwelt/klimaschutz/klimapolitik_national/anpassungsstrategie/strategie-kontext.html, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 5 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
management,  health,  ecosystems  and  biodiversity,  transportation  infrastructure  and  selected 
aspects  of  mobility,  spatial  planning,  business/industry/trade,  and  cities  (with  a  focus  on 
urban green and open spaces). 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

The  NAP  makes  reference  to  a  range  of  individual  Bundesländer  in  its  136  adaptation 
options, however, only Tirol and Vorarlberg have also prepared (together with their strategy) 
their own action plan with relevant state-specific adaptation measures4. 

The  development  of  local  adaptation  concepts  and  measures  is  supported  by  KLAR!  – 
Climate  Change  Adaptation  Model  Regions5,  a  programme  which  was  launched  in  2016. 
Until  the  end  of  March  2017,  regions  and  municipalities  were  invited  to  submit  their 
applications  including  a  basic  concept  to  the  Climate  and  Energy  Fund,  who  initiated  the 
programme in  cooperation with  the Ministry of  Sustainability  and Tourism  (BMNT). Since 
2018  and  up  until  2020,  beneficiaries  are  now  working  on  implementing  the  measures  laid 
out  in  these  concepts.  In  a  third  phase  post-2020,  the  action  plans  and  their  executed 
measures will then be evaluated.  

An  increasing  number  of  activities  carried  out  at  regional  and  local  level  can  be  identified 
already;  however,  these  are  not  always  explicitly  labelled  as  adaptation.  Many  of  these 
activities  are  fostered  by  applied  research  projects,  which  are  financed  by  the  ACRP 
(Austrian  Climate  Research  Programme)  of  the  Climate  and  Energy  Fund6  and  StartClim7. 
Examples  of  Bundesländer-level  activities  are:  touristic  concepts  and  water  management 
measures for an important large lake in eastern Austria, research projects devoted to impacts 
and adaptation measures in the Alps, projects for flood risk management and spatial planning, 
protection  of  forests  and  habitats,  and  concepts  for  safeguards  against  summertime 
overheating of buildings in urban areas.8 The Austrian government has recently published a 
good  practice  guide  presenting  various  examples  of  how  cities  and  communities  can 
implement adaptation actions9.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

A range of sectors are discussed in the NAP, as well as the Tirol action plan on adaptation 
and others. However, no sector-specific adaptation plans exist as of today. 

4 Government of Tirol (2015). Klimaschutz und Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Tiroler Gemeinden. 
Available at: http://www.klimaschutz-tirol.at/images/doku/gemeindemappe.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
5 KLAR!-Website, URL: http://klar-anpassungsregionen.at/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
6 Klima Energie Fonds. Climate Research Programme. URL: 
https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/foerderungen/aktuelle-foerderungen/2015/austrian-climate-research-programme-
2/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
7 StartClim. URL:  www.startclim.at, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
8 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2017). The Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Part 1 – 
Context, Available (in German) at: 
https://www.bmnt.gv.at/umwelt/klimaschutz/klimapolitik_national/anpassungsstrategie/strategie-kontext.html  
9 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2016). Unsere Gemeinden im Klimawandel: Good Practice Broschuere. 
Available at: 
https://www.bmnt.gv.at/umwelt/klimaschutz/klimapolitik_national/anpassungsstrategie/goodpractice-
broschuere.html, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 6 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. 

Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In  Austria,  the  BMNT10  (formerly,  BMLFUW)  holds  overall  responsibility  for  adaptation 
policy-making  (Division  I/4  of  the  BMNT).  One  of  its  main  assignments  is  to  provide 
guidance by keeping the NAS and NAP updated, as well as by drafting the progress report on 
its  implementation.  The  NAP  is  implemented  in  collaboration  with  a  wide  range  of  fellow 
ministries, regional government actors and sector stakeholders. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

All  federal  ministries  were  invited  to  join  the  NAS  and  NAP  development  process  and  to 
provide feedback and comments on the document via three rounds of written consultations. 
More  precisely,  the  Inter-Ministerial  Committee  to  Coordinate  Measures  to  Protect  Global 
Climate  (IMC  Climate  Change)  was  regularly  updated  on  the  status  of  work  towards  the 
NAS. (According to the latest amendment of the Austrian Climate Protection Law, § 4. (2), 
instead of the IMC the National Climate Protection Committee is in charge of adaptation to 
unavoidable climate impacts. The Committee meets at least once a year and is chaired by the 
BMLFUW.) 

Given the holistic and cross-sectoral nature of adaptation action, there is a need for horizontal 
coordination in the implementation phase as well. In accordance with the current division of 
competences (after the national election in 2017), the BMNT holds a much broader range of 
responsibilities  as  concerns  areas  of  action  in  climate  change.  The  National  Climate 
Protection  Committee  is  the  relevant  institutional  body,  set  up  by  law,  to  provide  sectoral 
coordination of adaptation and mitigation measures. The Austrian Spatial Planning Concept 
(ÖREK)11,  also  calls  for  the  continued  organisation  of  ‘round  table’  meetings  between 
sectoral  representatives to  discuss relevant  climate-related issues during the implementation 
of measures. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making.  

10 Bundesministerium für Nachhaltigkeit und Tourismus, URL: https://www.bmnt.gv.at/, Date accessed: 
15/05/2018 
11 ÖROK (2011). ÖREK 2011 - Austrian Spatial Planning Concept. Available at: 
https://www.oerok.gv.at/fileadmin/Bilder/2.Reiter-
Raum_u._Region/1.OEREK/OEREK_2011/Dokumente_OEREK_2011/OEREK_2011_EN_Downloadversion.p
df, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 7 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Yes / In progress / No 

The Bundesländer are highly committed to cooperating with the Federal Ministry (BMNT) on 
climate  adaptation.  Climate  coordination  officers/units  have  been  installed  in  all  provincial 
governments and act as the main agents of vertical cooperation with the National Ministry12.  

The Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism together with all Bundesländer (decision 
taken  by  the  LURK  -  Provincial  Environmental  Speaker’s  Conference)  has  established  an 
implementation  plan  summarising  a  few  specific  measures  to  be  implemented  in  close 
cooperation,  as  a  first  step.  One  of  the  decisions13  was  the  implementation  of  “dialogue 
events”14  in  various  Austrian  cities.  Twelve  such  dialogue  events  took  place  in  2016  and 
2017.  

The National Climate Protection Committee is the relevant institutional body, set up by law, 
to provide vertical (and sectoral) coordination of adaptation and mitigation measures. 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

A  broad  participatory  process  conducted  by  the  Environment  Agency  Austria  (EAA) 
accompanied development of the NAS. The main objective of the participation process was 
to discuss the adaptation options identified by the scientific community (expert studies) with 
stakeholders  from  the  organised  public  (e.g.  federal  and  provincial  ministries  or  related 
institutions,  interest  groups  and  social/environmental  NGOs)  for  inclusion  in  the  policy 
paper15. 

Stakeholders were consulted during the development of the NAS via online-surveys, written 
feedback on policy drafts and advisory committees. Governmental stakeholders from national 
level and sub-national level have been actively involved. The private sector, interest groups 
and  researchers  have  been  consulted  and  information  has  been  gathered  from  the  general 
public.16  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

12 Nachmany, M, S. Frankhauser, J. Davidová et al. (2015). Climate Legislation in Austria. An excerpt from: 
The 2015 Global Climate Legislation Study. A review of Climate Change Legislation in 99 countries. Grantham 
Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London. 
13 Beschlüsse der Landesumweltreferentinnenkonferenz, URL: https://www.wien.gv.at/umweltschutz/pdf/lurk-
2015.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
14 Dialogveranstaltungsreihe 2016/2017, URL: http://klimawandelanpassung.at/index.php?id=31609, Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 
15 Climate-ADAPT (2017). Austria, Summary. Available at: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/austria, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
16 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2014). Self-assessment survey from Austria. National adaptation policy 
processes in European countries. EEA, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg 

Page 8 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Yes / No 

In the NAS/NAP, cooperation to address common challenges with neighbouring countries is 
not  explicitly  addressed.  Nevertheless,  Austria  is  participating  in  several  international 
partnerships that are actively working on climate change and adaptation issues, although it is 
not clear how these interact with the Austrian strategic approach to adaptation.  

Austria  is  a  contracting  Party  to  the  International  Commission  for  the  Protection  of  the 
Danube River, which adopted a Climate Adaptation Strategy in 201217. The Strategy is based 
on a thorough assessment of possible climate impacts and suggests possible means to adapt to 
and mitigate them.  

Austria is also a member country of the Alpine Convention, a framework that sets out general 
measures  for  sustainable  development  in  the  Alpine  region.  A  ministerial  declaration18  on 
climate change was adopted in 2006, followed in 2009 by an action plan19 of measures for the 
Alpine  region  to  contribute  to  the  reduction  of  emissions  affecting  the  climate  and  the 
development of strategies to adapt to a changing environment. Within the Alpine convention, 
guidelines have been developed on local climate adaptation in relation to water management 
and natural hazards in the Alps20. In addition, the recently established Advisory Committee 
on the Alpine Climate (Alpine Climate Board)21 under the Alpine Convention gathers climate 
change specialists from the eight Alpine States and observer organisations. It aims to bundle 
the current contributions of the Alpine Convention to climate mitigation and adaptation. The 
Board will prepare recommendations for future reinforced action, for the attention of the next 
Alpine Conference in 2018, with the establishment of a climate-neutral Alpine space 2050 as 
the overarching goal.  

A  shared  task  of  all  Alpine  countries  is  to  intensify  research  work  on  the  consequences  of 
climate  change.  Joint  activities  are  taking  place  in  the  EU  Strategy  for  the  Alpine  Region 
(EUSALP)  in  Action  Group  822,  which  focuses  on  improving  risk  management  and  coping 
with climate impacts, including major natural risks prevention.  

The EU Interreg project, C3-Alps aimed to foster transboundary cooperation with the focus 
on  information  and  knowledge  transfer23.  During  the  course  of  the  C3-Alps  project  (2012-
2014),  an  informal  exchange  among  ministerial  representatives  of  all  Alpine  countries  was 

17 ICPDR (2013). Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change. Available at: 
https://www.icpdr.org/flowpaper/viewer/default/files/nodes/documents/icpdr_climate-adaptation-strategy.pdf, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
18 Alpine Convention (2006). Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change. Available at: 
http://www.alpconv.org/en/convention/protocols/Documents/AC_IX_declarationclimatechange_en_fin.pdf, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
19 Alpine Convention (2009). Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps. Available at: Alpine Convention. The 
Climate Portal. Available at: http://www.alpconv.org/en/ClimatePortal/default.html, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
20 Alpine Convention. The Climate Portal. Available at: http://www.alpconv.org/en/ClimatePortal/default.html, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
21 Alpine Climate Board instituted by the XIVth Alpine Conference in October 2016 
22 Action Group 8, URL:https://www.alpine-region.eu/action-group-8, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
23 Climate-Adapt. C3-Alps. Available at: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/projects/c3-alps-2013-
capitalising-climate-change-knowledge-for-adaptation-in-the-alpine-space, Date accessed: 15/05/2018  

Page 9 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
initiated.  Meetings  took  place  twice  per  year  and  served  the  purpose  of  transnational 
coordination for issues of common concern. These activities are continuing. 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Data  collection  and  provision  is  located  at  the  Central  Institute  for  Meteorology  and 
Geodynamics  (ZAMG)  with  meteorological  stations  measuring  temperature,  precipitation, 
wind, sunshine and many other meteorological parameters24. Since 1948, data about damage 
caused  by  extreme  events  have  been  recorded  by  ZAMG.  The  VIOLA  (VIolent  Observed 
Local  Assessment)25  project  started  in  2014  with  the  development  of  a  digital  extreme-
weather-platform. It works like a search engine for extreme events and offers different search 
options. In the frame of the project  damage.at (funded by the Austrian Climate and Energy 
Fund), the feasibility for the development of an Austrian-wide damage-database for weather- 
and climate-related natural hazards is currently being assessed26. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

New regional climate scenarios for Austria and its nine provincial states have been available 
since  Autumn  2016.  The  scenarios  are  based  on  13  EURO-CORDEX  models,  a  12.5km  x 
12.5  km  grid,  and  use  two  greenhouse  gas  scenarios.  Results  are  available  via  the  Climate 
Change Centre Austria (CCCA) data portal27.  

A  scientific  evaluation  of  the  financial  consequences  of  climate  change  in  Austria  was 
presented  in  January  2015  as  results  of  an  ACRP  project,  Costs  of  Inaction  (COIN)28.  The 
main results of two projects – PACINAS (Public Adaptation Costs: Investigating the National 
Adaptation  Strategy)29  and  PACTCH:ES  (Private  Adaptation  Threats  and  Chances: 

24 ZAMG Climate, URL: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/en/climate, Date accessed: 15/05/2018  
25 VIOLA, URL: https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/forschung/klima/datensaetze/viola, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
26 Damage.at, URL: https://www.joanneum.at/life/aktuelles/news/news-
detail/news/damageat/?tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=e
ec733657c5828d853ee0683e93cfd82, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
27 CCCA Data Centre, URL: https://data.ccca.ac.at/group/oks15, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
28 COIN project, https://www.ccca.ac.at/en/climate-knowledge/coin/, Date accessed: 20/06/2018 
29 PACINAS, URL: http://anpassung.ccca.at/pacinas/ergebnisse/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 10 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
Enhancing  Synergies  with  the  Austrian  NAS  implementation)30  –  were  published  in  mid-
2017.  

The  ACRP  also  emphasises  the  social  aspects  of  climate  change.  Projects,  such  as  Capital-
Adapt31,  have  used  projections  and  collected  data  on  a  variety  of  indicators  to  assess  the 
climate vulnerability of different parts of society. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress / No 

The Austrian NAS (2017) contains a qualitative vulnerability assessment for nine sectors (i.e. 
water, tourism, agriculture, forestry, electricity and energy, housing and construction, health, 
ecosystems  and  biodiversity  and  transport/infrastructure).  It  was  carried  out  by  the 
Environment  Agency  Austria  in  cooperation  with  the  Institute  of  Meteorology  of  the 
University  of  Natural  Resources  and  Life  Sciences.  The  vulnerability  reports  fed  into  the 
NAS. Separate studies  have not  been carried out  for the other five sectors (protection from 
natural  hazards,  disaster  risk  management,  spatial  planning,  business/industry/trade,  cities). 
Nevertheless, a descriptive vulnerability assessment has been included in the NAP 2017 for 
all  14  sectors,  although  it  highlights  the  differences  in  the  level  of  knowledge  and  detail 
across sectors. 

The Austrian Panel on Climate Change (APCC) published a report in September 201432, after 
the release of the IPCC Working Group III 5th Assessment Report. The APCC report consists 
of three volumes that present existing knowledge on climate change in Austria, and the needs 
and possibilities for mitigation and adaptation.  

3d.  Climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  take  transboundary  risks  into  account, 
when relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

The vulnerability assessments described in relation to Indicator 3c do not take transboundary 
risks into account. Nevertheless, as noted in relation to Indicator 2b, Austria is involved in a 
range of transboundary cooperation initiatives some of which address relevant transboundary 
risks; these primarily focus on the River Danube and the Alpine region. 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

30 PATCH:ES, URL: http://anpassung.ccca.at/patches/ergebnisse/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
31 Klimanetz, URL: http://www.klimanetz.at/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018  
32 APCC. Available at: http://www.apcc.ac.at/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 11 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
The  Austrian  Assessment  Report  2014  (AAR14)33  built  an  active  network  of  Austrian 
research institutions, individual scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders to carry work 
on climate change forward. At the initiative of Austrian universities, the CCCA was formally 
established in 2011. The objective of the CCCA is to improve the quality and efficiency of 
Austrian climate research not only through networking and promoting cooperation, but also 
by enhancing its international visibility34. 

A workshop with scientists was conducted, within the framework of the participatory process 
accompanying the development of the NAS35, to determine the research needs specifically for 
implementation  of  measures  in  the  NAS.  The  aim  was  to  facilitate  a  dialogue  between 
scientists/researchers  and  politicians  and  other  decision-makers.  The  2015  progress  report36 
on  the  NAS  also  indicated  research  needs.  In  addition,  the  CCCA  Science  Plan  201737 
showcases the research needs and gaps identified by the Austrian scientific community. The 
research needs identified are being addressed in research programmes such as the ACRP of 
the Climate and Energy Fund and the national climate research programme StartClim38. The 
eleventh  and  most  recent  (June  2018)  guide  for  calls  for  proposals  of  the  ACRP39  focuses 
especially  on  four  thematic  areas  where  knowledge  gaps  persist.  These  are  ‘Understanding 
the  climate  system  and  consequences  of  climate  change’,  ‘Specific  support  for  Austria’s 
policymakers’,  ‘Systemic  transformation  –  the  human  dimension’,  and  ‘Governance  and 
institutions  – towards systemic transformation’.  Specific topics range from  biodiversity and 
agricultural  aspects  to  social  dimensions  of  climate  change.  One  special  report  discussing 
‘Tourism, large cultural and sports events and climate change’ was funded in the frame of the 
tenth ACRP call for proposals.  

5 

Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress / No 

33 CCCA (2014). AAR14. Available at: https://www.ccca.ac.at/en/apcc/austrian-assessment-report-apcc-aar14-
information-and-materials/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
34 Climate-ADAPT (2017). Austria, Summary. Available at: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/austria, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
35 KWA. Climate Change Adaptation in Austria. Available at: 
http://www.klimawandelanpassung.at/ms/klimawandelanpassung/en/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
36 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2015). Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Österreich: Fortschrittsbericht. 
Available at: https://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/dam/jcr:affd5225-8d2b-4772-9977-da229f5b5690/Fortschrittsbericht-
Final_v17_2015-12-02_klein.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018  
37 CCCA Science Plan 2017 
https://www.ccca.ac.at/fileadmin/00_DokumenteHauptmenue/03_Aktivitaeten/Science_Plan/CCCA_Science_Pl
an.pdf_20170502.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
38 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2012). The Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Part 1 – 
Context. Available at: https://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/dam/jcr:f2e2e558-f714-4676-8768-
e9b4d32be6a4/AustrianAdaptationStrategy_Context_FINAL_25092013_v02_online.pdf, Date accessed: 
15/05/2018 
39 ACRP (2017). 10th Call for Proposals Guide for the Submission of Proposals. Available at: 
https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/assets/Uploads/Downloads-Frderungen/ACRP/LeitfadenACRP10th2017.pdf, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018  

Page 12 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
The  website  of  the  BMNT  contains  information  on  the  NAS,  various  activities  in  climate 
adaptation including, for example, a brochure on good practices for municipalities40.  

The  national  platform  for  climate  adaptation41  contains  information  on  climate  research, 
policies, proposed implementation measures and examples and support for municipalities, the 
Bundesländer and sectors. The databank is useful for finding relevant resources, e.g. sector-
specific research or adaptation practice for a specific region.  It is possible to subscribe to a 
newsletter42. 

The climate research department of the Central  Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics 
(ZAMG) presents scientific information on climate change43. 

CCCA’s website provides climate data and information on ongoing research activities44.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated. 

Yes / In progress / No 

For  raising  public  awareness  on  climate  impacts  and  adaptation,  the  Ministry  of 
Sustainability  and  Tourism  has  published  a  brochure  for  the  general  public45,  “translating” 
the national adaptation strategy’s content into easily understandable language and providing 
concrete tips for individuals. This brochure has been sent to all municipalities in Austria and 
has been further distributed via contacts and networks. 

A  handbook  with  methods  and  tools  that  help  to  tackle  the  challenges  of  adaptation  was 
published46  to  support  politicians  and  experts  in  the  public  administration  of  provinces  and 
cities,  as  well  as  actors  in  regional  management  in  developing  adaptation  strategies.  It 
provides guidance for the strategic and proactive examination of climate impacts. A practical 
guide  on  local  adaptation  is  available47,  which  provides  information  on  regional  climate 
impacts and specific measures that can be implemented by cities. It also includes tools that 
can be used in workshops. 

The  NAS  includes  recommendations  for  communication  and  education  of  the  wider  public 
but  does  not  provide  information  on  the  coordination  of  capacity  building.  The  BMNT, 

40 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2016). Unsere Gemeinden im Klimawandel. Available at: 
https://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/dam/jcr:73969c08-9351-49fd-a2f3-
85bf25c55167/Good%20Practice_Broschuere.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
41 KWA. Climate Change Adaptation in Austria. Available at: http://klimawandelanpassung.at 
42 KWA. Newsletter registration. Available at: 
http://www.klimawandelanpassung.at/ms/klimawandelanpassung/de/newsletterregistrierung/kwa_archiv/, Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 
43 ZAMG. Informationsportal Klimawandel. Available at: 
https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/klima/informationsportal-klimawandel, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
44 CCCA. Available at: https://www.ccca.ac.at, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
45 CCCA. COIN. Available at: http://coin.ccca.at/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
46 Umweltbundesamt (2014). Methods and Tools for Adaptation to Climate Change. Available at: 
http://www.klimawandelanpassung.at/fileadmin/inhalte/kwa/pdfs/HANDBUCH_EN.pdf, Date accessed: 
15/05/2018 
47 CCact. Ihre Gemeinde im Klimawandel. Available at: http://www.ccact.anpassung.at/ 

Page 13 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
together  with  the  provincial  states,  have  financed  various  capacity  building  activities  at 
regional  and  local  levels  (e.g.  workshops  in  regions,  a  brochure  with  11  good-practice 
examples  on  adaptation  from  regions  across  Austria48).  Capacity  building  mostly  functions 
through  a  cooperation-based  network  approach  to  vertical  governance  with  predominantly 
voluntary instruments. Examples reflecting the nature of this cooperation-based network are 
dedicated  workshops  in  the  Bundesländer,  which  were  financed  by  the  Ministry  of 
Sustainability  and  Tourism  in  cooperation  with  the  Climate  and  Energy  Fund.  These 
workshops aimed to  support the Bundesländer in building adaptive capacity, discuss means 
of  implementation,  and  highlight  research  results  relevant  to  the  respective  province,  as  a 
basis for deciding on concrete adaptation measures.  

As  mentioned  above,  a  new  pilot  project  to  foster  adaptation  in  Austrian  regions  started  in 
September 201649. 

In  2016,  a  handbook  for  so-called  ‘Multiplicators’  (i.e.  Adaptation  managers,  Energy 
modelling  managers,  regional  managers)  was  released  to  implement  adaptation  action  at 
regional  and  municipal  level50.  Further  trainings  building  on  this  guide  and  other  study 
materials  were  provided  to  ‘Multiplicators’  up  to  the  beginning  of  2018  (“learning 
workshops”).  Since  April  2018,  these  Bundesländer-level  consultants  and  advisors  support 
municipalities and regions in the implementation of adaptation activities51. 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The NAS contains  a qualitative vulnerability assessment  for nine out  of  the 14 sectors (see 
Indicator  3c).  For  the  remaining  five  sectors,  the  NAP  presents  a  descriptive  vulnerability 
assessment.  Adaptation  options  are  based  on  these  assessments  (including  geographic 
specificities  where  relevant),  stakeholder  consultations  and  expert  judgment.  Adaptation 
measures  are  described  in  detail  and  interlinkages  to  other  areas  and  links  to  existing 
instruments are indicated.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria analyses, stakeholders' consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

48 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2016). Unsere Gemeinden im Klimawandel: Good Practice Broschuere. 
Available at: https://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/dam/jcr:73969c08-9351-49fd-a2f3-
85bf25c55167/Good%20Practice_Broschuere.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
49 See KLAR!-Website, URL: http://klar-anpassungsregionen.at/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
50 CCact (2016). Klimawandelanpassung umsetzen – Lebensqualität erhöhen; Ein Handbuch für 
MultiplikatorInnen zur Beratung österreichischer Gemeinden und Regionen. Available at: 
http://www.anpassung.at/ccact/downloads/CC-Act-Handbuch.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
51 Personal communication with a MS contact. 

Page 14 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Yes / No 

Adaptation options have not been prioritised, but criteria for prioritisation are identified in the 
NAS. In general, measures that provide benefits independent of climate change (“win-win”) 
or measures that entail no disadvantages in case the actual climate trends do not correspond 
to projections (“no-regret”) should be prioritised, as well as flexible measures. Furthermore, 
prioritisation  according  to  the  “Europe  2020  –  A  strategy  for  intelligent,  sustainable,  and 
inclusive growth” is suggested. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / No 

As an alpine country, Austria has been used to adapting and coping with environmental risks 
for centuries. The Federal  Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the coordination of the 
State  Crisis  and  Disaster  Protection  Management  in  Austria,  whereas  the  BMNT  is 
responsible for coordinating the national adaptation policy. One of the NAS actions aims at 
coordinating  disaster  protection  management  and  adaptation  policies,  through  a  continuous 
review, modification, and implementation of the SKKM Strategy 2020 (Strategy for National 
Crisis  and  Disaster  Protection  Management)52,  taking  into  account  the  effects  of  climate 
change. Regular exchange between the Ministries and working groups on the NAS as well as 
the  progress  report  ensure  bi-lateral  coordination.  Joint  efforts  to  work  on  the  2nd  National 
Risk Assessment, as well as on the upcoming national portal for the reduction of disaster risk 
in Austria53, leads to regular exchange and improved coordination.  

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a.  Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in  vulnerable  sectors  and  for 
cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

The NAS does not include a dedicated budget (no numbers) or an expenditure commitment 
for  adaptation  activities  to  increase  climate  resilience  in  vulnerable  sectors  and  for  cross-
cutting  adaptation  action.  The  NAS  only  states 
the 
recommendations  must  be  achieved  within  the  existing  jurisdictions  of  all  governmental 
authorities  (federal,  state,  local)”  and  are  to  be  “covered  by  the  resources  available  in  the 
applicable  financial  frameworks  of  the  public  sector  (federal,  state,  local)”.  While  it  is  not 
possible to conclude directly that a critical mass of actions or consistent funding is in place 
for vulnerable sectors, the phrasing of the NAS does indicate that sufficient funding should 
be available for them. 

implementation  of 

that  “the 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

52 SKKM (2009). Strategie 2020. Available at: 
http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_Zivilschutz/skkm/files/002_SKKM_Strategie_2020.pdf, Date accessed: 
15/05/2018 
53 Austrian Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, available at: www.isdr.at, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 15 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Climate  adaptation  will  be  addressed  by  an  amendment  to  the  Environmental  Impact 
Assessment  (EIA)  Law  in  Austria  in  2018.  The  guidance  documents  for  conducting  EIA 
Reports are currently being revised in order to comply with the requirements of the amended 
EIA Directive. However, neither the change to  the  Law nor to  the guidance documents has 
been  finalised  at  the  time  of  writing  this  fiche.  Legislation  on  Strategic  Environmental 
Assessment (SEA) in Austria does not, currently, refer to climate adaptation or vulnerability 
in its list of criteria to assess.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The  proposed  measures  in  the  NAP  to  improve  natural  disaster  preparedness  under  climate 
change  are  based  on  experiences  with  natural  disaster  management  in  the  past  and  expert 
judgement. One of the proposed actions in the NAP is developing knowledge of the projected 
change in  natural  processes and resulting possibilities for early warning systems. The other 
adaptation  measures  are  mainly  related  to  the  precautionary  principle,  including  through 
hazard  zoning  and  promoting  hazard  and  risk  awareness,  self-sufficiency  and  responsible 
behaviour.  

The  National  Crisis  and  Disaster  Protection  Management  Strategy  202054  does  not  include 
projected  climate  change  effects  and  does  not  mention  climate  change  as  one  of  the  major 
challenges for disaster protection management. One of the proposed actions in the NAP is to 
adapt and implement the SKKM Strategy 2020 in line with expected climate change impacts. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

The  Bundesländer  are  responsible  for  spatial  planning  legislation.  Therefore,  the  level  at 
which  climate  impacts  are  taken  into  account  varies  in  state-specific  legislative  documents. 
The 2015 progress report on the implementation  of the NAS/NAP states that some aspects, 
such  as  flood  risks  and  natural  hazard  management,  are  frequently  mentioned  in  spatial 
planning legislations but zoning and green infrastructure are not55.  

54 SKKM, (2009). Staatliches Krisen – und Katastrophenschutzmanagement Strategie 2020. Available at: 
https://www.bmi.gv.at/204/skkm/start.aspx, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
55 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2015). Anpassung and den Klimawandel in Österreich. Fortschrittsbericht. 
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Vienna. 

Page 16 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
The  Austrian  Conference  on  Spatial  Planning  (ÖROK)  developed  the  Austrian  Spatial 
Planning Concept (ÖREK) in 201156. This is a non-binding agreement signed by the national 
government, the Bundesländer, and the convention of municipalities. Among other things, the 
concept  lays  out  pathways  to  integrate  adaptation  action  (e.g.  zoning,  energy-efficient 
construction,  flood  management)  into  regional  legislative  documents.  However,  the  2018 
mid-term evaluation of the ÖREK57 does not report on progress in this endeavor. 

The mainstreaming of climate adaptation into urban planning policies is more advanced. The 
Vienna urban development plan 2025 (STEP 2025)58 mentions climate adaptation measures 
as  an  integral  part  of  planning  the  management  and  enhancement  of  the  city.  The  ‘Grünes 
Netz  Graz’  (Green  Grid  Graz)59  developed  by  the  city  of  Graz  is  a  further  example  of  a 
municipal  strategy  paper  for  urban  planning  that  places  ecological  and  climate-specific 
measures  at  its  core.  Nonetheless,  the  overall  incidence  of  such  climate-focused  urban 
planning policy documents and strategies across Austrian cities is low. 

Austria does not have a coastline and, therefore, has no plans for maritime spatial planning. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In Progress / No 

The  NAS  provides  guidance  for  the  development  and  amendment  of  national  policy 
instruments  at  sectoral  level  to  promote  adaptation.  However,  it  is  recognised  in  the  NAP 
(and its progress report) that only a few sectoral instruments explicitly address adaptation and 
other climate-relevant issues. 

Institutional barriers and lack of political momentum currently hinder the implementation of 
cornerstone  policies  that  include  adaptation  measures  at  sectoral  level  (e.g.  in  health  and 
transport)60.  Nevertheless,  climate  adaptation  is  being  integrated  into  sectoral  policies  for 
agriculture  (within  the  National  Agricultural  Programme,  2015),  forestry,  energy61,  and 

56 ÖROK (2011). ÖREK 2011. Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning. Available at: 
https://www.oerok.gv.at/fileadmin/Bilder/2.Reiter-
Raum_u._Region/1.OEREK/OEREK_2011/Dokumente_OEREK_2011/OEREK_2011_EN_Downloadversion.p
df, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
57 ÖROK (2018). Executive Summary Interim Evaluation ÖREK 2011. Available at: 
https://bestelltool.oerok.gv.at/go/DateiUpload/uploads/pub277/kurzfassungEN.PDF, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
58 Stadt Wien (2014) Stadtentwicklungsplan Wien STEP 2025. Available at: 
https://www.wien.gv.at/stadtentwicklung/studien/pdf/b008379a.pdf 
59 Grünes Netz Graz. Available at: http://www5.umweltbundesamt.at/klimawandel/abfrage/show/4a118664-
3c0d-1030-89d5-ed5b02f6ce23, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
60 BMLFUW (2015). Anpassung and den Klimawandel in Österreich. Fortschrittbericht. Federal Ministry of 
Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Vienna. 
61 BOKU. FIS. Available at: 
https://forschung.boku.ac.at/fis/suchen.projekt_uebersicht?sprache_in=de&menue_id_in=300&id_in=7199, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 17 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
biodiversity62. In addition, a 2018 study on the effects of climate change in the water sector63 
is set to inform climate-relevant policy development.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Several  recommendations  proposed  under  relevant  sectors  (e.g.  agriculture,  protection  from 
natural  hazards,  disaster  risk  reduction,  health,  business)  in  the  NAP  involve  the  insurance 
sector and refer to it as a key actor. Recommendations include the development of new risk 
assessment methods, development and extension of risk-sharing instruments, and awareness-
raising.  At  present,  there  is  limited  information  available  about  the  extent  to  which  these 
actions  have  been  implemented.  A  standardisation  of  contributions  for  insurances  against 
natural hazards in the agricultural sector is underway. 

The  ‘Österreichische  Hagelversicherung’  is  the  main  insurance  company  for  agriculture 
against natural disasters, including hail, frost, storms, snow load, droughts, floods, and animal 
pests.  Target  groups  are  farmers,  gardeners and  wineries. ‘Hagelversicherung’ also  initiates 
targeted climate action projects.  

The  NAP  progress  report  indicates  that  the  insurance  of  agricultural  land  has  remained 
constant, no new instruments have been developed to promote further insurance in the sector 
(only  new  schemes  under 
that  focus  more  on  droughts: 
‘Dürreindex’). Furthermore, there has not been much progress in the drafting of the natural 
disaster  insurance  that  was  mentioned  in  the  NAP  (‘NatKat-Versicherung’).  However,  first 
steps towards the creation of a public-private partnership for risk transfers have been made.64 
In  general,  the  progress  report  concludes  that  it  is  not  yet  clear  to  what  degree  climate 
adaptation is integrated within private risk management.  

the  ‘Hagelversicherung’ 

Thus,  although  insurance  schemes  incentivising  investments  in  enhanced  resilience  and/or 
risk prevention are not yet in place, there are several ongoing activities and discussions in this 
field. 

9 

Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress / No 

The progress report evaluates the state of implementation of the proposed actions in the NAP. 
Several proposed measures have been implemented. They include mainstreaming of climate 

62 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2014). Biodiversity Strategy Austria 2020+. Conserving Diversity - securing 
quality of life and prosperity for us and future generations. Available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/at/at-
nbsap-v3-en.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
63 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2017). Klimawandel in der Wasserwirtschaft. Available at: 
http://klimawandelanpassung.at/index.php?id=34870, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
64 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2015). Anpassung and den Klimawandel in Österreich. Fortschrittbericht. 
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Vienna. 

Page 18 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
change  in  sectoral  as  well  as  regional  policy  documents,  such  as  the  National  Agricultural 
Programme or, more recently, the Forest Strategy 2020+ (see Indicator 8d for more detail). 
Furthermore,  several  Bundesländer  have  published  regional  adaption  strategies  and  action 
plans (see Sections A2 and B2 above). 

Nonetheless,  climate  change  and  adaptation  are  not  yet  considered  sufficiently  in  strategic 
policy documents throughout  Austria.  Institutional  barriers and lack of political  momentum 
still  slow  down  and  hinder  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures  across  sectors  and 
regions65. 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

For vertical coordination throughout the implementation phase, existing committees, such as 
the  National  Climate  Protection  Committee,  are  important  for  regular  exchange  of 
information,  experience,  lessons  learned  and  close  contact  between  the  Ministry  and  the 
provincial  states.  The  Federal  Ministry  for  Sustainability  and  Tourism,  together  with  all 
provincial  states,  established  an  implementation  plan  summarising  specific  adaptation 
measures to be implemented in close cooperation as a first step. 

The  Ministry  of  Sustainability  and  Tourism  supports  adaptation  activities  across  regions  or 
municipalities  mainly  by  providing  information66,  via  funding  specific  projects,  or  by 
developing  tools  and  guidelines67.  A  number  of  ACRP-financed  projects68  (e.g.  Capital-
Adapt,  FAMOUS,  AdaptBehaviour, CcTalK!, Go-Adapt) are fostering regional cooperation 
in adaptation. 

turning  recommendations 

The measures described in the action plan identify key actors responsible for implementation, 
but  the  NAS  does  not  prescribe  a  clear  governance  system  that  ensures  necessary 
coordination  for 
into  specific  actions.  The  Ministry  of 
Sustainability  and  Tourism  organised  workshops  in  2014  in  order  to  increase  adaptive 
capacity in the provinces. Due to their success, a second series of workshops was organised 
in  Autumn  2016,  focusing  on  building  the  capacity  of  regional  and  local  stakeholders.  In 
addition,  the  monitoring  and  evaluation  scheme  is  designed  to  enable  dialogue  between 
stakeholders, leading to a more efficient distribution of responsibilities for implementation. 

65 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2015). Anpassung and den Klimawandel in Österreich. Fortschrittbericht. 
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Vienna. 
66 BBSR (2016). Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Stadt und Region. Available at: 
http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/Veroeffentlichungen/Sonderveroeffentlichungen/2016/anpassung-
klimawandel-
dl.pdf;jsessionid=D3E9C3D23F8AE48656C761BAB4529763.live11294?__blob=publicationFile&v=2, Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 
67 BBSR. Klima Stadt Raum. Available at: http://www.klimastadtraum.de/DE/Home/home_node.html, Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 
68 ACRP (2016). Klimawandelanpassung in der Umsetzung. Available at: 
https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/assets/Uploads/ACRPKlimawandelanpassungweb.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 19 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
In September 2016, a new pilot project to foster adaptation in Austrian regions was initiated. 
In  a  first  phase,  regions  apply  for  support  in  order  to  develop  adaptation  concepts  and 
measures shaped to their special adaptation needs. Successful applications receive funding for 
an adaptation manager who is responsible for steering the process of implementing adaptation 
measures for a period of two years69.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The Institute for Meteorology published a document entitled ‘Strategic support for integrating 
climate  change  into  project  planning  for  large  projects’70,  as  part  of  the  research  project 
ENVISAGE-CC,  funded  by  the  ACRP.  The  project  was  successful  in  raising  awareness  of 
climate impacts with developers of large-scale infrastructure projects that are subject to EIA. 
A  follow-up  project  named  SPECIFIC  (SPEcific  Climate  change  ForesIght  in  projeCt 
design)71  has  broadened  the  target  audience  to  environmental  authorities  and  consultants 
(EIA assessors/ practitioners), and focuses on rail, highway and power grid projects, leading 
to the EIA climate-fit portal72 . 

A handbook with methods and tools that help to tackle adaptation challenges was published 
in order to support politicians and experts in the public administration of provinces, regions 
and  cities,  as  well  as  actors  in  regional  management,  to  develop  adaptation  strategies  (see 
Indicator 5b). The handbook provides guidance for strategic examination of the consequences 
of climate change in all areas of action covered by the NAS. The handbook is one of the main 
results  of  the  project  FAMOUS  (Factory  of  Adaptation  Measures  operated  ad  different 
Scales)73 financed by the Climate and Energy Fund. 

Another  overarching  guidance  published  at  the  end  of  2014  is  a  communication  strategy74 
focusing  on  practically  oriented, 
action-motivating 
recommendations for effectively communicating climate change and adaptation. 

target-group 

specific, 

and 

69 Climate-ADAPT (2017). Austria, Summary. Available at: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/austria, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
70 BOKU-Met (2015). Strategische Unterstützung bei der Projektplanung zur Berücksichtigung von 
Klimawandelfolgen. Available at: 
http://www.klimawandelanpassung.at/fileadmin/inhalte/kwa/pdfs/Envisage_StrategischeUnterstuetzung_BOKU
-Met_Report_24.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
71 https://www.rali.boku.ac.at/ilen/forschungsprojekte/specific/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
72 EIA climatefit portal: http://uvpklimafit.boku.ac.at/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
73 Prutsch, A., Felderer, A., Balas, M., König, M., Clar, C., Steurer, R. (2014): Methods and Tools for 
Adaptation to Climate Change. A Handbook for Provinces, Regions and Cities. Environment Agency Austria, 
Wien. Available at: http://www.klimawandelanpassung.at/fileadmin/inhalte/kwa/pdfs/HANDBUCH_EN.pdf, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
74 Umwelt Bundesamt (2014). Ein Leitfaden zur erfolgreichen Kommunikation. Available at: 
http://klimawandelanpassung.at/fileadmin/inhalte/kwa/pdfs/cctalk_strategie_Web-Version.pdf [29], Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 
http://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/dms/lmat/umwelt/klimaschutz/klimapolitik_national/anpassungsstrategie/broschuere/
Klimawandel-Brosch-re-Web/Klimawandel%20Brosch%C3%BCre%20Web.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018  

Page 20 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Several  guidelines have  successfully supported implementation of adaptation measures  (see 
also  Indicator  5b).  An  example  is  the  climate  change  (adaptation)  handbook  for  spatial 
planning75.  Its  tools  have  been  widely  tested  and  applied  throughout  the  different  Austrian 
alpine  regions  (as  per  the  updated  NAS).  External  handbooks  (e.g.  EU-level,  transnational, 
national)  and  other  forms  of  (national)  guidance  documents  are  mentioned  by  projects  and 
plans and, thus, support the implementation of specific actions included in the NAP. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Although  activities  have  taken  place  in  the  past  and  there  are  some  activities  currently 
underway and planned, it is unclear to what extent non-public administration stakeholders are 
being  involved  in  the  implementation  of  adaptation  policies  and  measures.  To  improve  the 
management  of  natural  disasters,  the  NAP  (via  a  specific  action)  mandates  inclusion  of  all 
relevant civil society actors in the decision-making and execution processes.  

The Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism, together with all of the Bundesländer, 
has  established  an  implementation  plan  for  the  NAP.  This  plan  summarises  a  few  specific 
participatory  measures  to  be  undertaken  as  a  next  step.  For  example,  a  working  group  on 
increased  private  risk  precaution  in  case  of  extreme  weather  events  was  established  in 
Austria.  In  addition,  it  was  agreed  to  make  stronger  joint  efforts  to  support  adaptation  at 
regional  level  (e.g.  through  regional  workshops,  and  a  brochure  with  good-practice 
examples).  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

A progress  report was published by the BMNT in 201576 on the state of implementation of 
the measures described in the NAP. Monitoring and evaluation of the NAS/NAP is pragmatic 
and comprises two modules: 1) a self-assessment approach using a stakeholder survey based 
on the NAP and sent to the key actors mentioned therein; 2) an indicator-based approach with 
qualitative  and  quantitative  data  collections  77.  No  information  is  available  on  allocated 

75 Pütz, M., Kruse, S., Butterling, M. (2011). Bewertung der Klimawandel-Fitness der Raumplanung: Ein 
Leitfaden für PlanerInnen. Projekt CLISP, ETC Alpine Space Programm. Available at: 
http://www.klimawandelanpassung.at/fileadmin/inhalte/kwa/pdfs/Clisp_Leitfaden_Klimawandelfitness.pdf, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
76 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2015). Anpassung and den Klimawandel in Österreich. Fortschrittbericht. 
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Vienna. 
77 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2014). Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Österreich. Konzept für die 
Fortschrittsdarstellung. Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Vienna 

Page 21 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
budgets, but the cost of inaction was calculated by the ACRP project COIN in 201578. The 
costs of public adaptation was calculated in the project PACINAS.79 Furthermore, the role of 
private  actors  in  adaptation  was  analysed  by  the  project  PATCH:ES80.  All  studies  were 
reflected in the NAS and NAP 2017. The progress report is to be drafted and published at 5-
year intervals. The next version is, therefore, due in 202081.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  central  progress  report  (see  Indicator  10a)  assesses  the  implementation  of  adaptation 
measures for 14 different sectors. Mainstreaming of climate adaptation into sector policies is 
one of the evaluation criteria of these sectoral assessments.  

10c.  Regional-,  subnational  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As mentioned in relation to Indicator 10a, the progress report is based on heavy input from 
regional  (Bundesländer)  and  local  stakeholders  (self-assessment  approach).  This  feedback 
mechanism allows for significant vertical flow of information, qualifying the central progress 
report as a proper monitoring tool for regional, sub-national, and local adaptation action. 

11 

Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  concept  note  for  the  ‘presentation  of  progress’  (Konzept  für  die  Fortschritts-
Darstellung)82 that lies at the heart of the central progress report (see Indicator 10a) provides 
an evaluation framework for both the NAS and the NAP. The evaluation takes place within a 
five-year cycle83.  

There is no formal revision framework that dictates a specific process for amending the NAS 
or  NAP  periodically.  However,  the  release  of  the  2015  progress  report  and  other  political 
developments  at  the  time  triggered  a  first  revision  and  update  of  the  NAS  and  NAP 

78 CCCA. COIN. Available at: http://coin.ccca.at/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
79 http://anpassung.ccca.at/pacinas/ergebnisse/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
80 http://anpassung.ccca.at/patches/ergebnisse/, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
81 Climate-ADAPT (2017). Austria, Summary. Available at: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/austria, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
82 BMNT, formerly BMLFUW (2014). Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Österreich – Konzept für die 
Fortschritts-Darstellung. Available at: 
https://www.bmnt.gv.at/umwelt/klimaschutz/klimapolitik_national/anpassungsstrategie/fortschrittsbericht.html, 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
83 Climate-ADAPT (2017). Austria, Summary. Available at: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/austria, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

Page 22 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
documents  in  2017.  Therefore,  the  review  timeline  is  characterised  by  an  ad-hoc  revision 
based  on  the  findings  of  the  five-year  recurring  evaluation/progress  report  of  the  NAS  and 
NAP. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Stakeholder involvement and engagement (cross-ministerial and regional) in the development 
of the central progress report qualifies as active participation in the monitoring and reviewing 
process. In both the self-assessment approach and the indicator-based approach, stakeholders 
provided  information  and  were  consulted.  Additional  workshops  took  place  to  jointly  work 
on  the  interpretation  of  quantitative  and  qualitative  data  for  the  progress  report  and  to  find 
consensus in the findings. The 2015 progress report was adopted by the Council of Ministers 
and all Provincial Governors.  

Page 23 of 743 

 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Met? 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

5 

Knowledge transfer 

Page 24 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

5a 

5b 

Indicator 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Met? 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress 
/ No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

8e 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Yes / No 

Page 25 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

10a 

10b 

10c 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, subnational or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Page 26 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard country fiche for 

Belgium 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 28 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ...................................................................................................... 29 

Adaptation strategies .......................................................................................................... 29 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 29 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ................................................ 30 

Adaptation action plans ...................................................................................................... 30 

B1. National adaptation action plan ............................................................................... 30 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 30 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 31 

SCOREBOARD ..................................................................................................................... 31 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ...................................................................... 32 

1. Coordination structure ................................................................................................ 32 

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development .................................................... 33 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 35 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 35 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 37 

5. Knowledge transfer ..................................................................................................... 38 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options ............................................................................... 40 

6. Adaptation options’ identification .............................................................................. 40 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 41 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ............................................................................ 42 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ....................................................... 42 

9. Implementing adaptation ............................................................................................ 45 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ............................................... 48 

10. Monitoring, reporting and evaluation. ...................................................................... 48 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 49 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................. 51 

Page 27 of 743 

 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

AMICE 

 Adaptation of the Meuse to the Impacts of Climate Evolution 

BELSPO  

 Belgian Federal Science Policy Office  

CCIEP  

 Coordination Committee for International Environmental Policy 

EIA 

NAP 

NAS 

NCC 

RMI 

SSD 

SEA 

 Environmental Impact Assessment 

 National Adaptation Plan 

 National Adaptation Strategy 

 National Climate Commission 

 Royal Meteorological Institute 

 Science for a Sustainable Development programme  

 Strategic Environmental Assessment 

TIDE   

 Tidal River Development 

VAP 

 Flemish Adaptation Plan 

VMM   

 Flanders Environment Agency 

WGA   

 Working Group on Adaptation 

Page 28 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Belgium is a federal state, composed of three regions and three language-based communities, 
each  with  its  own  executive  and  legislative  bodies.  These  bodies  intervene  on  an  equal 
footing  but  in  different  areas  of  competence84. The  federal  state  level  is  in  charge  of 
competences like foreign affairs, national defence and parts of national health85. This division 
of power means that what is considered as Belgium’s national climate adaptation policy is in 
fact the combination of the federal and three regional climate adaptation policies, which are 
those of the Walloon, the Flemish and the Brussels Capital region.  

At the national level, the National Climate Commission (NCC) plays the main role in internal 
coordination of climate policy. The Coordination Committee for International Environmental 
Policy  (CCIEP)  deals  with  international  environmental  affairs.  The  NCC,  and  more 
specifically  its  Working  Group  on  Adaptation  (WGA),  is  responsible  for  the  development, 
adoption  and  implementation  of  the  National  Adaptation  Strategy  (NAS)  and  the  National 
Adaptation  Plan  (NAP)86.  The  WGA  is  composed  of  representatives  from  the  Federal 
Government and the three different regions, as mentioned above87,88:  

  The  Federal  Government:  Federal  Public  Service  Health,  Food  Chain  Safety  and 
Environment (DG Environment) and Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign 
Trade  and  Development  Cooperation 
(DG  Development  Cooperation  and 
Humanitarian Aid) 

  Flemish region: Department of Environment and Spatial Development 
  Walloon region: Agence wallonne de l’air & du climat 
  Brussels region: Environment Brussels. 

When  describing  the  national  climate  adaptation  policy  in  the  analysis  presented  in  this 
document,  all  relevant  activities 
included. 
Intergovernmental  mechanisms  refer  to  collaborations  between  the  Federal,  Flemish, 
Walloon and Brussels  Capital  regions.  Vertical  mechanisms are mechanisms between these 
regions and the provincial and local level. 

the  four  governments  are 

in  each  of 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

84 Further details are available at: belgium.be, Date accessed: 01/06/2018 
85 Belgium, a Federal State, URL: https://www.belgium.be/en/about_belgium/government/federale_staat, Date 
accessed: 01/06/2018 
86 National adaptation strategy, URL: https://www.cnc-nkc.be/sites/default/files/content/be_nas_2010.pdf, Date 
accessed: 01/06/2018 
87 Beslissorganen, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/nl-be/klimaatbeleid/belgisch-klimaatbeleid/nationaal-
beleid/beslissingsorganen/ Date accessed: 01/06/2018 
88 The National Climate Commission, URL: https://www.cnc-nkc.be/en/about-national-climate-commission, 
Date accessed: 01/06/2018 

Page 29 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Belgium has a National Adaptation Strategy (NAS), which was approved in 2010. The NAS 
describes  the  main  climate  impacts,  the  existing  adaptation  responses,  a  roadmap  to  the 
National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and some policy guidelines for a climate proof future. The 
priority sectors are health, tourism, agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, ecosystems and water, 
coastal, marine and tidal areas, and production systems and physical infrastructure. The NAS 
pursues  the  improvement  of  the  communication  of  and  coherence  between  the  adaptation 
activities among the different governments.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

The Federal Government and each of the three regional governments – the Walloon region, 
the  Flemish  Region  and  the  Brussels  Capital  region  –  together  contribute  to  the  national 
adaptation policy. They do not have separate adaptation strategies, but  are each responsible 
for part of the NAS relevant to their competences.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation action plan 

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) was approved in April 2017. Priority sectors addressed 
in the NAP are agriculture, coastal areas, fishery, spatial planning and infrastructure, forests, 
biodiversity, energy, health, water management, tourism, industry and services, research and 
international  cooperation89.  The  NAP  complements  the  existing  Flemish,  Brussels  Capital, 
Walloon  and  Federal  adaptation  plans.  It  includes  some  additional  adaptation  measures  to 
improve the coordination and information  exchange between the different  governments,  for 
example developing high-resolution climate scenarios and a roadmap for a Belgian Centre of 
Excellence on adaptation.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

On 2 May 2013, the Brussels Capital Region adopted its Air-Climate-Energy Code (known as 
COBRACE90).  It  serves  as  a  legal  basis  for  its  Integrated  Air-Climate-Energy  Plan,  which 
was adopted on 2 June 2016 and which includes a section on adaptation91. Priority sectors are 
water  management,  infrastructure  and  built  areas,  energy,  green  areas  and,  forests.  Other 
thematic  plans  that  include  adaptation  measures  are  the  2012  Regional  Water  Management 
Plan92,  including  a  flood  prevention  plan  created  in  2003.  A  second  regional  water 
management plan has been adopted for the period 2016-2020 and integrates consideration of 

89 Nationale Adaptation Plan België, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/6714/9880/5758/NAP_NL.pdf, Date 
accessed: 01/06/2018. English version available at: https://www.cnc-
nkc.be/sites/default/files/report/file/nap_en.pdf  
90 Air-Climate-Energy Code Brussels, URL: http://environnement.brussels/thematiques/mobilite/stationnement-
cobrace, Date accessed: 01/06/2018 
91 Brussels Climate Plan, URL: 
http://document.environnement.brussels/opac_css/elecfile/PLAN_AIR_CLIMAT_ENERGIE_NL_DEF.pdf, 
Date accessed: 01/06/2018 
92 2012 Regional Water Management Plan, URL: http://www.environnement.brussels/thematiques/eau/plan-de-
gestion-de-leau/plan-de-gestion-de-leau-2009-2015?view_pro=1, Date accessed: 01/06/2018 

Page 30 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
floods and flood risks93. Furthermore, the region adopted the "Forêt de Soignes" management 
plan (2003)94 and its Nature Plan (2016), which both include adaptation measures. 

In  January  2014,  the  Walloon  government  adopted  its  ‘Climate  Decree’95  giving  a  legal 
framework for climate policy in Wallonia. The main implementation instrument is the ‘Air-
Climate-Energy Plan 2016 – 2022’96 which contains a section on adaptation and was adopted 
on  21  April  201697.  This  adaptation  section  summarises  the  impacts  and  vulnerability 
assessments,  as  well  as  detailed  adaptation  actions  to  deal  with  these  impacts  and 
vulnerabilities  in  the  following  sectors:  agriculture,  forestry,  biodiversity,  water,  health  and 
tourism.  

On  28  October  2016,  the  Federal  Government  adopted  the  Federal  Contribution  to  the 
National  Adaptation  Plan98,  which  identifies  federal  adaptation  actions  in  sectors  like  crisis 
management and transport.  

In addition, some provincial and local governments have signed the Covenant of Mayors for 
Climate  and  Energy  and  have  developed  adaptation  plans,  amongst  others  the  Province  of 
Antwerp,99 the Province of Limburg100, and the City of Gent101  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

No  sectoral  adaptation  plans  have  been  identified.  Sectoral  adaptation  measures  from  the 
different  policy  departments  are,  however,  integrated  in  the  national,  federal  and  regional 
adaptation plans.  

SCOREBOARD 

93 Brussels Watermanagement plan, URL: http://www.environnement.brussels/thematiques/eau/plan-de-gestion-
de-leau, Date accessed: 01/06/2018 
94 "Forêt de Soignes" management plan (2003), URL: http://www.environnement.brussels/thematiques/espaces-
verts-et-biodiversite/action-de-la-region/plan-de-gestion-pour-la-foret-de?view_pro=1, Date accessed: 
01/06/2018 
95 Climate Decree, URL: http://environnement.wallonie.be/legis/air/air074.html, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
96 Walloon Climate Plan, URL: 
http://www.awac.be/images/Pierre/PACE/Plan%20Air%20climat%20%C3%A9nergie%202016_2022.pdf, Date 
accessed: 01/06/2018 
97 Adaptation section of PACE, URL: http://www.awac.be/index.php/thematiques/changement-
climatique/adaptation#en-wallonie-de-la-concertation-au-pace, Date accessed: 01/06/2018 
98 Federal contribution to national adaptation plan, URL: 
http://www.klimaat.be/files/5514/7915/5040/federale_bijdrage_adaptatieplan.pdf, Date accessed: 01/06/2018 
99 Adaptatieplan Provincie Antwerpen, URL: 
https://www.provincieantwerpen.be/content/dam/provant/dlm/dmn/klimaat/ProvinciaalAdaptatiePlan.pdf, Date 
accessed: 01/06/2018 
100 Adaptatieplan Provincie Limburg, URL: 
http://www.limburg.be/webfiles/limburg/product/klimaat_klimaatadaptatieplan_2017.pdf, Date accessed: 
01/06/2018 
101 Adaptatieplan Gent, URL: https://klimaat.stad.gent/sites/default/files/klimaatadaptatieplan_gent.pdf, Date 
accessed: 01/06/2018 

Page 31 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure  

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes/ No  

In  Belgium,  the  central  administration  body  in  charge  of  Belgian  adaptation  policy  is  the 
WGA102, which is part of the NCC. It is the responsibility of the WGA to develop the NAS 
and  the  NAP.  Representatives  of  the  four  levels  of  the  Government,  i.e.  the  Federal 
Government  and  the  three  regional  governments,  form  the  WGA.  All  of  these  four 
governments are equal and there is no hierarchical relationship between the regions and the 
federal authority.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes/ In progress/ No  

Horizontal  coordination  among  sectors  is  organised  by  each  of  the  federal  and  regional 
governments  via  meetings  in  committees  and  contact  groups.  These  groups  bring  together 
representatives of various sectoral policy departments that are likely to be affected by climate 
change,  such  as  water,  agriculture,  nature  and  forests,  agriculture,  health,  spatial  planning, 
disaster  risk  management,  etc.  Horizontal  coordination  mainly  includes  identification  and 
follow-up of priority goals and adaptation actions. Furthermore, it addresses information and 
data  exchange  and  pursues  communication  and  synergy  between  the  different  sectors.  The 
WGA, mandated by the NCC, was the central actor for the drafting of the NAS and the NAP. 
The  WGA  is  in  charge  of  the  consultation  with  and  coordination  of  the  different 
regional/federal sectors for the elaboration, implementation and monitoring of the NAP. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making  

Yes/ In progress/ No  

To develop the NAS, representatives of the different governments of the WGA met regularly 
and  continue  to  do  so  in  order  to  discuss  progress  of  the  NAS  and  the  implementation  of 
adaptation plans.  

Vertical  coordination  in  Belgium  refers  to  coordination  between  the  four  governments,  the 
ten provinces  and the 589 local  authorities. Vertical  coordination is  in  place  at  some levels 
but not in a systematic manner. At the regional level, the departments involved in adaptation 
are  in  touch  with  provinces  and  local  authorities,  although  not  always  through  formal 

102 Working Group on Adaptation, URL: https://www.cnc-nkc.be/nl/wg-adaptatie, Date accessed: 01/06/2018 

Page 32 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
working groups or coordination mechanisms between the regional level and the provincial or 
the local authorities, but rather through cooperation mechanisms.  

The federal level has no competence with regard to provinces and local authorities. 

In  Flanders,  there  is  no  formal  coordination  mechanism  that  vertically  coordinates  the 
provincial  and  local  authorities,  nevertheless  coordination  exists  ad  hoc  and  related  to 
specific initiatives, such as the development of an adaptation portal. Furthermore, there was a 
pilot  group  with  representatives  of  some  local  authorities  and  provinces  that  aimed  to  co-
develop  adaptation  support  tools,  including  a  tool  to  explore  adaptation  measures103,  good 
adaptation  practices,  and  a  climate  portal  (under  development)  that  collects  all  data  on 
climate impacts at a municipal level in Flanders104. 

In  contrast  to  Flanders,  vertical  coordination  in  Wallonia  is  formal.  In  July  2017,  the 
Government signed a commitment to be a territorial coordinator of the Covenant of Mayors. 
In addition, the Walloon region has elaborated comparable adaptation support tools for local 
authorities105. 

Vertical coordination is also planned to take place via the official territorial coordinators of 
the  Covenant  of  Mayors.  Eight  out  of  ten  Belgian  provinces,  and  about  12  associations  of 
municipalities (‘intercommunales’) have signed up as territorial coordinators. The main focus 
of this coordination so far is on mitigation, but it is expected that these administrations will 
also play a role in adaptation106. 

There is no specific vertical coordination between Brussels Capital government and the local 
authorities.  

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies  

Yes / No 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  preparation  and  implementation  of  adaptation  policies  in 
various ways.  

103 Klimaatadaptatieportaal, URL: http://www.burgemeestersconvenant.be/klimaatadaptatie, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
104 Klimaatportaal, URL: https://www.milieurapport.be/klimaatportaal, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
105 Adaptation portal for Walloon local authorities, URL: 
http://www.awac.be/index.php/en/thematiques/changement-climatique/adaptation#a-diagnosis-of-vulnerability-
at-the-local-level, http://leswallonssadaptent.be, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018  
106 Territorial coordinators Convenant of Mayors, URL: https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-
community/coordinators.html, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 33 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
In  all  four  governments,  focus  groups  that  included  representatives  of  the  different  policy 
departments were established to identify objectives and priority measures. In addition, other 
stakeholders have been consulted as well during the process. More specifically:  

 

  At the level of the Federal Government, there was a public consultation on the federal 
plan ‘adaptation to climate change’ (later renamed ‘federal contribution to the NAP’) 
between  17  February  and  18  April  2014.  Stakeholders  involved  included  citizens, 
NGOs and sectoral organisations. The plan was also submitted to the Federal Council 
for  Sustainable  Development  that  includes  representatives  of  society,  including 
environmental  organisations,  organisation  for  development  cooperation,  users’, 
employees’ and employers’ bodies, youth organisations and scientists.  
In  Flanders,  stakeholder  consultation  during  the  development  of  the  adaptation  plan 
was  carried  out  twice  via  ‘roundtables’.  The  first  roundtable  presented  preliminary 
ideas  about  the  adaptation  plan,  while  the  second  roundtable  focused  on  the  draft 
version  of  the  plan  to  offer  a  platform  for  stakeholders  to  discuss  it.  Stakeholders 
included  industry  representatives,  environmental  organisations,  farmer  organisations 
and  youth  associations.  Furthermore,  the  ‘MINAraad’  was  consulted  on  the  draft 
Flemish Climate Plan.  
In the Walloon region, there was a public consultation on the adaptation  plan in the 
summer  of  2014.  Citizens,  companies  and  local  authorities  took  part  in  the 
consultation107.  

 

  The Brussels adaptation plan went to public consultation in 2015.  

The national adaptation plan was submitted for consultation to the federal and regional advice 
councils, which include stakeholders from all societal sectors, such as environment, industry, 
employee, and science.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries  

Yes/ No 

Transboundary  cooperation  is  a  priority  in  the  NAP108.  Action  10  of  the  NAP  (“Promote 
transnational  cooperation  on  adaptation”)  aims  to  facilitate  transnational  cooperation  on 
adaptation,  covering  both  international  cooperation  between  (neighbouring)  countries  and 
cross-border  cooperation  among  countries  with  shared  cross-border  resources  (e.g.  water, 
protected  areas)  or  other  shared  interests.  The  main  foci  for  transboundary  cooperation  are 
disaster  management,  nature  and  water  management.  Cooperation  mechanisms  in  these 
sectors already existed, nevertheless, it was recognised that further cooperation was needed. 
For  instance,  Belgium  takes  part  in  transboundary  water  management  commissions  of  the 
Meuse  and  Scheldt.  Belgium  participated  in  Interreg  projects,  such  as  TIDE  (Tidal  River 

107 Public Consultation Walloon climate plan, URL: http://www.climat.be/fr-be/news/2014/consultation-
publique-plan-air-climat-energie-de-la-wallonie/ Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
108 National Adaptation Plan Belgium, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/6714/9880/5758/NAP_NL.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 34 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Development), AMICE, and Future Cities. Furthermore, the Flemish government coordinates 
the Interreg 2 Seas project PROWATER (protecting and restoring raw water sources through 
actions at the landscape scale), which is expected to start in September 2018.  

So  far,  transboundary  co-operation  on  adaptation  in  the  BENELUX  countries  has  been  ad 
hoc.  For  instance,  in  2016  the  BENELUX  secretariat  organised  workshops  on  adaptation 
concerning  the  following  sectors:  transport,  energy,  health  and  crisis  management109.  The 
expectation is that more formal transboundary cooperation will be established in the coming 
years110.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts  

Yes / In progress/ No  

Belgium  has  observation  systems  that  allow  for  long-term  monitoring  of  temperature, 
precipitation and sea level. This monitoring work is carried out by the Royal Meteorological 
Institute (RMI)111 and the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level.  

Climate impacts are monitored by the different organisations:   

 

  Different climate impact studies have been performed for Belgium in the framework 
of  CORDEX.be  project  on:  extreme  precipitation;  maximum  snow  height;  urban 
parameters  for  Brussels  (including  outdoor  labour  productivity,  excess  energy 
consumption  and  heat  stress  due  to  heat  waves);  agricultural  crop  performance  and 
yield as well as biogenic emissions.  
Impacts  on forests and nature:  by Brussels  Environment112, Walloon Observatory  of 
Forest Health113 and the Research Institute for Nature and Forest in Flanders.114 
Impacts  on  the  oceans:  the  Flemish  Hydrography  and  Royal  Institute  of  Natural 
Sciences. 
Impact  on  water:  flood,  water  quality  and  drought  –  Flanders  Hydraulics  Research, 
the  Flemish  water  managers115,  the  Walloon  Waterways116,  the  Walloon  Flood 

 

 

109Cooperation BENELUX on Adaptation, URL: 
http://www.benelux.int/fr/publications/publications/adaptation-au-changement-climatique-au-sein-du-benelux, 
Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
110 National Adaptationplan Belgium, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/6714/9880/5758/NAP_NL.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
111 KMI/RMI: URL http://www.kmi.be/meteo/view/nl/357714-Algemeen.html, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
112 Brussels Environment, URL: http://www.environnement.brussels/thematiques/espaces-verts-et-
biodiversite/la-foret-de-soignes/gestion-de-la-foret?view_pro=1&view_school=1, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
113 Walloon Observatory of forest health, URL: http://owsf.environnement.wallonie.be/fr/index.html?IDC=5636, 
Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
114 INBO research institute for nature and forest in Flanders, URL: https://www.inbo.be/en, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
115 Flanders Hydraulics Research, URL: http://www.waterinfo.be./ Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 35 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Portal117,  Brussels  Environment,  Royal  Institute  of  Natural  Sciences.  Impact  on 
extreme precipitation, heat waves, and droughts is collected by the RMI. In 2015, the 
RMI  published  “Vigilance  climatique”.  In  2015  the  Flanders  Environment  Agency 
(VMM)  published  the  ‘MIRA  Climate  Report  2015:  About  observed  and  future 
climate  changes  in  Flanders  and  Belgium’.  The  indicators  from  the  report  are 
regularly updated on their website. Due to the dry conditions in Flanders, the VMM 
published a report on drought118 based on hydrological and meteorological indicators 
in June 2017. 

Since 1992 the EM-DAT database has  recorded the number of victims (deaths and affected 
persons)  of  natural  disasters  in  Belgium.  Indicators  are  developed  by  the  Federal  Planning 
Bureau.119To conclude, observation systems for many climate impacts are in place, however, 
they sometimes are fragmentary and not always available for the whole of Belgium.   

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments)  

Yes/ In progress/ No 

While Belgium does not formally have a national climate centre, the CORDEX.be project120 
(Combining regional downscaling expertise in Belgium: CORDEX and Beyond 2015-2017) 
provided  a  platform  for  data  exchange  and  communication  among  the  Belgian  climate 
modelling  groups.  CORDEX.be  makes  use  of  the  most  recent  IPCC  scenarios  (2014).  All 
impact assessments rely on these models. In the context of the CORDEX.be project, a wide 
range  of  climate  model  simulations  have  been  performed  that  are  collected  on  the 
CORDEX.be data hub  at  the RMI  and will serve as the basis of future impact  studies.  The 
model simulations are thoroughly validated by comparison with past observations and GNSS-
derived products.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making  

Yes/ In progress/ No 

The  NAP  provides  sound  climate  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  for  11  key  sectors: 
agriculture,  coastal  areas,  fishery,  spatial  planning  and  infrastructure,  forests,  biodiversity, 

116 Walloon Waterways, URL: http://voies-hydrauliques.wallonie.be/opencms/opencms/fr, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
117 Walloon Flood Portal, URL: http://environnement.wallonie.be/inondations/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
118 VVM drought report, URL: http://www.waterinfo.be/download/e8cd3c39-0463-478e-a41b-
1d3bfbad332c?dl=0, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
119 Federal Planning Bureau EM-DAT database, URL: 
http://www.indicators.be/fr/i/BGD_CLI_NDV/Victimes_de_catastrophes_naturelles, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
120 CORDEX – project, URL: http://www.euro-cordex.be/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 36 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
energy, health, water management, tourism, industry and services. The assessments indicate 
the types and intensity of climate impacts on these sectors by a colour gradation from green 
to red (opportunity to threat). The assessment is carried out in a qualitative way and provides 
climate  impact  information  for  the  periods  2030,  2050  and  2085  within wet,  mean  and  dry 
scenarios.  The  assessment  is  the  combination  of  the  results  of  the  different  climate  impact 
assessments carried out  by the regional  governments  and impact  studies  at  federal level.  In 
addition,  the  Flemish  Environment  Agency  has  published  a  climate  assessment  report  in 
2015121 and the research report on indicators for urban heat island effect in Flanders122.  

3d.  Climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  take  transboundary  risks  into  account, 
when relevant  

Yes/ In Progress/ No  

Taking  into  account  transboundary  risks  is  not  yet  common  practice  in  climate  risk  and 
vulnerability  assessments  in  Belgium.  It  is  mainly  in  the  field  of  flood  risk  management 
where progress has been made, primarily as a result of joint projects. One of the examples is 
the Interreg AMICE project for which scientists from France, Belgium and the Netherlands 
have built a transnational scenario to evaluate climate impacts with regards to flood risks in 
the  Meuse  river  basin.  Another  example  is  the  ENDURE  Interreg  project,  which  aims  to 
improve the adaptive capacity by focusing on the protection of sand dunes in the 2 Seas area. 
Furthermore,  the  Flemish  drought  and  water  scarcity  indicator  also  considers  risks  of 
upstream parts of the international basins123. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps  

Yes/ In progress/ No 

Research for better understanding is part of the Belgian adaptation policy. Knowledge  gaps 
are addressed by:  

1)  Conventional  research  funding  organisations.  Knowledge  gaps  are  mentioned  in  a 
general  way  but  researchers  have  some  freedom  to  determine  the  focus  of  their 
research.  The  Belgian  Federal  Science  Policy  Office  (BELSPO)  financed  several 
projects  on  climate  impacts  and  adaptation  through  the  former  ‘Science  for  a 
Sustainable  Development’  (SSD)  programme124.  Topics  and  sector-specific  domains 
of  interest  addressed  include  transport,  hydrological  events,  surface  water,  coastal 

121 Climate assessment report 2015, URL: http://www.milieurapport.be/nl/publicaties/topicrapporten/mira-
rapport-klimaat-2015/ Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
122 Urban Heat Island report, URL: http://www.milieurapport.be/nl/publicaties/topicrapporten/mira-rapport-
klimaat-2015/ Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
123 Risks in river basins, URL: http://www.milieurapport.be/nl/feitencijfers/milieuthemas/waterkwantiteit/ Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
124 Science for a Sustainable Development” programme, URL: 
http://www.belspo.be/belspo/ssd/science/pr_climate_nl.stm Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 37 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
management,  fisheries  and  health.  Several  research  projects  have  been  launched  to 
increase  knowledge  of  climate  impacts  and  adaptation  through  the  BRAIN-be 
programme125.  In  2014,  the  call  for  project  proposals  by  BELSPO  included  climate 
adaptation  as  one  of  its  four  priority  themes.  Special  attention  was  directed  to  two 
research  activities:  understanding  sectoral  climate  impacts,  and  developing  policy 
decision-support  tools  that  aim  at  evaluating  the  effects  of  climate  change.  The 
BRAIN-BE call in 2016 included a call for proposals for developing scientific support 
for the development of climate services. Unfortunately, no projects were selected for 
funding. 

In  total  five  projects  are  funded  in  the  framework  of  the  ERA4CS  Joint  Call  on 
Researching  and  Advancing  Climate  Services  Development  by  (A)  Advanced  co-
development  with  users  (B)  Institutional  integration,  linked  to  the  JPI  Climate  (two 
cash-funded via BELSPO and three funded in kind via RMI). 

2)  Research and studies funded by the policy departments themselves. These studies are 
upon  request  and  knowledge  gaps  are  identified  and  specified.  Examples  of  these 
studies are the study on climate proof spatial planning, or on the needs assessment for 
local authorities on climate adaptation planning.  

3)  A  think  tank  consisting  of  academics  and  other  experts  on  climate  adaptation 
(Flanders only), which was subsidised by the Flemish government from 2015 – 2017 
to  develop  and  spread  knowledge  on  adaptation  across  disciplines.  Knowledge  gaps 
were identified and addressed during meetings126,127.  

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means).  

Yes/ In progress/ No 

Information that is useful for adaptation is available online and can be used by different types 
of stakeholders.  

In Flanders, there are portals with abundant adaptation-relevant information, including: 

  An overview of Flemish adaptation policy128  

  Climate change information129  

125 BRAIN-be programme, URL: https://www.belspo.be/belspo/brain-be/index_fr.stm Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
126 DenkTank Adaptatie, URL: http://dka.ugent.be/index.php/cases-2/eindcongres-denktank-klimaatadaptatie-
vlaanderen, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
127 DenkTank Adaptatie, URL: http://www.dka.ugent.be/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
128 Vlaams adaptatiebeleid, URL: http://www.vlaamseklimaattop.be/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
129 MIRA Klimaatrapport, URL: http://www.milieurapport.be/nl/publicaties/topicrapporten/mira-rapport-
klimaat-2015/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 38 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
  Support for local authorities130.  

A  climate  portal  will  also  soon  be  launched  that  includes  geographical  climate  impact 
information at a detailed level for all Flemish municipalities131. The main policy department 
in climate adaptation has initiated this data provision.  

In Wallonia, it is the Walloon Agency for Air & Climate (AWAC) that provides the online 
information  to  support  adaptation.  This  information  mainly  aims  at  different  sectors  and  at 
local authorities132  

The  Brussels  Capital  region  offers  information  on  its  website  mainly  limited  to  the  policy 
plan133.  

At  the  federal  level,  the  website134  provides  information  on  climate  change  and  climate 
adaptation policy at all levels as well as climate observations and impacts.  

A dedicated national online platform135 is planned (with a committed budget) at the national 
level, as mentioned in the NAP. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated  

Yes/In progress/ No 

A  limited  number  of  specific  education  and  training  materials  could  be  identified  in  the 
available sources of information.136  

Some  more  generic  materials,  considering  impacts  and  adaptation  exist,  such  as  the 
for  development  cooperation,  and 
“KLIMOS”  environmental  sustainability 
educational files on climate change targeted to young students. 

toolkit 

There  has  also  been  some  capacity  building  of  local  authorities,  particularly  on  how  to 
develop adaptation plans. Several workshops were organised for the Walloon municipalities 
to disseminate these tools, within two frameworks: the Floods Directive and the elaboration 

130 Ondersteuning lokale overheden, URL: http://www.vlaamseklimaattop.be/ondersteuning-lokale-overheden, 
Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 ; adaptatieportaal, URL: http://www.burgemeestersconvenant.be, Date accessed 
on: 01/06/2018; Klimaat en Ruimte, URL: http://www.klimaatenruimte.be/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
131 Klimaatportaal, URL: https://www.milieurapport.be/klimaatportaal, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
132 URL: http://www.awac.be/index.php/l-adaptation, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
133 COBRACE, URL: http://environnement.brussels/thematiques/air-climat/laction-de-la-region/air-climat-et-
energie-vision-integree?view_pro=1&view_school=1, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
134 URL: http://www.climatechange.be/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
135 URL: www.adapt2climate.be, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
136 Outils de vulgarisation, URL: http://www.awac.be/index.php/mediatheque/outils-de-vulgarisation, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
See also "Weather forecast in 2050" video to sensitize population to the future climate of Christmas in Belgium 
in 2050 (initiative during the WMO climate summit), URL: 
http://www.awac.be/index.php/mediatheque/multimedia-1/item/98-bulletin-meteo-en-2050, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 

Page 39 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
of  flood  risk  management  plans;  and  the  Walloon  POLLEC  Programme,  which  provides 
regional support to the cities in relation to the Covenant of Mayors objectives. 

It is expected that the capacity building for public officers to develop adaptation plans will be 
developed in  the near future in  Flanders137  as  well. The Flemish Region  and some Flemish 
provinces have organised a number of annual conferences, aiming at climate practitioners to 
share their experiences on mitigation and adaptation138. 

In  addition,  national  conferences  and  roundtables  are  organised  in  a  coordinated  way  by 
regional and federal governments to implement the NAP (Measure 4 ‘Strengthening sectoral 
coordination at national level’). The 1st Conference ‘Adaptation to Climate Change: What is 
the  Situation  in  Belgium’  was  organised  in  November  2017139  and  was  attended  by  around 
one hundred people.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts  

Yes / No 

Relevant  adaptation  options  for  each  sector  in  the  national,  the  federal  and  regional 
adaptation  plans  were  selected  on  the  basis  of  sound  sectoral  risk  and  vulnerability 
assessments140.  The  options  were  identified  by  expert  judgement  of  the  relevant  policy 
departments. Besides sectoral adaptation options, the regional, federal and national adaptation 
plans also mentioned ‘horizontal’ adaptation options like research, international collaboration 

137 Ondersteuning lokale overheden, URL: http://www.vlaamseklimaattop.be/ondersteuning-lokale-overheden, 
Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
138 Interprovinciale klimaatdag, URL: https://www.west-
vlaanderen.be/kwaliteit/Leefomgeving/klimaat/Documents/Verslag%20interprovinciale%20klimaatdag%2013%
20oktober%202016.pdf en  
Vlaams Brabant Klimaatneutraal, URL: http://www.vlaamsbrabant.be/wonen-milieu/milieu-en-natuur/vlaams-
brabant-klimaatneutraal/samen-met-jou-naar-een-klimaatneutrale-provincie/klimaattop-vlaams-
brabant/index.jsp, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018  
139 National climate Commission, URL: https://www.cnc-nkc.be/en/ConfAdapt, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
140 Federal contribution to the national adaptation plan, URL: 
http://www.klimaat.be/files/5514/7915/5040/federale_bijdrage_adaptatieplan.pdf, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018;  
Vlaams adaptatieplan, URL: https://www.lne.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2013-06-28_VAP.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018;  
COBRA, URL: 
http://document.environnement.brussels/opac_css/elecfile/PLAN_AIR_CLIMAT_ENERGIE_NL_DEF.pdf, 
Date accessed on: 01/06/2018;  
PACE, URL: 
http://www.awac.be/images/Pierre/PACE/Plan%20Air%20climat%20%C3%A9nergie%202016_2022.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018  

Page 40 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
and  transversal  affairs.  These  adaptation  options  result  from  ambitions  to  better  coordinate 
adaptation actions and are related to identified adaptation needs141.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria analyses, stakeholders' consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks  

Yes / No 

The selection of priority adaptation options for the NAP is the result of an extensive process. 
It was based on an analysis of the measures contained in the adaptation plans (three regions 
and the  Federal Government) with  the  aim to  identify the  gaps and/or the opportunities for 
synergies. It was also based on the EU adaptation framework (particularly the EU Adaptation 
Strategy  and  its  accompanying  documents),  and  a  study  exploring  potential  national 
adaptation  actions  to  be  implemented  jointly  by  the  federal  and  regional  authorities.  The 
WGA  of  the  NCC  identified  a  set  of  measures  based  on  this  analysis.  The  relevance  and 
feasibility  of  the  measures  were  analysed  in  consultation  with  the relevant  sectoral experts, 
according to criteria, such as the opportunity for implementation (focusing on the integration 
of adaptation into planned sectoral projects/process), the national added-value (i.e. the extent 
of benefits for all four entities) and the urgency of action. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies  

Yes/ In progress / No 

There  is  some  evidence  available  on  coordination  mechanisms  between  the  authorities 
dealing  with  disaster  risk  management  and  adaptation  policies.  There  has  been  increased 
coordination  in  the  context  of  the  Federal  contribution  to  the  NAP,  as  the  Federal 
Government is in charge of crisis and emergency management.   

Belgium fostered better coordination between disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation 
by  gathering  the  regional  and  federal  crisis  centre,  adaptation  experts,  and  climate  services 
scientists  in  September  2017.  Future  coordination  will  build  on  the  work  realized  in  the 
framework  of  the  cordex.be  project  and  will  look  further  into  how  to  mainstream  climate 
change  in  disaster  risk  prevention  and  management.  This  would  be  in  line  with 
implementation of Measure 11 of the NAP and Measure 5 of the Federal contribution to the 
NAP. 

A  national  platform  for  disaster  risk  reduction  (Sendaï  platform)  was  established  in  2016 
(coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated  

141 National Adaptation plan, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/6714/9880/5758/NAP_NL.pdf, Date accessed 
on: 01/06/2018 

Page 41 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
7a.  Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in  vulnerable  sectors  and  for 
cross-cutting adaptation action  

Yes / In Progress / No  

A dedicated budget is not attached to the NAS. Funding for climate adaptation is available at 
all levels within existing governmental budgets.  

For  2017  and  2018,  the  NCC  foresaw  a  dedicated  budget  for  the  implementation  of  the 
NAP.142 The NAP actions are generally horizontal and, therefore, the budget is not dedicated 
to  one  specific  sector  but  every  sector  can  benefit  from  these  measures  (e.g.  the  budget  to 
develop  a  web  platform  on  adaptation  where  every  sector  will  be  integrated).  The  sectoral 
adaptation actions have to be financed by each of the relevant policy departments and need to 
be included in the annual department budget. Although there is no evidence of multi-annual 
funding  for  climate  adaptation,  the  different  governments  allocate  a  part  of  their  budget  to 
implementing adaptation measures. For instance, in 2017, Flanders143 and Wallonia144 funded 
impact assessments and the development of adaptation support tools to help local authorities. 
Flanders  funded  the  development  of  climate  scenarios  and  assess  climate  impacts145.  In 
addition, there was a think tank146 in Flanders on adaptation, financed by the Department of 
Environment and Spatial Development to bring together expertise. The Federal Government 
has  funded  an  impact  assessment  study  as  well  as  research  projects  (via  BELSPO).  There 
appears to be no climate adaptation funding in the Brussels Capital region.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments  

Yes / No 

At the federal level, the need for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) was established 
in law on 13 February 2006147. The Federal Government has provided guidance on SEA via 

142 Personal communication with MS contact. 
143 Ondersteuning lokale overheden, URL: http://www.vlaamseklimaattop.be/ondersteuning-lokale-overheden, 
http://www.vlaamseklimaattop.be/ondersteuning-lokale-overheden,en, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018; 
Adaptatieportaal, URL: http://burgemeestersconvenant.be/klimaatadaptatie, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018  
144 Tool to assess vulnerability at local level, URL: http://www.awac.be/index.php/en/thematiques/changement-
climatique/adaptation#a-diagnosis-of-vulnerability-at-the-local-level, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
145 This fund is available at VMM 
146 DenkTank Adaptatie, URL: http://www.dka.ugent.be/index.php/doelstelling/doelstelliing, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
147 SEA Guidance, URL: https://www.health.belgium.be/nl/sea-guidance-klimaat-en-milieueffect, Date accessed 
on: 01/06/2018 

Page 42 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
its  website,  since  October  2017148,  in  order  to  ensure  that  assessments  address  climate 
adaptation. 

At the Flemish level, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2014/52/EU was 
transposed into law via the Decree of 3 February 2017149. Consequently, climate adaptation is 
considered in EIA150.  

In  the  Walloon  region  and  Brussels-Capital  region,  the  former  EU  directive  2011/92/UE  is 
still used to guide EIA, so climate change is not yet always considered in practice151.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections  

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes/ No 

Disaster risk management is a shared responsibility between the local, provincial and federal 
levels. Disaster risk management plans do not include direct reference to climate change. The 
NAP152  includes  a  measure  for  the  2018  risk  analysis  to  include  consideration  of  climate 
impacts  in  order  to  revise  the  disaster  risk  management  plans153.  Specific  plans  for  the 
protection  of  critical  infrastructure,  as  well  as  specific  emergency  management  plans  for 
floods154, heat waves155 and forest fires, do consider climate change to a certain extent.   

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change  

Yes/ No 

Climate change is not yet completely integrated in land use, spatial planning, urban planning 
and maritime planning. However, there are a few policy instruments implemented in spatial 
planning  in  Flanders  that  aim  to  avoid  new  developments  in  flood  risk  areas  (e.g.  the 
‘watertoets’ and the ‘Signaalgebieden’ in Flanders156). However, these policy instruments are 
based on current flood risk information rather than flood risks arising from climate change. 

148 SEA Guidance, URL:https://www.health.belgium.be/nl/sea-guidance-klimaat-en-milieueffect, Date accessed 
on: 01/06/2018 
149 Omgevingsvergunning en klimaatverandering in Vlaanderen, URL: 
https://www.lne.be/omgevingsvergunning-gestart-op-23-februari-2017, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
150 Richtlijnenboek Milieueffectenrapportage, URL: https://www.lne.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/rlb-alg-
proc-en-meth-aspecten-2015.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
151 Portail environnement de Wallonie, URL: http://environnement.wallonie.be/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
and Evaluatie van de milieueffecten, URL: https://stedenbouw.irisnet.be/vergunning/de-
vergunningsaanvraag/evaluatie-van-de-milieueffecten-1, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
152 Federale bijdrage adapatieplan, URL: 
http://www.klimaat.be/files/5514/7915/5040/federale_bijdrage_adaptatieplan.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
153 Personal communication with MS contact.  
154 Flanders Hydraulics, URL: http://www.waterinfo.be/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
155 Belgian Interregional Environment Agency, URL: http://www.irceline.be/en and Hittewaarschuwing, URL: 
http://www.meteo.be/meteo/view/nl/1401103-Hittewaarschuwing.html, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
156 Watertoets, URL: http://www.integraalwaterbeleid.be/nl/beleidsinstrumenten/watertoets and, Date accessed 
on: 01/06/2018; Signaalgebieden, URL: 
http://www.integraalwaterbeleid.be/nl/beleidsinstrumenten/signaalgebieden, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018  

Page 43 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Climate  change  is  mentioned  in  maritime  spatial  planning.  It  is  being  taken  into  account 
throughout the planning process and has led to specific spatial decisions directly or indirectly 
related to climate change, e.g. the designation of a zone for a test island for coastal protection 
and  the  designation  of  additional  zones  for  offshore  renewable  energy.  In  addition,  climate 
change is included in EIA.  

Regional  forestry  policy  instruments  (e.g.  the  Walloon  forest  code,  the  Flanders  forestry 
policy and the Brussels forest plans) aim to enhance the climate resilience of forests. Some 
major  water  and  flood  management  initiatives  with  land-use  implications  consider  climate 
change  (e.g.  the  Walloon  Plan  PLUIES157  and  the  Flemish  SIGMA  plan158).  However,  no 
guidance related to climate proofing of buildings has been found159.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies  

Yes/ In progress/ No 

The NAS, the federal contribution to the NAP and the regional adaptation plans promote the 
mainstreaming  of  climate  change  in  different  policy  sectors.  Evidence  of  mainstreaming  in 
sectors is reported in the 7th National Communication report160 across many sectors, including 
water management, coastal areas, biodiversity, agriculture, forests, fishing, infrastructure and 
urban environment, transport, tourism, health, industry and services, energy, and disaster risk 
management. The policy instruments  are diverse, ranging  from  an information campaign to 
encourage  water  savings  to  integrating  climate  change  in  the  coastal  safety  master  plan  to 
encouraging farmer actions via climatic  agri-environmental measures.  The NAS  (2010) has 
been the sole driver of mainstreaming climate adaptation in these sectors.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention  

Yes/ No 

The draft federal contribution to the NAP161 contains provisions to foster the consideration of 
climate  risks  in  insurance  and  guarantee  schemes,  and  to  support  the  productive  sectors  in 
considering and addressing climate impacts and adaptation. However, this measure was not 
retained  in  the  final  version  (‘Federal  Contribution  to  the  NAP’)  adopted  by  the  Federal 
Council of Ministers. Incorporating climate change in the insurance sector is also an ambition 

157 Plan Pluies, URL, http://environnement.wallonie.be/de/dcenn/plan_pluies/index.htm, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
158 Sigmaplan, URL: http://sigmaplan.be/nl/, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
159 Personal communication with MS contact. 
160 7th National Communication, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/4315/1549/8156/NC7_EN_LR.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
161 Federal Contribution to the national adaptation plan, URL: 
http://www.klimaat.be/files/5514/7915/5040/federale_bijdrage_adaptatieplan.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 44 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
of  the  Flemish  Adaptation  Plan.  However,  the  progress  report162,163  indicated  that  the 
insurance sector is not yet willing to include climate change in their products due to lack of a 
legal  framework.  No  evidence  was  found  of  other  incentives  for  investments  in  risk 
prevention.  

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents  

Yes /In progress/ No 

The NAS  as  well as  the federal  contribution  to  the NAP  and the regional  adaptation  plans, 
have listed adaptation measures and actions. These actions are mainly defined by sectors and 
are  implemented  by  the  respective  policy  departments.  There  are  also  some  overarching 
like  carrying  out  research164,  and  establishing 
horizontal  adaptation  actions 
transnational cooperation165.  

listed 

Many of the adaptation actions are being implemented166 sectorally, i.e. in relation to water 
management, coastal areas, biodiversity, agriculture, forests, fishing, infrastructure and urban 
environment,  transport,  tourism,  health,  industry  &  services,  energy  and  disaster  risk 
management. Examples of adaptation actions include: awareness raising on the importance of 
healthy  soils;  connecting  nature  areas;  setting  up  a  centre  of  excellence  on  adaptation; 
considering climate change when restoring.  

At  the  federal  level,  the  adaptation  actions  have  been  implemented  since  2016,  so  are  in 
progress, as was planned.  

At the Flemish level, implementation of adaptation actions started in 2013 and most actions 
are in progress, as was planned.  

At the Walloon level, implementation of adaptation actions started in 2016 and most actions 
are in progress, as was planned. 

In the Brussels Capital region, implementation of adaptation actions started in 2016.  

162 Voortgangsrapport 2015. Vlaams Adaptatiebeleid, URL: 
https://www.lne.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/VR%202016%201504%20MED.%20VORA2015%20-
%203%20bijlage.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
163 Voortgangsrapport 2017 Vlaams Adaptatiebeleid, URL: 
https://www.lne.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/VORA2016-2017_Adaptatie.pdf, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
164 Vlaams Adaptatieplan, URL: https://www.lne.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2013-06-28_VAP.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
165 Nationaal Adaptatieplan, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/6714/9880/5758/NAP_NL.pdf, Date accessed 
on: 01/06/2018 
166 Voortgangsrapport 2015. Vlaams adaptatieplan, URL: 
https://www.lne.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/VR%202016%201504%20MED.%20VORA2015%20-
%203%20bijlage.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

Page 45 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
At the national level, implementation started in 2017.  

There  are some  adaptation actions that emerged  autonomously and were  implemented even 
before the adaptation plans were developed, like the SIGMA plan in Flanders in 2005 or Plan 
PlUIES in Wallonia in 2003.  

In addition to the adaptation measures in the NAP, there are also some provinces and cities 
that have listed adaptation measures that will soon be implemented167.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes/ No 

Cooperation  mechanisms  at  provincial  and  local  levels  are  under  development  in  Flanders 
and  Wallonia.  These  are  the  regions  that  could  benefit  most  from  these  cooperation 
mechanisms. The cooperation is being formalised in the Walloon.  

In  Flanders,  the  cooperation  mechanism  is  provided  by  an  adaptation  support  tool  that  was 
developed  by  the  Flemish  government  with  a      pilot  group  of  local  authorities  in  order  to 
support  local  authorities  in  the  development  of  their  adaptation  plans.  This  support  tool 
includes: 

  A climate atlas that reveals the most vulnerable areas in Flanders 
  A tool to explore adaptation measures168; and  
  Good practices about climate adaptation. 

In  the  Walloon  region,  a  comparable  adaptation  support  tool  for  local  authorities  is 
available.169 

The Walloon region has recently signed a commitment to be a territorial  coordinator of the 
Covenant  of  Mayors.  Cooperation  is,  therefore,  emphasized  in  a  more  formal  way.  Several 
workshops have been organized to present the tools available for the cities in the framework 
of the POLLEC Programme. This programme supports cities to develop action plans for the 
Covenant  of  Mayors.  Wallonia  also  has  more  ad  hoc  cooperation,  like  the  workshops 
organised  in  the  framework  of  the  Flood  Directive  and  the  elaboration  of  the  flood  risk 

167 Provinciaal Adaptatieplan, URL: 
https://www.provincieantwerpen.be/content/dam/provant/dlm/dmn/klimaat/ProvinciaalAdaptatiePlan.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018; Adaptatieplan provincie Limburg, URL: 
http://www.limburg.be/webfiles/limburg/product/klimaat_klimaatadaptatieplan_2017.pdf, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018; Adaptatieplan stad Gent, URL: 
https://klimaat.stad.gent/sites/default/files/klimaatadaptatieplan_gent.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
168 Adaptatieportaal, URL: http://www.burgemeestersconvenant.be/klimaatadaptatie, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
169 Tools to assess vulnerability, URL: http://www.awac.be/index.php/en/thematiques/changement-
climatique/adaptation#a-diagnosis-of-vulnerability-at-the-local-level: Adaptatioportal for Walloon local 
authorities, URL: http://leswallonssadaptent.be, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018  

Page 46 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
management  plans.  These  workshops  were  organised  to  disseminate  information  to  cities, 
provinces and other actors in charge of the flood risk management the Walloon region. The 
adaptation tool for cities has been presented during these workshops. 

Some provinces are planning to coordinate adaptation with the local authorities. However, as 
yet, no formalized coordination group has been established. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of climate  change  on 
major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative  options,  e.g.  green 
infrastructure  

Yes/ No  

Measure  9  of  the  Federal  contribution  to  the  NAP  is  a  cross-sectoral  measure  that  foresaw 
mainstreaming of climate adaptation in the development of federal policies. This measure has 
been implemented through: 

 

Integration of adaptation in the analysis procedure for regulation (the so-called AIR – 
‘analyse  d’impact  de  legislation’)  as  well  as  in  the  manual  for  impact  analysis  for 
regulation. 

  Development  of  guidelines  to  promote  better  integration  of  climate  mitigation  and 
adaptation (and biodiversity) in SEA and EIA in the North Sea. The guidelines were 
published in October 2017170. A (general) reference to the guidelines has been made 
in  the  Belgian  EIA  regulation  for  activities  in  the  North  Sea  (Royal  Decree  of  9 
September 2003). The existing guidelines171 for SEA will be updated according to the 
guidance. 

Flanders has already developed guidelines to consider climate in EIA. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures.  

Yes / No 

Many of the adaptation plans are government-driven. Stakeholders have a limited role in the 
implementation  of  adaptation  measures  and  are  involved  on  an  ad  hoc  basis,  depending  on 
the adaptation measure considered. Although it is proposed that measures to address climate 
impacts should be taken up by the private sector, there does not seem to be any public-private 
cooperation.  

170 Guidance climate change in EIA, URL: 
http://www.climat.be/files/8215/0874/7294/Guidance_climat_et_impact_environmental.pdf, Date accessed on: 
01/06/2018 
171 Evaluation des incidences environmentales de certain plans, URL: 
https://www.health.belgium.be/fr/document-dorientation-pour-levaluation-des-incidences-environnementales-
de-certains-plans-et, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

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Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring, reporting and evaluation. 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated  

Yes/ No 

Monitoring  implementation  of  adaptation  policy  takes  place  every  two  to  four  years  at  the 
national level172. The WGA monitors the progress of implementation in a qualitative way by 
listing  actions  that  are  carried  out  by  the  different  policy  departments173.  The  monitoring 
indicators that are described in the different adaptation plans are used as guidance. Allocated 
budgets  and  other  financial  information  are  not  monitored.  The  National  Climate 
Commission integrates monitoring results into the National Communication report174.  

Monitoring has been taking place since 2015, as part of the National Communication report. 
Results were disseminated in the 6th National Communication (2015-2016)175 and in the 7th 
National Communication (2017-2018)176, and are accessible amongst others via the national 
website177 and the federal website178. 

A workshop for French-speaking technical staff working on climate adaptation in Africa was 
co-organised  by  Germany,  Belgium,  Switzerland,  France,  FAO  and  UNDP  (Cluster 
Francophone)  in  May  2018  in  Couala  (Cameroun).  The  focus  was  on  monitoring  and 
evaluation of adaptation measures. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated  

Yes / No 

The  monitoring  results  in  National  Communications  are  organised  according  to  sectoral 
policies. However, the monitoring of the NAP is not specified per sector.  

172 Rapportering klimaatbeleid, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/nl-be/klimaatbeleid/belgisch-
klimaatbeleid/rapportering, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
173 7th communication climate policy, URL:http://www.klimaat.be/files/4315/1549/8156/NC7_EN_LR.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
174 6th communication climate policy, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/6714/9880/5758/NAP_NL.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
175 http://www.klimaat.be/files/7514/5034/4559/BR2_EN.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
176 7th National Communication, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/4315/1549/8156/NC7_EN_LR.pdf, Date 
accessed on: 01/06/2018 
177 URL: www.cnc-nkc.be, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 
178 URL: www.climatechange.be, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018 

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Nevertheless, at the Flemish level, the different policy sectors report on a bi-annual basis on 
the  progress  of  their  adaptation  actions179.  The  first  progress  report  was  published  for  the 
period 2013-2015. The second report for the period 2015-2017 was approved in March 2018.  

At  the  federal  level,  in  the  framework  of  the  federal  law  on  monitoring,  reporting  and 
verification  (MRV),  sectoral  departments  of  the  federal  authority  have  to  report  on  the 
implementation  of  their  respective  adaptation  measures  (taken  or  planned),  particularly  the 
actions provided for in  the federal  contribution  to  the NAP. Monitoring addresses the main 
objectives,  the  climate  impact  category  targeted,  the  planned  and  allocated  budgets,  the 
degree  of  implementation  and,  to  the  extent  possible,  indicators  (the  Royal  Decree 
implementing the Law is not published yet). 

At the level of the Walloon and the Brussels Capital region, no evidence was found of how 
climate adaptation is monitored in sectoral policies.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated  

Yes/No 

There  is  no  systematic  monitoring  mechanism  to  collect  and  disseminate  information  on 
progress with the implementation of adaptation actions at the provincial or local levels.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned  

Yes/No  

A  mid-term  evaluation  of  the  NAP  will  take  place  in  2018  and  a  final  evaluation  in  2020. 
This timing is aligned with the periodic National Communication and the development of the 
next  NAP.  Indicators  identified  in  the  NAP  will  be  used  in  the  evaluations.  The  mid-term 
evaluation will assess the progress of implementation and evaluate strengths and weaknesses. 
The  final  evaluation  will  mainly  focus  on  identifying  remaining  gaps  with  regard  to 
adaptation actions.180,181   

The  regional  level  will  contribute  to  the  evaluation.  The  federal  level  has  specified  in  the 
Federal  Contribution  to  the  NAP  that  an  evaluation  will  take  place  to  assess  coherence 
between actions in the NAP and actions taken at the federal level.  

179 URL: 
https://www.lne.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/VR%202016%201504%20MED.%20VORA2015%20-
%203%20bijlage.pdf, Date accessed on: 01/06/2018  
180 National Adaptation plan, URL: http://www.klimaat.be/files/6714/9880/5758/NAP_NL.pdf 
181 Federal contribution to national adaptation plan, URL: 
http://www.klimaat.be/files/5514/7915/5040/federale_bijdrage_adaptatieplan.pdf 

Page 49 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy  

Yes/No 

No specific information on external stakeholder involvement in the monitoring, evaluation or 
review  of  the  adaptation  strategies  or  plans  was  found.  It  is  expected  that  assessment, 
evaluation and review will be undertaken by the actors involved in the WGA and respective 
regional platforms.   

Page 50 of 743 

 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Met? 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation 
policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist within 
the governance system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common 
challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, 
extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, 
social and environmental impacts of climate change, taking 
into account geographical specificities and best available 
science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary 
risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the 
knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all 
stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated 
website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and training 
materials on climate change adaptation concepts and practices 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Page 51 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

are available and disseminated 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

Met? 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 3c, 
the geographical specificities identified in 3b and follow best 
practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust 
methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / 
No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been included 
in the national frameworks for environmental impact 
assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under national 
disaster risk management plans take into account climate 
change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and maritime 
spatial planning policies take into account the impacts of 
climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at sectoral 
level, in line with national priorities and in areas where 
adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative policy 
instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives for 
investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as 
defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Page 52 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

9c 

9d 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the potential 
impact of climate change on major projects or programmes, 
and facilitate the choice of alternative options, e.g. green 
infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of the 
monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and the 
results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation and 
review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Page 53 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard country fiche for 
Bulgaria 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations ................................................................................................................ 55 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................................ 56 

Adaptation strategies ............................................................................................................ 56 

A1. National adaptation strategy ...................................................................................... 56 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels .................................................. 56 

Adaptation action plans ........................................................................................................ 57 

B1. National adaptation plan ............................................................................................ 57 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ......................................................... 57 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ........................................................................................... 57 

SCOREBOARD ....................................................................................................................... 58 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ........................................................................ 58 

1  Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 59 

2  Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ................................................... 60 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change ............................................ 62 

3  Current and projected climate change ....................................................................... 62 

4  Knowledge gaps ........................................................................................................ 65 

5  Knowledge transfer ................................................................................................... 66 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options ................................................................................. 67 

6  Adaptation options’ identification ............................................................................. 67 

7  Funding resources identified and allocated ............................................................... 69 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action .............................................................................. 69 

8  Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes...................................................... 69 

9 

Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 71 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ................................................. 72 

10  Monitoring and reporting....................................................................................... 72 

11 

Evaluation .............................................................................................................. 73 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................... 75 

Page 54 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

EIA 

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)  

IBRD 

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development 

IPCC 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

NAS  

National adaptation strategy 

NAP 

National adaptation plan 

NAMRB  National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria 

MoEW  Ministry of Environment and Water 

SEA 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

Page 55 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

On  May  4th,  2018,  Bulgaria  published  a  draft  national  adaptation  strategy  (NAS)182  that 
covers  the  period  until  2030.  Using  resources  from  the  EU  structural  funds  operational 
programme  on  Good  Governance,  the  Government  of  Bulgaria  commissioned  the  World 
Bank  to  provide  advisory  services  on:  “Strengthening  strategic  planning  on  climate 
adaptation,  including  providing  inputs  for  the  preparation  of  a  National  Climate  Change 
Adaptation  Strategy,  together  with  an  Action  Plan  –  for  the  Ministry  of  Environment  and 
Water” 183. The objectives of this project were to:  

  Assess options to address climate risks across the economy  
  Formulate the NAS and national adaptation plan (NAP) for the period to 2030  
  Strengthen  capacity  for  implementation  and  cross-sector  coordination  on  climate 

adaptation.  

The draft NAS is intended to serve as a reference document, setting a framework for climate 
adaptation action and priority directions up to 2030, and identifying and confirming the need 
for  climate  adaptation  action  both  at  economy-wide  and  sectoral  levels,  while  highlighting 
the consequences of no action. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

The draft NAS has adopted a sectoral rather than a  regional approach to climate adaptation. 
Nevertheless, regional development plans184 developed under the EU Cohesion Policy185 each 
include a separate chapter on climate change related (mainly adaptation) measures relevant at 
the local level (see B2). 

Additionally,  a  Strategy  on  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  for  Sofia  Municipality  has  been 
developed  under  the  EU-funded  project  “Transitioning  towards  Urban  Resilience  and 
Sustainability  (TURAS)”186.  The  Strategy  has  the  following  objectives:  1.  To  develop 
horizontal policies and strategic planning;  2. To increase institutional  capacity and improve 
co-operation between institutions; 3. To support targeted research and monitoring to fill the 

182Proposal for a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/%D0%9F%D0%98%D0%9A/%D0%9C%D0%9F%D0
%90/Strategy%20and%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Full%20Report%20-%20Draft%20(2018-05-03)%20-
%20EN%20V4.EM.pdf, Access date: 10/05/2018 
183 Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Support to Bulgaria, URL: 
http://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2017/03/01/inception-workshop-in-bulgaria#3, Access date:10/05/2018 
184Ministry of Regional Development website, URL: http://www.mrrb.government.bg/regionalni-planove-za-
razvitie-na-rajonite-ot-nivo-2-za-perioda-2014-2020-g-prieti-s-reshenie-na-ms/  
185Regional Development Plans 2014-2020, URL: 
http://www.mrrb.government.bg/?controller=articles&id=521, Access date: 10/05/2018 
186Стратегия за адаптация към климатичните промени на Столична община, URL: 
https://www.sofia.bg/search?p_p_id=101&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&_101_st
ruts_action=%2Fasset_publisher%2Fview_content&_101_returnToFullPageURL=%2Fsearch&_101_assetEntry
Id=1395518&_101_type=document , Access date: 10/05/2018 

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knowledge  gaps  regarding  anticipated  climate  impacts;  4.  To  improve  citizens’  awareness 
through  climate  change  information  campaigns;  5.  To  identify  additional  benefits  of  risk 
prevention and adaptation.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

A  draft  NAP  was  published  as  a  chapter187  within  the  draft  NAS.  The  development  of  the 
draft NAP followed an iterative process to identify and select sectoral operational objectives 
and  specify  the  underlying  actions.  This  was  based  on  a  process  of  developing  sector 
assessment  reports  for  the  nine  key  sectors  and  has  been  informed  by  the  disaster  risk 
management  and  macro-economic  analysis  reports.  The  process  involved  a  series  of 
stakeholder  consultations  that  also  included  relevant  government  agencies.  The  stakeholder 
groups  were  organised  using  a  multi-criteria  analysis  approach,  following  Climate-Adapt 
guidance188.  In  the  selection  of  draft  operational  objectives  and  priority  activities  for  these 
objectives, with associated implementation details, a consultation between the NAS and NAP 
writers and sectoral experts was carried out. The NAP, thus, includes operational objectives 
and priority options, an explanation of proposed activities, expected results and performance 
indicators.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

In  2013,  the  Council  of  Ministers  adopted  the  2014-2020  Regional  Development  Plans  of 
Level 2 regions under the EU Cohesion Policy189. The plans outline the development of the 
Northeast,  Northwest,  Southwest,  Southeast,  North  Central  and  South-Central  Regions, 
featuring  a  section  about  the  region's  climate  vulnerability.  The  sections  include  suggested 
adaptation measures at  regional level. The sectors most vulnerable to  climate change in the 
different  regions  include  agriculture,  biodiversity,  tourism,  water  resources  management, 
power generation, fisheries, and forestry.  

Local  authorities  (municipalities)  have  an  important  role  to  play,  particularly  regarding  the 
implementation of adaptation actions, which is reflected in the operational programmes190 for 
the new programming period.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

187 Chapter 5, Proposal for a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/%D0%9F%D0%98%D0%9A/%D0%9C%D0%9F%D0
%90/Strategy%20and%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Full%20Report%20-%20Draft%20(2018-05-03)%20-
%20EN%20V4.EM.pdf, Access date: 10/05/2018 
188 Adaptation Support Tool: Prioritise adaptation options and select preferred ones, URL: https://climate-
adapt.eea.europa.eu/knowledge/tools/adaptation-support-tool/step-4/prioritise-and-select, Access date: 
10/05/2018  
189Regional Development Plans 2014-2020, URL: 
http://www.mrrb.government.bg/?controller=articles&id=521, Access date: 10/05/2018  
190Website of Ministry of Regional Development, URL:http://www.mrrb.government.bg/regionalni-planove-za-
razvitie-na-rajonite-ot-nivo-2-za-perioda-2014-2020-g-prieti-s-reshenie-na-ms/ -, Access date: 10/05/2018 

Page 57 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
The  draft  NAS  provides  a  list  of  strategic  objectives  for  nine  economic  sectors,  including 
agriculture,  biodiversity  and  ecosystem  services,  energy,  forestry,  human  health,  tourism, 
transport,  the  urban  environment  (including  infrastructure  and  construction)  and  water.  The 
overarching objectives relate to mainstreaming adaptation in the policies and strategies within 
each  sector,  as  well  as  to  building  capacity,  raising  awareness  and  increasing  climate 
resilience. The process of integrating these objectives has not  yet begun, as the NAS is not 
yet approved. 

Outside the policy options planned as a part of the response to the EU Adaptation Strategy, 
the  most  recent  river  basin  management  plans  in  2016191  provide  for  the  development  of 
environmental protection and water management adaptation measures. These plans focus on 
the  elaboration  and  implementation  of  drought  management  plans.  This  entails,  inter  alia, 
options for the construction  of facilities to  capture and use biogas  in  waste water treatment 
plants,  water  savings  and  efficiency,  reduction  of  erosion  in  water  catchment  areas.  In 
addition,  it  includes  resilience  selection  criteria  for  project  funding  that  are  based  on  an 
assessment of climate impacts on water resources and water use. 

Flood risk management plans192 for all four river basins in the country were implemented on 
29th December 2016 under the Floods Directive193. The plans were developed on the basis of 
preliminary  flood  risk  assessments  completed  in  2011.  The  Ministry  of  Environment  and 
Water  has  developed  hazard  and  flood  risk  maps  and  methodologies  for  preliminary 
assessment  of  flood  risks.  The  areas  at  significant  flood  risk  were  identified  in  2013  in 
relation to disaster management. 

In  2011,  the  “Programme  of  measures  to  adapt  forests  in  the  Republic  of  Bulgaria  and 
mitigate the negative impact of climate change on them”194 was adopted by the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Forestry is also covered by the draft NAS. To avoid overlap 
between policies, coordination between the 2011 forestry adaptation programme and the NAS 
is  planned  in  the  draft  NAS.  Finally,  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  Food  and  Forest  has 
adopted  the  National  Forest  Strategy  2013  –  2020195,196,  which  also  includes  measures  to 
strengthen the climate resilience of forest ecosystems. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

191 River Basin Management Plans in 2016-2021, URL: http://www.moew.government.bg/bg/vodi/planove-za-
upravlenie/planove-za-upravlenie-na-rechnite-basejni-purb/, Access date: 10/05/2018 
192Ministry of Energy and Environment web site, section on Flood Risk Management Plans with links to the 
respective plans, URL: http://www5.moew.government.bg/?page_id=24259, Access date: 10/05/2018 
193Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment 
and management of flood risks (Text with EEA relevance), URL:https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32007L0060, Access date: 15/05/2018 
194Forestry program, URL: http://www.iag.bg/data/docs/Programa_ot_merki.pdf , Access date: 10/05/2018 
195National Forest Strategy 2013, URL: 
http://www.mzh.government.bg/MZH/en/ShortLinks/cross_compliance/Gorskisektor.aspx , Access date: 
10/05/2018 
196 Национална стратегия за развитие на горския сектор в Република България за, URL: 
http://www.strategy.bg/StrategicDocuments/View.aspx?lang=bg-BG&Id=875 - Access date: 10/05/2018 

Page 58 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
1 

Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In  Bulgaria,  a  Climate  Change  Policy  Directorate  was  established  within  the  Ministry  of 
Environment  and  Water  (MOEW).  The  body  is  responsible  for  the  transposition  of  all  EU 
laws and policies relating to climate  change into national  law.  It  is  also  responsible for the 
coordination of the policy-making processes relating to the NAS.197 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

Horizontal  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities  in  relation  to  climate  adaptation  measures.  Article  3,  paragraph  4  of  the 
Climate Change Mitigation Act governs the establishment of the National Expert Council on 
Climate  Change,  as  an  advisory  body  to  assist  the  MoEW  in  the  implementation  of  state 
policy  on  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation.  The  Council  consists  of  representatives  of  the 
different  governmental  ministries,  National  Association  of  Municipalities  in  Republic  of 
the  Bulgarian  Academy  of  Sciences, 
Bulgaria,  Regional  governmental  authorities, 
environmental  NGOs  and  businesses.  In  this  sense,  the  body  provides  both  horizontal  and 
vertical coordination. 

Furthermore, a National Coordination Council on Climate Change was created to support the 
coordination of the operational process relating to the implementation of climate mitigation 
and  adaptation  policies.  It  is  led  by  the  MoEW  and  involves  representatives  of  all  relevant 
ministries, at deputy minister level, and some agencies fostering the development of the NAS. 
The  MoEW  is  also  assisted  by  the  National  Expert  Council  on  Climate  Change  referred  to 
above. 

Both bodies take part in the reviews of all reports prepared as a part of the NAS development, 
and are currently reviewing the draft NAS and NAP.198 Within the Government, institutions 
with  responsibilities  for  integration  of  climate  change  (both  mitigation  and  adaptation) 
include:  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  Food  and  Forestry;  the  Ministry  of  Transport,  IT  and 
Communications; the  Ministry of Finance;  the Ministry of  Interior; the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs;  the  Ministry  of  Health;  the  Ministry  of  Education  and  Science;  the  Ministry  of 
Labour  and  Social  Policy;  and  the  Environment  Executive  Agency.  Moreover,  some 
adaptation measures have been taken up at the national level by the Ministry of Economy, the 
Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. The draft 
NAS makes it clear that each individual Ministry would be responsible for implementing and 
mainstreaming the measures outlined in the NAS in their respective sector. 

197 Climate policies information, URL: http://www.moew.government.bg/bg/klimat/, Access Date: 10/05/2018 
198 Personal communication with MS contact. 

Page 59 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Further  horizontal  coordination  is  planned  in  the  draft  NAS  to  support  capacity  building 
activities, although it is not clear whether this would be done by the National Expert Council 
on Climate Change and National Coordination Council on Climate Change. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making.  

Yes / In progress / No 

At national level, the coordination of municipalities on different issues is carried out through 
a  National  Association  of  Municipalities  in  the  Republic  of  Bulgaria  (NAMRB).  All 
municipalities  are  members  of  NAMRB  (a  total  of  265).  NAMRB’s  activity  is  focused  on 
three main areas:  

  Representation  of  municipalities  interests  in  central  governmental  affairs:  research, 
analysis, evaluation and development of proposals for change and improvement of policy 
on local government; and lobbying  

  Support to municipalities in executing their powers: studying of municipal opinions and 
developing  consensus  positions  and  strategies;  providing  a  wide  range  of  consulting 
services and training programs; issuing thematic and advisory guides; and providing  its 
own training centre for municipalities 

  Participation in Bulgarian and international forums; and organisational strengthening of 

NAMRB.  

The  NAMRB  enables  municipalities  to  influence  the  policy  making  process  in  climate 
adaptation policy through representatives in the National Expert Council on Climate Change 
(see Indicator 1b). 

To  ensure  efficiency  and  coordination  between  competent  institutions,  the  MOEW 
established  a  National  Coordination  Council  on  Climate  Change.  All  relevant  documents 
regarding the development of the NAS were presented to the Council and its representatives 
had the opportunity to review the documents and to give their opinions and remarks, which 
are reflected in the documents. 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The NAS  and  NAP are  being  developed with  wide  public  participation  through  ongoing 
public consultation and consideration of all key milestones in the development of the NAS at 
the National  Expert  Council  on  Climate  Change.  For  this  purpose,  an operational body  - 
the National  Coordination  Council  on  Climate  Change (consisting  of  deputy  ministers  and 
experts from the competent departments) has been established to review, evaluate and deliver 
opinions  and  proposals  on individual  documents before  submitting  them  for  discussion  to 
the National Expert Council on Climate Change. This is to provide support at all levels and in 
all  sectors while  developing  the  NAS  and  for  the  measures,  which will  be  included in  the 
NAP. 

Page 60 of 743 

 
 
 
2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The  draft  NAS  does  not  include  any  explicit  transboundary  cooperation  measures. 
Nevertheless,  in  the  initial  development  of  the  draft  NAS,  a  framework  document  was 
developed  to  underpin  the  preparation  of  the  NAS:  “National  climate  change  risk  and 
vulnerability assessment for the sectors of the Bulgarian economy". This document assesses 
the  risk  of  climate  change  related  natural  disasters  in  Bulgaria  based  on  various  climate 
models  and  scenarios.  The  economic  sectors  included  are  agriculture,  water,  urban 
environment (including urban infrastructure and construction), energy, transport, construction 
and  infrastructure,  ecosystems  and  biodiversity,  human  health  and  tourism.  The  framework 
document  also  includes  a  separate  chapter  on  cross-border  cooperation  on  issues  related  to 
climate impacts199.  

In addition, Bulgaria is a member of various transboundary initiatives:  

  Bulgaria is a member of The EU Strategy for the Danube Region which has facilitated 

transboundary cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania on issues relevant to 
climate adaptation. The actions include joint planning and capacity building and best 
practice sharing.  

 

  Bulgaria also participates in the IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programmes: Bulgaria 
–  Serbia200  ,  Bulgaria-Turkey201  and  Bulgaria-Macedonia202.  These  programmes 
include  a  priority  axis  towards  protecting  the  environment  and  promoting  climate 
adaptation and mitigation, risk prevention and management.  
In  2013,  under  the  IPA  Bulgaria  –  Serbia  programme,  a  project  called  "Click"-
Climate change - Kick-off" was developed, which aims to raise public awareness of 
the  climate  impacts.  It  assessed  how  to  adapt  to  climate  change  by  developing  the 
capacity  of  NGOs  to  participate  actively  in  the  preparation  and  implementation  of 
measures and policies for adaptation. 
In relation to the preparation of Bulgaria’s regional river basins management plans for 
2016-2021, Bulgaria has signed declarations on transboundary river cooperation with 
Greece  and  Turkey.  These  declarations  have  facilitated  various  meetings  and 
exchange of information for the preparation of the regional river basins management 
plans (in Bulgaria).203 
In  addition,  the  Bulgaria-Romania  Cross-border  Cooperation  Programme  2014-
2020204  supports  joint  action  on  tackling  flood  risks,  desertification  and  heatwaves. 
This programme includes measures for promoting climate adaptation, risk prevention 

 

 

199 UNFCCC, Report of the technical review of the sixth national communication of Bulgaria, URL: 
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/docs/2015/idr/bgr06.pdf, Access date: 16/05/2018  
200 IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Bulgaria – Serbia, URL: http://www.ipacbc-bgrs.eu/sr , Access 
date: 16/05/2018 
201IPA CBC Bulgaria-Turkey, URL: http://www.ipacbc-bgtr.eu/, Access date: 16/05/2018 
202IPA CBC Bulgaria-Macedonia, URL: http://www.ipa-cbc-007.eu/, Access date: 16/05/2018 
203Министерство на Околната среда и водите, План за управление на речните басейни, 2016-2021, page 
16, URL: http://www5.moew.government.bg/?wpfb_dl=17218, Access date: 16/05/2018  
204 Interreg V-A Romania-Bulgaria, URL: http://www.interregrobg.eu/en/, 

Page 61 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
and management. The same type of programme is also running between Bulgaria and 
Greece205,  and  aims  at  maintaining  a  sustainable  and  climate  adaptable  cross-border 
area.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate  change  is  monitored  by  the  National  Institute  of  Meteorology  and  Hydrology  at 
Bulgarian  Academy  of  Science  (NIMH-BAS).206  There  is  only  one  Global  Atmosphere 
Watch  station  in  the  country  (Rojen).  Hydrological  information  is  presented  on  a  separate 
website207.  The  National  Institute  of  Meteorology  and  Hydrology  has  overall  responsibility 
for  research  and  operational  activities  in  meteorology,  agrometeorology  and  hydrology  in 
Bulgaria. 

A  programme  of  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  for  adaptation  of  forests  to  climate  change, 
established  in  2011,  includes  systems  for  monitoring  the  following:  (i)  early  detection  and 
warning  about  forest  fires,  (ii)  forest  diseases,  and  (iii)  grass  coverage  in  high  altitude 
mountains.  The  programme  also  outlines  measures  relating  to  improving  forest  health  and 
resilience,  and  ensuring  the  availability  of  technology  for  land  and  air  patrolling  and  fire 
control.208 

The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology at the Bulgarian Academy of Science 
publishes a monthly hydro-meteorological bulletin209. It provides a national overview of the 
main  processes  and  phenomena  of  the  meteorology,  agrometeorology,  hydrology  and 
ecology.  Operational  information  gathered  from  NIMH's  national  network  enables  a  rapid 
and overall assessment of the impact of these phenomena and processes on different spheres 
of the economy and public life.  

In addition, a National Report on the State of the Environment in Bulgaria is developed every 
year  by  experts  of  the  of  the  Executive  Environmental  Agency,  the  MOEW  and  other 
institutions. The Report includes a chapter on climate change where current information can 

205 Interreg V-A Greece-Bulgaria http://www.greece-bulgaria.eu/ Access date: 16/05/2018 
206National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology at Bulgarian Academy of Science (NIMH-BAS), URL: 
http://www.meteo.bg/en, Access date: 16/05/2018  
207National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, URL: http://hydro.bg/, Access date: 16/05/2018 
208Program of Measures of the Ministry of Agriculture for adaptation of the forests of the Republic of Bulgaria 
to climate change by vulnerability zones, URL: http://www.iag.bg/data/docs/Programa_ot_merki.pdf Access 
date: 16/05/2018 
209 Monthly hydro-meteorological bulletin, URL http://www.meteo.bg/en Access date: 16/05/2018 

Page 62 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
be found relating to rainfall, temperature and snow characteristics, assessment of indicators, 
climate phenomena and climate scenarios for Bulgaria.210 

No specific observation system is currently in place to monitor extreme weather events and 
their impacts. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Much of the current knowledge regarding the observation of extreme climate events and their 
impacts  derives  from  the  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  Working 
Group II Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC 2014) or from EU-funded projects (e.g. CLAVIER 
(Climate Change and Variability: Impact on Central and Eastern Europe) project211 funded by 
FP6). 

The CLAVIER project supports research on linkages between climate change and its impact 
on weather patterns, air pollution, extreme events, and water resources. An evaluation of the 
economic impact on agriculture, tourism, energy supply and the public sector is conducted in 
this project as well. 

The  CECILIA  (Central  and  Eastern  Europe  Climate  Change  Impact  and  Vulnerability 
Assessment) project212  provides high resolution  simulations covering the region.  It  captures 
complex  topographical  and  land-use  features  related  to  climate  impacts  on  large  urban  and 
industrial  areas,  including  hydrology,  water  quality,  and  water  management  (focusing  on 
medium-sized river catchments and the Black Sea coast). 

Scenarios and projections for the coming decades derive from the CLAVIER and CECILIA 
projects mentioned above or from the HadCM3 model. 

The  preparation  of  the  “Assessment  of  the  Vulnerability  of  the  Sectors  of  the  Bulgarian 
Economy  to  Climate  Change”213  included  relevant  research  from  the  EU-funded  PESETA 
and PESETA II projects implemented by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre 
(JRC). 

The  “National  climate  change  risk  and  vulnerability  assessment  for  the  sectors  of  the 
Bulgarian economy” (2014) was developed by using different scenarios and climate models. 
The assessments of expected changes in temperature and rainfall were based on IPCC SRES-

210Климат, URL: http://eea.government.bg/bg/soer/2015/climate/climate0 Access date: 16/05/2018 
211 CLAVIER project, URL: http://www.clavier-eu.org/?q=node/5 Access date: 16/05/2018 
212CECILIA project, URL: http://www.cecilia-eu.org/, Access date: 17/05/2018 
213 Sectoral vulnerability assessments (BG), URL: http://www.moew.government.bg/bg/klimat/mejdunarodni-
pregovori-i-adaptaciya/adaptaciya/////, Access date: 17/05/2018 

Page 63 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
scenarios  using  global  (HadCM2,  HadCM3  and  ECHAM4,  LMDZ  v4,  etc.)  and  regional 
(HIRHAM, REMO5.7, REMO5. 0, LMDZ-regional, etc.) climate models. The global models 
used  were  low  resolution;  a  significantly  higher  resolution  was  achieved  with  the  help  of 
regional  models.  The  surveys  affecting  Bulgaria  are  generally  realized  in  international 
projects,  which  is  why  much  of  their  results  relate  not  only  to  Bulgaria  but  also  to  larger 
territories (mainly Central and South-Eastern Europe).  

The draft NAS states that the IPCC SRES-scenarios in projections about air temperature and 
precipitation  have  been  replaced  by  the  IPCC  Working  Group  II  Fifth  Assessment  Report 
(IPCC 2014). For the purpose of this analysis, computer simulations of the expected changes 
in temperatures and rainfall in the four RCP- scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6 and RCP 
8.5)  of  the  IPCC  AR5  (2013/2014)  were  performed.  The  results  obtained  were  generated 
using the analytical tools of the Web-Based Research Platform Climate Explorer of the Royal 
Netherlands Meteorology Institute (KNMI). The data sets used were GCM: CMIP5 (full set) 
and GCM: CMIP5 extremes (full set) respectively for the annual and seasonal values and for 
the extreme values. CMIP5 (full set) was created during the Fifth Phase of the Climate Model 
Intercomparison  Project  (CMIP5)  and  assembled  42  global  models  used  in  the  IPCC  Fifth 
Assessment  Report.  Climate  projections  across  the  four  climate  variables  scenarios  cover 
three 20-year periods (2016-2035, 2046-2065  and 2081-2100),  which is  consistent with  the 
approach adopted in the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress / No 

In  early June 2014, a framework document  “National  climate change  risk and vulnerability 
assessment  for  the  sectors  of  the  Bulgarian  economy”214  was  finalised.  It  addressed: 
agriculture,  forestry,  water,  urban  environment  (including  urban 
infrastructure  and 
construction), energy, transport, construction and infrastructure, ecosystems and biodiversity, 
human health and tourism. A separate chapter on cross-border cooperation on issues related 
to climate impacts is included in the document.  

The framework document on risk and vulnerability assessment should serve as a basis for the 
further  development  of  the  NAS.  The  competent  authorities  will  be  involved  in  the 
development of measures for each sector, as well as NGOs and the scientific community. 

Another  very  important  issue  to  be  integrated  in  the  NAS  is  insurance.  The  MOEW  has 
already developed an analytical document "Financial disaster risk management and insurance 
options  for  climate  adaptation  in  Bulgaria".  The  document  was  prepared  with  the  financial 
and technical support of the World Bank. The document’s purpose is to analyse the role and 

214 National climate change risk and vulnerability assessment for the sectors of the Bulgarian economy 
КЛИМАТ / СТРАТЕГИЧЕСКИ ДОКУМЕНТИ / АНАЛИЗ И ОЦЕНКА НА РИСКА И УЯЗВИМОСТТА 
НА СЕКТОРИТЕ В БЪЛГАРСКАТА ИКОНОМИКА, URL: 
http://www5.moew.government.bg/?page_id=51457, Access date: 17/05/2018 

Page 64 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
importance  of  the  insurance  business  for  the  prevention  of  risks  that  occur  as  a  result  of 
climate change and for the development of adaptation measures. 

In accordance with the reimbursable advisory services agreement signed between the MOEW 
and  the  IBRD  in  July  2017,  the  Bank  presented  an  interim  report  to  the  Ministry  with  the 
main  findings  from  the  draft  sector  assessments  of  the  following  sectors:  agriculture, 
biodiversity  and  ecosystems,  energy,  forestry,  human  health,  tourism,  transport,  urban 
environment (including urban infrastructure and construction), and water. In addition, a draft 
of NAS and NAP was presented in May 2018. 

3d.  Climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  take  transboundary  risks  into  account, 
when relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

In the publication "National climate change risk and vulnerability assessment for the sectors 
of the Bulgarian economy", a separate chapter on cross-border cooperation on issues related 
to climate impacts is included.  

The  main  objective  of  this  report  is  to  assess  the  risk  of  natural  disasters  typical  of  the 
Bulgarian  geographical  area  on  the  basis  of  climate  models  and  scenarios  for  the  country 
nevertheless consideration is given to climate impacts that will have significant cross-border 
effect to the management of cross-border river basins. In this respect, due to the peculiarities 
of  local  geography,  Bulgaria  is  less  dependent  on  the  distribution  of  water  resources  than 
neighbouring countries. However, in view of the expected climate change, it is projected that 
the cross-border river basins will face major challenges such as: deficiency of water resources 
and drought, flood risk management and expected pressure on water consumption. 

Furthermore,  the  lead  policy  document  on  disaster  risk  management,  the  National  Disaster 
Risk Reduction Strategy 2014–2020215, supports the identification and prioritization of areas 
for  trans-boundary  and  trans-regional  cooperation,  as  well  as  long-term  coordination  of 
disaster risk reduction. 

Finally, the draft NAS recognises that the development of transboundary adaptation measures 
would be required in the area of forestry. 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

215 Стратегия за намаляване риска от бедствията, URL: 
http://www.strategy.bg/StrategicDocuments/View.aspx?lang=bg-BG&Id=894, Access date: 17/05/2018 

Page 65 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The draft NAS contains a chapter216 on the knowledge gaps in relation to climate impacts and 
adaptation options for each of the nine sectors of interest (see Section B2 above). The sectoral 
measures in the NAP are prioritised according to the identified knowledge gaps and the aim 
is to address them. 

One of the main knowledge gaps outlined by the NAS is the limited academic capacity in the 
field of climate change. The climate impacts in most sectors are under-researched. There are 
data gaps in climate and biodiversity models, which mean that the national projections are not 
detailed enough to support the implementation of adequate adaptation measures.  

5 

Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress / No 

All  policy  information  and  vulnerability  assessments  are  published  on  the  MoEW  website, 
section Climate, subsection International Negotiations and Adaptation/Adaptation217. 

The National Expert Council on Climate Change218 serves as a science-policy interface, as it 
includes  stakeholders,  such  as  ministries,  agencies,  municipalities,  NGOs  and  the  scientific 
community (e.g. representatives of the Bulgarian Academy of Science).  

The National Coordination Council on Climate Change comprises representatives of relevant 
ministries, at Deputy-Minister level, and some agencies. The Council supports the MoEW in 
the  development  of  the  NAS  as  well  as  in  enhancing  capacity  to  integrate  adaptation 
considerations in policies, programmes and investments.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

The draft NAS contains planned measures for capacity building and improving awareness on 
climate  impacts  and  adaptation  across  the  nine  sectors  of  interest.  The  activities  related  to 
these measures have not yet begun, as the NAS has not been formally approved.  

216 Chapter 2.1, Proposal for a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/%D0%9F%D0%98%D0%9A/%D0%9C%D0%9F%D0
%90/Strategy%20and%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Full%20Report%20-%20Draft%20(2018-05-03)%20-
%20EN%20V4.EM.pdf, Access date: 10/05/2018 
217 Adaptation page on the MoEW website Адаптация, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/bg/klimat/mejdunarodni-pregovori-i-adaptaciya/adaptaciya/, Access date: 
17/05/2018 
218 National Expert Council on Climate Change Климат, URL: http://www.moew.government.bg/bg/klimat/, 
Access date: 17/05/2018 

Page 66 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  World  Bank  is  providing  ongoing  ‘advisory  services’  to  the  Government,  supporting 
capacity building and training in the delivery of the NAS. The Government is represented by 
the MoEW as an institutional coordinator of the preparation process219. 

Since  2014,  Sofia  University  "St.  Kliment  Ohridski"220  started  a  Master’s  programme 
"Climate Change and Water Management". The programme is focused on the preparation of 
specialists  for  analysis  and  assessment  of  climate  change  and  integrated  water  resources 
management. 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  draft  NAS  proposes  sectoral  measures  based  on  the  sectoral  vulnerability  assessments 
contained  in  the  framework  document  “National  climate  change  risk  and  vulnerability 
assessment  for  the  sectors  of  the  Bulgarian  economy”  and  the  Draft  Sector  Assessments 
prepared  by  the  World  Bank,  as  a  part  of  the  reimbursable  advisory  services  agreement 
signed  between  the  MOEW  and  the  IBRD  (see  Indicator  3c).  The  framework  document 
covers the following sectors: agriculture, forestry, water, urban environment (including urban 
infrastructure, 
infrastructure  and  construction),  energy, 
ecosystems and biodiversity, human health and tourism. Each sector is assessed by a system 
of indicators regarding vulnerability to future climate change in  the period 2016-2035. The 
draft sector assessments propose a range of priority adaptation actions, arranged according to 
the following  categories: information  and knowledge, institutional  capacity  building, policy 
reform,  and  investments.  For  each  of  these  measures,  the  section  also  includes  cost-benefit 
analysis  information  and  provides  inputs  on  monitoring  and  evaluation  (e.g.  oversight, 
implementation, and reporting responsibility, indicator and target). Adaptation options will be 
prioritised whereas cross-cutting issues, trade-offs and synergies will be discussed.  

transport,  construction  and 

No explicit reference is made to geographical specifies in the draft NAS or the vulnerability 
assessments.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria analyses, stakeholders' consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

219World Bank website, with reference to the inception workshop on preparing a National Adaptation Strategy, 
URL: http://www.worldbank.org/en/events/2017/03/01/inception-workshop-in-bulgaria, Access date: 
17/05/2018 
220Sofia University, URL: https://www.uni-sofia.bg/index.php/eng/the_university, Access date: 17/05/2018 

Page 67 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Yes / No 

In  the  preparation  of  the  draft  NAS  and  in  support  of  priority  setting  for  the  identified 
adaptation options, each sector undertook a prioritisation exercise. This included organising 
stakeholder  meetings  following  a  multi-criteria  analysis  approach.  In  addition,  the 
information  given  in  the  sector  assessment  reports  was  used.  The  approach  produced  a 
tentative  short  list  of  priority  actions  for  each  sector.  Additional  assessment/ranking  of 
priority options is provided for some sectors (including, biodiversity and ecosystems services, 
tourism,  and  water)  based  on  expert 
judgment  and/or  additional  feedback  from 
stakeholders.221  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / No 

The draft NAS builds on vulnerability assessments as well as the Disaster Risk Management 
Assessment  report.  In  addition,  disaster  risk  management  is  listed  as  an  overarching  cross-
sectoral adaptation measure that should be taken into consideration in the development of all 
adaptation policies and measures222.  

A  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  Council223  was  created  as  a  permanent  body  to  the  Council  of 
Ministers to ensure coordination and cooperation in the implementation of state policy in the 
field  of  disaster  protection.  The  Council  performs  the  functions  of  a  national  disaster  risk 
reduction platform in implementation of the National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management, 
the  Hyogo  Framework  for  Action  2005–2015,  and  Sendai  Framework  for  Disaster  Risk 
Reduction 2015–2030.  

The leading national document on disaster risk reduction, the National Strategy for Disaster 
Risk Reduction224 envisages to enhance coordination between stakeholders (e.g. the disaster 
risk reduction and climate adaptation community) by:  

  The expansion of the scope of activities of the Consultative Council, which supports 
the  work  of  the  Council  of  Ministers,  and  transforming  the  former  into  an  Active 
National Platform for reducing risks from disasters 

221 Chapter 5.2, Proposal for a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/%D0%9F%D0%98%D0%9A/%D0%9C%D0%9F%D0
%90/Strategy%20and%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Full%20Report%20-%20Draft%20(2018-05-03)%20-
%20EN%20V4.EM.pdf, Access date: 10/05/2018 
222 Assessment of the Disaster Risk Management Sector, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/%D0%9F%D0%98%D0%9A/%D0%9C%D0%9F%D0
%90/DRM%20-%20Full%20Report%20-%20First%20Draft%20(2018-04-27)%20-%20EN%20-
%20for%20printing%20v2.pdf, Access date: 10/05/2018 
223 Съвет за намаляване на риска от бедствия към Министерския съвет за подпомагане формирането и 
осъществяването на държавната политика в областта на защитата при бедствия URL: 
http://www.saveti.government.bg/web/cc_801/1, Access date: 17/05/2018 
224Стратегия по намаляването риска от бедствия, URL: 
http://www.strategy.bg/StrategicDocuments/View.aspx?lang=bg-BG&Id=894 Access date: 10/05/2018 

Page 68 of 743 

 
 
  
                                                           
  The  establishment  of  an  efficient  mechanism  for  coordination  and  efficient  flow  of 

information among all stakeholders; and 

  Development of systems for monitoring, forecasting and early warning in relation to 

disasters. 

Finally, the National Coordination Council on Climate Change includes representatives from 
the Chief Directorate Fire Safety and Civil Protection (CD FSCP) at the Ministry of Interior. 

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a.  Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in  vulnerable  sectors  and  for 
cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Regarding  cross-cutting  adaptation  action,  the  World  Bank  is  providing  ongoing  ‘advisory 
services’ to the Government; supporting capacity building and training in the delivery of the 
NAS.  The  draft  NAS  states  that  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures  would  be 
supported  by  EU  funding,  state  funding  and,  potentially,  private  funding  from  energy 
companies. Nevertheless, one of the key barriers to climate adaptation pointed out in the draft 
NAS  is  the  lack  of  financial  resources  and  over-dependence  on  the  EU225.  Each  suggested 
measure in the draft NAS includes indicative investment cost estimates to support the funding 
allocation.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

National  frameworks  for  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)226  and  Strategic 
Environmental  Assessment 
of 
Directives 2011/92/EU  and  2001/42/EC.  The  definition  of  “environmental  impact”  adopted 
in  both  documents  stipulates  that  any  impacts  on  the  environment  should  be  considered, 

implemented 

(SEA)227 

because 

have 

been 

225 Proposal for a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan,p.58, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/%D0%9F%D0%98%D0%9A/%D0%9C%D0%9F%D0
%90/Strategy%20and%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Full%20Report%20-%20Draft%20(2018-05-03)%20-
%20EN%20V4.EM.pdf, Access date: 10/05/2018 
226 Конвенция а оценка на въздействието върху околната среда в трансграничен контекст, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/file/Industry/EIA/KONVENCIQ_za_ocenka_na_vyzdej
stvieto_vyrhu_okolnata_sreda_v_transgranicen_kontekst.pdf, Access date: 17/05/2018 
227 Протокол за стратегическа екологична оценка към Конвенцията за оценка на въздействието върху 
околната среда в трансграничен контекст, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/file/Industry/SEA/protokol_SEA.pdf, Access date: 
17/05/2018 

Page 69 of 743 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
including human health, flora and fauna, biodiversity, soil, climate, air, water, land, natural 
landmarks  and  cultural  heritage,  and  the  interactions  between  them.  However,  no  further 
reference  to  climate  adaptation  is  made  in  the  documents.  Despite  that  fact,  the  draft  NAS 
recognises  that  there  is  increased  consideration  of  climate  adaptation  in  EIA  and  SEA 
projects.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The National Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction228 was adopted in 2014. It recognises the 
impact  of  climate  extremes  related  to  increased  occurrence  of  storms,  floods,  extended 
periods of drought, and devastating forest fires. However, there is no evidence of how future 
climate  projections  are  considered  in  disaster  risk  management  plans  and  associated  risk 
analysis. The Ministry of Regional Development has issued an order229 on the development 
of a thorough analysis and mapping of disaster risk that would also include climate impacts. 
Preparation  of  this  analysis  has  already  started  and  is  being  overseen  by  the  Bulgarian 
Association of Science230.  

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

Climate  adaptation  is  considered  in  land-use  and  urban  planning  policies  at  national  and 
regional  levels.  The  National  Concept  for  Spatial  Development  for  the  period  2013-2025 
(NCSD)231 is a mid-term strategic document, which outlines directions for land-use planning, 
governance and protection of national territory and waters. One of the key objectives of the 
NCSD  is  to  align  spatial  planning  of  cities  and  regions  with  the  threats  and  challenges  of 
climate change, in  addition  to  globalization, demographic changes, and energy dependence. 
The development plan for Northern Central Bulgaria is an example of how climate adaptation 
is  being  taken  into  account,  including  in  relation  to  the  enhancement  of  environmental 
protection.  The  TURAS  project  for  the  capital  city  of  Sofia  is  an  example  of  how  spatial 
urban planning policies are seeking to enhance the sustainability of urban areas by promoting 

228National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy, 
URL:http://www.preventionweb.net/files/38902_drrstrategybulgariaannex2bg.pdf, Access date: 17/05/2017 - 
229НАРЕДБА ЗА УСЛОВИЯТА, РЕДА И ОРГАНИТЕ ЗА ИЗВЪРШВАНЕ НА АНАЛИЗ, ОЦЕНКА И 
КАРТОГРАФИРАНЕ НА РИСКОВЕТЕ ОТ БЕДСТВИЯ, URL: 
http://www.strategy.bg/FileHandler.ashx?fileId=2564, Access date: 17/05/2018 
230Изработване на анализ, оценка и картографиране на геоложкия риск, URL: 
http://www.bas.bg/%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%82%D1%84%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BE/
%D0%B8%D0%B7%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5-
%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B7-
%D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BA%D0%B0-%D0%B8-
%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B3/, Access date: 17/05/2018 
231National Concept for Spatial Development, URL: 
http://www.bgregio.eu/media/Programirane/NKPR_28012013_Last_en.pdf, Access date: 17/05/2018 

Page 70 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
 
climate resilience. Plans for further mainstreaming of climate adaptation in urban and spatial 
planning is planned in the draft NAS. However, climate impacts have not yet been addressed 
in maritime spatial planning policies, and are not mentioned in the draft NAS. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Coordinated  actions  to  mainstream  adaptation  into  national  policies  and  policy  instruments 
have not yet started. The Climate Change Act asks sectoral ministries to mainstream climate 
adaptation in their respective policies. Implementing this requirement in practice will require 
streamlining  processes  and  much  better  interaction  between  the  MoEW  and  the  sectoral 
ministries,  as  well  as  between  the  sectoral  ministries  and  the  scientific  community.  In 
addition,  the  draft  NAS  includes  planned  measures  to  mainstream  climate  adaptation  in 
policies related to the nine key sectors considered in the document. Each respective Ministry 
will be in charge of implementing adaptation policies and mainstreaming adaptation in other 
policies within their sector of expertise. 

Despite  mainstreaming  of  adaptation  not  being  currently  coordinated  across  sectors,  the 
Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works has included adaptation measures in the 
country’s six regional development plans, as described in relation to Indicator 8c. In addition, 
the  National  Forest  Strategy  2013  –  2020232,  adopted  by  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  Food 
and Forest, includes measures to strengthen the climate resilience of forest ecosystems233. 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The MoEW developed an analytical document entitled “Financial disaster risk management 
and insurance options for climate adaptation in Bulgaria”. The document was prepared with 
the financial and technical support of the World Bank and its purpose is to analyse the role 
and importance of the insurance business for the prevention of risks that result from climate 
change  and  for  the  development  of  adaptation  measures.  This  document  provides  an  entry 
point  for  enhancing  further  inclusion  of  insurance  policies  into  the  NAS.  In  addition, 
insurance mainstreaming within sectoral adaptation measures is planned in the draft NAS.  

9 

Implementing adaptation 

232Национална стратегия за развитие на горския сектор в Република България за периода 2013 - 2020 г., 
URL: http://www.strategy.bg/FileHandler.ashx?fileId=4209, Access date: 17/05/2018 
233 ПРОГРАМА ОТ МЕРКИ ЗА АДАПТИРАНЕ НА ГОРИТЕ В РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ И 
НАМАЛЯВАНЕ НА НЕГАТИВНОТО ВЛИЯНИЕ НА КЛИМАТИЧНИТЕ ПРОМЕНИ ВЪРХУ ТЯХ, 
URL: http://www.iag.bg/data/docs/Programa_ot_merki.pdf, Access date: 17/05/2018 

Page 71 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Some autonomous adaptation actions are being carried out, for instance, by some cities or at 
sectoral  level  for  agriculture,  forestry,  water  management,  and  flood  risk  management. 
Examples  of  such  regional  actions  have  been  provided  earlier  in  the  text,  in  relation  to 
Indicator 8c and in Section A2. 

At the same time, as the draft NAS was only published on 4th May 2018, implementation of 
policies and measures will not begin until the NAS is reviewed and officially approved. 
9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

No  clear  mechanism  has  been  set  out  in  the  draft  NAS  at  this  stage.  Nevertheless,  the 
National Expert Council on Climate Change includes regional representatives of the National 
Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB).  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Apart from various guidelines issued by the European Commission, no specific procedures or 
guidelines  have  been  issued  or  used  by  the  Bulgarian  authorities  for  assessing  climate 
impacts on major projects or programmes and for facilitating their adaptation. However, the 
development of sectoral climate adaptation guidelines is planned in the draft NAS. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Stakeholders  were  involved  in  the  development  of  the  draft  NAS  using  a  multi-criteria 
analysis (see Section B1). In addition, the draft NAS outlines key stakeholders for each sector 
of  interest  and  states  that  stakeholders  should  be  included  in  the  process  of  developing 
measures. However, the mechanism for stakeholder involvement is not defined. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Page 72 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
Yes / No 

For the time being no system is in place for reporting on the implementation of the NAS and 
NAP pending their adoption. 

Provisions for monitoring and evaluation are included in the draft NAS. Moreover, the NAP 
summarises  the  adaptation  measures  for  all  sectors  identified  in  the  NAS.  The  focus  is  on 
implementation  of  priority  adaptation  measures,  including  consideration  of  responsible 
institutions,  resources,  timeline,  targets,  and  monitoring  indicators.  A  full  list  of  the 
monitoring indicators is contained in Annex 3 of the draft NAS234. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  draft  NAS  does  not  explicitly  make  clear  how  sectoral  policy  implementation  will  be 
monitored.  The  ministries  are  responsible  for  mainstreaming  climate  policies  in  their 
respective  sectors  and  for  developing  and  implementing  adaptation  measures  for  climate 
change,  in  coordination  with  the  MoEW  and  in  consultation  with  National  Expert  Council. 
Responsible  ministries  and  governmental  agencies  include  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and 
Food  (MAFF);  the  Ministry  of  Economy  (MEc);  the  Ministry  of  Transport,  Information 
Technology, and Communications (MTITC); the Ministry of Finance (MF); the Ministry of 
Interior (MI); the Ministry of Exterior (MEx); the Ministry of Health (MH); the Ministry of 
Education  and  Science;  the  Ministry  of  Labour  and  Social  Policy;  and  the  Executive 
Environment Agency (ExEA). 

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  draft  NAS  does  not  make  clear  how  regional,  sub-national  or  local  action  will  be 
monitored.  

11 

Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

234 Annex 3, Proposal for a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan, URL: 
http://www.moew.government.bg/static/media/ups/tiny/%D0%9F%D0%98%D0%9A/%D0%9C%D0%9F%D0
%90/Strategy%20and%20Action%20Plan%20-%20Full%20Report%20-%20Draft%20(2018-05-03)%20-
%20EN%20V4.EM.pdf, Access date: 10/05/2018 

Page 73 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The draft NAS states that regular, five-yearly, updates of the NAS are planned, as a check on 
the  direction  that  has  been  taken,  together  with  a  review  of  the  actions  that  are  being 
implemented and a revision of the NAP, as appropriate.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

No  evidence  seems  to  be  available  on  what  mechanism  (if  any)  is  going  to  be  used  for 
involving stakeholders in future evaluations of adaptation policy.  

Page 74 of 743 

 
 
 
1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

Page 75 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Met? 
Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes/ In Progress 
/ No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No  

Page 76 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 
impacts of climate change 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Implementing adaptation 

Met? 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Yes / No 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Page 77 of 743 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Croatia 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations ................................................................................................................ 79 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................................ 81 

Adaptation strategies ............................................................................................................ 81 

A1. National adaptation strategy ...................................................................................... 81 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels .................................................. 82 

Adaptation action plans ........................................................................................................ 82 

B1. National adaptation plan ............................................................................................ 82 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ......................................................... 82 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ........................................................................................... 83 

SCOREBOARD ....................................................................................................................... 83 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ........................................................................ 83 

1. Coordination structure .................................................................................................. 83 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development ....................................................... 85 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change ............................................ 87 

3. Current and projected climate change .......................................................................... 87 

4. Knowledge gaps ........................................................................................................... 91 

5. Knowledge transfer ....................................................................................................... 92 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options ................................................................................. 93 

6. Adaptation options' identification ................................................................................. 93 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated .................................................................. 95 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action .............................................................................. 96 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ......................................................... 96 

9. Implementing adaptation .............................................................................................. 97 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ................................................. 99 

10. Monitoring and reporting............................................................................................ 99 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 101 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................. 102 

Page 78 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

CCCCMA 

CDRRP 

DHMZ 

draft NAS 

draft NAP 

DUZS 

EMFF 

EIA 

 Coordination  Commission  for  Policy  and  Measures  for  Climate  Change 
Mitigation and Adaptation  

Croatian Disaster Risk Reduction Platform  

Meteorological and Hydrological Service  

 Draft  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Strategy  in  the  Republic  of  Croatia  for 
the period to 2040 with outlook to 2070  

 Draft  Action  Plan  for  implementing  the  Climate  Change  Adaptation 
Strategy in the Republic of Croatia for the period from 2019 to 2023  

State Directorate for Protection and Rescue  

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund  

Environmental impact assessment 

EAFRD 

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development  

ERDF 

European Regional Development Fund  

ESF 

ESIF 

EU 

European Social Fund  

European Structural and Investment Funds  

European Union  

EUSAIR 

EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region 

EUSDR  

EDU Strategy for the Danube Region  

FZOEU 

Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency  

HAOP 

HZJZ 

ICZM 

IPCC 

MFOP 

Croatian Environment and Nature Agency  

Croatian Public Health Institute  

Integrated Coastal Zone Management  

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  

Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme 2014-2020  

MMR Regulation  

REGULATION (EU) No 525/2013  OF THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT  AND  OF  THE  COUNCIL  of  21  May  2013  on  a 
mechanism for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and for 
reporting other information at national and Union level relevant to climate 
change and repealing Decision No 280/2004/EC 

MZOE 

Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Croatia  

NAS 

NAP 

National Adaptation Strategy 

National Adaptation Plan  

Page 79 of 743 

 
 
NDRA 

OPCC 

RCP 

RDP 

RBMP 

SEA 

National Disaster Risk Assessment  

Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020 

Representative Climate Pathways  

Rural Development Program 2014-2020 

River Basin Management Plan 

Strategic environmental assessment 

UNEP/MAP 

United Nations Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan  

UNFCCC 

United National Framework Convention on Climate Change  

ZZJZ 

Public Health Institute dr. Andrija Štampar  

Page 80 of 743 

 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The draft National Adaptation Strategy235 (NAS) and the draft National Action Plan (NAP)236 
have  been  developed  within  a  project  funded  through  the  EU  Transition  facility237.  The 
project lasted from May 2016 to November 2017, and the official drafts of both documents 
were finalised and presented to the public in November 2017. The draft documents will first 
undergo  a  strategic  environmental  assessment  (SEA)  procedure  in  2018,  including  a  public 
hearing  and public  consultation, collection and  addressing of  comments.  Finalisation of the 
draft  NAS  and  NAP  for  submission  to  the  governmental  and  the  parliamentary  adoption 
procedure is expected by end of 2018, and the documents are expected to come into effect in 
2019238.  The  draft  NAS  is  based  on  the  Air  Protection  Act239,  and  covers  the  period  until 
2040  with  a  view  to  2070,  and  is  based  on  the  results  of  climate  modelling  carried  out  for 
these two time-periods. Following consultations with key stakeholders in July 2017, the draft 
NAS document was finalised (White Paper) to include conclusions from e-consultations held 
in October 2017. The draft NAP has also been prepared for the first five years (2019-2023). 
The  draft  NAP  and  draft  NAS  focus  on  10  sectors  identified  as  most  vulnerable  to  climate 
impacts: hydrology, water and marine resources, agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, physical 
planning  and  coastal  zone  management,  tourism,  energy,  fisheries,  risk  management  and 
health.  In  addition,  they  include  two  supra-sectoral  measures:  strengthening  capacities  for 
applied  research  in  the  area  of  climate  modelling,  analysis,  and  interpretation,  and 
development of impact indicators for vulnerable sectors. 

Until the NAS and NAP are adopted, the 6th and 7th National Communications to the United 
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)240 (submitted in 2014 and in 
May  2018  respectively)  formally  set  the  overarching  framework  and  preconditions  for 
activities  aiming  at  adaptation  to  climate  change  effects.  These  are  primarily  related  to  the 
upgrading  and  completion  of  a  climate  change  monitoring  and  forecasting  system, 
strengthening  of  applied  research  for  adaptation  measures,  and  building  awareness  and 
capacities.  

235 2017; Draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in the Republic of Croatia for the period to 2040 with a 
view to 2070 (White book); URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-
content/uploads/docs/Draft%20CC%20Adaptation%20Strategy.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 
236 2017; Draft Action Plan for implementing the Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in the Republic of 
Croatia for the period from 2019 to 2023; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-
content/uploads/docs/Draft%20CC%20Action%20Plan.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 
237 MZOE web, news page; http://www.mzoip.hr/hr/ministarstvo/vijesti/predstavljen-nacrt-strategije-prilagodbe-
klimatskim-promjenama.html; accessed on 03.05.2018   
238 Personal communication with MS contact 
239 Zakon o zaštiti zraka, #Official Gazette #130/11, 47/14, 61/17; URL: http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2011_11_130_2601.html; accessed on 03.05.2018 
240 6th National Communication to the UNFCCC; URL: 
https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom_/application/pdf/hrv_nc6.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018; 
accessed on 03.05.2018 

Page 81 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Adaptation  to  climate  change  features  as  one  of  the  general  objectives  in  the  country's  10-
year Sustainable Development Strategy241, which was adopted in 2009.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

For the time being, there are no adaptation strategies being developed at subnational level. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The  NAP  covering  a  five-year  period  was  drafted  in  November  2017,  in  parallel  with  the 
draft NAS. The national legal  framework (Air Protection Act242) foresees the adoption of a 
NAP by the Croatian Government.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

The national legal framework (Air Protection Act) requires that counties and towns adopt a 
programme  for  air  and  ozone  layer  protection  and  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation.  In 
addition,  the  Environmental  Protection  Act243  requires  that  counties  and  towns  adopt  an 
environmental  protection  programme  to  implement  the  relevant  measures  from  the  national 
environmental  protection  plan.  The  majority  of  towns  have  fulfilled  these  obligations; 
regional and local government units (counties and towns) are also carrying out a number  of 
activities that are relevant to climate adaptation: settlements and housing, municipal affairs, 
spatial and urban planning, protection and improvement of the natural environment, fire and 
civil  protection.  In  addition,  a  number  of  adaptation  projects  have  been  carried  out  at  local 
and regional level, in particular in the area of data gathering and awareness-raising of local 
and  regional  stakeholders  on  adaptation,  and  pilot  vulnerability  assessments  for  a  coastal 
area.  

Examples of adaptation planning activities at the local and regional level include: 

  Within  the  European  Commission’s  project  "Adaptation  strategies  for  European 
cities"244  the  town  of  Zadar  in  2013  developed  their  local  Vision  document  on 
adaptation and an Action plan245. The focus is so far mainly on the energy sector, i.e. 
promoting sustainable energy practices among citizens.  

  The City  of  Zagreb  carried  out  in  2013  an  analysis  of  anticipated  climate  change 
effects. A set of 47 measures was defined with the goal of improving Zagreb's climate 
resilience.  They  include  measures  for  protection  against  heat  waves  (buildings  and 
green  infrastructure),  water  management,  adaptation  of  transport  infrastructure, 
improvement of energy infrastructure and landslides. 

241 Strategija održivog razvitka Republike Hrvatske; URL: http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2009_03_30_658.html; accessed on 03.05.2018  
242 Zakon o zaštiti zraka; URL: https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2017_06_61_1381.html  
243 Zakon o zaštiti okoliša; URL: http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2013_06_80_1659.html; accessed 
on 03.05.2018 http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2013_06_80_1659.htmlhttp://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2013_06_80_1659.html; accessed on 03.05.2018  
244 Climate Adapt project website; URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/publications/eu-cities-
adapt-adaptation-strategies-for-european-cities-final-report; accessed on 03.05.2018  
245 City of Zadar website - about Climate Adapt participation; URL: http://www.grad-zadar.hr/eu-cities-adapt-
701/; accessed on 03.05.2018  

Page 82 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
  The UNEP/MAP’s project “Integrating impacts of climate variability and change into 
integrated  coastal  zone  management  (ICZM)”  prepared  for  Šibenik-Knin  County  an 
ICZM  Plan246  as  a  tool  to  address  climate  variability  and  change  impacts  by 
adaptation measures.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The  national  legal  framework  requires  that  adaptation  measures  are  implemented  in  the 
following vulnerable sectors:  water resources,  agriculture, land and marine biodiversity  and 
ecosystems, coastal management, tourism and public health. However, there are very limited 
adaptation  actions  embedded  in  sectoral  strategies  and  action  plans  (some  actions  are 
embedded in the energy and water sectors).  

Climate impacts on the water regime were considered qualitatively during the preparation of 
the  2016-2021  River  Basin  Management  Plan  (RBMP)247.  However,  the  methodology  for 
assessing the climate impacts on water regime changes has not yet been adopted. The RBMP 
specifies that all planning documents in the water sector shall be aligned with the NAS. 

The  Flood  Risk  Management  Plan  for  the  2016-2021  planning  period  (part  of  the  RBMP) 
contains a measure of the analysis of the climate impact on the concepts of protection from 
adverse  effects  of  water  and  flood  risk  management,  and  a  revision  of  the  programme  of 
measures is intended to include measures for climate adaptation. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The  responsibility  for  climate  change  policy  in  Croatia  falls  within  the  competence  of  the 
Ministry of Environment and Energy (MZOE), Directorate for climate activities, sustainable 
development and protection of air, soil and of light pollution. This includes development of 
strategic  and  planning  documents  and  carrying  out  the  work  of  a  national  contact  authority 
for  reporting  to  EU  bodies  and  other  international  bodies  on  climate  adaptation  policy. 
MZOE  is  responsible  for  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  NAS  and  NAP, 
supported  by  the  two  organisational  units  under  the  responsibility  of  MZOE  (Croatian 
Environment  and  Nature  Agency  –  HAOP248,  and  Environmental  Protection  and  Energy 
Efficiency  Fund  -  FZOEU),  as  well  as  the  Meteorological  and  Hydrological  Service249 
(DHMZ).   

246 2016; Obalni plan Šibensko-kninske županije; URL: http://sibensko-kninska-zupanija.hr/stranica/obalni-
plan-ibensko-kninske-upanije/209; accessed on 03.05.2018 
247 Odluka o donošenju plana upravljanja vodnim područjima 2016.–2021.; URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2016_07_66_1623.html; accessed on 03.05.2018  
248 HAOP website; URL: http://www.haop.hr/; accessed on 16.05.2018 
249 DHMZ website; URL: http://www.meteo.hr; accessed on 03.05.2018 

Page 83 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Government  of  Croatia  established  the  Inter-Sectoral  Coordination  Commission  for 
Policy and Measures for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (CCCCMA) for the first 
time  in  Autumn  2014250.  The  new  Decision  on  establishment  of  the  CCCCMA  came  into 
force in January 2018251, that no longer includes names of technical working group members 
but  leaves  its  set  up  at  the  discretion  of  the  minister  for  environment,  as  the  CCCCMA 
chairman. The purpose of the CCCCMA, which is administratively supported by MZOE, is to 
give  recommendations  to  the  Government,  monitor  and  evaluate  the  implementation  and 
planning  of  mitigation  and  adaptation  policy  and  measures  in  Croatia,  in  line  with  the  Air 
Protection Act  and to improve the horizontal coordination in climate change policy making 
among the state sectoral actors. The CCCCMA is organised at two levels:  

  The  Coordination  Group,  nominated  from  the  lines  of  public  officials  (assistant 
ministers) from the following sectoral ministries: environment (including energy and 
nature  protection),  labour,  foreign  affairs,  science  and  education,  economy  and 
entrepreneurship,  regional  development  and  EU  funds,  finance,  sea,  transport  and 
infrastructure,  agriculture,  construction  and  physical  planning  tourism,  health,  and 
demography 

  Two  technical  groups:  one  for  climate  adaptation,  and  another  for  low  carbon 
development,  set  up  from  the  lines  of  practitioners  in  sectoral  ministries,  expert 
institutions, economic actors and NGOs working on climate-relevant issues – the new 
technical groups are still to be nominated by the Minister for Environment.  

Based  on  the  opinions  and  proposals  of  technical  working  groups,  the  Coordination  Group 
makes recommendations on the overall policy and measures for mitigation and adaptation to 
climate  change  to  the  Croatian  government,  providing  support  in  the  implementation  of 
policies and measures and promoting synergies and mainstreaming climate change into other 
public policies. 

The  CCCCMA  was  instrumental  in  deciding  on  strategic  goals,  policies,  measures  and 
methodologies  for  dealing  with  adaptation,  which  started  the  process  of  development  of  an 
adaptation  strategy  and  action  plan.  The  draft  NAS  proposes  that  the  existing  CCCCMA 
takes the leading role in coordinating the NAS and NAP implementation and monitoring, as 
well  as  coordinating  a  more  active  involvement  of  sectoral/resource  ministries  in  the 
implementation of NAS.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

250 Odluka o osnivanju Povjerenstva za međusektorsku koordinaciju za politiku i mjere za ublažavanje i 
prilagodbu klimatskim promjenama, Official gazette #114/14; URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2014_09_114_2171.html; accessed on 04.05.2018  
251 Odluka o osnivanju povjerenstva za međusektorsku koordinaciju za politiku i mjere za ublažavanje i 
prilagodbu klimatskim promjenama, Official gazette #9/18; URL: http://www.propisi.hr/print.php?id=13274; 
accessed on 16.05.2018 

Page 84 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Regional and local planning for adaptation is carried out by the respective regional and local 
administrations. As the adaptation policy process is in formulation, a temporary coordination 
mechanism has been set up between national, regional and local stakeholders in the form of 
participation of regional and local governments in public consultation during the process of 
drafting the NAS and NAP. 

Although not specifically for adaptation, there are mechanisms in place that provide vertical 
coordination between local, regional and national level in development, spatial planning and 
SEA  procedures,  as  well  as  in  standard  legislation  and  policy  making  structures.  For  the 
efficient  operation  of  local  and  regional  government  units  in  climate  adaptation,  the  draft 
their  capacities,  both 
NAS  acknowledges 
strategically  (through  developing  regional  development  plans  and  spatial  plans  that  will 
include  consideration  of  climate  adaptation),  as  well  as  technical  training  by  experts  in 
specific areas of climate adaptation. 

to  significantly  strengthen 

the  necessity 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

together  national  authorities,  academia,  business, 

Based on the initial inter-sectoral consultation that was carried out through the CCCCMA252, 
which  brings 
industry  and  non-
governmental  organisations,  a  public  consultation  process  was  implemented.  The  public 
consultation is required by the national legal framework (Air Protection Act253) for the drafts 
of  strategies  and  plans,  and  so  it  was  planned  and  carried  out  in  the  frame  of  the  technical 
assistance project “Strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Environment and Energy for 
adaptation  to  climate  change  and  preparation  of  the  Draft  Climate  Change  Adaptation 
Strategy”.  

Within the process of drafting the NAS, a series of 10 workshops for experts in  the sectors 
covered  under  the  NAS  (see  Section  A1)  were  carried  out  regarding  climate  modelling, 
applying  the  results  of  modelling  and  scenarios  for  impact  and  vulnerability  assessment, 
assessing  measures,  etc.  Another  series  of  10  workshops  was  aimed  at  civil  servants  at 
national,  regional  and  local  level  and  the  public  concerned  (Gospić254,  Osijek,  Rijeka255, 

252 Odluka o osnivanju Povjerenstva za međusektorsku koordinaciju za politiku i mjere za ublažavanje i 
prilagodbu klimatskim promjenama; Official Gazette #9/18; URL: http://www.propisi.hr/print.php?id=13274; 
accessed on 03.05.2018  
253  Zakon o zaštiti okoliša; Official gazette #130/11, URL: http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2011_11_130_2601.html; and #47/14, http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2014_04_47_874.html; accessed on 03.05.2018  
254 Project news – Stakeholder workshop in Osijek; http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/2016/11/16/osijek-zupanijska-
ulica-4-zupanijska-vijecnica-za-sluzbenike-na-nacionalnoj-i-lokalnoj-razini-te-za-zainteresiranu-javnost-
odrzana-je-radionica-o-utjecaju-klimatskih-promjena-i-o-mjerama-p/; accessed on 03.05.2018 Project news – 
Stakeholder workshop in Osijek; http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/2016/11/16/osijek-zupanijska-ulica-4-zupanijska-
vijecnica-za-sluzbenike-na-nacionalnoj-i-lokalnoj-razini-te-za-zainteresiranu-javnost-odrzana-je-radionica-o-
utjecaju-klimatskih-promjena-i-o-mjerama-p/; accessed on 03.05.2018  

Page 85 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Zadar256,  Varaždin257,  Dubrovnik258,  four  events  in  Zagreb)259.  The  aim  was  to  discuss  and 
raise  awareness  of  climate  impacts,  inform  on  the  process  of  development  of  the  NAS  and 
engage  stakeholders.  The  key  topics  included  information  on  expected  climate  change, 
impacts, vulnerability and possible climate adaptation in key sectors for the geographical area 
of the workshops.  

The working version of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (Green Paper) was prepared 
and published on the project website in July 2017260, with a call to stakeholders and interested 
public  to  give  their  opinion,  suggestions  and  comments  to  improve  and  harmonise  the 
document.  In  addition,  meetings  were  organised  with  ministries  and  agencies  from  sectors 
covered  by  the  NAS  to  present  and  discuss  the  Green  Paper.  Comments  were  considered 
during preparation of the final draft of NAS (White Paper261). 

The White Paper was also published on the project page and passed an internet consultation 
with the interested public.  

Finally, the public will also have an opportunity for participation through public hearing and 
e-consultation  during  the  strategic  environmental  assessment  procedure  that  will  be  carried 
out for the NAS, planned during 2018.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Transboundary cooperation in terms of climate adaptation is present but limited to river basin 
management issues, in  the context  of international  river commissions  for Sava  and Danube 
Rivers, especially on floods.  

Croatia  also  takes  part  in  the  implementation  of  the  two  macro-regional  strategies  (EU 
Strategy  for  the  Adriatic  and  Ionian  Region,  EUSAIR;  and  EU  Strategy  for  the  Danube 
Region, EUSDR) by participating in regional cooperation projects to address various climate-
related  challenges  shared  in  the  region,  through  research,  knowledge  transfer,  capacity 

255 Project news – Stakeholder workshop in Rijeka; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/2017/02/16/rijeka-riva-
boduli-1-za-sluzbenike-na-nacionalnoj-i-lokalnoj-razini-te-za-zainteresiranu-javnost-odrzana-je-radionica-o-
utjecaju-klimatskih-promjena/; accessed on 03.05.2018  
256 Project news – Stakeholder workshop in Zadar; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/2017/03/15/zadar-za-
sluzbenike-na-nacionalnoj-i-lokalnoj-razini-te-za-zainteresiranu-javnost-odrzana-je-radionica-o-utjecaju-kp/; 
accessed on 03.05.2018 
257 Project news – Stakeholder workshop in Varaždin; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/2017/03/21/varazdin-
velika-skupstinska-dvorana-zupanijske-palace-franjevacki-trg-7-za-sluzbenike-na-nacionalnoj-i-lokalnoj-razini-
te-za-zainteresiranu-javnost-odrzana-je-radionica/; accessed on 03.05.2018  
258 Project news – Stakeholder workshop in Dubrovnik; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/2017/04/03/dubrovnik-
velika-vijecnica-grada-dubrovnika-pred-dvorom-1-za-sluzbenike-na-nacionalnoj-i-lokalnoj-razini-te-za-
zainteresiranu-javnost-odrzana-je-radionica-o-utjecaju-klimatskih-promjena/; accessed on 03.05.2018 
259 Project news - Stakeholder workshops in Zagreb; URL: http://prilagodba-
klimi.hr/category/vijesti/http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/category/vijesti/http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/category/vijesti/; 
accessed on 03.05.2018 
260 Draft NAS project website (Green paper); URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-
content/uploads/2017/11/ZELENA-KNJIGA.pdf; accessed on 13.06.2018  
261 Draft NAS project website (White paper); URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-
content/uploads/docs/Nacrt%20Strategije%20prilagodbe.pdf; accessed on 13.06.2018 

Page 86 of 743 

 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
building  and  awareness  activities,  such  as  DriDanube  –  Drought  Risk  in  the  Danube 
Region262 project. 

The Water and Climate Adaptation Plan for the Sava River Basin263 (covering five countries 
including  Croatia)  was  developed  by  the  International  Sava  River  Basin  Commission 
(ISRBC)  in  2015,  as  a  guidance  document  for  adaptation  measures  in  navigation, 
hydropower,  agriculture,  flood  protection,  economic  evaluation  of  climate  impacts.  It 
suggests  a  methodology  to  examine  effects  of  (only)  climate  change  on  those  sectors, 
although  the  integrated  effects  have  not  been  considered  due  to  lack  of  data.  A  joint 
operational flood forecasting and early warning system for the riparian countries in the Sava 
River Basin264 was launched in June 2016265 and should be finalised by September 2018. In 
addition,  a  Joint  Flood  Risk  Management  Plan  for  the  Sava  River  Basin  is  in  preparation, 
scheduled for finalisation by July 2018. An Outline of the Climate Adaptation Strategy and 
basin-wide priority measures for the Sava River Basin  266 was prepared in January 2018 for 
ISRBC, for consultation purposes. 

Transboundary cooperation has been addressed in the draft NAP through one measure for the 
water sector: “Development of international cooperation in the implementation of monitoring 
of the state of the inter-state watercourses and the Adriatic Sea with  the aim of sustainable 
management and protection” in terms of project cooperation and knowledge exchange within 
existing  international  processes/commissions  and  bilateral  cooperation  with  neighbouring 
countries.   

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service conducts meteorological observations 
to  monitor the impacts  of climate change  for  general  climate indicators.  There is  still work 
needed  to  expand  the  set  of  climate  change  indicators  (e.g.  to  coastal,  marine,  biodiversity 
etc.).  There  is  a  need  to  modernise  the  existing  climate  observation  and  prediction  system, 

262 Dri-Danube project website; URL: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/dridanube, accessed on 
16.05.2018 
263 Project information “Water and Climate Adaptation Plan for the Sava River Basin“; URL: 
https://www.savacommission.org/project_detail/18/1; accessed on 15.05.2018  
264 Presentation of the project “Flood forecasting and warning system for the Sava River Basin”; URL: 
http://www.savacommission.org/dms/docs/dokumenti/events/workshop_on_flood_risk_management_measures_
and_links_to_eu_wfd/presentations/11.pdf; accessed on 15.05.2018  
265 Project news “Flood Forecasting and Warning System for the Sava River”; URL: 
https://www.royalhaskoningdhv.com/en-gb/news-room/news/pre-release-of-flood-forecasting-and-warning-
system-for-sava-river-basin/6956; accessed on16.05.2018  
266 Thomas Dworak; 2018; Outline of the Sava Climate Adaptation Strategy for the Sava River Basin; URL: 
http://www.savacommission.org/dms/docs/dokumenti/peg_rbm/ad.3.1_wm_issues_doc_8__outline_of_the_clim
ate_adaptation_strategy_for_the_sava_rb.pdf  

Page 87 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
improving 

the  quality  and  availability  of  meteorological  data  (including 
namely 
climatological and hydrological data) and infrastructure that will allow a better understanding 
of climate change and as a result enable adequate adaptation policy measures. Modernisation 
of the meteorological network – METMONIC267 started in 2015 and is planned to go on until 
2022.  Contributions  to  this  project  are  made  by  DHMZ,  HAOP,  the  Croatian  Waters  and 
other research and monitoring institutions through EU-funded and bilateral donor projects.  

Meteorological  data  are  available  on  extreme  weather  events  of  climate  change  relevance, 
such as heatwaves, floods, strong winds and thunderstorms causing forest fires, and snow and 
ice. Furthermore, there are data on related health impacts and infrastructural damage costs, all 
with varying degrees of detail. Data on heatwaves and their impacts have been systematically 
monitored since 1983 by the Public Health Institute dr. Andrija Štampar” (ZZJZ) but only for 
the Zagreb City area. Data on floods are available from the early 20th century onwards for the 
entire country’s territory by Croatian Waters, and data on forest fires is available from 1981 
(State Directorate  for Protection and Rescue  -  DUZS).  DHMZ provides  climate monitoring 
data  on  extreme  weather  events  (systematically  covering  period  from  1961  onwards)  and 
cooperates with DUZS and other sectoral institutions to provide warnings for citizens and set 
up precautionary, protection and rescue measures, including transboundary actions and data 
exchange for cases of floods and fires268.  

The  Ministry  of  Finance  records  damage  due  to  natural  disasters,  in  cooperation  with  the 
State Commission for the Assessment of Natural Disasters269. The statistical data on extreme 
weather events, coupled with climate scenarios, provide for more precise projections and can 
result in stronger prevention and response measures, which will be further elaborated in the 
future strategy for disaster risk reduction. Improvement of data integration, inventorying and 
monitoring of climate-related environmental indicators has, therefore, been included among 
the priority measures in the draft NAS.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Within the project of the draft NAS and draft NAP development, in addition to the historical 
climate simulation  for the period 1971-2000, scenarios and projections have been produced 
for  Croatia.  In  these  scenarios,  the  Croatian  Meteorological  and  Hydrological  Service  took 
geographical specificities into account using the regional climate model RegCM on the basis 
of  the  calculated  change  (forecasts)  for  the  future  climate  in  two  periods:  2011-2040  and 
2041-2070,  using  the  IPCC  AR5  scenarios  RCP4.5  and  RCP8.5.  The  spatial  integration 
domain covered the wider Europe area (Euro-CORDEX) combined with marginal conditions 

267 METMONIC project page; URL: http://klima.hr/razno.php?id=projekti&param=metmonic; accessed on 
17.05.2018  
268 DUZS; Procjena rizika od katastrofa za Republiku Hrvatsku; 2015; URL: 
http://stari.duzs.hr/download.aspx?f=dokumenti/Clanci/ProcjenarizikaodkatastrofauRH..pdf; accessed 
17.05.2018 
269 Odluka o imenovanju državne komisije za procjenu šteta od elementarnih nepogoda; OG #43/96; URL; 
https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/full/1996_05_43_844.html; accessed 17.05.2018 

Page 88 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
from  four  global  climate  models  (GCM,  Cm5,  EC-Earth,  MPI-ESM,  HadGEM2).  Climate 
simulations until the end of the century were done with a 50 km horizontal resolution270. For 
climatological  parameters  with  higher  spatial  variability  (precipitation,  snow  cover,  wind, 
etc.) or depending on the different characteristics of small spatial scales (orography, land-sea 
contrast), a finer horizontal resolution of 12.5 km was planned. However, due to the complex 
orography,  particularly  in  the  coastal  belt  of  Croatia,  this  demanding  numerical  modelling 
extends beyond the NAS drafting process, and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2018.  

A comprehensive assessment of climate impacts and vulnerabilities was carried out as part of 
the  NAS  development  process  in  May  2017,  using  the  climate  projections  until  2040  and 
2070. The measures of the Croatian draft NAS  were determined according to  the moderate 
RCP4.5 scenario, as the most common scenario used in drafting adaptation strategies. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  vulnerability  assessment  was  developed  in  May  2017271  in  the  framework  of  the  NAS 
development  covering  the  eight  most  vulnerable  sectors  and  two  cross-sectoral  thematic 
areas, including economic, social and environmental impacts. 

The  Air  Protection  Act272  recognises  sectors  exposed  to  climate  impacts  and  prescribes  the 
obligation  of  undertaking  adaptation  measures  in  those  sectors  (hydrology  and  water 
resources, agriculture, forestry, biological diversity and natural inland ecosystems, biological 
diversity  and  marine  ecosystems,  coast  and  coastal  area,  tourism,  and  human  health). 
Vulnerable  sectors  are  also  defined  in  the  6th  National  Communication  to  the  UNFCCC 
(2014)273 and in the 7th National Communication to the UNFCCC (2018)274 

270 EPTISA Adria d.o.o. for MZOE; 2017; Rezultati klimatskog modeliranja na sustavu HPC Velebit za potrebe 
izrade nacrta Strategije prilagodbe klimatskim promjenama Republike Hrvatske do 2040. s pogledom na 2070. i 
Akcijskog plana; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Klimatsko-modeliranje.pdf; and 
Dodatak rezultatima klimatskog modeliranja na sustavu HPC VELEbit: Osnovni rezultati integracija na 
prostornoj rezoluciji od 12,5 km; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-
content/uploads/docs/Dodatak_Klimatsko_modeliranje_VELEbit_12.5km.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 
271 EPTISA Adria d.o.o. for MZOE; 2017; Izvještaj o procijenjenim utjecajima i ranjivosti na klimatske 
promjene po pojedinim sektorima; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-content/uploads/docs/Procjena-
ranjivosti-na-klimatske-promjene.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 
272 Zakon o zaštiti okoliša; Official gazette #130/11, URL: http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2011_11_130_2601.html; and #47/14, http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2014_04_47_874.html; accessed on 03.05.2018 
273 Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection; 2014; Sixth National Communication and first Biennial 
Report of the Republic of Croatia under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCCC); URL: http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom_/application/pdf/hrv_nc6.pdf; 
accessed on 03.05.2018 
274 UNFCCC; Seventh national communication and third biennial report of the Republic of Croatia under the 
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  (UNFCCC); 2018. Croatia; URL: 
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/4786521_Croatia-NC7-BR3-1-
VII.%20NIRH_EN_30.4.2018.%20%281%29.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 

Page 89 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Eight key sectors and two cross-sectoral thematic areas have been selected for vulnerability 
analysis275  for  which  the  climate  impacts  were  described  in  the  framework  of  the  NAS 
drafting  process:  hydrology;  water  and  marine  resources;  agriculture;  forestry;  fisheries; 
biodiversity;  energy;  tourism;  health;  spatial  planning  and  coastal  areas  management;  and 
disaster  risk  management.  Vulnerability  assessment  was  based  on  modelling  results  and 
scenarios  based  on  the  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  Representative 
Concentration  Pathway  RCP4.5  medium  scenario  and  regional  climate  model  RegCM,  as 
well as previous research on climate impacts and adaptation in Croatia per sector (including 
sectoral  environmental,  social  and economic impacts,  impacts  on infrastructure  –  buildings, 
transport,  energy  –  and  transboundary  climate  change  risks  assessment).  Projections  and 
assessment  results  provided  the  insights  on  climate  impacts  per  sector,  as  well  as  impact 
interactions  between  different  sectors,  and  listed  the  possible  responses  to  the  challenges 
identified.  The  Risk  Assessment  for  the  Republic  of  Croatia  was  adopted  in  November 
2015276.  Its  revision  is  planned  by  Autumn  2018,  together  with  the  assessment  of  risk 
management  capacities  for  eight  major  risks,  followed  by  a  Strategy  for  Disaster  Risk 
Reduction,  which  is  planned  for  drafting  in  the  last  quarter  of  2018  and  adoption  in  2019. 
Three  questions  were  addressed  within  the  risk  assessment:  1)  How  does  climate  change 
affect  risks?  2)  What  is  the  expected  timeframe  for  the  effects?  3)  What  are  the  reference 
documents  that  the  analysis  is  based  on?  Eleven  risks  have  been  processed  (earthquake, 
flood,  plant  diseases,  animal  diseases,  soil  salinisation,  drought,  industrial  accidents,  open 
space  fires,  extreme  temperatures,  snow  and  ice,  and  epidemics  and  pandemics),  nine  of 
which are related to climate change. Climate change is treated as a driver for events (such as 
drought,  extreme  temperatures,  extreme  precipitations,  soil  salinisation  and  floods)  and  is, 
therefore, an important factor in the risk analysis, as it affects either the intensity or frequency 
of  the  event.  In  addition  to  an  analysis  of  threats,  calculation  includes  analysis  of 
vulnerability of society to disasters.  

A  risk  and  vulnerability  assessment  was  also  conducted  for  the  human  health  sector  on 
heatwaves. Every year, the protocol on procedure and recommendations for protection from 
heat  is  adopted  (last  in  July  2017277),  with  the  goal  to  reduce  risk  to  individuals  and 
institutions  during  heat  waves  by  implementing  necessary  preparedness  and  response 
procedures  at  the  national  and  local  level.  A  heatwave  alert  system  is  established  for  the 
entire territory of the Republic of Croatia and is active in  the period from  May to  October. 
During  that  period,  DHMZ  constantly  monitors  the  temperature  and,  in  the  case  of  70% 
chance  that  the  temperature  will  exceed  the  threshold  (about  35°C,  depending  on  region), 
informs  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  the  Croatian  Institute  for  Public  Health  (HZJZ)  on  the 
occurrence of a heatwave, which then forwards the alert. 

275 EPTISA Adria d.o.o. for MZOE;May 2017; Izvještaj o procijenjenim utjecajima i ranjivosti na klimatske 
promjene po pojedinim sektorima, URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Procjena-
ranjivosti-na-klimatske-promjene-final.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 
276 DUZS; 2015; URL: Procjena rizika od katastrofa za Republiku Hrvatsku; URL: 
http://www.platforma.hr/images/dokumenti/Procjena_rizika_RH_FINAL.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 
277 Ministry of Health; 2017; Protokol o postupanju i preporuke za zaštitu od vrućine; URL: 
https://zdravlje.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/2017%20programi%20i%20projekti/PROTOKOL%20-
%20VRUĆINA.pdf; accessed on 03.05.2018 

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3d.  Climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  take  transboundary  risks  into  account, 
when relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Some  information  on  transboundary  risks  is  given  for  relevant  sectors  in  the  May  2017 
vulnerability  assessment,  including  hydrology  and  water  resources,  forestry  (forest  fires), 
biodiversity  and  energy.  The  draft  NAP  addresses  transboundary  risks  through  one  single 
measure 
the 
implementation of monitoring of the state of the inter-state watercourses and the Adriatic Sea 
with the aim of sustainable management and protection”, in terms of project cooperation and 
knowledge  exchange  within  existing  international  processes/commissions  and  bilateral 
cooperation with neighbouring countries  

the  water  sector:  “Development  of 

international  cooperation 

in 

in 

Furthermore,  transboundary  risks  are  also  considered  in  some  of  the  transboundary 
cooperation initiatives mentioned in Indicator 2b.  

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

As  part  of  the  draft  NAS  development,  analysis  of  research  activities  was  carried  out  and 
presented  in  the  document  “Overview  of  research  on  impacts  of  climate  change  and 
adaptation”278. This information was used to identify gaps in knowledge and information, and 
for  identifying  the  topics  for  future  research.  Based  on  approximately  200  references  from 
research projects, reports, studies, articles and databases analysed (collectively referred to as 
“research”),  the  research  for  individual  sectors  was  found  to  be  fragmentary,  lacking  a 
comprehensive analysis of an entire sector or of an entire climate impact phenomenon. In all 
vulnerable  sectors  there  are  ample  data;  however,  research  is  focused  on,  for  example, 
individual species or crops, individual activity types, narrow geographic areas, specific health 
impacts  etc.  In  consultation  with  key  sectoral  experts  and 
institutions,  extensive 
recommendations were  collected for future research needed in each sector to fill the current 
knowledge  gaps.  Examples  include:  to  focus  research  on  larger  populations  (health),  to 
complete the inventory of species (biodiversity, forestry), and to improve data integration in 
cross-cutting areas,  such as disaster risk management. The assessment  showed a big  gap in 
the  research  on  economic  impacts  of  climate  change  and  cost-effectiveness  of  various 
adaptation measures.  

The  recently  finalised  project:  "Capacity  Building  of  the  Ministry  of  Environment  and 
Energy for climate adaptation and preparation of the Draft Strategy for adaptation to climate 
change"279 aimed at strengthening technical knowledge on individual aspects of adaptation.  

278 EPTISA Adria d.o.o., Pregled dosadašnjih istraživanja i aktivnosti vezanih uz utjecaj klimatskih promjena i 
prilagodbu klimatskim promjenama u Republici Hrvatskoj, URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/dokumenti/  
280 Draft NAS development - project website; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/; accessed on 03.05.2018  

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5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Two  specific  webpages/portals  provide  resources  and  information  on  climate  adaptation 
issues: 

  Draft NAS development – Project webpage280 
  MZOE – Adaptation to Climate Change281 

The  draft  NAS  development  website  contains  resources  prepared  as  a  part  of  drafting  the 
NAS, such as the report on climate modelling, impact and vulnerability assessment reports, 
analysis  of  available  research  on  climate  change  and  adaptation,  a  capacity  building  needs 
assessment,  a  brochure  for  the  general  public,  an  overview  of  the  NAS  and  NAP  drafting 
process  and  the  final  drafts  of  NAS  and  NAP.  General  information  on  adaptation  policy 
issues, adaptation activities in Croatia and internationally is provided on the MZOE’s page on 
Adaptation to Climate Change. Climate data (historical data, climate projections, publications 
etc.) are available through the Meteorological and Hydrological Service282.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  are  ongoing  actions  on  capacity  building,  mainly  related  to  one-off  projects  for 
participation,  but  so  far  not  in  a  coordinated  manner  in  the  absence  of  a  NAS  having  been 
adopted. Preparation of education and training materials on climate adaptation concepts and 
practices as well as further trainings are envisaged by several draft NAS measures in all 10 
vulnerable sectors.  

  MZOE plans to implement climate-change resilience and climate adaptation schemes 
at national and local level to create the preconditions for implementing the NAS and 
NAP, funded through EU funds.283 The recently finalised project: "Capacity Building 
of  the  Ministry  of  Environment  and  Energy  for  climate  change  adaptation  and 
preparation  of  the  Draft  Strategy  for  adaptation  to  climate  change"284  produced  an 
assessment  of  capacity  building  needs  for  addressing  climate  adaptation  at  all 
governance  levels  and  among  key  public  and  private  stakeholders  across  10 

280 Draft NAS development - project website; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/; accessed on 03.05.2018  
281 MZOE webpages on adaptation; URL: http://www.mzoip.hr/en/climate/climate-change-adaptation.html; 
accessed on 03.05.2018  http://www.mzoip.hr/en/climate/climate-change-
adaptation.htmlhttp://www.mzoip.hr/en/climate/climate-change-adaptation.html; accessed on 03.05.2018   
282 DHMZ climate portal; URL: 
http://klima.hr/klima.php?id=k5http://klima.hr/klima.php?id=k5http://klima.hr/klima.php?id=k5; accessed on 
03.05.2018  
283 Personal communication with MS contact.  
284 Draft NAS development – project website; URL: http://prilagodba-klimi.hr/; accessed on 16.05.2018  

Page 92 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
vulnerable  sectors.  The  draft  NAS  defines  the  following  major  areas  for  capacity 
building:  Increasing  human  (professional),  material  and  financial  resources  for  the 
implementation  of  planned  adaptation  measures,  especially  through  available 
programs for which EU funds are already secured.  

  Further education of public and private sector experts on climate change and sector-

specific adaptation needs.  

  Targeted training of civil society experts for further education of the public.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The official final draft of the NAS (White Paper) published in November 2017 proposes a set 
of 80 adaptation  measures and  activities for  eight  vulnerable sectors  and  two cross-sectoral 
thematic  areas,  as  well  as  two  measures  that  can  be  considered  as  multi-sectoral  (climate 
modelling,  and  development  of  the  implementation  impact  indicators  for  the  NAS),  in 
response to sectoral risks and geographical specificities identified.  

The largest number of proposed measures falls within the so-called “non-structural” measures 
(administrative,  political,  legislative,  technical  and  planning  measures,  measures  to  raise 
awareness  of  the  need  for  climate  adaptation,  data  gathering,  monitoring  and  scientific-
research work). A relatively small number of so-called “structural” measures includes certain 
technical  interventions  such  as  construction  of  protective  dams  and  walls,  construction  of 
hydro-technical  facilities,  as  well  as  afforestation,  building  of  green  infrastructure, 
strengthening the absorption capacity of land for the absorption of excess water, etc.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria analyses, stakeholders' consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Options for vulnerable sectors were identified taking into account climate modelling and the 
impact  and  vulnerability  assessment.  Possible  measures  were  discussed  in  workshops  with 
over  130  stakeholders:  sectoral  experts,  as  well  as  local  and  regional  authorities  and 
interested  general  public,  together  with  the  criteria  for  selection  of  priority  measures.  The 
resulting 80 so-called ‘sectoral’ measures were divided into five groups based on the national 
priorities  of  the  NAS,  which  were  identified  by  stakeholders  during  the  process  of 
harmonising the  concept  of climate adaptation  in  the Republic of Croatia and prioritised as 
very high, high, or medium priority for implementation, using multi-criteria analysis285.  

285 EPTISA Adria d.o.o.; 2017; Izrada radne verzije Strategije prilagodbe klimatskim promjenama u Republici 
Hrvatskoj za razdoblje do 2040. godine s pogledom na 2070. godinu (Zelena knjiga); URL: http://prilagodba-
klimi.hr/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ZELENA-KNJIGA.pdf  

Page 93 of 743 

 
 
 
                                                           
Five national priorities have been identified, within which climate adaptation measures are to 
be implemented:  

1.  Ensuring sustainable regional and urban development  
2.  Ensuring preconditions for the economic development of rural areas, coastal areas and 

islands  

3.  Ensuring sustainable energy development  
4.  Strengthening  of  the  management  capacities  through  a  networked  monitoring  and 

early warning system  

5.  Ensuring continuity of research activities that were assessed with very high priority. 
Most  measures  ranked  as  “very  high  importance”  in  the  draft  NAS  were  at  the  same  time 
identified  under  the  European  Structural  and  Investment  Funds  (ESIF)  programming 
priorities for the period 2014-2020, for which funding is available under Operational Program 
Competitiveness and Cohesion (OPCC) 2014-2020, the Rural Development Program (RDP) 
2014-2020 and the Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme (MFOP) 2014-2020. The 
revision  of  programming  documents  for  the  use  of  ESIF  for  the  period  2014-2020  is 
envisaged in 2018. As such, some financial resources may be provided for priority measures 
in the “very high importance” category, which would have been contracted in the period up to 
2020.  This  primarily  relates  to  the  use  of  funds  from  the  European  Regional  Development 
Fund  (ERDF),  the  European  Agricultural  Fund  for  Rural  Development  (EAFRD)  and  the 
European  Maritime  and  Fisheries  Fund  (EMFF),  where  financing  of  climate  adaptation 
measures  is  defined  in  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Strategy,  but  also  includes  European 
Social Fund (ESF).  

The  selection  of  measures  in  the  draft  NAP  2019-2023  has  covered  42  (out  of  82)  sectoral 
measures  that  satisfy  the  ‘very  high  importance’  criterion  from  the  draft  NAS,  and  at  the 
same  time  fall  under  the  funding  priorities  of  the  three  national  operational  programmes 
(OPCC, RDP and OMFP) for 2014-2020 funded through ESIF (ERDF, EAFRD and EMFF). 
As such, implementation of most measures could start relatively soon upon adoption of the 
draft NAS.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  Croatian  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  Platform  (CDRRP)  is  a  country-level  coordination 
mechanism  led  by  DUZS,  organised  in  working  groups  according  to  11  major  risk  groups 
identified in the National Disaster Risk Assessment (NDRA). Each working group is led by 
one  or  more  relevant  sectoral  institutions.  MZOE  is  a  permanent  member  in  the  CDRRP 
Committee286 and an active member in the Risk Assessment Working Group. At the national 
level,  the  impact  of  climate  change  on  disaster  risk  has  been  addressed  in  developing  the 
NDRA,  which  serves  as  a  good  practice  example  of  a  process  where  all  stakeholders  were 
actively  involved  and  tasked  to  undertake  risk  reduction  under  their  competence.  The 
Platform serves as an active body for developing a disaster risk reduction strategy, which will 

286 Decision on the establishment of working groups in the frame of National Platform for Disaster Risk 
Reduction, URL: http://www.platforma.hr/images/dokumenti/Odluka_Vlade_o_osnivanju_HP_2016.pdf; 
accessed on 17.05.2018 

Page 94 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
include  adaptation  of  risk  assessment  and  intervention  plans  to  account  for  current  and 
projected climate extremes.  

Disaster  risk  reduction  has  been  addressed  through  six  measures  in  the  draft  NAS,  out  of 
which the following three have been included in the draft NAP for the period 2019-2023:  

  Mapping of water sources outside the public water supply system  
  Multi-sectoral risk assessment for various threat/risk scenarios associated with climate 

change  

  Expansion  of  NDRRP 

to 

include  climate  change-related 

indicators  for 

the 

development of an early warning system.  

Measures for strengthening capacities for disaster and accident assessment and recovery, and 
developing  models  for  coverage  of  risks  and  damages  related  to  climate  change  will  be 
addressed in later stages. 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a.  Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in  vulnerable  sectors  and  for 
cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

Activities  to  promote  climate  adaptation  are  defined  within  the  framework  of  the  OPCC287 
2014  –  2020  (thematic  objective  ‘Promoting  climate  adaptation,  risk  prevention  and 
management’).  Until  adoption  of  the  draft  NAS,  the  framework  for  climate  adaptation 
activities  is  determined  in  accordance  with  the  6th  and  7th  National  Communication  to  the 
UNFCCC.  OPCC  interventions  are  focused  on  improvement  of  the  system  for  monitoring 
and  evaluation  of  climate  change,  improvement  of  the  disaster  management  system  and 
addressing  flood  management  risks.  In  addition,  the  RDP  includes  climate  adaptation 
measures in the agriculture sector.  

Croatia uses financial resources from the sale of emission allowances through the FZOEU to 
co-finance  national  component  priorities,  for  the  period  until  2020,  relating  to  air  quality, 
biodiversity  and  climate,  including  cross-cutting  adaptation  measures  and  various  applied 
research activities in the field of climate adaptation.  

The draft NAS envisages total implementation costs of EUR 3 680 000 000 (EUR 780 000 
000  for  the  first  five-year  NAP),  out  of  which  State  Budget  resources  would  account  for 
0.23%,  and  the  remainder  would  be  financed  from  the  ESIF  and  private  sector  (including 
public-private partnership). More than half of the estimated amount refers to implementation 
of  "structural"  measures,  particularly  in  the  sectors  of  agriculture  and  forestry  ("no  regret 
measures"),  and  to  a  lesser  extent  in  energy  and  tourism.  The  average  annual  cost  of 
implementing  the  draft  NAS  is  estimated  at  EUR  70  million.  Compared  to  average  annual 
damage costs in the period from 1980 to 2015 resulting from extreme weather events (around 
EUR 80 million per year), benefits of implementing the draft NAS will be significant despite 
the high costs.  

287 Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014 - 2020; URL: https://strukturnifondovi.hr/wp-
content/uploads/2017/03/OPKK_eng-1.pdf; accessed on 17.05.2018 

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Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Amendments to the Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessment288 (EIA) were adopted 
to  transpose  the  EIA  Directive  in  January  2017.  Developers  are  expected  to  assess  climate 
change impacts and vulnerabilities of each project, and EIA reports are also assessed against 
potential climate-driven disaster risks. Similarly, the national SEA regulation289 also requires 
consideration of aspects related to climate adaptation. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Croatia has started to adapt risk assessment and intervention plans to account for current and 
projected climate extremes. At the national government level, the impact of climate change to 
disaster  risk  has  been  addressed  in  developing  the  NDRA.  Intense  periods  of  rainfall  and 
severe  droughts  have  been  taken  into  account290,  as  the  most  frequent  climate  extremes  in 
Croatia.  The  NDRA  will  be  used  to  inform  development  of  the  national  disaster  risk 
reduction strategy. Drafting of the strategy is planned for last quarter of 2018, with adoption 
expected in 2019. Early warning systems are in place for all major hazards, with outreach to 
communities.  

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

The  July  2017  amendments  to  spatial  planning  legislation291  include  provisions  related  to 
spatial  plans  covering  marine  areas  where  due  attention  must  be  paid  to  long-term  changes 
caused  by  climate  change  and  to  increasing  climate  resilience.  The  National  Spatial 
Development Plan292 stipulates that the spatial planning policy should include consideration 
of climate impacts and disaster risk reduction needs, however, this policy is not yet followed 

288 Uredba o procjeni utjecaja na okoliš, Official gazette #61/14 , URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2014_05_61_1138.html; and OG #3/2017, URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2017_01_3_118.html; accessed on 17.05.2018 
289 Uredba o strateškoj procjeni utjecaja strategije, plana i programa na okoliš, Official gazette #3/2017; URL: 
http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2017_01_3_117.html; accessed on 15.05.2018  
290 Croatia: National Progress Report on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2011-2013); 
url: http://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=29329&cid=43 ; accessed on 15.05.2018  
291 Zakon o izmjenama i dopunama Zakona o prostornom uređenju, Official gazette 650/2017; URL: 
https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2017_07_65_1494.html; accessed on 17.05.2018 
292 Odluka o izradi Državnog plana prostornog razvoja, Official gazette #39/2018; URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2018_04_39_746.html; accessed on 17.05.2018  

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in practice. Other land use, spatial and urban planning policies do not yet specifically address 
climate impacts.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Air  Protection  Act293  recognises  vulnerable  sectors  exposed  to  climate  impacts  and 
obliges integration of integrating adaptation measures in those sectors. However, adaptation 
considerations  are  only  included  currently  in  the  water  management  sector  (the  RBMP  and 
Flood Risk Management Plan for the 2016-2021 planning period) and, since 2017, in spatial 
planning through updates to sectoral legislation294, although there is not yet concrete evidence 
of adaptation considerations being included in planning documents. Integration of adaptation 
in these sectors was driven by EU legislation, combined with policy recommendations arising 
from  the  work  of  international  river  commissions  in  which  Croatian  authorities  actively 
participate.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

No  evidence  could  be  found  that  adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
policy instruments to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention. Such a measure is 
planned in the frame of the draft NAS, but not for the first five-year implementation period.  

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

In the absence of a NAS or a NAP, it can be concluded that coordinated implementation of 
the adaptation measures, as defined in action plans, has not yet started.  

Adaptation considerations have only recently been included in two sectors: physical planning 
legislation  and  water  management  sectoral  plans.  Implementation  in  both  sectors  is  at  the 
moment only planned.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

293 Zakon o zaštiti okoliša, Official gazette #130/11: http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2011_11_130_2601.html, and #47/14; http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2014_04_47_874.html; accessed on 17.05.2018   
294 Odluka o izradi Državnog plana prostornog razvoja, Official gazette #39/2018; URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2018_04_39_746.html; accessed on 17.05.2018   

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Pending the adoption of  the draft NAS and draft  NAP, systematic  cooperation mechanisms 
for fostering adaptation at local or regional level do not seem to be yet in place. Adaptation is 
limited to one-off participation in European projects and initiatives, such as the Covenant of 
Mayors  for  Climate  and  Energy,  in  which  13  Croatian  towns  and  municipalities  are 
signatories  with  adaptation  commitments295.  A  regional  ORIENTGATE  project296  (2012-
2015) created a partnership in 13 countries to network and exchange data on the impacts of 
climate variability and climate change on water regimes, forests and agro-ecosystems, which 
includes 2 Croatian partner institutions.  

In the frame of international river commissions, data and experience exchange is enabled at 
sub-regional level among the countries with regard to development of joint operational flood 
forecasting, and early warning system and a Joint Flood Risk Management Plan for the Sava 
River Basin. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The EU “Guidance on integrating climate change and biodiversity into EIA297 and SEA”298, 
is  translated  into  Croatian,  as  well  as  the  EU  “Guidance  for  project  managers:  How  to 
increase  resilience  of  vulnerable  investments  to  climate  change”299,  are  available  on  the 
MZOE website and actively recommended to developers and EIA/SEA experts. The purpose 
of the “Guidance for project managers” is to help manage additional climate change risks and 
to  complete  the  EIA  reports.  It  is  designed  as  a  tool  that  can  help  reduce  climate-induced 
losses in different kinds of investments, thus, increasing the resilience of investment projects 
and  economies.  Authorised  professionals  use  the  guidance  when  drafting  EIA  and  SEA 
reports.  

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes /No 

295 Covenant of Mayors – signatories with adaptation commitments; URL: 
https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-community/signatories.html; accessed on 17.05.2018 
296 Orientgate project website; URL: http://www.orientgateproject.org/index.php?page=city-of-koprivnica-hr; 
accessed on 17.05.2018 
297 EU; 2013; Smjernice za uključivanje klimatskih promjena i bioraznolikosti u procjene utjecaja na okoliša; 
URL: 
http://www.mzoip.hr/doc/smjernice_za_ukljucivanje_klimatskih_promjena_i_bioraznolikosti_u_procjene_utjec
aja_na_okolis.pdf; accessed on 17.05.2018 
298 EU; 2013; Smjernice za integriranje klimatskih promjena i bioraznolikosti u strateške procjene utjecaja na 
okoliša; URL: 
http://www.mzoip.hr/doc/smjernice_za_integriranje_klimatskih_promjena_i_bioraznolikosti_u_strateske_procje
ne_utjecaja_na_okolis.pdf; accessed on 17.05.2018 
299 EU DG CLIMA; 2012; Neformalni dokument Smjernice za voditelje projekata: Kako povećati otpornost 
ranjivih ulaganja na klimatske promjene; URL: http://www.mzoip.hr/doc/smjernice_za_voditelje_projekta.pdf; 
accessed on 17.05.2018 

Page 98 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
As the process  of formulating national  adaptation policy is  in  its  early phases, there do not 
seem  to  be  many  opportunities  for  stakeholders’  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation  policies  and  measures.  However,  processes  for  stakeholder  involvement  in 
policymaking  are  laid  down  in  general  laws  regulating  public  policy  development,  and  are 
systematically  implemented  at  all  governance  levels;  no  specific  additional  measures  are 
envisaged for adaptation.  

The  draft  NAS  generally  acknowledges  importance  of  stakeholder  awareness  raising  and 
participation.  In  this  respect,  strengthening  of  local  and  regional  government  capacities  is 
planned, both strategically (development of regional development plans and spatial plans that 
will  include  the  component  of  climate  adaptation),  as  well  as  through  technical  training  in 
specific areas of climate adaptation.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

No reports on adaptation at the central level have been published, as the NAS and NAP are 
yet to be adopted. 

According to Air Protection Act with its 2014 amendments300, reports on implementation of 
adaptation measures are to be submitted to the European Commission in line with Article 15 
of the EU Regulation No. 525/2013301. Upon adoption of the NAS and NAP, reporting on the 
implementation  of  the  NAS  will  follow  formats  and  deadlines  for  reporting  under  EU 
legislation.  Wherever  possible,  reporting  procedures  will  rely  on  existing  systems,  with  the 
necessary  further  development  of  the  MZOE  and  HAOP  capacities  for  monitoring  and 
reporting. Currently, most of HAOP's activities in the field of climate change are related to 
greenhouse  gas  data  collection  and  monitoring  of  climate  impacts  on  species  and  habitats. 
These  activities  will  need  to  expand  and  a  database  will  need  to  be  created  based  on  the 
indicators  proposed  for  monitoring  the  individual  measures  and  activities  listed  in  the  draft 
NAS and draft NAP.  

Eighty-one indicators have been proposed for monitoring adaptation measures in the priority 
sectors. There are an additional 15 climate indicators, most of which are already included in 
the National List of Indicators prepared by HAOP. The legal basis of the list is defined by the 

300 Zakon o izmjenama i dopunama Zakona o zaštiti zraka, Official gazette #47/2014; URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2014_04_47_874.html, accessed on 16.05.2018  
301 Regulation No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on a mechanism for 
monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and for reporting other information at national and Union 
level relevant to climate change and repealing Decision No 280/2004/EC; URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32013R0525; accessed on 16.05.2018  

Page 99 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
Environmental  Protection  Act302  and  the  Regulation  on  the  Environmental  Information 
System303. 

The draft NAS and draft NAP propose that CCCCMA will monitor the implementation of the 
NAP at its sessions, review reports and propose measures to remove obstacles and improve 
implementation. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

No reports on adaptation in vulnerable sectors have been published, as the NAS and NAP are 
yet to be adopted. Nevertheless, according to Article 118a of the Air Protection Act, central 
state  administration  bodies  and  other  public  authorities  that  are  competent  in  relation  to  a 
range  of  activities  (meteorology,  environmental  protection,  agriculture,  fishery,  forestry, 
water management, energy, physical planning, nature protection, sea, tourism and protection 
of  human  health)  have  an  obligation  to  submit  periodical  five-year  reports  to  the  ministry 
responsible  for  environmental  protection  on  their  activities  related  to  climate  adaptation. 
These reports feed into periodical reporting to the European Commission on implementation 
of adaptation measures. The first reporting was conducted at the beginning of 2015.  

Integration  of  climate  adaptation  into  sectoral  strategies  and  planning  documents  has  been 
generally planned in the draft NAS, and the draft NAP specifically lists measures to integrate 
adaptation  into  several  vulnerable  sectors  (tourism,  spatial  planning  system,  biodiversity, 
forestry).  The  adaptation  measures  will  be  coordinated  between  the  MZOE  and  respective 
sectoral  ministries.  Upon  adoption  of  the  draft  NAS  and  draft  NAP  the  relevant  national 
authorities will be required to integrate them in their policies and secure sufficient funding for 
implementation.  

From the draft NAP or draft NAS, it is unclear how the dissemination of monitoring results 
will be organised.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  national  legal  framework  requires  reporting  between  different  levels  of  government 
(national, counties and cities) on issues such as legislation and development planning.  

Specifically,  for  climate  adaptation,  a  five-year  reporting  obligation  (see  Indicator  10b) 
includes  regional  and  local-level  authorities  in  the  listed  sectors.  First  reporting  was 
conducted  in  early  2015  and  included  a  review  of  the  implementation  of  measures  and 

302 Zakon o zaštiti okoliša, Official Gazette #80/13, URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2013_06_80_1659.html; #78/15, URL: http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2015_07_78_1498.html; #12/18, URL: https://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/full/2018_02_12_264.html; accessed on 16.05.2018  
303 Uredba o informacijskom sustavu zaštite okoliša, Official Gazette #68/08; URL: http://narodne-
novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/339831.html; accessed on 16.05.2018 

Page 100 of 743 

 
 
                                                           
actions, their impacts, and identification of obstacles.  The resultant report served as a basis 
for creating new action plans.   

From the draft NAP or draft NAS, it is unclear how the dissemination of monitoring results 
of sub-national actions will be organised.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  first  interval  for  evaluation  will  be  after  the  first  NAP  2019-2023  has  expired.  Any 
subsequent revisions of the NAS will depend on the information that will be generated by the 
implementation monitoring system, as well as the general climate change monitoring system. 

Nevertheless,  given  the  unusually  long  lifespan  of  the  draft  NAS,  until  2070,  a  periodic 
review of all adaptation actions has not been clearly defined.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

No evidence of stakeholder engagement in monitoring, evaluation or review is available, as 
implementation  of the NAS and NAP has not  yet  started.  In the draft NAS  and draft NAP, 
stakeholder  involvement  is  not  specifically  planned.  Nevertheless,  as  indicated  above, 
reporting  is  planned  on  implementation  by  sectoral  ministries,  and  local  and  regional 
governments coordinated by the CCCCMA.  

Page 101 of 743 

 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

5 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge transfer 

Page 102 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

5a 

5b 

Indicator 

Met? 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Page 103 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes /No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Page 104 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Table of contents 

Cyprus 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 106 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ...................................................................................................... 107 

Adaptation strategies .......................................................................................................... 107 

A1. National adaptation strategy ..................................................................................... 107 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at sub-national levels ............................................... 107 

Adaptation action plans ...................................................................................................... 107 

B1. National adaptation plan ........................................................................................... 107 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ........................................................ 108 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans .......................................................................................... 108 

SCOREBOARD ..................................................................................................................... 108 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ...................................................................... 108 

1.  Coordination structure ............................................................................................. 108 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ................................................. 109 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change ........................................... 110 

3  Current and projected climate change ..................................................................... 110 

4  Knowledge gaps ...................................................................................................... 113 

5  Knowledge transfer ................................................................................................. 113 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options ............................................................................... 114 

6  Adaptation options’ identification ........................................................................... 114 

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated ............................................................. 116 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ............................................................................ 116 

8  Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes.................................................... 116 

9 

Implementing adaptation ......................................................................................... 118 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ............................................... 120 

10  Monitoring and reporting ........................................................................................ 120 

11  Evaluation................................................................................................................ 121 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................. 123 

Page 105 of 743 

 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ARI 

Agricultural Research Institute 

CCRA   

Climate Change Risk Assessment  

CYCOFOS  Cyprus Coastal Ocean Forecasting and Observing System 

DFMR  

Department of Fisheries and Marine Research 

DRR 

Disaster Risk Reduction 

ESIF    

European Structural and Investment Funds 

MCA    

Multi-Criteria Analysis 

MS  

NAP 

NAS 

Member States  

National adaptation plan 

National adaptation strategy 

NOA    

Greek National Observatory of Athens 

NTUA  

National Technical University of Athens  

MARDE 

Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment  

PA 

SGL  

Partnership Agreement 

State General Laboratory  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Cyprus prepared a combined national adaptation strategy (NAS) and national adaptation plan 
(NAP) in 2014304. An updated NAS has been developed recently and formally adopted by the 
Cypriot Government in 2017305, which includes an evaluation of the effects of climate change 
on  11  vulnerable  policy  areas  (sectors)  in  Cyprus.  Moreover,  the  updated  NAS  identifies 
adaptation  measures  and  actions  for  each  vulnerable  sector  and  states  clearly  the  need  for 
revision and evaluation of the NAS at regular intervals.  

The adaptation policy process has been aided by the CYPADAPT306 project, which was co-
financed by the EU through the LIFE+ instrument. This project started in September 2011 and 
was  completed  in  March  2014.  The  beneficiary  was  the  Department  of  Environment  of  the 
Ministry  of  Agriculture,  Rural  Development  and  Environment  (MARDE),  the  authority 
responsible for climate change in Cyprus.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at sub-national levels 

For the time being there is no centralised information or evidence about adaptation strategies 
being developed at regional, sub-regional or local levels307. However, local actions are taking 
place. MARDE is in contact with the Union of Municipalities and the Union of Communities 
to  collect  this  information  and  organise  training  days  to  inform  the  local  authorities  on  the 
adaptation actions relevant to their regions. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

304 CYPADAPT, 2014, Ανάπτυξη εθνικής στρατηγικής για την προσαρμογή στις αρνητικές επιπτώσεις της 
κλιματικής αλλαγής στην Κύπρο, URL: http://cypadapt.uest.gr/wp-
content/uploads/20141219/deliverable_5.1_greek.pdf, Date accessed: 14/05/2018  

305 ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΣ, ΑΓΡΟΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ, ΤΜΗΜΑ 
ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ, Απρίλιος 2017, ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΣΤΡΑΤΗΓΙΚΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΠΡΟΣΑΡΜΟΓΗ ΣΤΗΝ 
ΚΛΙΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΑΛΛΑΓΗ, URL: Cyprus National Adaptation Strategy 2017  
306 CYPADAPT, URL: http://cypadapt.uest.gr/, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 
307 Personal communication with MS contact 

107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
An updated NAP was adopted in 2017308. The combined NAS/NAP mentioned the adaptation 
measures for each vulnerable policy area (sector) in Cyprus, as they were identified using the 
CYPADAPT software tool. The updated NAP follows the same methodology as the combined 
NAS/NAP  but  is  a  more  detailed  document  that  lists  potential  climate  impacts  along  with 
their potential risk/hazard, the competent authority and the timeline for the completion of each 
measure. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

No  sub-national  adaptation  plans  have  been  adopted.  Some  activities  related  to  climate 
adaptation have taken place at the local level but not as part of a programmed/planned process 
under the framework of the NAP. 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

Sectoral  adaptation  plans  have  been  included  in  the  NAP  for  each  of  the  11  policy  areas 
mentioned above, including a set of adaptation measures that have been prioritised. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. 

Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In  Cyprus,  MARDE  is  the  central  body  coordinating  the  adaptation  policy-making  process 
and has led the preparation and adoption of the NAS. The adaptation policy process has been 
aided by the CYPADAPT project, (2011-2014), which was co-financed by the EU through the 
LIFE+ instrument and was coordinated by the Department of Environment of MARDE. The 
Ministry  was  also  responsible  for  preparing  a  combined  NAS/NAP  in  2014,  which  was 
updated and formally adopted in May 2017. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

308 ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΣ, ΑΓΡΟΤΙΚΗΣ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ, ΤΜΗΜΑ 
ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ, ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ ΙΙ, 2017, ΣΧΕΔΙΟ ΔΡΑΣΗΣ ΠΡΟΣΑΡΜΟΓΗΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΛΙΜΑΤΙΚΗ 
ΑΛΛΑΓΗ, URL: Cyprus National Adaptation Plan 2017, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

108 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
As indicated above, the responsible authority for the development and implementation of the 
NAS and NAP is the Department of Environment of MARDE. 

During  the  development  of  the  NAS,  an  ad-hoc  consultation  process  was  in  place  with  the 
relevant authorities, academic research institutions and the private sector.    

The  responsibility  for  the  implementation  of  specific  sectoral  actions  lies  within  the 
responsible  authorities  for  each  specific  action  (e.g.  the  Department  of  Agriculture  for 
agricultural issues). In November 2017, meetings with all relevant stakeholders took place to 
assess  the  status  of  implementation  of  the  activities  included  in  the  NAP309.  Previously,  a 
CYPADAPT Adaptation Steering Committee (established in November 2011) facilitated and 
monitored  the  progress  of  NAS.  The  Committee  was  further  divided  into  thematic  sub-
committees. The Environment Department was the coordinator, bringing together government 
departments,  local  authorities,  universities,  research  institutions,  consultants,  NGOs  and 
consumer organisations. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making  

Yes / In progress / No 

Vertical  coordination  mechanisms  are  not  currently  operational  beyond  the  national  level 
coordination of cities and communities. It is anticipated that further vertical coordination will 
be  applied  by  the  responsible  organisation  for  each  thematic  topic  to  support  the 
implementation phase. 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies  

Yes / No 

The  active  engagement  of  stakeholders  and  experts  (relevant  ministerial  departments, 
associations,  non‐ governmental  organizations,  universities,  research  institutes,  etc.)  was 
recognised from the beginning of the NAS development as a key element for the assessment 
of  vulnerability,  the  identification  and  evaluation  of  adaptation  measures  and  most 
importantly, for the development of the NAS. Stakeholders were involved in several phases of 
the  CYPADAPT  project,  particularly  during:  Phases  2  and  3  (respectively,  assessment  of 
current  and  future  impact;  adaptation  and  vulnerability  assessment);  Phases  4  and  5 

309 Personal communication with MS contact.  

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
(identification and assessment of the adaptation measures); and Phase 6 (development of the 
NAS). 

The  6th  National  Communication  to  the  UN  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change 
(UNFCCC)310  indicates that the outcome of the evaluation  of proposed adaptation  measures 
would,  after  public  consultation,  be  finalised  and  used  for  the  elaboration  of  the  NAS.  The 
draft  NAS  went  through  two  different  consultation  phases  before  it  was  published.  The  1st 
phase  presented  the  draft  NAS  to  the  sectoral  Steering  Committees  of  the  LIFE  project  for 
comments. The 2nd phase consisted of a public consultation for a period of 2 months, which 
sought feedback on the evaluation criteria, the scoring system and the adaptation measures as 
well as input to the Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) tool database.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Transboundary  cooperation  to  address  common  challenges  with  relevant  neighbouring 
countries (cooperation between Mediterranean countries) is currently under development. The 
NAS states that Cyprus will pursue cooperation with neighbouring countries with the aim to 
prevent  and  tackle  sea  pollution.  However,  no  specific  planned  actions  are  described. 
Nevertheless, a proposal to support adaptation actions between EU and non-EU neighbouring 
countries  has  been  recently  submitted  for  EU  funding  under  the  LIFE  Integrated  Projects 
programme.  Moreover,  the  cooperation  agreements  between  Cyprus-Greece-Israel  and 
Cyprus-Greece-Egypt consider climate adaptation.311 However, the limited scope of plans for 
transboundary cooperation do not qualify for a positive score.    

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Meteorological  Service  of  Cyprus  has  a  well-established  database  on  observed  key 
climate  variables  (temperature,  rainfall,  sunshine)  that  provides  valuable  information  for 
climate impact studies. 

310 Department of Environment Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, December 2013, 
Cyprus- Sixth National Communication accompanied by the Biennial Report under the UNFCCC, URL: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/cyp_nc6[1].pdf, Date 
accessed: 14/05/2018  
311 Personal communication with MS contact. 

110 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
                                                           
The  Cyprus  Oceanographic  Centre  carries  out  ocean  research  and  studies,  forecasts  and 
monitors the deep-sea water characteristics. It operates the Cyprus Coastal Ocean Forecasting 
and  Observing  System  (CYCOFOS)  and  the  online  marine  database  Cyprus  Oceanographic 
Online Database (BYTHOS), providing scientific data on Eastern Mediterranean. 

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) carries out research and monitors 
marine ecology and biodiversity, the coastal/marine water quality and the marine aquaculture. 

The  Agricultural  Research  Institute  (ARI)  conducts  research  in  agriculture,  plant  and 
livestock  science,  proposes  and  evaluates  new  scientific  and  technological  methods  and 
suggests  new  procedures  for  the  sustainable  utilisation  of  natural  resources  and  the 
improvement of animal and plant production. 

The  State  General  Laboratory  (SGL)  carries  out  research  to  support  the  development  and 
application  of  policies  and  to  provide  solutions  to  existing  or  emerging  problems  mainly  in 
the  areas  of  food  safety,  environment  and  public  health.  Detailed  analysis  of  observed  and 
potential climate impacts has been included in the CYPADAPT project.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Meteorological  Service  has  acquired  the  PRECIS  model  from  the  UK  for  running 
climatic  forecasts.  Future  climate  has  been  projected  by  using  PRECIS16  as  the  main 
Regional  Climate  Model  and  the  A1B  emissions  scenario312.  The  climate  projections  were 
examined in two future periods: the near future period 2021-2050 and the distant future period 
2071-2100. The derived values of various climatic parameters in Cyprus for both future stages 
were  compared  to  the  reference  values  for  the  control  period  1960-1990.  The  climate 
projections for the 2021- 2050 period were made by using six additional simulation models of 
the ENSEMBLES prediction system beside PRECIS16, whereas for the 2071-2100 period the 
A2 and B2 emissions scenarios were used in addition to A1B. For scenarios and projections, 
the  draft  NAS  considers  the  future  period  2021-2050.  This  has  been  chosen  specifically  in 
order to assist stakeholders and policymakers to  consider impacts, assess vulnerabilities and 
plan adaptation measures. 

312 Nakićenović and Swart, 2000: IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios. A Special Report of Working 
Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
                                                           
Geographical  specificities  have  been  taken  into  account  on  a  country-wide  basis  in  some 
sectors,  such  as  water  resources.  Geographical  issues  within  Cyprus  have  also  been 
considered for some sectors, particularly in relation to biodiversity and forestry.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making  

Yes / In progress / No 

A first vulnerability assessment on the most important economic sectors was made within the 
CYPADAPT project. Key climate change risks and priority policy areas were identified. Past 
research  had  already  indicated  that  the  sectors  that  would  require  priority  attention  on  the 
design  and  application  of  adaptation  actions  for  Cyprus  would  be  water  resources,  coasts, 
biodiversity and tourism. 

Cyprus’s first detailed Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) was published in 2016313. It 
provides an overview of potential risks and opportunities of climate change for Cyprus until 
2100 and its findings will inform the development of adaptation plans by the Government and 
the competent authorities. The vulnerability assessment314 has focused on 11 priority sectors. 
These  include  water  resources,  land  use,  seaside  areas,  biodiversity,  forestry,  agriculture, 
fisheries, tourism, energy, infrastructure and public health.    

The  selection  of  the  policy  areas  was  based  on  the  categorization  of  policy  areas  for 
integrating  adaptation,  as  these  were  identified  in  the  European  Commission’s  White  Paper 
entitled  “Adapting  to  climate  change:  Towards  a  European  framework  for  action”.  The 
general  concept  of the  methodology followed  was adopted by the “Impacts,  Adaptation  and 
Vulnerability”  Assessment  Reports  of  the  IPCC  (2001)  while  the  assessment  was  further 
elaborated  by  the  CYPADAPT  project  team.  The  main  sources  of  information  used  at 
international  and  European  levels  were  technical  reports  of  the  IPCC,  the  European 
Commission, the European Environment Agency and the Joint Research Centre. In addition, 
an  extensive  literature  review  was  undertaken,  several  academic/research  institutions  and 
private  companies  in  Cyprus  were  consulted,  and  communication  with  numerous  national 
authorities  and  organizations  in  Cyprus  was  established.  Finally,  various  departments 
contributed,  such  as  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  Rural  Development  and  Environment,  the 
Ministry  of  Energy,  Commerce,  Industry  and  Tourism,  the  Ministry  of  Transport, 

313 Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Department of Environment, August 2016, 
The Cyprus Climate Change Risk Assessment Evidence Report, URL: 
http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environmentnew.nsf/276491E82F8428E1C22580C30034ABF2/$file/
Evidence-Report-v1_final.pdf, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 
314 Papadaskalopoulou,  Assessment of Cyprus' vulnerability to climate change and development of a national 
adaptation strategy, URL: 
http://uest.ntua.gr/adapttoclimate/proceedings/full_paper/papadaskalopoulou_et_al_v.pdf, Date accessed: 
14/05/2018 

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Communications and Works, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry 
of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance of Cyprus. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant  

Yes / In progress / No 
While there are transboundary cooperation mechanisms in place (see Indicator 2b) no specific 
assessments have yet been completed315. Transboundary cooperation is mentioned in the NAS 
with regard to tackling marine pollution, but without specific mechanisms being planned. 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

Some  knowledge  gaps  were  identified  during  the  development  of  the  NAS,  and  during  the 
meetings with all stakeholders that took place after the adoption of the NAS. The combined 
NAS/NAP document states that: “An interdisciplinary team will conduct periodic reviews of 
the literature review on the climate change effects and the adaptation measures on the health 
sector” (p236)316. 

The  work  carried  out  in  the  preparation  of  the  Cyprus  NAS  under  the  CYPADAPT  project 
had  two  research  institutions  as  key  partners,  the  National  Technical  University  of  Athens 
(NTUA),  and  the  Greek  National  Observatory  of  Athens  (NOA),  working  together  with 
MARDE.  The  vulnerability  assessment  carried  out  to  inform  the  NAS  (see  Indicator  3c) 
identifies many research needs to properly inform the country's adaptation policy. 

Some  research  into  the  assessment  of  existing  and  future  impacts  on  vulnerable  economic 
sectors  is  being  financed  and  carried  out  through  one-off  projects.  It  has  been  decided  to 
assess  all  knowledge  gaps  related  to  climate  impacts  and  adaptation  and  identify  possible 
sources of funding for their research. 

5 

Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means)  

315 Personal communication with MS contact.  
316 CYPADAPT, 2014, Ανάπτυξη εθνικής στρατηγικής για την προσαρμογή στις αρνητικές επιπτώσεις της 
κλιματικής αλλαγής στην Κύπρο, URL: http://cypadapt.uest.gr/wp-
content/uploads/20141219/deliverable_5.1_greek.pdf, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Yes / In progress / No 

During the development of its NAS, Cyprus developed a CYPADAPT portal317 to support the 
dissemination  of  information  on  climate  adaptation.  The  platform  was  designed  to  be  a 
knowledge base and communication platform for adaptation, linked to Climate-ADAPT and 
other  platforms.  The  potential  users  identified  were  the  government,  local  authorities, 
universities,  research  institutions,  NGO’s  and  other  stakeholders  and  citizens.  The  platform 
was  expected  to  provide  access  and  share  information  and  views  on  many  different  issues 
concerning adaptation options, climate impacts, vulnerability, case studies, research activities, 
legislation, financing opportunities, tools for adaptation planning and useful links. However, 
the platform has not been updated since 2014.  

MARDE’s  Department  of  Environment  launched  an  online  blog  in  Greek  (ClimateCY318), 
where  news,  information  and  positions  relating  to  adaptation  were  uploaded.  However,  the 
latest news update was in 2012. 

As  part  of  the  CYPADAPT  project,  in  preparing  development  of  the  NAS,  there  has  been 
wide interaction between academia and policymakers, including through steering committees 
and  working  groups.  However,  it  is  unclear  how  the  NAS  or  NAP  will  facilitate  further 
dialogue and exchange between academia, policy and decision-makers.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAP mentions certain actions that support capacity building. More specifically, the NAP 
includes  provisions  for  a  campaign  to  raise  awareness  among  farmers  on  the  importance  of 
preserving water and the opportunities from using recycled water, as well as appropriate plant 
and animal species for different climate conditions. However, education materials or specific 
training  activities  to  build  adaptation  capacity  or  to  help  stakeholders  to  adapt  to  climate 
change  are  not  yet  available.  The  NAP  also  includes  an  action  to  use  the  media  to  raise 
awareness among the general public on how to protect against heatwaves and a campaign on 
the effects of climate change on human health.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Adaptation options’ identification 

317 CYPADAPT 2011, URL: http://cypadapt.uest.gr/, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 
318 Link can’t be found anymore, but a useful link is the following: 
https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/cyprus, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

114 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Overall, over 200 measures for enabling adaptation to the impacts of climate change across 11 
policy sectors are included in the NAS, which take account of the geographical specificities of 
Cyprus. The various measures identified in the NAS aim to address all of the identified policy 
sectors and risks identified in the 2016 CCRA. These measures range in character from policy 
plans,  strategies,  legislative  actions,  guidelines,  economic  incentives  to  new  infrastructure, 
knowledge dissemination activities or research.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

In  order  to  prioritise  the  options  and  facilitate  the  choices  per  sector,  an  MCA  tool  was 
developed.  The  NAS  development  also  involved  opinion  surveys  for  the  qualitative 
prioritisation of adaptation options in all of the 11 selected sectors. The MCA tool covered all 
of the identified adaptation measures. The criteria selected for the evaluation of the adaptation 
measures were:  

  Efficiency of the measure 
  Environmental concerns  
  Supporting the prevention of climate impacts 
  Urgency for implementing the measure 
  Usefulness of implementation irrespective of climate change 
  Technical viability 
  Economic viability 
  Public acceptance 

The MCA tool processes stakeholders’ evaluations on the proposed adaptation measures and 
produces  alternative  adaptation  scenarios,  based  on:  the  degree  of  climate  vulnerability,  the 
weights  assigned  to  the  evaluation  criteria,  and  the  weights  assigned  to  the  different 
stakeholder  groups  (competent  national  authorities,  relevant  national  authorities,  research 
institutes,  NGOs,  sectoral  unions  and  associations  and  civil  society  organisations).  The 
adaptation measures with the highest performance against the evaluation criteria are identified 
and integrated into the NAP. 

In the NAS, a "Sustainable Adaptation Scenario" is presented, which assigns equal weight to 
the technical, environmental and social criteria. As the economic evaluation of measures is a 

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
more  complicated  process,  economic  criteria  have  not  been  taken  into  account  during  this 
phase.  A  separate  cost‐ benefit  analysis  for  the  selected  adaptation  measures  will  be 
conducted. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / No 

Disaster  risk  reduction  practitioners  are  involved  in  adaption  planning.  The  disaster  risk 
reduction  planning  has  started  at  a  strategic  level  and  is  part  of  the  responsibilities  of  the 
Department of Defence319.  

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

The  NAS  mentions  budgetary  allocations  to  climate  adaptation  actions,  such  as  the 
development of a detailed risk assessment (see Indicator 3c) or the development of a national 
adaptation  platform  (see  Indicator  5a).  Other  elements  such  as  coordination,  governance, 
capacity  building,  indicators  and  projections  do  not  yet  seem  to  have  specific  resources 
allocated in the NAS, as yet. 

Costs of climate impacts and costs/benefits of adaptation, in general, have yet to be identified. 
The  Cyprus  Audit  Office  stressed  that  the  CYPADAPT  proposed  measures  should  be 
prioritized according to a cost-benefit analysis, and those with the lower cost and the highest 
contribution  to  adaptation  should  be  implemented  first.  According  to  the  After-LIFE 
Communication  Plan320,  which  complemented  the  NAS,  the  adaptation  measures  identified 
have been included under the funding priorities foreseen in the Partnership Agreement (PA) 
2014-2020 of the Republic of Cyprus, a comprehensive strategic document for the utilisation 
of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action  

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

319 Personal communication with MS contact. 
320 CYPADAPT, After-LIFE Communication Plan DELIVERABLE 6.6, URL: http://cypadapt.uest.gr/wp-
content/uploads/20141222/deliverable_6.6.pdf, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

116 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

As  the  revised  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  Directive321  is  now  in  place,  the 
Cypriot authorities have started to harmonise national legislation and mainstream adaptation. 
The  deadline  for  transposition  was  May  2017.  A  national  law,  reflecting  the  revised  EIA 
Directive, is drafted and is now undergoing a third reading in the House of Representatives322. 
Climate  adaptation  will  be  included  in  the  next  revision  of  the  national  law  on  Strategic 
Environmental Assessment (SEA). 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections  

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Plans for disaster risk reduction do not factor in projected climate extremes that may occur in 
the future. In addition, the NAS does not mention specific disaster preparedness plans or how 
these  account  for  climate  adaptation.  The  NAP  does,  however,  mention  that  emergency 
preparedness  plans,  in  general,  should  account  for  managing  injuries  and  diseases  that  may 
occur as a result of climate change.    

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

A description of land use, spatial or urban planning policies where adaptation is mainstreamed 
is lacking. There is reportedly a coastal area management programme (CAMP-Cyprus) within 
the  framework  of  implementing  Integrated  Coastal  Zone  Management  in  Europe.  However, 
there is no evidence of the programme mainstreaming consideration of climate impacts  and 
vulnerability. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In Progress / No 

321 Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 
2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment  
322 Personal communication with MS contact. 

117 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Specific measures have been included in the NAP, so that future updates to water policy (such 
as the Cyprus River Basin Management Plan323), spatial planning and infrastructure will take 
adaptation into account. 

There is some initial progress in the forestry sector, as the Ministry's Department of Forests 
has  been  developing  a  10-year  action  plan  regarding  the  adaptation  of  Cyprus  forests  to 
climate change. In addition, the Cyprus Institute presented a Climate Change Adaptation Plan 
for  the  Pedieos  River  Basin  to  the  Environment  Committee  of  the  Cyprus  Parliament  in 
February 2017. 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

No  evidence  could  be  found  that  adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  policies  or 
alternative policy instruments to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention.  

9 

Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Cyprus has in place a separate NAP document to address sectoral adaptation measures. The 
implementation  of  several  adaptation  measures  in  the  11  vulnerable  sectors  has  begun  but 
there  is  no  further  information  on  the  extent  of  their  completion.  The  measures  with  an 
immediate  deadline  (by  2018)  refer  to  soil  resources,  coastal  zones,  tourism,  biodiversity, 
health  and  energy  sectors.  However,  the  timeline  for  other  measures  varies  between  end  of 
2020, 2040 or more vague deadlines and no start dates are specified.  

Some autonomous adaptation actions are being undertaken at sectoral level. For example, the 
Institute  of  Agricultural  Research  and  the  Ministry's  Department  of  Forests  are  undertaking 
projects  which  facilitate  adaptation.  Moreover,  the  Cyprus  Institute  presented  a  Climate 
Change  Adaptation  Plan  for  the  Pedieos  River  Basin  to  the  Environment  Committee  of  the 
Cyprus Parliament in February 2017. 

323 Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, April 2011,  Cyprus River Basin Management 
Plan, URL: 
http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/wdd/wdd.nsf/all/1AE1F4E1B33E432CC22578AF002C0E71/$file/RBMP_EN.pdf?
openelement, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

118 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
                                                           
9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, sub-national) 

Yes / No 

Even though some implementation is underway, co-operation mechanisms have not yet been 
fully  developed.  However,  the  NAP  sets  out  a  few  actions  for  different  government 
departments and other authorities, such as the Ministries of Environment, Health, Agriculture, 
Public Infrastructure, Planning and Housing, local authorities and the National Meteorological 
Service.  

There are a number of instances of cooperation with wider regional authorities324, 
municipalities, community groups and private local enterprises, including: 

  CAMP-Cyprus,  which  is  implementing  activities  in  the  southern  peri-urban  coastal 
area  of  Larnaca  town  with  regard  to:  (i)  biodiversity,  (ii)  capacity  assessment,  (iii) 
strategic  environmental  assessment  and  (iv)  environmental  economics  and  economic 
instruments. It involves the co-operation of Larnaca municipality and the communities 
of Pervolia, Meneou and Kiti 

  The COASTANCE project for coastal zone adaptation, which includes an assessment 
of  the  coastal  risks  and  management  measures  for  the  pilot  case  of  Mazotos  area  in 
Larnaca District 

  The MAREMED project on adaptation in coastal areas in which the Larnaca District 

Development Agency is partnering with 14 regions from five countries.325 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 
Apart  from  various  guidelines  issued  by  the  European  Commission,  there  are  no  specific 
procedures  or  guidelines  issued  or  used  by  the  Cyprus  authorities  for  assessing  climate 
impacts on major projects or programmes and for facilitating their adaptation. 

9d. There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the implementation of 
adaptation policies and measures  

Yes / No 

324 Each wider region (District) comprise of a number of Municipalities 
325 Maritime Regions cooperation for the Mediterranean, URL: http://www.maremed.eu/index.php?act=1,2,3, 
Date accessed: 16/05/2018 

119 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Stakeholders  have  been  defined  during  the  development  of  the  NAS  and  NAP  and  were 
involved  throughout  the  process  of  their  development.  The  Department  of  Environment 
continuous 
the 
in 
implementation and implementation of the NAS and NAP. 

involve  all  relevant  stakeholders 

the  process  of  developing 

to 

The  active  engagement  of  stakeholders  and  experts  (from  ministerial  departments, 
associations,  non-governmental  organizations,  universities,  research  institutes,  etc.)  was 
recognised  from  the  beginning  of  the  NAS  development  as  key  to  the  assessment  of 
vulnerabilities, 
identification  and  evaluation  of  adaptation  measures  and,  most 
importantly, for the development of the NAS. Stakeholders were involved in several phases of 
NAS development, particularly during: assessment of current and future impacts, assessment 
of vulnerabilities, identification and assessment of adaptation measures. Moreover, the MCA 
tool processes stakeholders’ evaluations on the proposed adaptation measures. 

the 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

A  Monitoring  Strategy326  was  developed  to  complement  the  NAS,  and  proposed  the 
establishment of a Monitoring Team. The results of the Monitoring Strategy are expected to 
provide  the  basis  for  the  preparation  of  the  second  NAP.  Monitoring  reports  are  scheduled 
every year from 2017 to 2019. The preparation of the 2018 update has just started but it has 
not  yet  been published. All  the stakeholders have been included throughout  the process  and 
particularly during monitoring the progress of the implementation of the adaptation measures.  

The  preparation  of  four  monitoring  reports  by  the  Monitoring  Team  was  foreseen  for  the 
periods:  

  Τ1: 01/09/2014 – 30/11/2015  
  Τ2: 01/12/2015 – 28/02/2017  
  Τ3: 01/03/2017 – 31/05/2018  
  Τ4: 01/06/2018 – 31/08/2019  

326 CYPADAPT, 2014, Strategy for monitoring the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan of Cyprus to 
climate change (English summary), Deliverable 5.2, URL: http://cypadapt.uest.gr//wp-
content/uploads/20141219/deliverable_5.2_english.pdf, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

120 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Evidence  for  monitoring  of  integration  climate  adaptation  in  sectoral  policies  has  not  been 
published yet. 

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

There  is  no  mention  in  the  NAS  or  NAP  of  a  requirement  or  expectation  for  sub-national 
organisations  to  report  on  their  progress  on  adaptation  to  the  national  Government  or  the 
general public.  

11 

Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The Council of Ministers’ decision, which adopted the NAS and NAP in May 2017, clearly 
states that the NAS will be reviewed annually.  

Data are collected for each adaptation measure and a review is being prepared. The deadline 
for  submitting  the  review  to  the  Department  of  Environment  was  15th  May  2018.  The 
preparation of an updated NAS and NAP will then follow, which will be sent to the relevant 
stakeholders and then to the Council of Ministers for adoption. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  monitoring  and  review  of  national  adaptation 
policy  

Yes / No 

Reviews coordinated by the Department of Environment involve all stakeholders, as stated in 
the  Council  of  Ministers’  decision  that  adopted  the  NAS  and  the  NAP  in  May  2017.  The 
process of the review follows the following steps: 

  Previous version of the NAP/NAS are sent to all involved stakeholders 
  Sectoral meetings take place with directly involved stakeholders 
  Overall meetings take place for the overview of the NAS/NAP review 

121 

 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  The final draft version of the reviewed NAS/NAP is forwarded for final comments to 

all stakeholders 

  The  final  draft  version  of  the  reviewed  NAS/NAP  is  forwarded  to  the  Council  of 

Ministers for adaptation. 

122 

 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

Coordination structure 

Met? 

1a 

1b 

1c 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in  charge  of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist 
within 
the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a 

2b 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

Transboundary  cooperation 
is  planned 
common challenges with relevant countries 

to  address 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor  climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Scenarios  and  projections  are  used 
the 
economic,  social  and  environmental  impacts  of  climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best  available  science  (e.g.  in  response  to  revised  IPCC 
assessments) 

to  assess 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable  sectors  are  undertaken  to  support  adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Climate 
assessments 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

risks/vulnerability 

take 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

4a 

Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and  Yes / In progress / 

123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 
address the knowledge gaps 

5 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

No 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is  available  to 
all  stakeholders,  including  policy  makers  (e.g.  through  a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Capacity  building  activities  take  place;  education  and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Identification of adaptation options 

6a 

6b 

6c 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c,  the  geographical  specificities  identified  in  3b  and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.)  and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  disaster  risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / 
No 

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a 

Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been 
included  in  the  national  frameworks  for  environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness 
in  place  under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

strategies 

Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and 
maritime  spatial  planning  policies  take  into  account  the 
impacts of climate change 

124 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

8d 

8e 

National  policy 
instruments  promote  adaptation  at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

9 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  implemented,  e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Cooperation  mechanisms  in  place  to  foster  and  support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the 
potential  impact  of  climate  change  on  major  projects  or 
programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The  integration  of  climate  change  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

125 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for  

The Czech Republic 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 127 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 128 

Adaptation strategies .......................................................................................................... 128 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 128 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ................................................ 128 

Adaptation action plans ...................................................................................................... 129 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 129 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 129 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 129 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 130 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 130 

1  Coordination structure ............................................................................................ 130 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ................................................ 132 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 134 

3  Current and projected climate change .................................................................... 134 

4  Knowledge gaps ..................................................................................................... 136 

5  Knowledge transfer ................................................................................................. 137 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options............................................................................... 138 

6  Adaptation options’ identification .......................................................................... 138 

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated ............................................................ 140 

Step D: implementing adaptation action ............................................................................ 140 

8  Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ................................................... 140 

9 

Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................ 142 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ............................................... 144 

10  Monitoring and reporting ........................................................................................ 144 

11  Evaluation ............................................................................................................... 145 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 147 

126 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

CHMI   

Czech Hydrometeorological Institute 

CR 

DRR 

EIA 

Czech Republic 

disaster risk reduction 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

EUMETNET  European Meteorological Services Network 

MMR   

Mechanism for Monitoring and Reporting 

NAP 

NAS 

National Adaptation Plan 

National Adaptation Strategy 

RBMP  

River Basin Management Plans 

RCM 

regional climate model 

SEA 

V4 

WRI 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

Visegrad group 

T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute 

127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 
The  National  Adaptation  Strategy  (NAS)327  of  the  Czech  Republic  was  adopted  in  October 
2015 by Government Resolution No. 861328. The NAS assesses the climate impacts prevalent 
in the Czech Republic and defines appropriate adaptation measures, including their linkages 
to  mitigation.  The  priority  sectors  are  forest  management,  agriculture,  water  regime  in 
landscape  and  water  management,  urban  landscape,  biodiversity  and  ecosystem  services, 
health,  tourism,  transportation,  industry  and  energy,  emergencies  and  protection  of  the 
population and environment. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

One regional and six adopted local adaptation strategies cover a population of 1 884 707, i.e. 
18 %  of  the  Czech  population.  The  one adaptation  strategy  at  regional  level  on  which  the 
Ministry  of  the  Environment,  currently,  has  information  is  for  the  City  of  Prague  and  was 
adopted  in  2017.  Prague  is  both  a  municipality  and  a greater  territorial  self-governing  unit 
(region)329  and  the  strategy  addresses  ca.  12%  of  the  country’s  total  population.  Two 
(Kopřivnice in 2017330, Hlučín in 2017331) adaptation strategies were adopted by the relevant 
municipal councils and four adaptation strategies (Hrádek nad Nisou in 2016332, Nový Bor in 
2016333, Plzeň in 2017334, Brno in 2016335) were presented to the municipal council and are 
used  as  non-binding  documents  for  the  ongoing  elaboration  of  comprehensive  development 
strategies of municipality or spatial planning. The city of Krnov is also preparing a conceptual 
note  on  climate  adaptation  and  has  run  a  public  consultation  within  the  frame  of  a  project 

327 Ministry of the Environment, Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in the Czech Republic (2015), URL: 
https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/zmena_klimatu_adaptacni_strategie/$FILE/OEOK-
Adaptacni_strategie-20151029.pdf English executive summary: 
https://www.mzp.cz/C125750E003B698B/en/strategy_adaptation_climate_change/$FILE/OEOK_Adaptation_st
rategy_20171003.pdf 
328 Government Resolution no. 861/ 2015, URL: https://apps.odok.cz/attachment/-/down/VPRAA3VATUSE 
329 Information on this and the strategy itself can be downloaded from IPR Praha website, URL: 
http://www.iprpraha.cz/adaptacnistrategie  
330 CI2, o.p.s. (2017), Adaptacni strategie na zmenu klimatu pro mesto Koprivnice, URL: 
http://adaptace.ci2.co.cz/sites/default/files/souboryredakce/navrhova_cast_strategie_koprivnice_030417.pdf  
331 CI2 Adaptace mest na klimatickou zmenu webpage, URL : http://adaptace.ci2.co.cz/cs/hlucin-schvalil-
adaptacni-strategii , Date accessed : 1/6/2018 
332 Adaptacni strategie na zmenu klimatu pro Hradek nad Nisou, URL : 
http://adaptace.ci2.co.cz/sites/default/files/souboryredakce/adaptacni_strategie_pro_hradek_nad_nisou.pdf  
333 Adaptacni strategie na zmenu klimatu pro Novy Bor, URL : 
http://adaptace.ci2.co.cz/sites/default/files/souboryredakce/adaptacni_strategie_novy_bor.pdf 
334 Adaptacni strategie mesta Plzne, Latest draft available at URL : https://ukr.plzen.eu/rozvoj-
mesta/mezinarodni-projekty/urbanadapt/urbanadapt.aspx  
335 Brno municipality webpage, URL: https://www.brno.cz/strategie/urbanadapt-klimaticka-zmena/ , Date 
accessed: 1/6/2018 

128 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
(which  ran  until  the  end  of  2017).336  Currently,  two  additional  cities  are  in  the  process  of 
developing an adaptation strategy – Ostrava337 and Opava.338 

The  Czech  Republic  has  to  date  five  signatories  to  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  for  Climate  & 
Energy (CoM) with respect to adaptation: Prague (population 1 246 780), Liberec (106 000), 
Litoměřice (24 101),  Písek (29 800) and Brno (377,973)339. Some other cities and towns are 
preparing their adaptation strategies as well. 

In  addition  to  the  development  of  an  adaptation  strategy,  cities  and  towns  often  include 
adaptation considerations within their other strategic documents, such as development plans. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The  Czech  Republic  adopted  its  National  Action  Plan  on  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change 
(NAP) in January 2017340 by Government Resolution No. 34341. The NAP aims to implement 
the  NAS  and  is  structured  according  to  climate  impacts  identified  in  the  Czech  Republic: 
long-term  droughts;  floods  and  flash  floods;  temperature  increase;  extreme  meteorological 
events (heavy rainfall, extremely high temperatures and heat waves; extreme wind); and wild 
fires. The NAP contains 33 specific targets and one cross-cutting target focused on education 
and  awareness-raising.  These  targets  will  be  implemented  through  52  priority  measures 
detailed into 160 priority tasks.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

As  noted  above,  there  are  five  cities  in  the  Czech  Republic  that  are  signatories  to  the  CoM 
with  respect  to  adaptation.  Although  some  of  these  Czech  cities  have  started  preparing  an 
adaptation action plan, none have been implemented yet. 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The Strategy for Environmental  Safety 2016-2020 with  an outlook to  2030, implements  the 
Sendai  Framework  for  Disaster Risk  Reduction 2015-2030. This strategy  includes measures 
for  disaster  risk  reduction  connected  with  climate  impacts,  notably  extreme  meteorological 
events. 

336 Adaptace mest na klimatickou zmenu webpage, URL: http://adaptace.ci2.co.cz/cs/2017-krnov-klimaticky-
odpovedne-mesto , Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
337 Ekotoxa, Adaptacni strategie mesta Ostravy, URL: https://www.ekotoxa.cz/blog/adaptacni-strategie-ostrava/, 
Date accessed : 15/5/2018 
338 Personal communication with MS contact.  
339 Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, Adaptation, the Czech Republic, URL: 
https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-community/signatories.html   , Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
340 National Action Plan on Adaptation to Climate Change in Czech Republic (2017), URL: 
https://www.mzp.cz/cz/narodni_akcni_plan_zmena_klimatu  
341 Government Resolution no. 34/ 2017, URL: https://apps.odok.cz/attachment/-/down/RCIAAHVB5M6W  

129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Policy  of  Protection  from  Impacts  of  Drought  and  Water  Scarcity  was  adopted  by  the 
Government  in  July  2017.  The  document  describes  the  main  adverse  trends  in  climate  and 
hydrological conditions in the last three decades, as well as future expected climate impacts 
on  water  balance.  The  document  identified  strategic  goals,  such  as  increased  knowledge  of 
current and future drought and water scarcity risks, better preparedness based on operational 
plans and measures, increased public awareness,  a balance between the availability of water 
resources  and  water  demand  across  all  sectors,  and  a  restored  natural  water  regime  of  the 
landscape.  

The  climate  impacts  are  considered  in  the  second  river  basin  management  plans  (RBMP), 
when  assessing  the  trends  of  water  use  up  to  the  year  2021.  The  programme  of  measures 
contains a "Drought and water scarcity" measure, which defines climate change risks. Due to 
the fact that the second RBMP was adopted whilst the NAS was being drafted, the NAS is not 
fully reflected in the second RBMP. The outcomes of the NAS and the NAP will be taken into 
account  in  the  third  RBMP.  Flood  risk  management  plans,  as  well  as  the  Action  Plan  for 
Organic  Farming  2016-2020,  also  take  into  account  climate  change  issues.  The  Rural 
Development  Programme  2014-2020  supports  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures 
within the agricultural sector. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making  

Yes / No 

In the Czech Republic, the Ministry of the Environment is the national coordinator for NAS 
development, adoption, implementation and evaluation.342 The Department of General Nature 
and  Landscape  Protection  was  responsible  for  the  coordination  and  preparation  of  the 
document and the Department of Energy and Climate Protection was actively involved in the 
NAS preparatory phase, including consultations with the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute 
(CHMI). 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

During  the  development  phase  of  the  NAS,  interdepartmental  groups  of  experts  from  all 
relevant ministries and institutions for each sector were established. The work was conducted 

342 Ministry of the Environment, Czech Republic, URL: https://www.mzp.cz/cz/zmena_klimatu , Date accessed: 
16/5/2018 

130 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
in 12 working groups covering specific sectors (biodiversity, forest management, agriculture, 
water balance in landscape and water management, industry and energy, health and hygiene, 
crisis management, etc.) coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment.  

The main stakeholders involved in the preparation of the NAS were national-level institutions, 
i.e. relevant ministries: the Ministry of Agriculture (water, agriculture, forestry), the Ministry 
of Health (health and hygiene), the Ministry  of  Transport  (adaptation of transportation), the 
Ministry of Industry and Trade (supply of electricity), the Ministry of Regional Development 
(spatial planning and regional development), the Ministry of the Interior (civil protection and 
warning  systems),  the  Ministry  of  Education,  Youth  and  Sports  and  selected  scientific  and 
research  institutions,  e.g.  the  Czech  Hydrometeorological  Institute  (CHMI)  and  the  T.G. 
Masaryk Water Research Institute (WRI).  

Each  of  the  12  working  groups  consisted  of  representatives  from  relevant  ministries,  expert 
departments of the Ministry of the Environment, and in some cases also the CHMI and WRI. 
A  coordinator  from  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  facilitated  each  working  group.  The 
institution  responsible  for  each  sector  developed  inputs  related  to  the  specific  sector  (e.g. 
water  issues  were  prepared  by  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  and  the  Ministry  of 
Agriculture, forest management by the Ministry of Agriculture, etc.). 

With  regard  to  the  coordination  mechanism  during  the  implementation  phase,  an  inter-
ministerial  working  group  on  climate  change  issues  was  established  in  January  2015.  This 
group cooperates, consults and works further on the basis of the NAS and was involved in the 
preparation  process  of  the  NAP.  An  adaptation  platform  was  established  in  January  2016 
within  the  framework  of  this  working  group  and  its  preparation  of  the  NAP.  This  platform 
continues  to  actively  operate  and  is  currently  used  for  the  purpose  of  the  evaluation  of  the 
NAP.  The  Ministry  of  the  Environment,  as  the  main  coordinator  of  this  process,  is  actively 
communicating  with  other  relevant  ministries  and  actors  within  the  frame  of  the  current 
evaluation of the NAP.  

Relevant  ministries  are also  responsible for their respective implementation tasks defined in 
the NAS as well as in the NAP. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making. 

Yes / In progress / No 

Stakeholders,  including  representatives  from  regions  and  municipalities,  had  a  chance  to 
participate  directly  in  preparation  of  the  NAP  through  the  inter-ministerial  consultations. 
Some of them actively participated in this process and submitted written comments.  

131 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  main  target  of  the  communication  strategy  of  the  NAP  is  not  only  to  ensure  access  to 
information  but  also  to  include  public  and  other  stakeholders  in  the  implementation  of  the 
NAS. In the future, the evaluation and monitoring of the NAS and adaptation measures set in 
the  NAP  will  be  secured  through  the  inter-ministerial  working  group  on  climate  change 
issues,  which  has  also  some  members  from  non-governmental  non-profit  organisations. 
Furthermore,  the  communication  strategy  aims  to  use  two-way  communication  (bottom-up 
and  top-down  communication)  between  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  and  public, 
including National Network of Local Action Groups in the Czech Republic, or Union of the 
Towns  and  Municipalities  of  the  Czech  Republic.  The  inter-ministerial  working  group  on 
climate change issues will be serving as communication mediator for this communication. 

In  order  to  enhance  coordination,  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  of  the  Czech  Republic 
became a national coordinator of the CoM in 2017.   

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The development of the NAS involved only the sectoral national ministries and the relevant 
scientific and research institutions, such as the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech 
Academy  of  Sciences  (CzechGlobe)  and  Charles  University  Environment  Centre.  These 
stakeholders were also consulted on the final draft of the NAS. Business, non-governmental 
sectors,  interest  groups  and  other  stakeholders  did  not  participate  in  the  formulation  of  the 
NAS.  

However,  the  Strategic  Environmental  Assessment  (SEA)  process  of  the  NAS  allowed  the 
general public to provide written comments, and included a public hearing. Stakeholders also 
had  the  opportunity  to  participate  directly  on  the  preparation  of  the  NAP  via  the  inter-
ministerial  consultations  and  participation  in  thematic  working  groups.  Several  stakeholders 
provided  written  comments,  including  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Confederation  of 
Employers  and  Business  Union,  Czech  Geological  Survey,  Association  of  Municipal  and 
Private Forest Owners, Forest Management Institute, Institute of Botany AS CR, The Water 
Supply  and  Sewerage  Association  of  the  Czech  Republic,  Green  Circle  (network  of  NGO 
dealing with environmental issues), Chance for Buildings and others. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

132 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transboundary cooperation for climate adaptation was considered when drafting the NAS and 
NAP. The national experts from the Czech Republic and Slovenia organised meetings where 
they exchanged experiences and lessons learned from the preparation of the NAS and NAP. In 
addition, an onsite exchange of adaptation practice was organised in the Czech Republic.  

Furthermore, the Czech Republic has frameworks for bilateral cooperation with neighbouring 
countries,  i.e.  Germany  (Czech-German  Commission  on  Environment  and  its  working 
groups),  Austria,  Slovakia  and  Poland.  There  is  close  cooperation  in  the  field  of  water 
management. The Czech Republic has bilateral  commissions  with all neighbouring states in 
relation  to  transboundary  rivers  and  their  management  (e.g.  transboundary  early  warning 
systems,  flood  prevention  measures  etc.).  The  Czech  Republic  participates  actively  in  the 
activities  of  the  international  commissions  for  Elbe,  Oder  and  Danube  river  basins. 
Transboundary  projects  are  supported  through  the  Interreg  EUROPE  2014-2020  (Bavaria, 
Saxony,  Poland,  Austria  and  Slovakia)  in  the  fields  of  risk  prevention,  flood  management 
systems and cooperation of rescue services.  

The Visegrad group (V4) also addresses issues related to climate adaptation in specific sectors 
(water management, nature protection etc.) at a political level and within its working groups. 

The Czech Republic is actively involved in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and in the 
activities  of  its  Priority  Area  5,  Environmental  Risks,  which,  among  others,  addresses  the 
challenges of water scarcity and droughts and focuses on the implementation of Danube-wide 
flood risk management plans, taking into account potential climate impacts as well. 

The  Czech  Republic  is  a  Party  to  the  Framework  Convention  on  the  Protection  and 
Sustainable  Development  of  the  Carpathians  (Carpathian  Convention).  In  2014,  the  Fourth 
Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention adopted the Strategic 
Agenda  on  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Carpathian  Region,  which  is  being 
implemented  mainly  through  the  activities  of  the  Working  Group  on  Adaptation  to  Climate 
Change under the Convention.343 In October 2017, a new article (Article 12bis) on “Climate 
Change” was adopted at the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties.344 

Within  the  macro-regional  strategies,  the  Czech  Republic  is  a  member  of  European 
Meteorological Services Network (EUMETNET). 

343 Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on the Protection and 
Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, URL: 
http://www.carpathianconvention.org/tl_files/carpathiancon/Downloads/03%20Meetings%20and%20Events/CO
P/2014_COP4_Mikulov/Follow%20Up/DOC5_Joint%20AplineCarpathianStatement_FINAL.pdf, Date 
accessed: 15/5/2018 
344 Carpathian Convention website, URL: 
http://www.carpathianconvention.org/tl_files/carpathiancon/Downloads/03%20Meetings%20and%20Events/CO
P/2017_COP5_Lillafuered/outcomes_documents/Article%20on%20Climate%20Change_FINAL_ADOPTED.pd
f, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 

133 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Czech  Hydro-Meteorological  Institute  (CHMI)  provides  information  on  actual  weather 
conditions and alerts to extreme hydrological and meteorological situations. It also publishes 
data  and  information  on  climate  change  science,  observations,  scenarios  and  impacts. 
Regarding climate impacts, a general qualitative description of impacts with some key figures 
from the modelling analysis is given.  

Monitoring of water courses undertaken by the CHMI, based on specific indicators, provides 
different applicable data series showing climate impacts. The CHMI performs the function of 
a  state  institute  for  the  area  of  air  quality  protection,  hydrology,  water  quality,  climatology 
and  meteorology,  with  a  competence  to  establish  and  operate  State  monitoring  and 
observation networks, including international data exchange pursuant to the WMO principles.  

Regarding climate extremes, the warning system has been further improved on the basis of the 
innovated  Integrated  Warning  Service  System  in  the  Czech  Republic.  This  system  includes 
forecast warning information on 26 dangerous phenomena and each phenomenon is assigned 
a  danger  level  (low,  medium,  extreme).  A  large  number  of  stations  with  operative 
presentation of measured data and forecasts have been placed on the website of the reporting 
and forecasting flood service.345 

Observation and collection of information on climate change and its impacts (i.e. droughts) is 
supported by several institutions: the Committee on the Environment of the Czech Academy 
of  Sciences  and  its  institutes  (CzechGlobe  and  others346),  the  National  Forestry  Committee, 
University departments and sectoral institutes. 

Currently the indicators showing effects of extreme weather events are developed for floods, 
such as Return Period of Floods and Flood Effects. Indicators for climate impacts and extreme 
weather events, such as damage, casualties, and financial losses are currently being developed 
for the NAP.  

345 Reporting and forecasting flood service webpage, URL: http://hydro.chmi.cz/hpps/# , Date accessed: 
1/6/2018 
346 CzechGlobe website, URL: http://www.intersucho.cz/en/, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 

134 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

A Comprehensive Study on Impacts, Vulnerability and Risks Sources Connected to Climate 
Change in  the Czech Republic from  November 2015 was conducted for the Ministry of the 
Environment  by  EKOTOXA.347  It  provides  an  assessment  of  impacts  and  vulnerabilities  to 
climate adaptation in the Czech Republic at a general level as well as per adaptation-related 
sector.  This  assessment  is  mainly  based  on  a  study  from  2011,  analysing  the  results  of  a 
research project that developed scenarios and projections to assess the economic, social and 
environmental  impacts  of  climate  change.  The  assessment  also  includes  information  on 
indicators and a cost-benefit analysis.348 

The  main  model  used  for  climate  scenarios  to  date  in  the  Czech  Republic  is  the  ALADIN-
CLIMATE/CZ  regional  climate  model.  The  basis  for  the  estimates  of  impacts  is  a  specific 
project  allowing  the  integration  of  the  regional  climate  model  (RCM)  ALADIN–
CLIMATE/CZ with the A1B emissions scenario for 1961-2100 at  a horizontal resolution of 
25 km,  completed  in  2011.  The  projections  (which  do  not  cover  key  uncertainties  due  to 
climate  models  or  socioeconomic  scenarios)  have  been  used  to  screen  the  environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change  in  specific  sectors  (water  management,  agriculture  and  forestry 
sectors) and to inform the initial identification of potential adaptation options. 

The  Comprehensive  Study  on  Impacts349  mentioned  above  also  has  a  section  with  an 
overview of the latest developments in this field, mentioning several recent projects involved 
in  modelling  climate  change  impacts  in  the  Czech  Republic,  and/or  projects  developing 
systems  to  monitor  and  share  data  on  such  impacts.  An  example  is  the  CzechAdapt  project 
(2015-2016)350 which developed a regularly updated online database to show the impacts of 
climate  change,  vulnerability  assessments  and  adaptation  measures  for  the  Czech  Republic 
based on the best available methods, e.g. GCM CMIP5 models and regional models coming 
from another project, EUROCORDEX – a coordinated downscaling programme.351 There are 

347 A Comprehensive Study on Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Risks Sources Connected to Climate Change in the 
Czech Republic (2015), URL:  
https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/studie_dopadu_zmena_klimatu/$FILE/OEOK-
Komplexni_studie_dopady_klima-20151201.pdf  
348 CHMI (2011), Specification of existing estimates of climate change impacts in hydrology, water 
management, agriculture and forestry sectors and proposals for adaptation measures 
349 A Comprehensive Study on Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Risks Sources Connected to Climate Change in the 
Czech Republic (2015), URL:   
https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/studie_dopadu_zmena_klimatu/$FILE/OEOK-
Komplexni_studie_dopady_klima-20151201.pdf  
350 CzechAdapt project, URL: http://www.klimatickazmena.cz/cs/, Date accessed: 1/6/2018  
351EUROCORDEX project, URL: http://www.euro-cordex.net/ , Date accessed: 1/6/2018 

135 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
also a couple of regional projects, focusing on specific Czech regions and adaptation sectors 
(AdaptaN352, UrbanAdapt353).  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress / No 

Some assessments of risks and vulnerabilities have been carried out through research projects. 
The  most  complex  one  so  far  has  been  the  aforementioned  research  project  from  2011  on 
“Specification  of  existing  estimates  of  climate  change  impacts  in  hydrology,  water 
management,  agriculture  and  forestry  sectors  and  proposals  for  adaptation  measures” 
coordinated  by  the  CHMI354.  The  outcomes  were  used  in  the  preparation  of  the  NAS,  as 
mentioned above.  

The Comprehensive Study on Impacts, mentioned above355, provides an assessment of climate 
risks /  vulnerability  for  all ten priority  sectors of the NAS.  Further analysis  of the expected 
impacts  of  water  regime  /  water  management,  agriculture,  forestry,  health,  urbanised 
landscape and biodiversity in the Czech Republic is done by the CHMI. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

For the time being, climate risks and vulnerability  assessments within the framework of the 
NAS  and  NAP  do  not  take  transboundary  risks  into  account.  Nevertheless,  this  issue  is 
partially  covered  through  transboundary  cooperation  of  the  Czech  Republic  with  the 
neighbouring states in the field of water management (transboundary water protection in the 
framework of the UNECE and in the international basins of Danube, Elbe and Oder rivers), as 
described in Indicator 2b. However, it is yet to be defined how this transnational cooperation 
will address climate change, and how it will relate to the NAS and NAP. Both the NAS and 
NAP will be updated in 2020. 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

352 Regional project AdaptaN, URL: http://www.adaptan.net/ , Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
353 Regional project UrbanAdapt, URL: http://urbanadapt.cz/en , Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
354 CHMI (2011), Specification of existing estimates of climate change impacts in hydrology, water 
management, agriculture and forestry sectors and proposals for adaptation measures 
355 A Comprehensive Study on Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Risks Sources Connected to Climate Change in the 
Czech Republic (2015), URL: 
https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/studie_dopadu_zmena_klimatu/$FILE/OEOK-
Komplexni_studie_dopady_klima-20151201.pdf  

136 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Yes / In progress / No 

There is cooperation between policy-makers within the Ministry of the Environment and the 
Ministry  of  Agriculture,  and  scientific  organisations  in  defining  and  working  on  research 
priorities.  Accordingly,  the  NAS  contains  a  number  of  measures  to  improve  the  knowledge 
base on adaptation and research focus areas. There is also a list of institutions that focus on 
climate  adaptation  research.  Some  of  them  participate  in  the  National  Climate  Programme, 
which creates research teams and publishes results.  

The NAP contains the same research priorities mentioned in the NAS and mentions that the 
National Policy on Research, Development and Innovation for 2016-2020 includes research in 
global  changes,  i.e.  also  on  climate  adaptation.  Moreover,  the  research  and  development 
strategy  of  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  for  2016-2025  is  coherent  with  this  national 
research policy. 

In  addition,  there  are  several  funding  programmes  which  are  indirectly  linked  with  the 
research gaps. The national programme ADAPT operated between the 2008-2016. Since then 
the financing of this programme has stopped. The main objective of the programme was the 
modernisation  of  the  monitoring  system  in  order  to  secure  more  accurate  projections  of 
extreme weather events and to adapt to them. The final evaluation report of this programme 
was submitted to the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic on 31st July 2017 but has not 
yet  been  approved.  There  is  no  plan  to  continue  this  programme  in  the  future.356  Other 
programmes  were  funded  by  Norwegian  grants  between  2009-2014,  with  some  work  to  be 
continued in the 2015-2021 funding period. 

5 

Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Ministry  of  the  Environment  publishes  general  and  specific  information  on  its  website 
regarding  climate  adaptation,  key  documents  and  links  to  other  relevant  sources.357  CHMI 
publishes climate adaptation information on key climate impacts and scenarios in the Czech 
Republic.358  It  also  provides  questions  and  answers,  a  glossary,  the  main  international 
documents and other basic facts, besides the hydro-meteorological information.  

356 Personal communication with MS contact.  
357 Ministry of Environment website, URL: http://www.mzp.cz/cz/adaptace_na_zmenu_klimatu, Date accessed: 
1/6/2018 
358 Cesky Hydrometeorologicky Ustav webpage, URL: http://portal.chmi.cz/historicka-data/pocasi/zmena-
klimatu/zakladni-informace, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 

137 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
There  are  several  other  web  portals  with  information  on  climate  change  and  climate 
adaptation.359  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  general  communication  strategy  is  part  of  the  NAS  and  the  NAP.  The  former  specifies 
types of awareness-raising events related to the relevant sectors, targeted activities for media 
and  the  public.  The  NAS  includes  a  general  approach  to  environmental  education  and  the 
legal basis for it (i.e. programmes for schools, awareness raising campaigns, exhibitions, etc.), 
which  involves  cooperation  between  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  and  the  Ministry  of 
Education, Youth and Sports.  

The  NAS  also  defines  the  need  to  mainstream  climate  adaptation  into  educational 
programmes  and  relevant  strategic  materials,  and  attributes  the  ministries  responsible  for 
doing so. There is no mentioning of training. 

To improve capacity building in the field of climate adaptation, as announced in the NAS and 
NAP, a State Programme for environmental education and awareness raising for 2016-2025, 
adopted  in  2016,  incorporates  climate  change  as  a  focal  area.360  The  aim  of  this  State 
Programme’s climate objective is to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts in 
the  Czech  Republic  and  to  encourage  support  for  education  programmes  and  campaigns  in 
this field.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  sets  general  directions  and  examples  of  suitable  adaptation  measures  for  all  ten 
priority  sectors.  Risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  carried  out  through  various  research 
projects and the comprehensive study have been taken into account when defining measures.  

The  adaptation  options  considered  are  usually  based  on  existing  practices  and  measures, 
where  win-win  value  or  low-regrets  options  are  considered  (e.g.  fighting  floods,  rural 
development,  agro-environmental  measures,  etc.).  The  adaptation  options  take  into  account 

359 Zmena klimatu website, URL : http://www.zmenaklimatu.cz/cz/; http://www.regio-adaptace.cz/cs/; 
http://www.adaptacesidel.cz/?news-date=2017-04-28; http://www.intersucho.cz/cz/, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
360 Ministry of the Environment CZ, Statni program EVVO a EP na leta 2016-2025, URL: 
https://www.mzp.cz/cz/statni_program_evvo_ep_2016_2025, Date accessed: 16/5/2018 

138 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
local conditions and also include the potential link to other sectors and to mitigation measures 
in that sector. 

The NAP identifies the main climate risks and analyses the impacts and adaptation measures 
for each climate risk. As such, targets and measures for a certain climate risk are analysed for 
a variety of sectors. The annex to the NAP provides adaptation measures in detail, including 
the sector, responsible body, timeline of delivery, link to sectorial policy and financial needs.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The  selection  of  adaptation  options  in  the  NAS  has  been  based  on  expert  judgement.  The 
prioritisation of adaptation measures proposed in the NAP per sector was made according to a 
robust  multi-criteria  analysis,  in  consultation  between  different  ministries  and  thematic 
working  groups.  The  priority  was  given  to  measures  with  positive  impact  on  climate 
adaptation  and  positive  spill  over  and  cross-cutting  effects  on  sectors  and  on  the  whole 
economy.  The  NAP  measures  were  prioritised  according  to  four  criteria:  (1)  multiple 
adaptation  effects  to  tackle  climate  impacts,  (2)  spill  over  social,  economic  or  mitigation 
impacts,  (3)  impact  on  the  environment  and  ecosystems,  and  (4)  financial  needs  for 
implementation.  Criterion  (1)  was  evaluated  by  the  thematic  working  groups  and  was 
attributed a value twice as important as criteria (2), (3) and (4). The latter were assessed by 
external  consultants.  Based  on  this  multi-criteria  analysis,  adaptation  measures  were 
categorised into priority one measures and priority two measures. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / No 

Through  the  thematic  working  groups  for  the  NAS  and  NAP  development,  inter-sectoral 
coordination between disaster risk management and climate adaptation has been established. 
Experts  from  the  Safety  and  Crisis  Management  Department  of  the  Ministry  of  the 
Environment  who  are  responsible  for  disaster  risk  management  have  been  involved  in  the 
preparation  of  the  relevant  NAS  and  NAP  chapters.  The  Strategy  of  Environmental  Safety 
2016-2020 with an outlook to 2030361, which implements the Sendai Framework for Disaster 
Risk  Reduction  2015-2030,  has  also  been  prepared  by  climate  adaptation  experts.  The 

361 Ministerstvo zivotniho prostredi (2015), Koncepce environmentalni bezpecnosti 2016-2020 s vyhledem do 
roku 2030, URL: https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/environmentalni_bezpecnost/$FILE/OKR-
koncepce_environmentalni_bezpecnosti_2016_2020-20160606.pdf  

139 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
strategy includes measures for disaster risk reduction for disasters caused by climate change, 
mainly extreme meteorological events. 

A multi-sectoral national platform on disaster risk reduction (DRR) to coordinate actions and 
activities related to disaster risk reduction (Sendai Framework DRR) and climate change was 
established in February 2015.  

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Both  the  NAS  and  the  NAP  identify  existing  and  potential  economic  instruments  to  fund 
proposed adaptation measures. Besides the EU funds, there are several national programmes 
available  for  specific  sectors:  for  instance,  “Programme  on  landscape  protection”  and 
“Programme  for  restoration  of  natural  functions  of  landscape”.  Both  of  these  programmes 
have  a  high  potential  value  for  vulnerable  sectors  (agriculture,  water  management,  forestry 
and  biodiversity  adaptation),  as  their  actions  might  increase  climate  resilience.  In  addition, 
several programmes supporting the building and/or reconstruction of fish ponds, small water 
reservoirs,  improvement  of  water  courses  and  support  of  the  irrigation  facilities  are 
administrated  by  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  including  a  long-term  programme  for  the 
prevention of floods.  

However,  there  is  no  specific  budget  available  for  financing  cross-cutting/coordinated 
adaptation action, or a dedicated fund to finance adaptation actions proposed in the NAS and 
the  NAP.  Most  actions  carried  out  to  date  have  been  implemented  through  one-off  specific 
projects. 

Step D: implementing adaptation action 

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Legislation transposing the new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive came into 
force on 1 November 2017. It requires assessment of projects in relation to: project impacts, 
i.e.  on  climate,  vulnerability  to  climate  change,  risks  of  major  accidents  and/or  disasters 
caused by climate change, and climate adaptation.  

140 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With  regard  to  the  SEA,  the  EU  Directive  is  transposed  through  Act  No.  100/2001  and  its 
amendments.362  The  Act  considers  climate  impacts  and  adaptation  within  its  framework  for 
systematically  examining  and  assessing  systematic  examination  and  assessment  potential 
environmental impacts. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The  Czech  Republic  has  developed  a  very  comprehensive  multi-hazard  system  based  on  an 
integrated  early  warning  system  connected  with  a  special  rescue  and  response  system.  The 
overall system was tested on past weather extremes (floods in the last 15 years). Currently, it 
considers    risk  scenarios  for  floods,  flash  floods,  drought,  extreme  wind  and  extreme  high 
temperatures.  These  risk  scenarios  were  prepared  for  the  needs  of  ministries  and  regional 
governments and cities. As outlined in Indicator 6c, disaster risk reduction strategies take into 
account climate change risks and impacts and their future projections, particularly related to 
extreme weather events. The Strategy of Environmental Safety 2016-2020 with an outlook to 
2030363, mentioned in Indicator 6c is an example of such a strategy. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

The  Ministry  of  Regional  Development,  responsible  for  spatial  planning,  is  involved  in  the 
inter-ministerial working group on adaptation, and the NAS and NAP contain several actions 
for  spatial  planning.  The  Spatial  Development  Policy  of  the  Czech  Republic364  from  2015 
does not mention climate adaptation explicitly. However, it contains several priorities relating 
to  spatial  planning  for  sustainable  development,  which  deal  with  climate  adaptation,  e.g.  in 
the  field  of  flood  damage  prevention  and  biodiversity  reinforcement.  It  also  sets  out  the 
specific  spatial  planning  tasks  with  a  territorial  projection  of  areas  suitable  for  the 
accumulation  of  surface  water  and  for  dams.  The  Strategy  of  Regional  Development  of  the 
Czech Republic 2014 to 2020365 contains explicit references to climate impacts and the need 
to  tackle  them.  Moreover,  the  Action  Plan  for  the  Regional  Development  Strategy  2017-

362 Zákon č. 100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí a o změně některých souvisejících 
zákonů (zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí), URL: https://www.zakonyprolidi.cz/cs/2001-100/zneni-
20180101 , Date accessed: 16/5/2018 
363 Ministerstvo zivotniho prostredi (2015), Koncepce environmentalni bezpecnosti 2016-2020 s vyhledem do 
roku 2030, URL: https://www.mzp.cz/C1257458002F0DC7/cz/environmentalni_bezpecnost/$FILE/OKR-
koncepce_environmentalni_bezpecnosti_2016_2020-20160606.pdf  
364 Ministry of Regional Development CZ (2015), Spatial development policy of the Czech Republic, Updated 
version 1, URL:https://www.mmr.cz/getmedia/d23c51e1-64c8-44f2-b1cd-
6f98eb5e46ed/2015_VIIII_7_SDP_update1_EN.pdf?ext=.pdf  
365 Ministerstvo pro mistni rozvoj CR, Strategie regionalniho rozvoje CR 2014 – 2020, URL: 
https://www.mmr.cz/getmedia/08e2e8d8-4c18-4e15-a7e2-0fa481336016/SRR-2014-2020.pdf  

141 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
2018366  does  contain  specific  references  to  climate  impacts  and  the  need  for  climate 
adaptation. 

The  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  (in  line  with  the  national 
Water  Act)  developed  a  general  plan  that  defines  a  suite  of  protected  sites  that  are 
morphologically, geologically and hydrologically suitable for accumulation of surface water.  
This general plan serves as one of the documents supporting spatial planning.   

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In Progress / No 

As  the  NAP  was  adopted  in  2017,  there  is  only  limited  evidence  of  adaptation  being 
mainstreamed  in  sectoral  policies  to  date.  However,  there  is  progress  in  some  sectors,  i.e. 
agriculture,  water  management,  disaster  risk  management  and  education.  For  example, 
measures  for  water  retention  in  forests  and  restoration  of  small  water  reservoirs  have  been 
the  State  Programme  for 
implemented,  RBMPs 
Environmental  Education  and  Awareness  Raising  contains  specific  targets  and  measures 
focused  on  education  and  dissemination  of  information  regarding  climate  adaptation.  The 
NAS/ NAP drive the integration of adaptation at sectoral level. 

include  adaptation  measures,  and 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Only limited evidence could be found that adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance policies or 
alternative policy instruments to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention. There 
are some insurance schemes in the agriculture sector that cover some specific current extreme 
events. Use of agriculture-related insurance is supported by the Relief and Guarantee Farming 
and Forestry Fund and a new fund is in preparation to cover those risks for farmers that are 
not  insurable  commercially.  However,  prevention  and  adaptation  are  mentioned  as  a  tool, 
rather than insurance, to reduce further damage by extreme events. 

9 

Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress / No 

366 Ministerstvo pro mistni rozvoj CR, Akcni plan strategie regionalniho rozvoje CR 2017-2018, URL: 
https://www.mmr.cz/getmedia/8d2bd22a-eaa0-4f85-8646-0d1e348af266/AP_SRR_17_18.pdf  

142 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
There are already some sectoral action plans drafted that take climate adaptation into account, 
as mentioned in Indicator 8b, in particular in  disaster risk reduction, water management and 
regional development planning. These plans have been adopted recently. 

The NAP was adopted in 2017. During the NAP drafting process, existing and new adaptation 
actions were identified in order to ensure the continuity and improvement of adaptive capacity 
of the Czech Republic to future climate conditions.  Implementation of the NAP is planned to 
be evaluated in 2019, as a basis for the preparation of an updated NAS. In the current NAS, 
the tasks for ministries to implement sector-specific actions have been allocated, and possible 
funding  for  adaptation  actions  is  clearly  identified.  As  specified  in  Indicator  8d,  the  Czech 
Republic adopted the State Programme for Environmental Education and Awareness Raising 
in 2016. It contains specific targets and measures focused on education and dissemination of 
information regarding climate mitigation and adaptation. 

Activities  in  the  NAP  that  have  already  been  implemented  include  measures  for  water 
retention in forests and promotion of restoration of the water management function of small 
water reservoirs. 

In  addition,  some  measures  undertaken  by  various  Ministries  and  Departments  in  the 
agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, human health and water management sectors could also be 
considered relevant to climate adaptation.  

The RBMPs introduced support to the implementation of the adaptation measures identified 
in the 2004 National Programme to Abate the Climate Change Impacts in the Czech Republic. 
Reportedly, the revision of the RBMPs takes due consideration of an increased frequency of 
floods and adds other flood risk management measures. For example, the context of climate 
change has been considered in the second RBMPs in order to assess the trends of water use up 
to  the  year  2021.  The  programme  of  measures  contains  a  "Drought  and  water  scarcity" 
measure, which is defining climate change risks. 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Currently  there  is  no  cooperation  framework  at  regional  or  local  levels.  Nevertheless,  the 
Czech  Republic  Strategic  Framework  2030  and  Czech  Republic  Strategy  for  Regional 
Development  2021+  identify  that  cooperation  mechanisms  need  to  be  established  at  a 
subnational level. There is, however, cooperation through the help of NGOs and through the 
development  of  a  variety  of  documents  (methods,  catalogues  of  measures,  information 

143 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
sources, etc.).  Implementation  of adaptation  measures at  local  and subnational levels  is  also 
supported through funding programmes under the Ministry of the Environment.367 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

We could not find any procedures or guidelines for assessment of potential climate impacts on 
major  projects  or  programmes  aside  from  the  EIA  and  SEA  frameworks  addressed  in 
Indicator 8a.  

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Currently, the involvement of stakeholders is through the National Network of Local Action 
Groups  in  the  Czech  Republic  and  the  national  platform  of  Healthy  cities  of  the  Czech 
Republic, as stated in the NAP. This concerns particularly the following sectors: environment, 
water  management  and  disaster  risk  management.  Moreover,  the  topic  of  climate  change  is 
also  one  of  the  main  topics  of  calls  of  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  for  the  support  of 
Environmental Education and Consulting. However, the calls do not specify in which sectors 
or areas supported activities should be taking place. Current evidence shows that it concerns, 
for  example,  a  measure  in  the  area  of  water  management,  or  implementation  of  local 
adaptation platforms for the initiation of adaptation activities.368    

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

There  is  a  system  in  place  to  monitor  the  implementation  of  the  NAP  on  an  annual  basis. 
However,  for  the  time  being  it  is  only  used  for  internal  purposes  by  the  Ministry  of  the 
Environment. The overall monitoring of the NAP and the publication of the results will only 
happen  in  2019,369  since  the  NAP  was  adopted  in  2017  and  the  NAS  in  2015.  A  set  of 
indicators  to  measure  vulnerabilities  to  climate  change  and  adaptation  will  be  tracked  and 
evaluated.  

367 Personal communication with MS contact. 
368 Personal communication with MS contact.  
369 Personal communication with MS contact.. 

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
To date, one relevant publication is the report on national adaptation actions under Article 15 
of the Mechanism for Monitoring and Reporting from 2015.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

A  set  of  indicators  to  measure  climate  vulnerabilities  and  adaptation  in  priority  sectors  has 
already  been  developed  and  is  being  piloted.  Monitoring  and  the  publication  of  the  results 
based on these indicators will happen in 2019 for data in the period of 2014-2018.370  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Currently  there  is  no  monitoring  and  reporting  system  in  place  at  regional  or  local  levels. 
Nevertheless, the Strategic Framework of the Czech Republic 2030 establishes the creation of 
a monitoring and reporting system at subnational level as one of its tasks. 

11 

Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  will  be  reviewed  and  updated  in  2020.  From  then  onwards,  the  NAS  will  be 
reviewed once every ten years. 

The NAP will be evaluated in 2019 and this evaluation will form the basis for the revision of 
the NAS. From then onwards, the NAP will be reviewed every 4-5  years, depending on the 
reporting  obligations  of  the  Czech  Republic  within  the  framework  of  its  international 
commitments. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Current  monitoring  is  undertaken  by  the  Ministry  of  Environment  (see  Indicator  10a). 
Evaluation and review of the NAS/NAP is expected in 2019-2020. Evaluation of the NAS and 
adaptation measures set out in the NAP will be shaped through the inter-ministerial working 
group  on  climate  change.  Its  members  include  regional  and  local  authorities’  associations, 

370 Personal communication with MS contact. 

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
research  institutions,  professional  or  non-governmental  and  non-profit  organisations.  The 
communication  strategy  aims  to  use  two-way  communication  between  the  Ministry  of  the 
Environment  and  public,  including  the  National  Network  of  Local  Action  Groups  in  the 
Czech  Republic  or  the  union  of  the  cities  and  municipalities.  The  inter-ministerial  working 
group on climate change will serve as a mediator of communications. 

146 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Met? 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

5 

Knowledge transfer 

147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Met? 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.)  and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress 
/ No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

8e 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 

148 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

10a 

10b 

10c 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Met? 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

149 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Denmark 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 151 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 152 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 152 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 152 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 152 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 153 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 153 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at subnational level ........................................................ 154 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 155 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 155 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 155 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 155 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 158 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 160 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 160 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 163 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 163 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 165 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 165 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 166 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 168 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 168 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 172 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 175 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 175 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 176 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 177 

150 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

DEMA   Danish Emergency Management Agency 

DKK 

Danish Krone 

DMI  

Danish Meteorological Institute 

EIA 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

EPA 

Danish Environmental Protection Agency 

EUR 

Euros 

IPCC 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

KFT  

Koordineringsenhed for Forskning i klimatilpasning (Coordination Unit for  
Research in Climate Change Adaptation) 

NAS 

National Adaptation Strategy 

NAP 

National Adaption Plan 

MEF 

Danish Ministry of Environment & Food 

MUDP  Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration programme 

SEA 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

151 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

In  Denmark,  the  National  Adaptation  Strategy  (NAS)  was  adopted  in  March  2008371.  The 
NAS  included  a  description  of  the  vulnerability  of  those  sectors  where  climate  change  was 
expected to have significant consequences. The NAS focused on what would be attainable in 
the  individual  sectors  within  the  next  10  years.  It  was  intended  that  measures  should  be 
scientifically,  technically  and  socio-economically  appropriate  for  implementation  within  the 
given period. No revision is presently foreseen. 

The NAS was based on the notion that climate adaptation is a long-term process, and that it is 
still uncertain what the consequences of climate change will be and how soon they will take 
effect.  The  NAS  included  a  targeted  information  campaign  and  creation  of  a  web  portal372 
with  the  aim  of  ensuring  that  climate  change  was  incorporated  into  planning  and 
development, so that public authorities, businesses and citizens had the best possible basis for 
considering whether, how and when climate change should be considered. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

Adaptation  strategies  have  not  been  adopted  at  the  subnational  level  but  all  municipalities 
have adopted local adaptation action plans in line with the national adaptation plan (NAP). 

Although  not  a  formal  responsibility  or  obligation,  four  of  five  regions  have  incorporated 
adaptation into their regional climate strategies: South Denmark373, North Jutland,374 Region 
Zealand375 and the Capital  Region376. Central  Denmark Region  leads the EU-funded project 
‘Coast  to  Coast  Climate  Challenge’,  which  has  a  goal  of  formulating  and  implementing  a 
coordinated adaptation strategy for the region between 2017 and 2022377.  

The  NAS  outlined  eleven  sectors  (Coastal  management,  dikes,  ports  etc;  Buildings  and 
infrastructure;  Water  supply;  Energy  supply;  Agriculture  and  forestry;  Fisheries;  Nature 
management;  Land use  planning;  Health;  Rescue preparedness;  Insurance) in  which climate 

371 Danish Energy Agency (2008). Danish strategy for adaptation to a changing climate. URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/5322/klimatilpasningsstrategi_uk_web.pdf Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
372 Danish web platform on adaptation to climate change: http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/  
373 Region of South Denmark, 2015, Regional klima- og bæredygtighedsstrategi 2016-2019. URL: 
https://www.rsyd.dk/wm217286  
374 Region North Jutland, 2016, Klimahandlingsplan for Region Nordjylland. URL: 
http://publikationer.rn.dk/rn/363/ 
375 Region Zealand, 2015, Den Fælles Regionale Klimastrategi. URL: 
http://www.regionsjaelland.dk/Miljo/groen-omstilling/Klimastrategi/Sider/default.aspx 
376 Denmark’s Capital Region, 2011, Klimastrategi for hovedstadsregionen. URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/1265668/regionh_klimastrategi.pdf 
377 Coast to Coast Challenge, URL: http://www.c2ccc.eu/om-c2c-cc/. Date accessed: 8 May 2018. 

152 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
impacts  may  be  significant.  The  relevant  ministries  have  developed  sectoral  adaptation 
strategies for transport,378 roads,379 and coasts380. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The  National  Adaptation  Plan  (NAP)  was  adopted  in  2012.  As  of  May  2018,  no  update  is 
planned. 

The Action Plan for a Climate-Proof Denmark381 was launched in December 2012 and is the 
first NAP in Denmark. The NAP is based on the notion that a responsible climate policy must 
do  more  than  just  work  to  address  climate  change  in  the  long  term,  it  must  also  ensure 
necessary action is taken now to adapt our society to a climate that is already changing, and 
that all parts of society  contribute to  climate adaptation.  Dealing with  the climate challenge 
requires collaboration between authorities, organisations, private enterprises and individuals, 
regardless  of  whether  the  project  is  maintenance  of  existing  roads,  coastal  protection, 
construction, or investments in new infrastructure.  

The Government itself has a responsibility as the owner of infrastructure, buildings and land. 
However, the principal role for the Government is to establish an appropriate framework for 
local climate adaptation by, for example, adapting laws and regulations, but also by ensuring 
coordination  and  providing  information.  The  Government  requested  all  municipalities  to 
develop their own adaptation action plans within two years. A solid framework for the efforts 
must support the specific parties involved, so that they can address the challenge in a socio-
economically appropriate manner at the right time.  

In  the  NAP,  the  Government  commits  to  creating  the  basis  for  continued  technological  and 
knowledge development, so that Denmark will have a strong position on the global market for 
climate adaptation.  

378 Danish Ministry of Transport, 2010, Transportministeriets Klimatilpasningsstrategi. URL: 
https://www.trm.dk/da/publikationer/2010/klimatilpasningsstrategi 
379 Grauert, M., Hildebrand, G., Krogh Kristensen, N., Mørch jensen, U., Albrechtsen, N., Hald Pedersen, L., 
Lund Ujvári, M. & Mollerup, M., 2013, Strategi og baggrundsrapport: strategi for klimatilpasning. Danish Road 
Directorate, Report 452. URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/808629/strategi_for_klimatilpasning___baggrundsrapport.pdf 
380 Danish Environment and Food Ministry, 2016, Kystanalyse, URL: http://kysterne.kyst.dk/kystanalyse.html 
381 Danish Nature Agency, 2012, How to manage cloudburst and rain water. 
Action plan for a climate-proof Denmark. Task Force for Climate Change Adaptation, URL: 
http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/590075/action_plan.pdf 

153 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The NAP presents  64  382  new initiatives within five general  areas  of initiative:  an improved 
framework for climate adaptation; more consultation and a new knowledge base; strengthened 
collaboration and coordination; green transition; and international climate adaptation. 

This fiche does not cover Greenland and the Faroe Islands383. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at subnational level 

The NAP required all municipalities to develop an action plan for climate change by the end 
of  2013.  The  Government  formally  agreed  with  the  association  of  Danish  municipalities  in 
2012 that all municipalities should develop an adaptation action plan by the end of 2013.384 
To  support  municipalities  and  local-level  decision  makers  in  their  work,  the  Danish  Nature 
Agency  issued  a  guidance  document  in  2013.  All  98  Danish  municipalities  finalised  their 
action plans by 2014. Each plan includes a flood risk mapping and sets the priorities for local 
climate  adaptation  measures.  The  content  of  the  plans  was  evaluated  by  the  Government  in 
2017385, finding that although all municipalities had completed their plans, the level of detail 
and scope of the plans was uneven. 

The Copenhagen Climate Adaptation plan386 was adopted in 2011 in response to the extreme, 
water-related  consequences  of  climate  change  to  which  the  city  is  exposed.    In  July  2011, 
Copenhagen experienced a cloudburst and the damages were estimated to be approximately 5 
to 6 million DKK. This prompted the city to develop a specific Cloudburst Management Plan 
in  2012.387  The  plan  was  used  to  develop  300  specific  projects  and  a  detailed  management 
plan, which was approved in 2015 and will be implemented over the next 20 years.388 In 2017, 

382 Danish Nature Agency, 2012, How to manage cloudburst and rain water. Action plan for a climate-proof 
Denmark. Task Force for Climate Change Adaptation. Available at: 
http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/590075/action_plan.pdf 
383 Information about climate change impacts and adaptation in Greenland and the Faroe Islands can be found in 
e.g. Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities, and Climate, January 2018, Denmark's Seventh National 
Communication and Third Biennial Report under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change. URL: 
http://unfccc.int/national_reports/biennial_reports_and_iar/submitted_biennial_reports/items/7550.php 
384 Danish Ministry of Finance, 2012, Aftale om den kommunale og regionale økonomi for 2013. URL: 
http://www.kl.dk/ImageVaultFiles/id_55201/cf_202/Aftale_om_kommunernes_%C3%B8konomi_for_2013.PD
F 
385 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, 2017, Evaluering af kommunal klimatilpasning. URL : 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/1174683/evalueringsrapport.pdf 
386 City of Copenhagen, 2011, Copenhagen Climate Adaptation Action Plan. URL: 
http://international.kk.dk/artikel/climate-adaptation  
387 City of Copenhagen, 2012, Cloudburst management plan 2012. Copenhagen: Technical and Environmental 
Administration. Available at: http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/665626/cph_-
_cloudburst_management_plan.pdf; in Danish at: 
http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_pub2/index.asp?mode=detalje&id=1018 
388 City of Copenhagen, 2015, Climate Change Adaptation and Investment Statement. URL: 
http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_pub2/pdf/1499_bUxCjgovgE.pdf 

154 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
a storm surge plan was developed for Copenhagen389. Seven other local cloudburst plans were 
developed in 2013.  

Two out of five Danish regions have carried out studies on climate impacts and risks, as the 
basis  for  regional  strategic  planning  for  adaptation.  Sectors  most  covered  include  health, 
water management, transport, and buildings. The Capital Region of Denmark has established 
a  cooperation  organisation  with  the  aim  of  supporting  municipalities,  water  utilities  and 
hospitals in their effort to move from plan to action within the field of adaptation390. 

Denmark currently has six signatories to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in 
relation to adaptation391.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

A  few  sectors,  such  as  transport,  roads  and  coastal  protection,392  have  dedicated  adaptation 
plans. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The  overall  responsibility  for  coordinating  the  integration  of  adaptation  policy  into  national 
legislation and planning lies with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within 
the Ministry of the Environment and Food (MEF)393.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

To  ensure  a  coordinated  effort  among  public  authorities  in  preparing  the  NAP,  an 
organisational  framework outlined in the NAS was in  place from  2008 to 2011, including a 

389 Copenhagen storm surge plan. URL: https://www.kk.dk/sites/default/files/edoc/7932be34-6e51-450a-bc4f-
fa2c2b00c1b3/c72e0cf7-3b8f-461a-bf35-536e7e239267/Attachments/18135652-23473370-1.PDF 
390 Klikovand. Denmark’s Capital Region. URL: http://www.klikovand.dk/english-resume/ Date accessed: 
09/05/2018  
391 As 19 April 2018, includes: Albertslund, Copenhagen, Faaborg-Midtfyn, Næstved, Roskilde, and Solrød. See: 
http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-community/signatories.html 
392 Sørensen, P. & Sørensen, C., 2012, Guidelines for klimatilpasning i kystområder, Danish Coastal Authority. 
URL: http://www.masterpiece.dk/UploadetFiles/10852/36/Klimatilpasningikystområderversion2.pdf 
393 Danish EPA, Climate, URL: http://eng.mst.dk/nature-water/climate/ Date accessed: 10/05/2018 

155 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
horizontal  inter-ministerial  coordination  forum  on  adaptation  (KoK394).  The  forum  had 
representatives of nine national ministries, the sectoral organisation for municipalities, and the 
Danish  regions395.  Its  role  was  to  ensure  coordination  of  effort  between  authorities,  and  a 
common knowledge base and report on sectoral initiatives396. Parallel work groups were set-
up to support the work of the coordination forum397 along with a research coordination group, 
and group setting up the information portal. 

With  regards  to  the  implementation  phase,  coordination  is  taking  place  in  a  more  ad-hoc 
manner. For instance, in 2012 a Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation, set up to advise 
the coordination  forum,  evaluated  climate vulnerabilities and potential impacts  in  Denmark. 
The  report:  ‘Mapping  climate  change  –  barriers  and  opportunities  for  action’398  addresses 
fourteen  sectors:  construction  and  housing,  coasts  and  ports,  transport,  water,  agriculture, 
forestry,  fisheries,  energy,  tourism,  nature,  health,  emergency  preparedness,  insurance  and 
spatial planning. This report is used in preparing sectoral priorities and serves as a decision-
making tool across sectors.  

Furthermore,  at  the  beginning  of  2017,  a  cross-ministerial  committee  (Ministry  of 
Environment & Food, Ministry of Industry, Business & Financial Affairs, Ministry of Energy, 
Utilities,  and  Climate)  was  set  up  to  propose  and  implement  new  initiatives  to  support 
municipalities  and  property  owners  in  establishing  cost-effective  and  holistically  planned 
coastal flood protection and erosion protection.399 The Government and municipalities have 
agreed  that  municipalities  and  property  owners  will  take  decisions  and  implement  coastal 
adaptation measures with funding from the Government,400 and in-line with the relevant risk 
assessment401 and guidance documents.402 

394  In Danish: "Tværministerielle Koordinationsforum for Klimatilpasning (KoK)" 
395 Danish Energy Agency, 19 January 2009, Svar til Spørgsmål 232, Koordinationsforum for Klimatilpasning, 
Status for udmøntning af Regeringens klimatilpasningsstrategi 2009, Miljø- og Planlægningsudvalget (MPU) 
Alm. Del, URL: http://www.ft.dk/samling/20091/almdel/mpu/spm/232/svar/681815/791278/index.htm 
396 Danish Energy Agency, 19 January 2009, Notat til Spørgsmål 232, Miljø- og Planlægningsudvalget (MPU) 
Alm. Del, URL: http://www.ft.dk/samling/20091/almdel/mpu/spm/232/svar/681815/791279/index.htm 
397 Danish Energy Agency, 19 January 2009, Svar til Spørgsmål 232, Koordinationsforum for Klimatilpasning, 
Status for udmøntning af Regeringens klimatilpasningsstrategi 2008, Miljø- og Planlægningsudvalget (MPU) 
Alm. Del, URL: http://www.ft.dk/samling/20091/almdel/mpu/spm/232/svar/681815/791277/index.htm 
398 Danish Nature Agency, May 2012, Background report, mapping climate change, barriers and opportunities 
for action, Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation, ISBN 978-87-7279-609-3, URL: 
http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/600858/130206_mapping_climate_change_final.pdf 
399 Ministry of Environment & Food, Ministry of Industry, Business & Financial Affairs, Danish Ministry of 
Energy, Utilities, and Climate, Faktaark – Oversigt over initiativer vedr. kystbeskyttelse og klimatilpasning, 
URL: http://efkm.dk/media/11405/faktaark-initiativer-vedr-kystbeskyttelse-og-klimatilpasning.pdf 
400 Local Government Denmark, 1 June 2017, Aftale om kommunernes økonomi for 2018, URL: 
https://www.kl.dk/ImageVaultFiles/id_85280/cf_202/-konomiaftale_2018.PDF 
401 Danish Environment and Food Ministry, 2016, Kystanalyse, URL: http://kysterne.kyst.dk/kystanalyse.html 
402 Sørensen, P. & Sørensen, C., 2012, Guidelines for klimatilpasning i kystområder, Danish Coastal Authority. 
URL: http://www.masterpiece.dk/UploadetFiles/10852/36/Klimatilpasningikystområderversion2.pdf 

156 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Vertical  coordination  of  adaptation  policy  is  in  place  at  some  levels  and  there  is  a  specific 
focus on flooding. 

Municipalities  have  the  main  planning  competencies  and  are  identified  in  the  NAS  as  the 
level of implementation of adaptation policy. In line with the NAS, development of detailed 
action  plans  was  mandated  to  municipalities  in  2013  after  the  negotiation  of  the  Financial 
Agreement for Municipalities 2013 between the Government and the sectoral organisation for 
municipalities.403 The Government provided support through the establishment of a national 
task  force  with  detailed  and  specific  expertise  in  local  adaptation  issues,  as  well  as  a  web-
based mapping of risks for flooding, rain fall and storm surges in  various time perspectives, 
modelled according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 scenarios404. 

Furthermore,  a  team  of  subject  specialists  on  adaptation,  flooding,  and  erosion  has  been 
established by the Environmental Protection Agency and Coastal Authority405. Its purpose is 
to  advise,  guide,  support,  and  help  coordinate  municipalities  in  implementing  adaptation 
solutions  as  well  as  to  gather  information  about  their  experience.  The  team  offers  training, 
workshops, seminars, and customised advice to municipalities throughout the country in order 
to help them implement their adaptation plans.  

Previously in 2011, the Ministries of the Environment and Transport identified 10 flood prone 
areas according to the Danish Flood Risk Act, which relates to the Directive 2007/60/EC of 
the  European  Union  on  the  assessment  and  management  of  flood  risks.  The  10  flood  risk 
areas involved 22 municipalities, which had to prepare flood risk management plans in order 
to  reduce the flood risk through mitigation and adaptation  measures. Furthermore, the plans 
had  to  be  coordinated  with  municipal  climate  adaptation  plans  and  take  into  account  flood-
related climate impacts. 

A  cooperation  forum  also  exists  within  which  the  Ministry  of  Transport,  which  works 
together with, amongst others, the municipalities in the Greater Copenhagen area to tackle the 
traffic-related challenges in the area, in particular flooding of major approach roads. 

403  Danish Ministry of Finance, 2012, Aftale om den kommunale og regionale økonomi for 2013. URL: 
http://www.kl.dk/ImageVaultFiles/id_55201/cf_202/Aftale_om_kommunernes_%C3%B8konomi_for_2013.PD
F 
404 Jensen, A., Nielsen, H.Ø. & Nielsen, M.L, 2016, Climate adaption in local governance: Institutional barriers 
in Danish municipalities, Aarhus University, DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, 102 pp. 
Scientific Report from DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 104 URL: 
http://dce2.au.dk/pub/SR104.pdf 
405 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, Rejseholdet, URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/rejseholdet.aspx Date Accessed: 10/05/2018 

157 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Regions have no formal responsibilities in the field of adaptation but have started tackling it 
through their regional climate and development plans. Two regions in particular, the Capital 
Region and Central Denmark, have specific coordination bodies for municipalities and other 
stakeholders (see Section A2 & B2). These bodies have had a clear impact on the degree to 
which municipalities in those regions cooperate formally with each other and with the region 
on adaptation projects.406 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

In general, all major public policy initiatives in Denmark are open to public consultation and 
stakeholder  involvement.  The  Danish  Environmental  Protection  Act  has  a  provision  that 
authorises the Minister for the Environment and Food to stipulate regulations regarding public 
consultation in the preparation and amendment of plans and programmes within the scope of 
the Act. 

Publication  on  a  web  portal407  is  mandatory  for  all  draft  laws,  decisions,  and  bills  by  all 
ministries in the Government at the time of parliamentary hearings. Relevant stakeholders are 
contacted  directly  by  email.  Public  comments  are  compiled  by  the  relevant  authority  in  a 
memorandum and amendments are considered in light of the comments. All relevant hearing 
materials are collated on the public web portal. 

While the above processes provide a general overview of stakeholder involvement, only ad-
hoc examples are available specifically on how stakeholders are involved in the preparation of 
adaptation policies. 

For  instance,  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  established  a  ‘National  Dialogue  Forum’  on 
adaptation  in  2012,  which  met  several  times  to  discuss  climate  adaptation  policy  and 
solutions,  develop  the  sector  as  a  growth  area  for  new  technology  and  jobs,  and  advise  the 
from  business,  universities,  NGOs, 
minister.  Seventeen  members  were  selected 
municipalities, and interest organisations408.  

Following  storm  surges  in  December  2016  and  January  2017,  the  Minister  for  the 
Environment  and  Food  held  several  stakeholder  meetings  focusing  on  climate  adaptation, 

406 Krausing, Jarl., Madsen, Simone., Jørgensen, Sune., 2017, Robusthed i kommunale klimatilpasningsplaner, 
Concito, URL: https://concito.dk/udgivelser/robusthed-kommunale-klimatilpasningsplaner 
407 Høringsportalen, URL: https://hoeringsportalen.dk/ 
408 MEF, Nyt forum lægger strategi for dansk klimaindsats, URL: http://mfvm.dk/nyheder/nyhed/nyhed/nyt-
forum-laegger-strategi-for-dansk-klimaindsats/ 

158 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
coastal protection and erosion. Afterwards, new initiatives409 were adopted as part of the work 
of a cross-ministerial committee set up at the beginning of 2017. These included, for instance, 
the establishment of a new flood and erosion task force to serve for a three-year period and 
the 
guide  municipalities 
development  of  a  central-government  risk  analysis  tool,  which  will  be  based  on  previous 
events and guidance.   

the  establishment  of  holistically-planned  solutions  and 

in 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

International  cooperation is highlighted as a priority action under the NAP. The Ministry of 
the  Environment  and  Food  collaborates  with  Germany  and  the  Netherlands  on  climate 
adaptation of the Wadden Sea through the existing Trilateral Cooperation on the Protection of 
the  Wadden  Sea410.  Under  the  guidance  of  this  cooperation  forum,  the  three  Governments 
developed a common Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (CCAS) in 2014411. The objective 
of  the  trilateral  cooperation  in  implementing  the  CCAS  is  to  focus  on  activities  with  the 
highest trilateral relevance, particularly the exchange of knowledge and best practice between 
experts and policy makers, as well as the support of trilaterally coordinated studies and pilot 
projects  covering  sites  across  the  entire  Wadden  Sea.  The  CCAS  deals  with  coastal  risk 
management, nature protection and spatial  planning. A monitoring report  on the CCAS was 
published in December 2017412. 

Through  the  Nordic  Council  of  Ministers,  Denmark  has  contributed  to  collaboration  and 
knowledge-building  in  Nordic  research  networks  on  climate  adaptation413,  through  the  top-
level research initiative – Impact studies and adaptation to climate change (‘Effektstudier og 
tilpasning til klimaændringer’). 

409 For the full list of initiatives see: Ministry of Environment & Food, Ministry of Industry, Business & 
Financial Affairs, Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities, and Climate, Faktaark – Oversigt over initiativer vedr. 
kystbeskyttelse og klimatilpasning, URL: http://efkm.dk/media/11405/faktaark-initiativer-vedr-kystbeskyttelse-
og-klimatilpasning.pdf 
410 Secretariat of The Trilateral Cooperation on the Protection of the Wadden Sea, URL: http://www.waddensea-
secretariat.org Date accessed: 10 May 2018 
411 12th Trilateral Governmental Conference on the Protection of the Wadden Sea, 2014, Climate Change 
Adaptation Strategy, URL: http://www.wing.nl/file.php/83/annex_4-climate_strategy_final.pdf 
412 Wadden Sea Board - Task Group Climate, 2017, Trilateral Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Monitoring 
Report for the Trilateral Cooperation on the Protection of the Wadden Sea. Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, 
Wilhelmshaven, Germany, URL: http://www.waddensea-
secretariat.org/sites/default/files/downloads/ccas_monitoring_report_final.pdf 
413 Nordregio, URL: http://www.nordregio.se/en/Metameny/About-Nordregio/Modules-About-
Nordregio/Geographical-scope-we-cover/Norden/Addre 
level/ Date Accessed: 09/05/2018 

ssing-climate-change-adaptation-at-the-Nordic-

159 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Denmark is also a member of the European Network of the Heads of Environment Protection 
Agencies (EPA) Interest Group Climate Change and Adaptation414.  

Between  2010  and2013,  Denmark  participated  in  the  Baltadapt  project,  with  the  Danish 
Meteorological Institute (DMI) as lead partner. Funded by the Baltic Sea Region Programme 
2007-2013, it had a total budget of EUR 2.86 million, of which EUR 2.1 million was ERDF 
co-financed  and  EUR  0.75  million  was  partners’  contributions.  The  project  developed  a 
transnational  Strategy  for  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Baltic  Sea  Region  and  a 
subsequent  Action  Plan,  presented  in  2013415.  The  project  was  followed  by  The  Baltic  Sea 
Region Climate Dialogue Platform which aims to support a shared understanding of climate 
change challenges and promotes adaptation solutions through joint projects and actions in the 
Baltic Sea region.  

The  Danish  Coastal  Authority  also  participates  in  the  EU  funded  project,  Building  with 
Nature416, with the goal of making coasts, estuaries and catchments of the North Sea Region 
more adaptable and resilient through a number of "living laboratories", and by creating a joint 
transnational monitoring programme, using state-of-the-art analysis methods and developing 
improved designs and business cases. 

The  City  of  Copenhagen  has  entered  into  a  cooperation  agreement  with  New  York  City  on 
transferring the ideas and results from the Climate Resilient Neighbourhood in Østerbro to a 
district of New York. The city has another cooperation agreement with Beijing on exchange 
of experience of solutions for the management of everyday rain and torrential downpours417. 

Finally,  a  number  of  Danish  municipalities  and  stakeholders  are  participating  in  Interreg 
adaptation projects in the North Sea Region,418 including in (FRAMES)419 dealing with flood 
resilience, and TOPSOIL420 dealing with soil and water resilience. 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

414 European Network of the Heads of Environment Protection Agencies , URL: 
http://epanet.pbe.eea.europa.eu/european_epas Date accessed: 09/05/2018 
415 Baltadapt. URL: http://www.baltadapt.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=222 
 Date accessed: 09/05/2018 
416 Building with Nature, URL: http://www.northsearegion.eu/building-with-nature Date accessed: 09/05/2018 
417 City of Copenhagen, 2015, Climate Change Adaptation and Investment Statement. URL: 
http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_pub2/pdf/1499_bUxCjgovgE.pdf 
418 Inter-reg, North Sea Region, Cooperating on climate adaptation in the North Sea region URL: 
http://www.northsearegion.eu/fair/news/cooperating-on-climate-adaptation-in-the-north-sea-region/ Date 
accessed: 09/05/2018 
419 Inter-reg, North Sea Region, Frames, URL: http://www.northsearegion.eu/frames/ Date accessed: 09/05/2018 
420 Inter-reg, North Sea Region, Top Soil, URL: http://www.northsearegion.eu/topsoil/ Date accessed: 
09/05/2018 

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Yes / In progress / No 

There is an elaborate system in place for the observation of weather variables, including sea 
level and storm surges. Some of the data is publicly available, e.g. on the web portal421 of the 
Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI). The DMI is also known globally for regional climate 
modelling (RCM) and is the leading national authority on regional climate projections. DMI 
uses  Global  Climate  Models  to  monitor  interactions  and  feedback  mechanisms  between 
atmosphere, ocean, land surface and ice on a larger scale.  

DMI keeps detailed records of all weather-related events in Denmark in line with international 
standards.  There  is  no  clear  public  information  on  what  climate-related  impacts  are  being 
tracked, though information seems to be supplied to EEA, so there must be a programme in 
place. The economic damage caused by the Copenhagen cloudburst of 2011 was estimated at 
approximately 5 to 6 million DKK. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

In 2014 the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) prepared a report on the expected climate 
change  in  Denmark,  focusing  on  climate  change  towards  the  end  of  this  century.  The 
assessment  of  future  climate  change  is  based  on  the  scenarios  used  by  the  IPCC  5th 
Assessment  Report422.  DMI  presented  the  results  based  on  the  most  recent  IPCC,  BACC, 
European studies and the Danish CRES project where a number of climate simulations were 
performed with several regional and global climate models. 

The Danish EPA prepared an analysis and summary of the Working Group II Contribution to 
the  5th  Assessment  Report  from  IPCC,  with  special  focus  on  implications  for  Denmark,  for 
policy makers.423 

In 2012, the Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation prepared an analysis to map climate 
impacts in Denmark, as well as the opportunities and challenges they present. The report was 
based on the scenarios used by the IPCC 4th Assessment Report424.  

421 DMI: Weather: http://www.dmi.dk/vejr; Climate: http://www.dmi.dk/klima and 
http://research.dmi.dk/research/research-topics/climate/; Sea: http://www.dmi.dk/hav  
422 Olesen et al., 2014, Fremtidige klimaforandringer i Danmark, Danmarks Klimacenter rapport nr. 6 2014. 
Danish Meteorological Institute, URL: 
https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/DKC/2014/Klimaforandringer_dmi.pdf 
423 Grøndahl, Louise, Poulsen, Nanet, eds., 2014, Analyse af IPCC delrapport 2 – Effekter, klimatilpasning og 
sårbarhed, Danish Environmental Protection Agency, URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/868690/analyse_af_ipcc_delrapport_2__effekter_klimatilpasning_og_s_rb
arhed_fina_____3_.pdf 

161 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  DMI  will  prepare  datasets  and  indicators  (Climate  Atlas)425  based  on  IPCC's  5th 
Assessment Report. The datasets will be provided to the municipalities from the end of 2019 
and  will  be  further  developed  and  updated  up  to  2021.  Data  will  comprise  projections  and 
indicators of temperature, precipitation, extreme rainfall, sea level and storm surges. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The 2012 report by the centrally convened Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation called 
‘Mapping  climate  change  –  barriers  and  opportunities  for  action’  conducted  a  sectoral  and 
cross-sectoral  analysis  of  climate  risks/vulnerability426.  It  analysed  14  sectors:  construction 
and  housing,  coasts  and  ports,  transport,  water,  agriculture,  forestry,  fisheries,  energy, 
tourism,  nature,  health,  emergency  preparedness,  insurance,  and  spatial  planning.  For  each 
sector, it presented a basic analysis of important effects of climate change, relevant division of 
responsibilities  between  the  authorities  and  private  citizens,  possibilities  for  adaptation, 
initiatives planned and in progress, and barriers and opportunities for future action. The report 
was based on the scenarios used by the IPCC 4th Assessment Report. 

A  detailed  risk  assessment  regarding  erosion  and  flooding  was  conducted  for  the  entire 
Danish coastline by the MEF in 2016.427 It will be used as a basis for planning the significant 
coastal adaptation initiatives being laid out in 2017/18. DMI estimates based on the IPCC 5th 
Assessment Report were used as a basis for the assessment. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

The available climate risks and vulnerability assessments indicated under Indicator 3c do not 
take transboundary risks into account. 

Nevertheless, as indicated in Indicator 2b, Denmark is involved in a range of transboundary 
cooperation  initiatives  some  of  which  by  nature  consider  transboundary  risks  as  part  of  the 
vulnerability assessments conducted. These initiatives primarily focus on the Baltic Sea.  

424 Danish Nature Agency, May 2012, Background report, mapping climate change, barriers and opportunities 
for action, Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation, ISBN 978-87-7279-609-3, URL: 
http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/600858/130206_mapping_climate_change_final.pdf 
425 URL: http://www.dmi.dk/nyheder/arkiv/nyheder-2017/august/ny-klima-krystalkugle-fra-dmi-skal-ruste-
danskerne-mod-klimaforandringer 
426 Danish Nature Agency, May 2012, Background report, mapping climate change, barriers and opportunities 
for action, Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation, ISBN 978-87-7279-609-3, URL: 
http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/600858/130206_mapping_climate_change_final.pdf 
427 Danish Environment and Food Ministry, 2016, Kystanalyse, URL: http://kysterne.kyst.dk/kystanalyse.html 

162 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Coordination  Unit  for  Research 
in  Climate  Change  Adaptation  (in  Danish: 
Koordineringsenhed for Forskning i klimatilpasning - KFT) was established under the NAS. 
KFT was mandated to strengthen the coordination of national research activities in the context 
of climate adaptation, to ensure that synergies across a broad range of different research areas 
were harvested. KFT was a joint endeavour of the National Environmental Research Institute 
at  the  Aarhus  University,  the  Danish  Meteorological  Institute,  the  Geological  Survey  of 
Denmark  and  Greenland  (GEUS),  the  University  of  Copenhagen  and  Denmark's  Technical 
University.    KFT  reported  to  the  inter-ministerial  ‘Coordination  Forum  on  Adaptation’  and 
provided science-based knowledge to a national web portal on climate adaptation, at that time 
hosted by the Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy.  

KFT  aimed to collate and transfer knowledge within all Danish  (and international)  research 
areas  that  worked  on  the  issue  of  climate  adaptation,  and  helped  coordinate  information 
access at the science-policy interface. This activity built on strong cooperation across a wide 
range of scientific disciplines as well as regular interaction with both the policy-makers and 
other stakeholders.  In addition,  KFT fostered national and international  networks;  identified 
and described knowledge gaps as input for future strategic research programmes. 

In 2013 the activities of KFT were transferred to a network of research activities on climate 
adaptation. The network meets on a yearly basis and keeps up network activities. The website 
is no longer active. 

The Ministry of Environment and Food (MEF) has regular meetings with universities in order 
to  highlight  needs  for further research on climate adaptation.  Recent  work is  being done on 
adaptation knowledge regarding local level planning and coastal impacts. 

The Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (MUDP) is run 
by  the  MEF.  The  Programme  supports  development,  testing  and  demonstration  of 
environmentally efficient technology, including applications to adaptation. Its total budget for 
environmental technology efforts in 2018 is about DKK 85 million.428 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

428 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, MUDP - Ansøgningsrunde 2018, URL: 
http://ecoinnovation.dk/tilskud/soeger-du-tilskud-under-mudp/aktuelle-opslag/mudp-opslag-2018/ Date 
accessed: 10/05/2018 

163 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Yes / In progress / No 

The Danish web-portal429 for climate adaptation, established after the NAS in 2008, contains 
news, cases about climate adaptation and interactive tools. It is managed by the Ministry of 
Environment and Food and EPA in cooperation with a number of other governmental bodies. 
Different  online tools are targeted at  municipalities, enterprises and individuals. These tools 
can be used to assess risks from rising sea levels and to climate-proof buildings, among other 
things.  Other  available  information  includes:  updated  data  and  maps  of  temperatures, 
precipitation,  sea  and  groundwater;  articles  and  guidance  about  various  sectors  affected  by 
climate  changes;  practical  advice  on  climate  adaptation;  examples  of  calculations  of  how 
climate change may be included as a basis for important  decisions; analysis and assessment 
tools for the public and decision-makers; information on financing adaptation projects; maps; 
an overview of municipal climate action plans; and information about the latest research and 
development  into  climate  adaptation.  An  English  version  is  available  with  an  English 
newsletter. 

DMI  has  a  web  page  aimed  at  the  general  public  with  climate  change  related  information, 
including  information  on  adaptation  and  climate  data.430  A  dedicated  page  for  research  is 
available.431 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

At  an  earlier  stage  of  implementation,  the  Danish  Adaptation  Strategy  and  Action  Plan 
provided for capacity building at central, municipal, and citizen levels. A mobile team (2012-
2013)  was  established  as  part  of  the  Task  Force  on  Climate  Change  Adaptation.  This  team 
offered  guidance  and  facilitated  collaboration  between  municipal  authorities  and  other 
stakeholders  in  the  field,  for  example,  with  regard  to  preparing  the  municipal  climate 
adaptation plans. 

A  new  mobile  team  of  subject  specialists  on  adaptation,  flooding,  and  erosion  has  been 
established by the Environmental Protection Agency and Coastal Authority432. Its purpose is 
to  advise,  guide,  support,  and  help  coordinate  municipalities  in  implementing  adaptation 
solutions.  The  team  is  at  the  disposal  of  municipalities  and  offers  training,  workshops, 
seminars, and customised advice throughout the country at the request of municipalities. 

429 Danish portal for Climate Change Adaptation, URL: http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/ Date accessed: 09/05/2018 
430 DMI, Klima, URL: http://www.dmi.dk/klima/ Date accessed: 09/05/2018 
431 DMI, Research at the Danish Meteorological Institute, URL: http://research.dmi.dk/home/ Date accessed: 
09/05/2018 
432 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, Rejseholdet, URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/rejseholdet.aspx Date Accessed: 10/05/2018 

164 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The Danish adaptation policy addressed a risk assessment of 14 sectors433. A detailed risk and 
adaptation  analysis  was  made  by  the  Coastal  Authority  focusing  on  the  effects  of  a  future 
changing  climate  on  the  Danish  coasts434.  These  documents  have  been  used  to  develop 
detailed plans in conjunction with local authorities.  

The Mobile Team, established in 2017, helps to ensure coherence and use of best practices in 
all contexts.   The Team consists of experts from the Danish Coastal Authority and the Danish 
Environmental Protection Agency. The Team provides information on legal issues as well as 
solutions  that  include  synergies  in  terms  of  nitrogen  reduction  in  combination  with 
recreational benefits. The Team also encourages cooperation across municipalities and brings 
knowledge from other ministries. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The studies and projections referred to in relation to Indicators 3b and 3c form the basis for 
prioritising  adaptation  options.  Stakeholder  consultations  form  a  central  part  of  the  policy 
formulation process as outlined in Section 2a. 

At  local  level,  a  new  tool,  PLASK,  that  calculates  the  socioeconomic  benefits  from  climate 
adaptation, has been developed and can be found on the Government web portal435. The tool 
is now being tested in municipalities. The tool calculates the costs of damage in the project 
area. It is calculated for different land use types in the case of flooding. Historical values of 
insurance payments are combined with standard values. The tool also incorporates the long-
term  and  short-term  investment  and  maintenance  costs  of  the  different  flooding  prevention 
structures or solutions.  Using this data, the tool executes a cost-benefit analysis to  calculate 
the level of climate adaptation that is optimal to protect the area and discounts the values over 
the  lifespan  of  the  project  to  provide  a  net  present  value  of  the  different  solutions/projects. 

433 Danish Nature Agency, May 2012, Background report, mapping climate change, barriers and opportunities 
for action, Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation, ISBN 978-87-7279-609-3, URL: 
http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/600858/130206_mapping_climate_change_final.pdf 
434 Danish Environment and Food Ministry, 2016, Kystanalyse, URL: http://kysterne.kyst.dk/kystanalyse.html 
435 Danish Portal on Climate Change Adaptation. Beregningsværktøj, URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/viden-om/%C3%B8konomi/beregningsvaerktoej.aspx Date accessed: 10/05/2018 

165 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The tool helps users to compare climate adaptation projects better and faster. The distribution 
of  benefits  and  effects,  in  addition  to  economic  value,  is  also  shown  by  the  tool.  The  tool 
shows different options for achieving the same level of protection against flooding and what 
the effects are in terms of, for example, biodiversity, energy-efficiency and public health. A 
new version of the tool will be available in September 2018. 

In  line  with  Directive  2007/60/EC  on  the  assessment  and  management  of  flood  risks,  22  at 
risk municipalities had to  prepare flood  risk management plans in  order to  reduce the flood 
risk  through  mitigation  and  adaptation  measures,  with  the  assistance  of  mapping  and  data 
tools from the Government. 

The  Copenhagen  Cloudburst  Management  Plan  is  also,  for  example,  based  on  a  rigorous 
analysis  of  flood  risks  and  priorities,  as  well  as  socio-economic  economic  assessment  and 
cost-benefit analysis.436 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

There is some evidence  that climate impacts  and projections are taken into  consideration in 
disaster  risk  reduction  planning.  The  Danish  Emergency  Management  Agency  (DEMA) 
assists in ensuring knowledge about climate change and extreme weather events is considered 
in the risk-based design of local Fire and Rescue Service, as well as planning on a local level. 

The  Danish  web  portal437  on  adaptation  includes  information  on  the  link  to  disaster  risk 
management438. The web portal provides information regarding preparedness439.  

The National Risk Profile for Denmark provides a common ground for further coordination of 
both risk management and climate adaptation considerations. The most recent version of the 
National Risk Profile was published in January 2017 and explicitly discusses the risks posed 
by  climate  change  with  regard  to  changing  wind  patterns,  increased  sea  level,  and  more 
frequent extreme weather events among other risks440.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

436 City of Copenhagen, 2015, Climate Change Adaptation and Investment Statement. URL: 
http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_pub2/pdf/1499_bUxCjgovgE.pdf 
437 Danish Portal on Climate Change Adaptation, URL: www.klimatilpasning.dk Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
438 Danish Portal on Climate Change Adaptation , Ready and fully prepared - emergency preparedness, Danish 
Portal on Climate Change Adaptation, Preparedness, http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/technologies/ready-and-fully-
prepared-emergency-preparedness.aspx Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
439 Danish Portal on Climate Change Adaptation, Preparedness, URL: 
http://en.klimatilpasning.dk/sectors/preparedness.aspx Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
440 Danish Emergency Management Agency, 2017, Nationalt Risikobillede, URL: 
http://brs.dk/viden/publikationer/Documents/Nationalt-Risikobillede-2017-LowRes.pdf 

166 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  NAS  outlined  funding  for  the  development  of  socio-economic  modelling  tools  for 
adaptation  in  2008.  The  NAP  outlined  a  number  of  funding  initiatives,  among  others:  an 
agreement  between  the  Government  and  municipalities  to  increase  investment  in  the 
wastewater  area  by  DKK  2.5  billion  in  2013;  DKK  2.7  million  for  eight  projects  in  which 
local collaboration partners created solutions for climate adaptation; DKK 60 million set aside 
for the Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration programme (MUDP) for 
projects in 2012, where climate adaptation and water was one of five main themes; DKK 30 
million  set  aside  by  the  innovation  fund  for  development  and  market  preparation  of  new 
generic  climate adaptation solutions  for export;  DKK 122.6 million  for  green technology in 
2013, including adaptation. 

Funding is available for financing cross-cutting adaptation action (e.g. national scenarios and 
climate  services,  capacity  building,  website).  Information  on  the  various  sources  (including 
domestic public finance, private  finance, and EU-level  funds and  grants)  is  provided on the 
Government’s  adaptation  web  portal441.  Various  funding  sources  are  available  to  finance 
adaptation  projects,  including  a  number  of  private  funding  sources,  such  as:  the  MUDP,  a 
subsidy for home owners to  conduct  renovations;  Denmark’s Green  Investment  Fund to  co-
finance  green  solutions;  the  Market  Maturation  Fund  to  help  develop  and  market  green 
solutions; and the Innovation Fund that provides grants for the development of knowledge and 
technology, that leads to the strengthening of research and innovative solutions for the benefit 
of growth and employment. 

In  the  2018  budget,  money  is  specifically  set  aside  to  support  municipalities  and  property 
owners  to  develop  coastal  protection  in  connection  with  climate  adaptation  between  2018-
21.442  This  follows  an  agreement  on  the  management  of  coastal  adaptation  between  the 
sectoral  organisation  for  municipalities  and  a  detailed  sectoral  analysis  by  the  Coastal 
Protection Directorate.443 Some additional funding for related support activities has also been 
made available following the work of the inter-ministerial committee established to study the 
issue. Total funding will be approximately DKK 68 million444. 

441 Danish Portal on Climate Change Adaptation, Tilskud til klimatilpasning URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/teknologi/tilskud-til-klimatilpasning.aspx Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
442 Ministry of Finance, Aftale om finansloven for 2018, URL: https://www.regeringen.dk/media/4500/aftale-
om-finansloven-for-2018.pdf 
443 Local Government Denmark, 1 June 2017, Aftale om kommunernes økonomi for 2018, URL: 
https://www.kl.dk/ImageVaultFiles/id_85280/cf_202/-konomiaftale_2018.PDF 
444 Ministry of Environment & Food, Ministry of Industry, Business & Financial Affairs, Danish Ministry of 
Energy, Utilities, and Climate, Faktaark – Oversigt over initiativer vedr. kystbeskyttelse og klimatilpasning, 
URL: http://efkm.dk/media/11405/faktaark-initiativer-vedr-kystbeskyttelse-og-klimatilpasning.pdf 

167 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Danish  Ministry  for  Environment  and  Food  granted  DKK  34.4  million  in  2016  to  15 
blue-green projects in which municipalities will take care of climate proofing, establish new 
recreational  facilities  and  ensure  better  environmental  conditions  and  less  nitrogen  in  the 
aquatic environment.445 

Local  adaptation  projects  dealing  with  watercourses  in  cities  and  by  roads  are  most  often 
financed  directly  by  the  water  utilities  and  municipalities.  Until  March  2016,  water  utilities 
could  cover 100% of the cost  of jointly managed projects, but  new rules set  a maximum of 
75%  financing  by  the  utility.  A  governmental  assessment  shows  that  this  has  somewhat 
slowed  investment  in  these  projects446.The  Danish  Coastal  Authority  participates  in  the  EU 
Interreg  co-financed  project  on  adaptation  in  the  North  Sea,  ‘Building  with  Nature’447  with 
funds from the ERDF. Furthermore, a number of Danish municipalities and stakeholders are 
participating  Interreg  adaptation  projects,448  including  in  (FRAMES)449  dealing  with  flood 
resilience, and TOPSOIL450 dealing with soil and water resilience. 

Finally, several recent LIFE projects in Denmark have adaptation dimensions451, particularly 
the Inter-municipal cooperation on ‘Water Management and Climate Change Adaptation for 
The  Stream  of  Usserød’452  and  the  Central  Denmark  Region  leads  the  EU-funded  project 
‘Coast  to  Coast  Climate  Challenge’,  which  has  a  goal  of  formulating  and  implementing  a 
coordinated adaptation strategy for the region between 2017 and 2022453.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Recent transposition of the revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (Law 
number  448/2017)  includes  a  provision  that  EIA  should  assess  whether  projects  impact 

445 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, 21 December 2016, New Nature Solutions Prevent Cities from 
Flooding, State of Green, URL: https://stateofgreen.com/en/profiles/mim/news/newnature-solutions-prevent-
cities-from-flooding 
446 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, 2017, Evaluering af kommunal klimatilpasning. URL : 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/1174683/evalueringsrapport.pdf 
447 Building with Nature, URL: http://www.northsearegion.eu/building-with-nature Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
448 Cooperating on climate adaptation in the North Sea region, URL: 
http://www.northsearegion.eu/fair/news/cooperating-on-climate-adaptation-in-the-north-sea-region/ Date 
accessed: 10/05/2018 
449 FRAMES project, URL: http://www.northsearegion.eu/frames/ Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
450 TOPSOIL project, URL: http://www.northsearegion.eu/topsoil/ Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
451 LIFE Programme, Denmark Overivew, 2016, URL: 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/countries/documents/denmark_en_nov16.pdf Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
452 Usserød Å, URL: http://www.usseroed-aa.dk/ Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
453 Coast to Coast Challenge, URL: http://www.c2ccc.eu/om-c2c-cc/. Date accessed: 8 May 2018. 

168 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
significantly on climate, and consider climate adaptation.  It is unclear what consideration of 
adaptation  is  taken  in  Strategic  Environmental  Assessment  (SEA). The  Ministry  of 
Environment and Food is currently developing a guidance document.454  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

According  to  Section  24  of  the  Danish  Emergency  Management  Act,  ministries  and 
underlying  authorities  are  to  plan  the  retention  and  continuation  of  vital  societal  functions 
within their sector in the event of accidents and disasters. This obligation includes the timely 
development  of  preparedness  plans455.  The  plans  have  to  be  revised  to  the  extent  made 
necessary  by  development,  and  at  least  once  every  four  years.  The  municipal  and  regional 
councils adhere to the same planning obligation in accordance with Section 25 of the Danish 
Emergency Management Act.  

The  Danish  Emergency  Management  Agency  (DEMA)  coordinates  the  overall  national 
disaster  risk  management  planning  and  is  responsible  for  the  inspection  and  counselling  of 
state authorities, municipalities, and regions regarding their general disaster risk management 
planning and preparedness plans. Plans have to be inspected by the DEMA at least once every 
four years or once during each municipal and regional parliamentary term.  

The  DEMA’s  counselling  is  based,  among  other  things,  on  the  ‘National  Risk  Profile’456, 
which  identifies  hurricanes,  strong  storms,  coastal  flooding,  and  extreme  rainfall  as  the 
climate-related risks that pose the greatest threat to Danish society and that need to be paid the 
closest attention by all authorities with disaster risk management responsibilities. 

In  addition  to  the  ‘National  Risk  Profile’,  the  DEMA  has  produced  other  key  guidance 
documents  to  support  the  agency’s  advisory  and  regulatory  functions.  In  the  guide 
'Comprehensive  Preparedness  Planning'457, 
that  authorities  and 
organisations include all of their critical functions in their disaster risk management planning, 
and build general capabilities to protect their critical functions and values in the event of any 
type of accident or disaster, including those that are climate-related. 

is  recommended 

it 

The  guidance  also  recommends  that  authorities  and  organisations  keep  up-to-date  with  the 
current  threats  to  Danish  society,  as  described  in  the  ‘National  Risk  Profile’.  In  addition, 
critical functions should be mapped, continual identification and monitoring of threats should 
be established, and risk and vulnerability analyses should be conducted regularly to create an 

454 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, Miljøvurdering af planer og programmer, URL: 
http://mst.dk/natur-vand/planlaegning/miljoevurdering-og-vvm/miljoevurdering-af-planer-og-programmer/ Date 
accessed: 10/05/2018 
455 URL: http://brs.dk/eng/legislation/act/Pages/the_emergency_management_act.aspx  
456 URL: https://brs.dk/viden/publikationer/Documents/National%20Risk%20Profile%20for%20Denmark.pdf  
457 URL: http://brs.dk/eng/Documents/Comprehensive_Preparedness_Planning.pdf  

169 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
overview  of  the  threats  that  constitute  the  biggest  risks  to  the  organisation,  as  well  as  the 
vulnerabilities  that  the  organisation  experiences  in  relation  to  these  threats.  Risk  and 
vulnerability analyses  can hereby form the basis for implementing counter measures against 
the identified threats.  

The ‘National Accident and Disaster Prevention Strategy’458 emphasises the growing risk of 
extreme  weather  phenomena  and  the  ever  more  complex  climate-related  challenges  facing 
Danish  society.  The  Strategy  also  underlines  the  need  to  initiate  preventive  measures  and 
develop resilience amongst the general population, as well as among authorities with disaster 
risk management responsibilities. The Strategy contains a number of examples of prevention 
projects, for instance, concerning municipal climate plans.   

In  Denmark,  the  primary  focus  is  on  building  general  disaster  risk  management  capabilities 
and preparedness plans that can be used in connection with a wide range of incidents; this is 
reflected  in  the  National  Preparedness  Plan.  The  DEMA  has  noted  that  several  government 
authorities,  municipalities  and  regions  are  inspired  by  the  ‘National  Risk  Profile’  in  their 
disaster  risk  management  planning  and  have  developed  preparedness  plans  that  specifically 
focus on climate-related accidents and disasters. 

The  DEMA  is  currently  working  on  operationalizing  the  climate-related  challenges  in  the 
‘National Risk Profile’ through the development of climate-related scenarios that are meant to 
form  a  basis  for  climate-related  disaster  risk  management  planning  and  exercises.  Another 
purpose  of  the  climate-related  scenarios  is  facilitating  the  DEMA’s  supervision  and 
counselling activities in relation to the size, scope and development of the municipal fire and 
rescue services. The overall purpose of the project and the operationalisation of the ‘National 
Risk  Profile’  is  to  increase  the  resilience  of  the  municipal  fire  and  rescue  services  by 
strengthening  cohesion  and  the  utilisation  of  capabilities  more  optimally  in  dealing  with 
complex  climate-related  accidents  and  disasters.  This  requires  cooperation  between  the 
national and the municipal fire and rescue services. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

The Planning Act and associated guidance was amended in June 2012, so that municipalities 
could address climate adaptation directly in local development/land-use plans. The ability of 
wastewater companies to invest in climate adaptation was clarified by an amendment to the 
Water Sector Act in Spring 2012. This is important because water management companies are 
separate  entities  from  the  municipalities.  Since  most  adaptation  policies  in  Denmark  are 
institutional 
it  was 
associated  with  water  management, 

to  clarify 

important 

the 

458 URL: http://brs.dk/viden/publikationer/Documents/National-forebyggelsesstrategi-2017.pdf  

170 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
responsibilities,  capabilities  and  funding  options  of  the  water  utilities  and  the  municipal 
administrations with regard to adaptation459. 

In  response  to  the  EU  Floods  Directive,  Denmark  implemented  a  flooding  risk  assessment. 
The  22  municipalities  identified  as  being  in  the  10  areas  at  high  risk  of  flooding  were 
subsequently required to develop flood risk management plans to establish areas where new 
building  should  be  avoided  and  plans  for  flood  protection  measures460.  These  flood  risk 
management plans should be revised every six years.  

Changes  to  the  Planning  Act  were  adopted  in  April  2018.      With  the  changes  in  place, 
municipalities  have  to  revise  or  develop  local  flood  and  erosion  risk  maps  and  adopt 
guidelines for flood response measures461.  The Coastal Authority will provide a national map 
of these risks in coastal areas to help in the planning process462 and the DMI has provided a 
Climate Atlas and future climate scenarios based on IPCCs 5th Assessment Report.  

Copenhagen, among other cities, has a detailed plan for the city’s future urban planning with 
adaptation  at  its  core463.  Approximately  300  specific  projects  addressing  adaptation  are 
proposed,  and  a  ‘climate-resilient  neighbourhood’  is  being  developed  as  a  demonstration 
project with adaptation built into every aspect of its design464. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  primary  implementation  instruments  have  focused  on  coastal  and  flood  protection  at 
municipal  level  as  outlined  in  relation  to  Indicator  8c.  The  sectoral  organisation  for 
municipalities  negotiates  a  financial  agreement  with  the  Government  every  year.  This 
agreement often outlines the specific details and requirements of climate adaptation policy for 
a  given  year.  The  most  significant  steps,  such  as  the  municipal  plans,  and  changes  to  the 
planning laws were made in response to the NAP. 

459 Krausing, Jarl., Madsen, Simone., Jørgensen, Sune., 2017, Robusthed i kommunale klimatilpasningsplaner, 
Concito. URL: https://concito.dk/udgivelser/robusthed-kommunale-klimatilpasningsplaner 
460 Danish Coastal Protection Authority, Oversvømmelsesdirektivet, URL: 
http://kysterne.kyst.dk/oversvoemmelsesdirektivet.html Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
461 Personal communication with MS contact. 
462 Regeringen vil styrke kyst- og klimasikring af Danmark, 17/08/2017, Press Release: Ministry of Industry, 
Business & Financial Affairs, URL: https://em.dk/nyheder/2017/08-17-kystbeskyttelse Date accessed: 
10/05/2018 
463 City of Copenhagen, 2015, Climate Change Adaptation and Investment Statement. URL: 
http://kk.sites.itera.dk/apps/kk_pub2/pdf/1499_bUxCjgovgE.pdf 
464 The Climate Resilient Neighbourhood Østerbro, URL: http://klimakvarter.dk/en/om/ Date accessed: 
30/05/2018 

171 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
A wide number of laws now include consideration of adaptation, particularly:465 

  Water Sector Law 
  Act on Watercourses 
  Flood Protection Act 
  Coastal Protection Act 
  Nature Protection Act 
  Environmental Goals Act 
  Act on payment rules for wastewater supply companies 
  Roads Act 
  Emergency Management Act 
  Planning Act 

The Ministry of Transport is working with the municipalities, in line with their climate action 
plans, to improve the design of roads where necessary.466 The Ministry undertakes regular risk 
analysis and includes adaptation in EIAs for all major infrastructure projects.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

There  is  clear  awareness  of  the  role  to  be  played  by  insurance,  which  is  mentioned  in  the 
NAS, and is well covered by the Danish adaptation portal.467 

Many  insurance  companies  offer  a  discount  if  policyholders  make  investments  in  risk 
prevention. If the damage occurs, policyholders can apply for compensation from the Danish 
Storm Council468. The Danish Storm Council handles cases concerning three types of natural 
catastrophes: storm surge, flooding from waterways and lakes and windfall.  

The trade organisation for insurance has collected a variety of data and information on climate 
damage, which is presented on their homepage on climate adaptation.  

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

465 Krausing, Jarl., Madsen, Simone., Jørgensen, Sune., 2017, Robusthed i kommunale klimatilpasningsplaner, 
Concito. URL: https://concito.dk/udgivelser/robusthed-kommunale-klimatilpasningsplaner 
466 Danish Government Adaptation Portal, Veje, http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/sektorer/transport/veje.aspx Date 
accessed: 10/05/2018 
467 Danish Government Adaptation Portal, Insurance, URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/sektorer/forsikring.aspx  
468 The Danish Storm Council, URL: https://www.danishstormcouncil.dk/artikler/danishstormcouncil/about-the-
danish-storm-council/what-is-the-danish-storm-council/ Date accessed: 10/05/2018 

172 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAP  presented  64  initiatives:  62  are  either  planned  or  implemented;  two  have  been 
cancelled. An overview of implementation has not been published.  

All 98 municipalities have adopted adaptation plans as required. Practical implementation has 
begun but it is uneven. For example, at the time of evaluation in 2016, many municipalities 
did not have a detailed implementation plans or financial analysis of planned measures. Some 
have  not  addressed  guidelines  for  new  buildings  in  at  risk  areas.  Practical  cross-boundary 
cooperation  is  still  not  in  place  in  many  municipalities  and  coordination  is  often  lacking.469 
Lack  of  financing  and  complex  rules  may  hold  back  investments  in  some  areas,  as  most 
investment  in  adaptation  measures  is  still  decided  locally.470  Implementation  of  adaptation 
measures  is also  still hindered by  a lack of  coordination  and certainty at  municipal level,471 
and varying levels of political engagement with the issue.472 Nonetheless, a large number of 
projects  have  been  implemented  across  the  country,  and  the  situation  has  improved 
significantly since the introduction of the NAP. 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Central to climate adaptation efforts is a strong interaction between state and municipalities. 
A new national  Mobile Team  with  a focus on flooding and erosion has  been established by 
the  MEF  to  help  share  knowledge,  best  practices  and  enhance  cooperation,  primarily  with 
municipalities.473  

A formal municipal climate adaptation network exists to help share knowledge and solutions 
between municipalities.474 

‘Water  in  Urban  Areas’  is  an  “innovation  network”  of  knowledge  institutions,  government 
agencies, utilities and private companies. Its aim is to develop, document and present climate 
adaptation  technologies  and  associated  planning  tools  for  transformation  of  existing  urban 

469 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, 2017, Evaluering af kommunal klimatilpasning. URL : 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/1174683/evalueringsrapport.pdf 
470 Krausing, Jarl., Madsen, Simone., Jørgensen, Sune., 2017, Robusthed i kommunale klimatilpasningsplaner, 
Concito, URL: https://concito.dk/udgivelser/robusthed-kommunale-klimatilpasningsplaner 
471 Krawack, Susanne, 2014,, Evaluering af regelsættet for klimatilpasning, Concito, URL: 
https://concito.dk/files/dokumenter/artikler/klimatilpasning_lovgivning_-_m_rettelser_28.08.14.pdf 
472 Jensen, A., Nielsen, H.Ø. & Nielsen, M.L, 2016, Climate adaption in local governance: Institutional barriers 
in Danish municipalities, Aarhus University, DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, 102 pp. 
Scientific Report from DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy No. 104 URL: 
http://dce2.au.dk/pub/SR104.pdf 
473 Danish Government Adaptation Portal, Rejseholdet, URL: http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/rejseholdet.aspx 
Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
474 Kommunernes Klimatilpasningsnetværk. URL: http://www.kl.dk/Kommunale-opgaver/Teknik-og-
miljo/Vand/Kommunernes-Klimatilpasningsnetvaerk/ Accessed 08/05/2018 

173 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
areas in Denmark.475 At the same time, Water in Urban Areas supports network members in 
developing their export potential to climate adaptation for the rest of Europe and the world. 
The network is funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

See Section A2 and B2, for details of regional cooperation. Nonetheless, several studies (see 
Indicator 9a) have pointed to the need for enhanced cooperation at local and regional level, as 
practical cooperation between municipalities is still not as widespread as it should be, given 
the stated aims of the NAP. One study for example found that 42% of municipalities were still 
not  cooperating,  or  considering  cooperation  with  other  municipalities  regarding  their 
adaptation plans and challenges.476 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Procedures and guidelines to assess the potential impact of climate change on major projects 
or programmes are mentioned in  the NAS. Guidelines are continuously  being developed by 
the Mobile Team to help municipalities to start the implementation of initiatives identified in 
the climate adaptation plans. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

A  number  of  networks  exist  to  involve  stakeholders  (municipalities,  regions,  universities, 
companies,  NGOs  &  other  civil  society  organisations)  in  the  implementation  of  adaptation 
policies and measures. These include: Water in Urban Areas (see Indicator 9b); the regional 
cooperation  projects  (see  Sections  A2  and  B2);  CLEAN,  a  cluster  for  green  technology 
enterprises  to  share  knowledge,  work  together  and  find  “green”  solutions  including  to 
adaptation  challenges477;  the  Danish  Water  Forum478;  Danish  Industry’s  Adaptation 

475 Water in Urban Areas: Innovation network for Climate Adaptation, URL: http://vandibyer.dk/english/ Date 
accessed: 10/05/2018 
476 Krausing, Jarl., Madsen, Simone., Jørgensen, Sune., 2017, Robusthed i kommunale klimatilpasningsplaner, 
Concito, URL: https://concito.dk/udgivelser/robusthed-kommunale-klimatilpasningsplaner 
477 CLEAN, URL: https://www.cleancluster.dk/hvem-er-clean/ Date accessed; 10/05/2018 
478 Danish Water Forum, http://www.danishwaterforum.dk/ Date accessed; 10/05/2018 

174 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Network479; Innovation Network for Environmental Technologies (Inno-MT)480; and the now 
concluded partnership, ‘Water from the Country’481. 

One  clear  example  of  stakeholder  engagement  in  the  implementation  of  adaptation-related 
policy is in the creation of river basin management plans (RBMP). In 2014, the Government 
created  23  water  councils,  involving  a  number  of  stakeholders  (agricultural,  industrial 
organisations,  NGOs,  water  companies,  hunters  and  anglers’  associations)  to  advise  local 
authorities on these plans.482 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

No monitoring is ongoing with regard to the 62 of the 64 initiatives in the NAP that have been 
implemented (two were cancelled). The results of initial monitoring were disseminated to the 
participating ministries. Nevertheless, no overview of implementation has been published.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

No systematic monitoring of results of sectoral policies is conducted or disseminated.  

10c. Regional-, subnational or local action is monitored and the results of the monitoring 
are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Subnational  adaptation  actions  are  monitored  centrally  rather  than  by  the  subnational 
administrations themselves.  

In  the  period  February  to  August  2016,  a  cross-ministerial  working  group  carried  out  an 
evaluation of the municipal climate adaptation efforts. The evaluation (which was published 

479 DI’s Netværk om klimatilpasning, URL: 
http://di.dk/Shop/Netvaerk/Produktside/Pages/Produktside.aspx?productId=9319 Date accessed; 10/05/2018 
480 Innovation Network for Environmental Technologies (Inno-MT), https://inno-mt.dk/english/ 
 Date accessed; 10/05/2018 
481 Vandet fra Landet, URL : http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/vandet-fra-landet.aspx Date accessed; 10/05/2018 
482 Graversgaard, M., Jacobsen, B., Kjelsen, C., Dalgaard, T., 2017, Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge 
Co-Creation in Water Planning: Can Public Participation Increase Cost-Effectiveness?, Water 9(3):191, URL: 
http://static-curis.ku.dk/portal/files/192036307/water_09_00191.pdf 

175 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
in  2017)483  of  all  98  municipalities'  climate  adaptation  plans  showed  that  all  municipalities 
had adopted adaptation plans but that the level of detail and themes covered were uneven.  

The Danish adaptation web portal compiles a wide range of adaptation information at central 
and municipal levels484. Many municipal websites contain information about the local climate 
adaptation measures.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

Currently  there  is  no  systematic  evaluation  and  review  framework  in  place  but  there  are  ad 
hoc  reviews  based  on  findings  of  evaluations.  The  Government  is  expected  to  continuously 
take stock of the progress of the initiatives in the action plan and is expected to assess whether 
or not a review is needed.  

A review of the NAP took place in 2013 and 2015 in an inter-ministerial process.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

There is no systematic involvement of stakeholders in the monitoring, evaluation and review 
of NAP actions. 

483 Danish Ministry of Environment and Food, 2017, Evaluering af kommunal klimatilpasning, URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/media/1174683/evalueringsrapport.pdf  
484 Danish Government Adaptation Portal, Kommunekort, URL: 
http://www.klimatilpasning.dk/kort/kommunekort.aspx Date accessed: 10/05/2018 

176 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in  charge  of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist 
within 
the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities 

Yes 
progress / No 

/ 

In 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes 
progress / No 

/ 

In 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

is  planned 
Transboundary  cooperation 
common challenges with relevant countries 

to  address 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor  climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes 
progress / No 

/ 

In 

Scenarios  and  projections  are  used 
the 
economic,  social  and  environmental  impacts  of  climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best  available  science  (e.g.  in  response  to  revised  IPCC 
assessments) 

to  assess 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable  sectors  are  undertaken  to  support  adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes 
progress / No 

/ 

In 

Climate 
assessments 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

risks/vulnerability 

take 

Yes 
progress / No 

/ 

In 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

177 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is  available  to 
all  stakeholders,  including  policy  makers  (e.g.  through  a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity  building  activities  take  place;  education  and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c,  the  geographical  specificities  identified  in  3b  and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

Yes / No 

The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation,  etc.)  and  consistent  with  existing  decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  disaster  risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes 
progress /No 

/ 

In 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been 
included  in  the  national  frameworks  for  environmental 
impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Prevention/preparedness 
in  place  under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 

strategies 

Yes / No 

178 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

climate change impacts and projections  

Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and 
maritime  spatial  planning  policies  take  into  account  the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

National  policy 
instruments  promote  adaptation  at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes 
progress / No 

/ 

In 

Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  implemented,  e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes 
progress / No 

/ 

In 

Cooperation  mechanisms  in  place  to  foster  and  support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the 
potential  impact  of  climate  change  on  major  projects  or 
programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  integration  of  climate  change  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Regional-,  subnational  or  local  action  is  monitored  and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

179 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

11 

Evaluation 

Met? 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

180 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Estonia 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 182 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 183 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 183 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 183 

B. Adaptation action plans ................................................................................................. 184 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 184 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at subnational level ........................................................ 184 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 185 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 185 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 186 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 186 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 187 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 188 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 188 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 192 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 193 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 194 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 194 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 196 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 197 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 197 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 200 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 201 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 201 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 202 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 204 

181 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

AECM 

Association of Estonian Cities and Rural Municipalities 

CoM 

EEA 

EIA 

Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy 

European Economic Area 

Environmental Impact Assessment  

EUAS 

EU Adaptation Strategy 

IPCC 

Intergovernmental Climate Change Panel 

NAS 

NAP 

National adaptation strategy 

National adaptation plan  

NUTS 

Nomenclature of Territorial Units 

MoE 

MS 

SEA 

The Estonian Ministry of Environment 

Member State 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

UNFCCC  United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 

182 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The national adaptation strategy (NAS) – “Development Plan for Climate Change Adaptation 
until 2030”485 486 – was adopted by the Government on 2nd March 2017.  

The  NAS  was  developed  under  a  project  "Elaboration  of  Estonia's  Draft  National  Climate 
Change Adaptation  Strategy  and Action Plan"  agreed between the Ministry  of Environment 
and the Estonian Environmental Research Centre, with support from the European Economic 
Area  (EEA)  Financial  Mechanism.  Contributions  were  received  from  the  representatives  of 
relevant  ministries, 
local  government,  non-governmental  organisations  and  research 
institutions.  

The  NAS  presents  a  framework  for  action,  which  serves  as  a  basis  for  reducing  the 
vulnerability of Estonia to climate change487. The goal of the NAS is to increase readiness and 
the ability to adapt to climate impacts at national, regional and local levels. The overall target 
is  that by  2030 at  least  35% of people should acknowledge the risks of  climate change and 
take appropriate measures. The NAS calls for eight sub-goals for the following priority areas, 
which align with the country’s economic and administrative structure: 

1.  Human health and rescue preparedness 
2.  Land use and spatial planning, including coastal areas, other flood-risk areas, landslide 

risk areas, land reclamation, and planning of cities 

3.  Natural  environment, 

terrestrial  ecosystems,  freshwater 
ecosystems  and  environment,  marine  ecosystems  and  environment,  and  ecosystem 
services 

including  biodiversity, 

4.  Bio-economy,  including  agriculture,  forestry,  fishing,  hunting,  tourism,  and  peat 

production 

5.  The economy, including insurance, banking, employment, businesses and industry 
6.  Societal awareness and cooperation, including education and science, and international 

relations and cooperation 

7.  Infrastructure and buildings, including transport and transport infrastructure, technical 

support systems, and buildings 

8.  Energy  and  energy  supply  systems,  including  energy  independence,  energy  security, 

energy resources, energy efficiency, heat production and electricity generation.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

485 Climate Change Adaptation, URL: http://www.envir.ee/en/news-goals-activities/climate/climate-change-
adaptation, Date accessed: 04/05/2018  
486 Kliimamuutustega kohanemise arengukava, URL: http://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-
tegevused/kliima/kliimamuutustega-kohanemise-arengukava, Date accessed: 04/05/2018 
487 Summary of Climate Change Adaptation Development Plan, URL: 
http://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/climate_change_adaptation_development_plan_until_2030_summary_0.p
df Date accessed: 04/05/2018 

183 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
There  is  no  information  or  evidence  about  adaptation  strategies  existing  at  relevant 
subnational  levels.  Climate  adaptation  is,  however,  considered  in  the  county  and  local 
municipal  level  risk  assessments  and  crisis  management  plans.  In  addition,  the  capital  city, 
Tallinn, and the municipalities of the cities of Rakvere, Jõgeva, Tartu, Viimsi and Rõuge have 
established  processes  for  developing  strategies  and  action  plans  for  climate  adaptation,  and 
are signatories to the Covenant of Mayors (CoM). Action plan development has only started 
in Tallinn (approximately 34% of the population) and the plan is expected to be adopted by 
the  end  of  2018,  with  implementation  not  expected  to  be  completed  before  2019.  In  other 
cities, the development of adaptation plans has not yet been actively started.488 

So  far,  the  majority  of  climate  adaptation  activities  at  the  subnational  level  have  occurred 
through  EU  funded  projects,  such  as  ASTRA489,  BaltCICA490,  BalticClimate491  and 
BaltAdapt492  (see  Indicator  9a  below).  Implementation  is  carried  out  through  devolved 
government  offices  in  the  15  counties,  which  are  a  subdivision  of  the  Nomenclature  of 
Territorial Units (NUTS) level III, and at the municipal level. 

Traditionally, the regional level has not been very relevant in Estonia. Regions currently have 
no  defined  role  in  climate  adaptation  but  local  authorities  (municipalities)  may  play  an 
important role, particularly in implementation.  

B. Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The detailed national adaptation plan (NAP) to implement the NAS was developed in parallel 
by  the  EEA  project  mentioned  above.  The  NAP  was  adopted  by  the  Government  in  March 
2017493.  The  NAP  includes  specific  costed  activities  and  measures  in  the  eight  sectors 
identified  in  the  NAS.  Costs  are  identified  for  four  years,  distributed  by  year  and  by 
responsible authority. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at subnational level 

Some  activities  related  to  climate  adaptation  have  taken  place  at  the  local  level  in  several 
municipalities,  but  not  as  part  of  a  systematic  process.  The  capital  city,  Tallinn,  and  the 
municipalities  of  the  cities  of  Rakvere,  Jõgeva,  Tartu,  Viimsi  and  Rõuge  have  started  the 
process  of  elaborating  adaptation  strategies  and  action  plans.  Some  cities,  such  as  Pärnu, 

488 Information provided by Member State representatives 
489 ASTRA: aims of the project, URL: http://www.astra-project.org/01_aims_astra.html, Accessed 04/05/2018  
490 BaltCICA: Estonia, URL: http://www.baltcica.org/casestudies/estonia.html, Accessed 04/05/2018  
491 BaticClimate: Estonia, URL: http://www.balticclimate.org/en/project/target-ares/estonia, Accessed 
04/05/2018  
492 BaltAdapt, URL: http://www.baltadapt.eu/, Accessed 04/05/2018 
493 Kliimamuutustega kohanemise arengukava rakendusplaan 2017-2020, URL: 
http://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/kliimamuutustega_kohanemise_arengukava_aastani_2030_rakendusplaan
_aastateks_2017-2020.xlsx, Access date: 14/05/2018 

184 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Tartu,  Tallinn  that  have  been  influenced  by  extreme  weather  conditions  (e.g.  a  particularly 
strong  storm  in  2005),  have  been  implementing  adaptation  measures.  These  include 
establishment of a flood warning system494 for Pärnu City within the ASTRA project, which 
sought  to  develop  a  Baltic  Adaptation  Strategy.  The  aim  of  the  flood  warning  system  is  to 
notify citizens about potential hazards and what actions to take in case of significant sea-level 
rise.  Since  2008,  a  24-hour  weather  monitoring  system  has  been  used  in  Tallinn  to  inform 
citizens of extreme weather conditions, especially those that could cause floods. 

At the moment no subnational or regional adaptation strategy has been adopted, but Tallinn 
has  started  the  process  of  elaborating  an  adaptation  strategy  and  action  plan.  In  county-
regions,  risk  assessments  and  crisis  management  plans  have  to  be  in  place  and  be  up-dated 
regularly.  Cities  also  participate  in  regional  crisis  committees.  They  have  performed  risk 
analyses, which include extreme weather events, such as storms, floods and heavy rain. Local 
action plans have been developed to minimise the risks (flood boundaries, flood construction 
level, etc.). 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

Some adaptation measures have been included in sectoral development plans, action plans and 
laws (e.g. “The Estonian Forestry Development Plan until 2020”, “The Nature Conservation 
Development  Plan  until  2020”,  the  Water  Act,  the  Emergency  Act  and  risk  analyses  for 
emergencies,  “The  Action  Plan  for  Mitigation  and  Adaptation  to  the  Impact  of  Climate 
Changes in the Agricultural Sector”, “The Public Health Development Plan for 2009–2020”, 
“The Estonian Rural Development Plan for 2014–2020”, “The National Security Concept of 
Estonia until 2020”). 

The  Estonian  low-carbon  strategy  named  ”General  principles  of  Climate  Policy  until 
2050“495, which was approved by the Parliament on 5th April 2017, set sectoral guidelines for 
adapting to  the effects  of climate change. The strategy  considers:  energy, infrastructure and 
buildings,  health,  economy,  bio-economy,  society,  awareness  and  cooperation,  land  use  and 
planning, and natural environment sectors 

The entry into force of the NAS was originally planned to take place at the end of 2016, with 
implementation  of  the  adaptation  measures  listed  in  the  NAP  beginning  in  2017.  However, 
due  to  a  slight  delay  in  adoption  of  the  NAS,  implementation  is  expected  to  begin  in  2018 
instead.496  

SCOREBOARD 

494 Electronic landscape maps of the flood exposure areas in Tallinn, Kuressaare, Haapsalu, Pärnu and Tartu are 
available on the website of the Land Board at http://geoportaal.maaamet.ee, Accessed 04/05/2018 
495 Kliimapoliitika põhialused aastani 2050, URL: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/307042017001, Date accessed: 
04/05/2018  
496 Personal communication with MS representative  

185 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The  Estonian  Ministry  of  Environment  (MoE)  is  the  institution  responsible  for  all  climate 
mitigation and adaptation-related activities in Estonia, including developing national policies, 
implementing measures, transposing EU legislation and integrating climate policy objectives 
and concerns into sectors that are not the MoE’s responsibility. 

Within  the  MoE,  the  Climate  and  Radiation  Department  is  responsible  for  coordinating 
reporting  activities  under  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on  Climate  Change 
(UNFCCC),  its  Kyoto  Protocol  and  EU  legislation,  as  well  as  for  the  development  and 
implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation policies. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  Steering  Committee  was  formed  for  the  development  and  general  management  of  the 
NAS497.  The  Steering  Committee  was  led  by  the  Estonian  Environmental  Research  Centre, 
and 
included  representatives  of  concerned  government  authorities,  associations  and 
organizations,  including:  Ministry  of  Environment,  Ministry  of  Rural  Affairs,  Ministry  of 
Social  Affairs,  Ministry  of  Finance,  Ministry  of  the  Interior,  Ministry  of  Economic  Affairs 
and  Communications,  Ministry  of  Education  and  Science,  Government  Office,  Rescue 
Authority,  Estonian  Association  of  Municipalities,  Association  of  Estonian  Cities,  Estonian 
Science Agency, Estonian Academy of Sciences, and Estonian Fund for Nature.  

All ministries are responsible for coordinating the implementation of activities that fall under 
their  responsibility  in  the  NAP.  The  MoE  is  responsible  for  annual  reporting  to  the 
Government on the implementation of the NAP and for the coordination of adaptation-related 
ministerial communication.                

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

497 Climate change adaptation: Draft process, URL: http://www.klab.ee/kohanemine/en/strategy/draft-process/, 
Date accessed: 04/05/2018 

186 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The Estonian Association of Municipalities and the Association of Estonian Cities were part 
of  the  Steering  Committee  that  led  development  of  the  NAS.  Local  governments  have  co-
responsibility for implementation of relevant actions in the NAP, coordinated by the relevant 
ministries responsible. 

The Association of Estonian Cities and Rural Municipalities (AECM) is the voluntary union 
established  for  representing  the  common  interests  and  arranging  co-operation  of  cities  and 
rural  municipalities.  This  association  disseminates  information  about  the  CoM  to  the  local 
municipalities. 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

In  the  process  of  developing  the  adaptation  policy  in  Estonia,  stakeholders  from  national 
governmental  bodies  as  well  as  the  scientific  research  communities  were  consulted.  Some 
information was collected from regional-level governmental stakeholders.  

The development of the NAS was promoted and followed up by a Steering Committee (see 
Indicator  1b).  Several  science  and  research  institutions  were  included  in  the  Steering 
Committee, including the Estonian Science Agency and the Estonian Academy of Sciences.  

There  was  a  3-week  period  for  public  review  of  the  NAS  draft  (in  parallel  with  the  public 
review  of  the  strategic  environmental  assessment,  SEA,  report)  with  a  public  hearing  at  the 
end  of  the  period.  The  draft  NAS  was  published  for  public  consultation  through  an  online 
portal, and several public information seminars were held. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The need for transboundary cooperation is acknowledged in the NAS, especially regarding the 
fishing  sector  in  the  Baltic  Sea  and  Lake  Peipus  context498.  However,  no  specific  measures 
have  been  implemented  yet.  Nevertheless,  Estonia  participates  in  various  transboundary 
initiatives and programmes. 

Under the EEA Financial Mechanism project "Elaboration of Estonia's Draft National Climate 
Change  Adaptation  Strategy  and  Action  Plan",  bilateral  cooperation  contracts  were  signed 

498 Republic of Estonia, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change Adaptation Development Plan until 2030, 
URL: http://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/national_adaptation_strategy.pdf,  

187 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
between  the  Estonian  Environmental  Research  Centre  and  the  Norwegian  Directorate  for 
Civil  Protection and Emergency Planning  (donor country). The aim of the bilateral  contract 
was  to  transfer  Norwegian  know-how  on  climate  adaptation  to  Estonia  and  to  provide 
consultation. The aforementioned research groups that developed adaptation research studies 
also had partners from EEA Financial Mechanism donor countries: Agricultural University of 
Iceland,  Norwegian  Fridtjof  Nansen  Institute,  Norwegian  Institute  for  Urban  and  Regional 
Research, NIBR. 

The Ministry of Environment participates in the Baltic Sea Region working group on climate 
adaptation499. Furthermore, Estonia takes active part in the implementation of the EU Strategy 
for  the  Baltic  Sea  Region  (EUSBSR,  2009)500  and  is  a  member  of  the  Baltic  Sea  Region 
Climate Dialogue Platform501. 

Several  projects  on  climate  adaptation  in  the  Baltic  Sea  region  have  been  implemented. 
Estonia  has  taken  part  in  several  transboundary  projects,  including  Astra502,  Baltadapt503, 
BaltCICA504, BalticClimate505, Baltclim506, RADOST507, iWater508.  

Under  the  Joint  Operational  Programme  of  Estonia-Russia  Cross-Border  Cooperation  2014-
2020509, a provision on transboundary cooperation concerning climate adaptation in the Baltic 
Sea and Lake Peipus is contained. The aims of the provision include preserving biodiversity 
on joint natural assets and fostering shared actions in risk management and a readiness to cope 
with environmental disasters. 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

499 Baltic Sea Commission: members, URL: http://cpmr-baltic.org/who-we-are/member-directory-map/, Access 
date 15/05/2018 
500 EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, URL: http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/, Access date 
15/05/2018  
501 EUSBSR Horizontal Action Climate, URL: http://www.cbss.org/strategies/horizontal-action-climate, Access 
date 15/05/2018  
502 ASTRA project case studies: Cities of Tallinn and Pärnu, URL: http://www.astra-
project.org/02_estonia_tallin_paernu.html, Access date 15/05/2018  
503 Baltadapt, URL: http://www.baltadapt.eu/, Access date 15/05/2018  
504 BaltCICA, URL: http://www.baltcica.org/, Access date 15/05/2018  
505 BalticClimate, URL: http://www.balticclimate.org/, Access date 15/05/2018  
506 URL: http://www.bef-de.org/index.php?id=52, Access date 15/05/2018  
507 RADOST, URL:http://www.klimzug-radost.de/en, Access date 15/05/2018  
508 iWater, URL: https://www.integratedstormwater.eu/content/integrated-storm-water-management, Access date 
15/05/2018  
509 Joint Operational Programme of Estonia-Russia Cross-Border Cooperation 2014-2020, URL: 
http://www.estoniarussia.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Estonia_Russia_CBC_JOP_FINAL_16012017.pdf, 
Access date 15/05/2018 

188 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate  observations  of  the  Estonian  Environment  Agency  weather  service  comprise 
systematic  meteorological,  atmospheric,  oceanographic  and  terrestrial  monitoring.  Ensuring 
operative  and  continuous  provision  of  meteorological  and  hydrological  forecasts,  warnings 
and  monitoring  of  data  for  the  public  and  for  authorities  is  the  strategic  objective  of  the 
Estonian Environment Agency weather service. 

Other institutions involved in climate observations include Tartu Observatory510, the Estonian 
Marine  Institute  of  the  University  of  Tartu511  and  the  Marine  Systems  Institute  of  Tallinn 
University of Technology512. 

The  Estonian  Environmental  Agency  Weather  Service  publishes  data  and  climatological 
information on weather observations and scenarios, weather events and climate science. The 
Estonian Weather Service publishes the climate averages, weather warnings, weather events, 
anomalies  and  weather  records  data513.  The  Weather  Service  also  alerts  the  public  to  the 
possible  occurrence  of  severe  weather,  such  as  heavy  rain  with  risk  of  flooding,  severe 
thunderstorms,  gale-force  winds,  heat  waves,  forest  fires,  fog,  snow  or  extreme  cold  with 
blizzards,  avalanches  or  severe  coastal  tides  (this  information  is  also  published  on  the 
European extreme weather alert portal514 and is based on country awareness reports). 

The  on-line  Sea  Level  Information  System  run  by  the  Marine  Systems  Institute  at  Tallinn 
University of Technology provides information about the sea level status, trends, projections 
and water temperatures in different coastal regions of Estonia. 

The Estonian  Rescue  Board  website515  publishes  practical  emergency  instructions,  also  for 
extreme  weather  conditions  (like  storms,  thunderstorms,  extremely  cold  weather  conditions, 
and floods). 

There is no evidence of monitoring of climate impacts on Estonian society. 

510 Tartu Observatory, URL: https://www.to.ee/, Access date 15/05/2018  
511 Estonian Marine Institute of the University of Tartu, URL: http://www.sea.ee/en, Access date 15/05/2018  
512 Marine Systems Institute of Tallinn University of Technology, URL: https://www.ttu.ee/en/?id=147569, 
Access date 15/05/2018  
513 Estonian Weather Service, URL: 
https://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/kliimanormid/ohutemperatuur/?lang=en, Access date 15/05/2018  
514 European extreme weather alert portal www.meteoalarm.eu, Access date 15/05/2018 
515 The Estonian Rescue Board, URL: https://www.rescue.ee/et/kodanikule/elanikkonnakaitse/, Access date 
15/05/2018  

189 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Alongside development of the NAS and NAP, the Estonian Environment Agency developed a 
report of short-term and long-term climate scenarios for Estonia and described past trends516. 
The  Estonian-specific  future  climate  scenarios  provide  an  overview  of  the  projections  and 
assessments up to 2100. They use calculations of 28 global climatic models according to the 
Intergovernmental  Climate  Change  Panel  (IPCC)  Fifth  Assessment  Report,  the  Second 
Assessment of Climate Change for the Baltic Sea Basin, results of the Baltadapt project, and 
IPCC special report SREX (Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance 
Climate Change Adaptation), which are downscaled to the Baltic region. This report presents 
an overview of observed climate changes during the 19th and 20th centuries in Estonia, as well 
as  assessments  and  projections  of  future  climate  until  the  year  2100.  The  report  gathers 
existing  scientific  knowledge  concerning  the  surface  and  atmospheric  climate  changes  in 
Estonia  and  the  Baltic  Sea  region.  The  report  focuses  on  two  greenhouse  gas  emission 
scenarios, which are recommended as a basis for development of the Estonian NAS and NAP: 

  RCP4.5 – recommended as a main scenario; moderate, significant mitigation measures 

are expected from the countries 

  RCP8.5  –  recommended  as  an  additional  scenario;  pessimistic,  weak  international 

cooperation and mainly carbon-based economy. 

The future climate scenarios are used as a basis for developing the NAS and NAP for Estonia.  

While  the  available  climate  projections  and  socio-economic  scenarios  were  used  in  the 
development of the NAS, it cannot be verified if they were consistently used for assessing the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate change.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAS was prepared based on comprehensive studies and analyses, which were carried out 
by experts and scientists from different institutions. These studies and analyses determined the 
potential climate impacts on priority areas and the adaptation measures that need to be taken 
in the short term until 2030, as well as in relation to a long-term vision until 2100.  

516 Eesti tuleviku kliimastsenaariumid aastani 2100, URL: 
http://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/kliimastsenaariumid_kaur_aruanne_ver190815.pdf, Access date 
15/05/2018  

190 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
To date, there have been few risk analyses concerning climate vulnerability at national level 
in  Estonia,  however,  the  NAS/NAP  is  an  independent  policy  document  (development  plan) 
with a comprehensive analysis of sectoral climate impacts, including a risk and vulnerability 
assessment. 

The NAS was drawn up based on four in-depth scientific studies517,518,519,520, which identified 
the  sectoral  climate  impacts  and  vulnerabilities  and  determined  the  measures  for  climate 
adaptation in a short-term perspective (up to 2030) and long-term perspective (up to 2050 and 
2100). The analysed sectors in these scientific studies, and also in the NAS, were as follows: 

1.  Health and rescue capability 

2.  Land  use  and  planning,  including  coastal  areas,  other  areas  with  a  risk  of  flooding, 

areas with a risk of landslides, land improvement, and towns 

3.  Natural environment, including biodiversity, land ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems 

and environment, marine ecosystems and environment, and ecosystem services 

4.  Bioeconomy,  including  agriculture,  forestry,  fishing  industry,  hunting,  tourism,  and 

peat production 

5.  Economy, including insurance, banking, employment, entrepreneurship and industry 

6.  Society,  awareness  and  cooperation,  including  awareness,  education  and  science, 

international relations and cooperation 

7.  Infrastructure  and  buildings,  including  transport  and  infrastructure  of  transport, 

technical support systems, and buildings 

8.  Energy  and  security  of  supply,  including  energy  independence,  security,  resources, 

efficiency, and heat and electricity production. 

517 Climate change adaptation strategy and measures for thematic fields of natural environment and bioeconomy 
(BIOCLIM), URL: http://pk.emu.ee/struktuur/maastikukorralduse-ja-loodushoiu-
osakond/projektid/bioclim/projekt/, Accessed 09/05/2018 
518 Estonian Climate Adaptation Strategy for Infrastructure and Energy (ENFRA), URL: http://kliima.seit.ee/, 
Accessed 09/05/2018 
519 Assessment of climate change impacts elaboration of adaptations measures: planning, land use, health and 
rescue management (KATI), link: http://www.geograafia.ut.ee/et/teadus/kati-kliimakohanemineClimate change 
impact assessment and elaboration of suitable adaptation measures in the fields of the economy and society 
(RAKE), URL: https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/rake_lopparuanne.pdf, Accessed 09/05/2018 
520Climate change impact assessment and elaboration of suitable adaptation measures in the fields of the 
economy and society URL: https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/rake_lopparuanne.pdf, Accessed 09/05/2018 

191 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
A thorough overview of the expected effects of climate change in Estonia is also given in the 
document  “Estonia’s  Sixth  National  Communication  Under  the  United  Nations  Framework 
Convention on Climate Change”.521  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate risk/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risk into account in some sectors, 
such as fishing, especially in the Baltic Sea and Lake Peipus context. However, it is not clear 
whether transboundary risks are taken into account by the risk and vulnerability assessments 
for other relevant sectors.  

The NAS identifies international relations and development cooperation as essential areas to 
promote adaptation to the effects of climate change, but it is not clear whether transboundary 
risks are enshrined in the NAS. 

Estonia has engaged in a number of transboundary initiatives relating to climate impacts, as 
described  in  Indicator  2b.  Climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  take  transboundary  risks 
into  account,  within  the  framework  of  the  Baltic  Sea  Region  Climate  Change  Adaptation 
Strategy,  which  focuses  on  such  sectors  as  food  supply  (including  fishery  and  agriculture), 
coastal infrastructure and coastal tourism.522 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAS and four in-depth scientific studies aimed to contribute to a more climate-resilient 
Estonia. This was the first time that Estonia developed a coherent approach to adaptation and 
assembled  all  the  available  knowledge  about  different  climate  impacts  in  the  region. 
Previously, information on climate impacts in different sectors was fragmented and scattered 
between  different  authorities  and  institutes,  but  since  NAS  adoption,  Estonia  can  plan  and 
implement its climate adaptation policy comprehensively through one development plan. 

521 Estonia’s Sixth National Communication Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change, URL: https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/application/pdf/est_nc6.pdf, 
Accessed 09/05/2018 
522Climate Adapt, Assessments - Impacts & Vulnerability assessments: Estonia, URL: 
 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/estonia, Access date: 14/05/2018 

192 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The MoE has conducted the four in-depth sectorial adaptation studies.               This sector-
specific  research  also  contains  an  approach  for  addressing  the  knowledge  gaps  and  dealing 
with uncertainties.  

The adaptation measures in the NAS and NAP aim to increase the awareness and resilience, 
as well as to implement the precautionary principle. An important principle of the NAS/NAP 
is to increase the awareness of the general public and to reduce the knowledge gaps and the 
uncertainty related to climate change.  

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  national  climate  adaptation  web  portal is  part  of  the  MoE's  website.  This  website  (in 
Estonian)  is  regularly  updated  with  new  information  regarding  the  NAS,  with  relevant 
adaptation  procedures  and  NAS/NAP  materials  and  guidelines.  There  is  also  adaptation 
information on the Estonian Environmental Research Centre homepage523. Additionally, all of 
the NAS baseline studies have their own websites, which contain more detailed information 
on sectoral climate adaptation524 525 526 527. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

The capacity-building activities were implemented in the development of the NAS and NAP, 
as one of the priority sections is "society, awareness and co-operation". 

The  EEA  Financial  Mechanism  project  "Elaboration  of  Estonia's  Draft  National  Climate 
Change  Adaptation  Strategy  and  Action  Plan"  organised  several  public  awareness  and 

523 Climate Change Adaptation, URL: http://www.klab.ee/kohanemine/en/, Access date: 14/05/2018 
524 Climate change adaptation strategy and measures for thematic fields of natural environment and bioeconomy 
(BIOCLIM), URL: http://pk.emu.ee/struktuur/maastikukorralduse-ja-loodushoiu-
osakond/projektid/bioclim/projekt/, Accessed 09/05/2018 
525 Estonian Climate Adaptation Strategy for Infrastructure and Energy (ENFRA), URL: http://kliima.seit.ee/, 
Accessed 09/05/2018 
526 Assessment of climate change impacts elaboration of adaptations measures: planning, land use, health and 
rescue management (KATI), link: http://www.geograafia.ut.ee/et/teadus/kati-kliimakohanemineClimate change 
impact assessment and elaboration of suitable adaptation measures in the fields of the economy and society 
(RAKE), URL: https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/rake_lopparuanne.pdf, Accessed 09/05/2018 
527Climate change impact assessment and elaboration of suitable adaptation measures in the fields of the 
economy and society URL: https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/rake_lopparuanne.pdf, Accessed 09/05/2018 

193 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
knowledge transfer events, the most recent of which was in 2016528. The seminars aimed to 
raise awareness with  regard to climate impacts in Estonia, and the importance of adaptation 
measures and ways to adapt. Some of the sectors addressed were health, rescue preparedness, 
spatial  planning  and  land  use,  economy,  natural  environment,  Buildings,  infrastructure  and 
energy supply systems. 

The NAS Sub-objective 6 is to increase the awareness of the risks and opportunities presented 
by  climate  change.  It  elaborates  on  measures  to  achieve  this  sub-objective,  such  as 
disseminating  updated  adaptation  knowledge  to  schools,  education  institutes  and  public 
bodies.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

is  an 

including: 
The  NAS/NAP 
identification  and  description  of  adaptation  options,  assessments  of  adaptation  options  and 
forecasting costs, and development of actions for the adaptation options. 

independent  policy  document  (development  plan) 

The NAS identifies the domains that are most climate vulnerable and specifies the actions that 
improve  Estonia's  readiness  and  capability  to  cope  with  climate  change.  In  each  scientific 
baseline  study,  the  scientists  and  experts  mapped  the  current  situation,  i.e.  described 
problems, opportunities, and threats in thematic areas/sectors, set the objectives and listed the 
most  crucial  measures  for  adaptation,  as  well  as  impacts  of  past  weather  events.  Existing 
adaptation  measures  were  also  analysed.  Risks,  vulnerabilities  and  climate  impacts  on  the 
topical areas and their sub-themes were assessed. Recommendations for future research were 
also  given.  The  baseline  studies  created  a  set  of  scientifically-based  suggestions  for 
developing  the  national  climate  adaptation  policies.  The  baseline  studies  also  created  a 
network of scientists and stakeholders who have the potential for knowledge co-generation in 
this field.  

Before the elaboration of the NAS and its baseline studies, knowledge on climate change in 
Estonia  concerned  mainly  water-related  issues.  The  NAS  and  Estonian  future  climate 
scenarios  2100  provide  more  knowledge  about  sea-level  rise,  coastal  erosion,  floods  and 
increased precipitation. 

528 Climate-adapting Estonia 2030: Why and how?, URL: http://www.klab.ee/kohanemine/en/climate-adapting-
estonia-2030-why-and-how/, Access date: 14/05/2018 

194 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The adaptation options and measures in NAS are based on the analysis of existing scientific 
literature, (national) policies and legislation and information from different databases, as well 
as expert knowledge also gathered in the expert groups for the baseline studies. The selection 
of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on  multi-criteria  analyses,  stakeholder  consultations, 
and the opinion of the inter-ministerial committee. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

Measure  1.2.  of  the  NAP  provides  for  an  increase  in  rescue  capacity.  This  measure  will 
underline  coordination  between  disaster  risk  management  and  climate  adaptation,  and  its 
implementation  will  begin  in  2019.  The  implementation  of  this  measure  would  include 
improvement  of  risk  management,  risk  communication,  institutional  capacity  and  the 
to  address  climate  change-related  emergencies.529  Crisis 
acquisition  of  equipment 
management in Estonia is regulated by the Emergency Act, which entered into force in 2009. 
It provides the legal basis for crisis management, including ensuring the continuous operation 
of  vital  services,  preparing  for  and  resolving  emergencies.  Each  ministry  is  responsible  for 
implementation  of  the  activities  related  to  crisis  management  in  their  field  of  governance, 
coordinated  by  the  Ministry  of  the  Interior.  Under  the  Emergency  Act,  emergency  risk 
assessment and response plans must be prepared. 

Estonia is planning work for further coordination between climate adaptation and disaster risk 
reduction. In the NAS, Objective 5.1 deals with "health and rescue capability," and has as a 
sub-goal  to  improve  rescue  capacity  and  the  ability  of  people  to  protect  their  health  and 
property, as well as reduce the negative effects of climate change on health and the quality of 
life. An identified measure is to improve risk management, for example, in relation to climate 
change.  This  entails,  amongst  others,  early  warning  to  the  public,  increasing  hazard 
awareness,  and  cooperation  between  the  civil  and  military  institutions,  as  well  as  between 
public authorities and the private sector.  

The Ministry of the Environment has initiated the formation of a working group and the main 
body  responsible  for  conducting  meetings  is  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  and  the 
following members are appointed from the Commission: Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry 
of  Finance,  Ministry  of  the  Interior,  Ministry  of  Economic  Affairs  and  Communications, 

529 Information provided by MS representatives 

195 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Ministry  of  Rural  Affairs,  Ministry  of  Education  and  Research,  State  Chancellery,  Rescue 
Board, Association of Estonian Rural Municipalities, Estonian Research Agency, Association 
of  Estonian  Non-profit  Organizations  and  Foundations  and  Estonian  Village  Movement 
Kodukant. The task of the working group is to coordinate the implementation and changes of 
the NAP. The working  group will monitor the implementation of the development  plan and 
make  recommendations,  if  necessary.  In  addition,  it  will  resolve  open  issues  related  to  the 
development  plan  and  discuss  the  implementation  plan  of  the  development  plan  before  it  is 
submitted for approval to the Government530.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  cost  estimation  for  the  implementation  of  the  NAS  for  the  period  2017–2030  is  EUR 
43,745,000.  The  implementation  of  measures  and  activities  takes  into  consideration  the 
objectives  and  development  plans  from  other  fields,  including  the  Estonian  Rural 
Development  Plan  for  2014–2020,  Operational  Programme  for  the  European  Maritime  and 
Fisheries Fund for 2014–2020, and Operational Programme for Cohesion Policy Funds 2014–
2020. Many activities related to adaptation together with their budget are also reflected in the 
implementation  plans  of  the  development  plans  of  many  other  fields,  such  as  the  Nature 
Conservation Development Plan Until 2020, Estonian Forestry Development Plan Until 2020, 
Internal Security Strategy 2015–2020, National Transport Development Plan 2014–2020, and 
Development  Plan  for  the  Energy  Sector  Until  2030.  Awareness  raising  is  one  of  the 
objectives  of  the  NAS  and,  as  such,  cross-cutting  adaptation  actions  also  have  funding 
allocations.  

The  NAP  determines  the  implementation  of  the  objectives  set  in  the  NAS  through  specific 
activities. The NAP also includes financial forecast on the cost of these measures, as well as 
information on who are the responsible authorities for the incurred costs. The total cost of the 
NAP activities is expected to be EUR 6,700,000, of which the state contribution is planned to 
be EUR 3,310,000 and the support from the environmental programme of the Environmental 
Investment  Centre  and  foreign  sources  is  planned  as  EUR  3,390,000.  Financing  of  the 
activities from the state budget is ensured within the cost limits of the implementing agencies. 

The  Estonian  NAS  and  NAP  has  been  developed  in  the  framework  of  the  EEA  Financial 
Mechanism 2009-2014 program’s “Integrated Marine and Inland Water Management” project 

530 Information provided by MS representative 

196 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
“Elaboration  of  Estonia’s  Draft  National  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Strategy  and  Action 
Plan” with a total budget of EUR 1.3 million (10% nationally co-financed)531. 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Consideration of climate adaptation in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and SEA is 
addressed by the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System 
Act532.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The Estonian Rescue Board has prepared risk analyses for emergency events that may occur 
as  a  result  of  extreme  climate  events  and  circumstances:  “Floods  on  Densely  Populated 
Areas”,  “Extremely  Cold  Weather”,  “Extremely  Hot  Weather”  and  “Extensive  Forest  or 
Landscape Fires”. An “Epidemic Emergency Risk Assessment” has been prepared under the 
guidance  of  the  Health  Board.  It  is,  however,  unclear  how  future  climate  projections  are 
factored into disaster risk management plans.  

The  “Internal  Security  Strategy  2015–2020“  notes  the  increased  risk  of  extreme  weather 
conditions caused by climate change. The Water Act533 establishes the obligation to prepare 
maps of flood risk areas, give an assessment of flood risks and prepare risk management plans 
for  flood  risks.  Early  warning  systems  are  operating,  and  risk-prone  communities  receive 
timely,  understandable  warnings  of  impending  hazard  events.  Some  websites  provide 
information to stakeholders: 

  The Estonian  Rescue  Board  website  is  used  by  government  agencies  and  authorities  to 
publish  notices  about  their  response  to  emergencies  and  provide  guidance  on  how  to 
cope with various emergencies, including extreme weather conditions 

531 Euroopa Majanduspiirkonna toetused 2009-2014, URL: http://www.envir.ee/et/euroopa-majanduspiirkonna-
toetused-2009-2014, Accessed 15/05/2018 
532 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act, URL: 
https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/Riigikogu/act/507072017002/consolide, Access date: 15/05/2018  
533 Water Act 1994, URL: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/512012017001/consolide, Access date: 15/05/2014 

197 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  The  real-time  sea-level  information  system534 provides  information  for  various  parts  of 

Estonia. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

The  NAS  includes  "spatial  planning  and  land  use"  as  a  priority  area  with  sub-sectors 
including: 

  Coastal areas 
  Other areas with risk of flooding or soil instability 
  Landscape planning, irrigation and drainage 
  Planning of cities 

The NAS does  not  include specific mainstreaming measures with  regard to spatial  planning 
and  land  use,  rather  it  identifies  the  need  for  further  research  and  development  of  guidance 
materials,  including  climate-proofing  design  criteria  to  be  used  by  policy  makers,  land 
owners,  and  planners  and  developers.  Nevertheless,  climate  adaptation  is  mainstreamed 
through  Article  11  of  the  Planning  Act535.  It  states  that  planners  should  consider  relevant 
information that has an influence on spatial development, including emergency risk analyses 
(e.g. in relation to flood risks in densely populated areas). No measures relating to maritime 
planning have been included in the NAS.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  outlines  eight  sectors  where  measures  should  be  implemented,  and  adaptation 
should  be  considered  in  policy  development.  However,  no  specific  policy  instruments  have 
taken adaptation into account as a result of the NAS at this stage.  

The list of strategic documents below includes indirect adaptation measures, mostly related to 
disaster  risk  reduction  (based  on  the  Emergency  Act  and  the  Water  Act).  The  Estonian 
Environmental Strategy Until 2030 also focuses on the health of people and the development 
of  knowledge.  The  Nature  Conservation  Development  Plan  Until  2020  and  the  MoE’s 
development  plan  for  2017–2020  address  awareness,  as  well  as  the  development  of 
environmental education and climate research. 

534Meretaseme Infosüsteem, URL: http://on-line.msi.ttu.ee/kaart.php?en, Access date: 15/05/2018 
535 Planning Act 2018, URL: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/503112017001/consolide#, Access date: 
15/05/2018 

198 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
As regards Estonian legislation, climate adaptation is  addressed primarily  in  the Emergency 
Act,  which  is  the  basis  for  the  Rescue  Board  having  prepared  risk  analyses  for  emergency 
events,  including  extreme  weather.  The  effects  of  climate  change  are  also  addressed  by  the 
Water Act, which establishes an obligation to assess flood risks and prepare risk management 
plans and maps of flood risk areas.  

Climate  adaptation  is  included,  to  varying  degrees,  in  the  following  national  development 
plans, vision documents and strategies:  

  Estonian low-carbon strategy “General Principles of Climate Policy until 2050” 
  Estonian Forestry Development Plan until 2020 and its action plan  
  Strategy for Estonian Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid 2016–2020 
  Estonian Lifelong Learning Strategy 2020 
  Estonian National Strategy on Sustainable Development "Sustainable Estonia 21 
  Estonian National Development Plan for the Energy Sector Until 2020 and 

Development Plan for the Energy Sector 2030+ 

  Estonian Environmental Strategy Until 2030 
  Estonian Rural Development Plan for 2014–2020 
  Action plan 2012–2020 for mitigation of and adaptation to climate change for 

agricultural sector 2012–2020 

  Programme of Measures of the Estonian Marine Strategy 
  National Renewable Energy Action Plan Until 2020 
  Estonian Research and Development and Innovation Strategy “Knowledge Based 

Estonia 2014–2020 

Internal Security Strategy 2015–2020 

  Development plan for the Ministry of the Environment for 2017–2020 
  Nature Conservation Development Plan Until 2020 
 
  Estonian Regional Development Strategy 2014–2020 
  Action programme of the Government of the Republic 2015–2019 
  Estonian National Health plan 2009-2020 
  Aquaculture Sector Development Strategy for 2014–2020 
  National plan 'Estonia 2030+' 
  Water Act and River Basin Management plans 2015-2021 
  Emergency Act and national risk analysis. 

The agricultural sector has been relatively active in raising awareness of climate impacts. In 
accordance  with  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture’s  Directive  24  (2011),  a  working  group  was 
established  to  draw  up  an  action  plan  for  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation  in  agriculture, 
including  by  mapping  and  analysing  the  possibilities  of  revising  existing  measures,  and 
making proposals for their improvement.  

Under the steer of the Ministry of Finance and the Government Office, a guidance document 
for  drafting  development  plans  entitled  ‘Mandatory  topics  of  all  area-based  development 
plans’ is being updated to include climate adaptation. 

199 

 
 
 
 
 
8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

In the NAS, one of the priority sectors is economy, which also includes insurance. Although 
the insurance sector has evolved into one of the most important economic sectors relevant to 
adaptation, the volume of the Estonian insurance market is small, and the population is rather 
poor, which is why the compulsory and semi-compulsory types of insurance are prevalent in 
the country (e.g. motor third party liability insurance, home insurance). So far, the Estonian 
insurers have not dealt with spreading the climate risk. 

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents  

Yes / In Progress / No 

The implementation of Estonia’s adaptation policies has begun. For instance, in the spring of 
2018, the MoE submitted an application for financial implementation of the EEA 2014-2021 
programme for financing some parts of the implementation plan for 2018. In addition, MoE 
are  also  reviewing  and  updating  nationally  other  sectoral  development  plans  and  their 
implementation plans for adaptation.536 

Some  autonomous  adaptation  actions  are  being  undertaken  and  measures  have  been 
developed in the areas of agriculture, forestry, floods and human health, but their efficiency 
and sustainability has not yet been analysed.537 

Some activities related to climate adaptation have taken place in several municipalities or at 
county level, but not as part of a systematic process. Some major cities, such as Pärnu, Tartu, 
and  Tallinn  that  have  been  influenced  by  extreme  weather  conditions  (a  particularly  strong 
storm in 2005) have been most active in implementing adaptation measures. These measures 
include the flood warning system that was established in Pärnu City within the Astra project. 
The aim of the system is to notify the citizens about potential hazards and what actions to take 
in case of significant sea-level rise. Since 2008, there has been a 24-hour weather monitoring 
system used in Tallinn to inform citizens of extreme weather conditions, especially those that 
could cause floods.  

536 Information provided by MS representative 
537Project proposal for the EEA Grants project “Elaboration of Estonia’s Draft National Climate Change 
Adaptation strategy (NAS) and Action Plan” 

200 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The  MoE  has  initiated  the  development  of  a  working  group  to  implement  the  NAS  and  the 
NAP, which is expected to foster and support adaptation at the subnational level. The working 
group of the NAS will be formed by representatives from the following different institutions: 
the MoE, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior, 
the  Ministry  of  Economic  Affairs  and  Communications,  the  Ministry  of  Rural  Affairs,  the 
Ministry of Education and Research, the Republic of Estonia Government Office, the Rescue 
Board,  the  Association  of  Municipalities  of  Estonia,  the  Association  of  Estonian  Cities,  the 
Estonian Research Council, the Network of Estonian Non-profit Organisations, and Kodukant 
(the Estonian Village Movement). It is expected that the first meeting of the working group 
will take place in June 2018538. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

In  addition  to  the  various  guidelines  issued  by  the  European  Commission,  the  MoE  is 
planning  to  issue  guidelines  for  assessing  climate  impacts  on  spatial  planning,  including 
recommendations for climate-proofing implementation of design criteria. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The  involvement  of  stakeholders  in  implementation  of  adaptation  policies  and  measures  is 
expected through the working group described in Indicator 9b. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

538 Personal correspondence with a MS representative 

201 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Annual reporting of NAS and NAP implementation was planned to begin on 1st March 2018. 
However, as  the NAS entered into force in  March 2017 rather than in  November 2016 (the 
expected  date),  reporting  has  been  postponed  by  a  year  and  will  begin  on  March  1,  2019 
instead.539  

The  MoE  will  organise  annual  reporting  on  the  NAS  and  will  coordinate  the  exchange  of 
adaptation-related information  between the ministries. The working  group of the NAS, with 
the chair of the MoE, will discuss the NAP once a year before presenting it to the Government 
for approval, monitor the implementation of the NAS, give recommendations for changing the 
NAS and, if necessary, solve open issues related to the NAS. 

As of 2019, the MoE is expected to report annually to the Government an overview about the 
execution  of  the  development  plan  and  the  achievement  of  its  objectives  by  1  March,  also 
making proposals about amending or changing the development plan, if necessary.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As  of  May  2018,  no  sectoral  reporting  has  taken  place.  The  sectoral  mainstreaming  is 
expected to be monitored and reported annually with the centralised single NAS/NAP report 
(see  Indicator  10a),  which  is  organised  by  the  MoE  and  presented  to  the  Government  for 
approval. The first report is expected to be published by March 2019. 

10c. Regional, subnational or local action is monitored and the results of the monitoring 
are disseminated 

Yes / No 

There is no formal regional/local level-specific reporting commitment, but the feedback from 
the  subnational  to  national  level  will  be  collected  via  the  working  group  of  the  NAS,               
in  which  members  from  the  Association  of  Municipalities  of  Estonia,  the  Association  of 
Estonian  Cities  and  Kodukant  (the  Estonian  Village  Movement)  are  involved.  This 
information will also be published in the annual NAS/NAP report from March 2019. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

202 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
As explained in 10a, from 2019 the NAS and NAP will be reviewed annually following the 
presentation  of  a  report  on  execution  and  implementation  presented  by  the  MoE  to  the 
Government. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

It  is  planned  that  the  stakeholders  in  the  NAS  working  group  (see  Indicator  9b)  will  be 
involved in the assessment, evaluation and review of national adaptation policy. Nevertheless, 
as indicated in Indicators 10a and 11a, monitoring and evaluation has not started yet.  

203 

 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

Coordination structure 

Met? 

1a 

1b 

1c 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a 

2b 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

4a 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

204 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

5 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Identification of adaptation options 

6a 

6b 

6c 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

7 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

205 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

8d 

8e 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

9 

Implementing adaptation 

Met? 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / No 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
Progress  

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, subnational or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

206 

/ No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Finland 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 208 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 209 
Adaptation strategies ............................................................................................... 209 
A1. National adaptation strategy ................................................................... 209 
A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ............................... 209 
Adaptation action plans ........................................................................................... 210 
B1. National adaptation plan ......................................................................... 210 
B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ...................................... 210 
B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ........................................................................ 210 

SCOREBOARD .............................................................................................................. 211 
Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ........................................................... 211 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................... 211 
2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ................................... 212 
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change................................ 214 
3. Current and projected climate change ....................................................... 214 
4. Knowledge gaps ........................................................................................ 217 
5. Knowledge transfer ................................................................................... 218 
Step C: Identifying adaptation options .................................................................... 219 
6. Adaptation options’ identification ............................................................. 219 
7. Funding resources identified and allocated ............................................... 221 
Step D: Implementing adaptation action ................................................................. 221 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................... 221 
9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................... 225 
Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .................................... 228 
10. Monitoring and reporting ........................................................................ 228 
11. Evaluation ................................................................................................ 229 

SUMMARY TABLE ...................................................................................................... 231 

207 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

AMAP 

CBSS 

EIA 

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme 

Council of the Baltic Sea States 

Environmental Impact Assessment  

ELASTINEN 

Proactive  management  of  weather  and  climate  related 
risks project 

EU 

European Union  

FinLTSER 

Finnish Long-Term Socio-Ecological network 

FICCA 

Finnish Research Programme of Climate Change 

FMI 

GCM 

ISTO 

LUKE 

NAP 

NAS 

NESA 

RCM 

SEA 

SYKE 

Finnish Meteorological Institute 

General Circulation Model 

Climate Change Adaptation Research Programme  

Natural Resources Institute Finland 

National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2022 

National Adaptation Strategy 

Finnish National Emergency Supply Agency 

Regional Climate Model 

Strategic Environmental Assessment  

Finnish Environment Institute  

208 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

In Finland,  a national  adaptation  strategy  (NAS)  was adopted in  2005540, as an independent 
element  of  the  wider  National  Energy  and  Climate  Strategy541.  The  evaluation  process 
resulted  in  a  government  resolution  and  publication  of  a  new  national  climate  adaptation 
framework  in  November  2014,  known  as  the  National  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Plan 
2022542 (NAP). This  NAP replaced the 2005 NAS. Finland's Climate Act543 (approved on 6 
March 2015) stipulates that  the Government  approves long-term and medium-term  strategic 
mitigation plans and that it will approve a national plan on adaptation at least every ten years.  

The NAP focuses on the horizontal aim that the Finnish society should have the capacity to 
manage the risks associated with climate change and adapt to changes in the climate. Based 
on this aim, the following objectives are set for the period to 2022:  

  Adaptation  should  have  been  integrated  into  the  planning  and  activities  of  both  the 

various sectors and their actors 

  The  actors  should  have  access  to  the  necessary  climate  change  assessment  and 

management methods; and 

  Research  and  development  work,  communication,  and  education  and  training  should 
have  enhanced  the  adaptive  capacity  of  society,  developed  innovative  solutions  and 
improved citizens’ awareness on climate adaptation. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was responsible for the preparation of the NAP (the 
updated  NAS),  with  the  practical  work  steered  by  a  broadly-based  coordination  group 
appointed by the Ministry. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

Already  125  municipalities  (approximately  40%  of  all  municipalities)  have  a  climate 
strategy544 and 60% of those reported that both climate mitigation and adaptation are part of 
their  climate  measures.  By  the  end  of  2012,  16  out  of  18  regions  had  published  a  climate 
strategy that includes some recognition of adaptation545.  

The  Helsinki  Metropolitan  Area  (Helsinki,  Espoo,  Vantaa  and  Kauniainen)  has  a  dedicated 
adaptation strategy for the period 2012-2020546, which includes measures for land use, traffic 

540http://mmm.fi/documents/1410837/1721050/MMMjulkaisu2005_1a.pdf/63f5d78d-8492-4621-b019-
fe38d7aeb709  
541 http://tem.fi/en/energy-and-climate-strategy  
542 http://mmm.fi/en/nature-and-climate/climate-change-adaptation  
543 In Finnish: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/esitykset/he/2014/20140082.pdf 
544 In Finnish: http://shop.kunnat.net/product_details.php?p=3159 
545 https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10138/41419 (In Finnish, Documentation Page in English) 
546http://ilmastotyokalut.fi/files/2014/10/11_2012_Helsinki_Metropolitan_Area_Climate_Change_Adaptation_St
rategy.pdf  

209 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
and  technical  networks,  buildings  and  construction,  water  and  waste  management,  rescue 
services and safety, health care and social services and research and information. Some other 
bigger  cities  have  also  focused  on  climate  adaptation  and  vulnerability  to  extreme  weather 
events  (Pori,  Turku)  or  by  planning  green  infrastructure  (Lahti,  Jyväskylä).  Other  Finnish 
municipalities  have  climate  change  strategies  which  mostly  focus  on  mitigation.  Three 
Finnish cities are signatories to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy in relation to 
adaptation547. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The NAP  aims to  identify the most important  tasks  to  promote adaptation nationally  and in 
each  sector  in  the  next  few  years,  and  to  ensure  that  Finnish  society  has  the  capacity  to 
manage the risks relating to climate change and adapt to the changes.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

The  NAP  calls  for  municipalities  to  integrate  climate  proofing  reviews  into  emergency 
preparedness  and  security  of  supplies  planning.  The  Plan  tasks  the  joint  regional  offices 
(ELY-keskus)  of  the  Ministry  of  Employment  and  Economy,  the  Ministry  of  Environment, 
the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
to develop climate resilience guidance for municipalities.  

In  2017,  most  of  the  municipalities  implemented  systematic  climate  actions  and,  although 
predominantly focused on climate mitigation, climate adaptation  was also  promoted. By the 
end of 2015, regional flood risk management plans were published for every significant flood 
risk  areas  (21  areas)  and  implementation  of  identified  measures  is  ongoing.  In  addition, 
several  bigger cities and municipalities are active in  adaptation,  e.g. the  city of Helsinki  (in 
vulnerability  assessment)  and  the  city  of  Vantaa  (nature-based  solutions  in  runoff  water 
management). 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The NAP aims to incorporate adaptation into regular planning and activities of all sectors and 
actors. Adaptation is included in the Climate Act (approved on 6 March 2015). According to 
this Act, the State authorities must, as far as possible, promote the implementation of the NAP 
in their actions.  

The Action Plan for the Adaptation to Climate Change of the Environmental Administration 
(2016)548 covers the period up to 2022. It replaces the Ministry of the Environment's Action 
Plan in 2008, which was later supplemented by an update in 2011, following an assessment 
undertaken  in  2013  (Assessment  of  the  Environmental  Administration's  Action  Plan  for 
Adaptation to Climate Change). The action plan sets measures concerning biodiversity, land 

547 As of 15th June 2017: Jyväskylä, Lappeenranta and Oulu. See: 
http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/about/signatories_en.html?q=Search+for+a+Signatory...&country_searc
h=fi&population=&date_of_adhesion=&status=&commitments1=1&commitments2=1&commitments3=1  
548 http://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/79789 

210 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
use,  buildings  and  construction,  environmental  protection  and  the  use  and  management  of 
water resources. The plan also sets targets for research activities and communications. 

The  action  plan  for  the  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  of  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and 
Forestry 2011 to 2015 will be revised in 2017 to 2018, building on a comprehensive study549 
of vulnerability and adaptation in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, game and reindeer husbandry 
sectors that was completed in 2017 by Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). 

The  Climate  Programme  for  Finnish  Agriculture  –  Steps  towards  Climate  Friendly  Food 
(2014)550 presents climate adaptation and mitigation measures relating to the food system. The 
objectives of the National Forest Strategy 2025551 (replacing the National Forest Programme) 
include “increasingly diverse sustainable forest management supports climate mitigation and 
adaptation'.  

The  Climate  Policy  Programme  for  the  Ministry  of  Transport  and  Communications’ 
administrative  sector  for  2009–2020  aims  to  adapt  to  climate  change  without  lowering  the 
current  service  level  in  transport  and  communications.  To  attain  this  goal,  the  Ministry’s 
together with the Transport Agency will update its instructions about transport infrastructure 
construction,  maintenance  and  management,  outline  an  action  plan  for  exceptional 
circumstances and invest in research.  

In  addition,  there  is  the  Energy  and  Climate  Programme  of  the  Finnish  Defence  Forces 
(2014), updated in 2018. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1.  Coordination structure  

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In  Finland,  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Forestry  is  responsible  for  adaptation  policy-
making  and  coordination  at  the  central  government  level.  This  includes,  for  instance, 
appointing and chairing the monitoring group for climate adaptation.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAP was prepared by a coordination group appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and 
Forestry,  with  representatives  from  the  Prime  Minister’s  Office  and  the  relevant  ministries 

549 In Finnish: http://jukuri.luke.fi/handle/10024/538722 
550 http://mmm.fi/documents/1410837/1890227/Climate_programme_agriculture_WEB_03072015.pdf/  
551http://mmm.fi/documents/1410837/1504826/National+Forest+Strategy+2025/197e0aa4-2b6c-426c-b0d0-
f8b0f277f332  

211 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
(Ministry  of  Environment,  Ministry  of  the  Interior,  Ministry  of  Education  and  Culture, 
Ministry  of  Economy  and  Employment,  Ministry  of  Social  Affairs  and  Health),  research 
institutes  (Finnish  Meteorological  Institute;  Finnish  Environment  Institute  and  the  Natural 
Resources  Institute)  and  regional  actors  (ELY,  Municipalities).552  In  2017,  the  group  was 
updated with new expert organisations in  fire and rescue services, and financial services. In 
addition,  experts  from  the  Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Ministry  of  Defence  and  from  other 
organisations participate in the meetings, if needed. 

The various ministries are responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of 
the  plan  within  their  respective  administrative  branches.  A  national  monitoring  group  is 
appointed  to  follow  and  evaluate  the  implementation  of  the  adaptation  plan,  with 
representatives  from  the  relevant  ministries,  research  institutions,  regional  and  local  bodies 
and  other  actors.  The  group  is  responsible  for  the  implementation,  follow-up  and 
communication relating to the adaptation plan.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The vertical coordination mechanisms within the governance system are in place and regional 
actors  participated  in  the  drafting  of  the  NAP553  (see  Indicator  1b).  Representatives  of 
municipalities (the Association  of Finnish Local  and Regional Authorities) and the Helsinki 
Metropolitan  Region  are  also  included  in  the  coordination  group.  In  addition,  a  significant 
share of the practical adaptation measures is taking place in the regions or at local level. The 
NAP also includes a key measure of promoting local and regional adaptation studies.  

In Finland, the Covenant of Mayors initiative does not have dedicated coordination at national 
or  regional  level.  However,  the  Association  of  Finnish  Local  and  Regional  Authorities 
(Kuntaliitto)  is  an  advocate  for  all  Finnish  municipalities  and  regions.  In  addition,  the 
Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and Ecofellows Ltd./City of Tampere 
are supporting partners in the Covenant of Mayors. In 2017, 12 Finnish municipalities were 
part of the Covenant of Mayors but only three had signed up to the adaptation commitment, 
available since 2015. 

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Forestry  was  responsible  for  the  preparation  of  the  NAP, 
with  the  practical  work  steered  by  a  broadly-based  coordination  group  appointed  by  the 
Ministry. 

552 Membership of the coordination group is not static but evolves in time, usually with the addition of new 

members. 

553 http://mmm.fi/en/national-climate-change-adaptation-plan 

212 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The preparation of the NAP involved a wide range of stakeholder consultations, including554:  

  A “stock taking” questionnaire in Spring 2013, sent to a wide group of stakeholders on 
climate  impacts  and  risks,  recognised  sectoral  or  regional  vulnerabilities  and  views 
about  the  strategic  goals  and  other  relevant  aspects  to  be  taken  into  consideration  in 
the revision process 

  An open “mid-process” seminar (29 October 2013) on the draft strategic goals  

  The draft NAP (7 March 2014) was sent for comments; 63 organisations representing 
administration  (national,  regional),  research  institutes  and  universities,  NGOs  and 
interest groups sent comments. At least 57 organisations commented on the draft NAP 

  Presentation and discussions on the draft NAP in different fora 

  An open seminar (“public hearing”) 10 April 2014 of the NAP. 

  The  draft  NAP  was  in  the  “Have  your  say”  –eParticipation  forum  for  public  (April-

May 2014).  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Transnational  cooperation  is  one  of  the  actions  of  the  NAP.  The  action  focuses  on  the 
development  of  the  Finnish,  Norwegian  and  Russian  nature  conservation  cooperation  in  the 
Fennoscandia  Green  Belt,  and  on  threats  to  the  ecosystem  services  from  climate  change. 
There is also an intention to step up cooperation with Russia on climate adaptation, especially 
focusing on transboundary water use and management, and on invasive species.  An Action 
Programme of the Joint Finnish-Russian Commission on the Utilisation of Frontier Waters on 
Risk  Management  in  Case  of  Adverse  Hydrological  Conditions  in  the  Vuoksi  River  Basin 
District was accepted in Commission’s meeting on 20 October 2017. Climate change was one 
of the key drivers for the establishment of this action programme. Invasion of Finnish inland 
waters by an alien moss animal was discussed in a Commission’s working group meeting in 
April 2018. 

Adaptation  is  also  part  of  transnational  cooperation  (e.g.  Arctic  Council555,  Barents  Euro-
Arctic  Council556,  cooperation  in  the  Baltic  Sea  region557).  Finland  has  supported  the 
development of  the Arctic Resilience Action Framework558 during 2015-2017 with the Arctic 
Council and the implementation of this framework has started during Finland’s chair period 

554 http://www.cbss.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Finland-CCA-Strategy-Presentation.pdf  
555 http://www.arctic-council.org/index.php/en/  
556 http://www.barentscooperation.org/en  
557 https://www.interreg-baltic.eu/home.html  
558 https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/handle/11374/1790  

213 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
2017-2019.  The  first  Arctic  Resilience  Forum  will  take  place  in  Rovaniemi,  Finland  in 
September 2018.559  

Finland has also participated in the cooperation with the Baltic2030 expert group of Council 
of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS)560 related to sustainable development, climate adaptation and 
resilience.  The  transboundary  river  agreements  between  Finland  and  its  neighbouring 
countries include prevention of flood damages.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme weather events and their 
impacts and are conducted by: 

  The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI): Weather observations. FMI established a 
Climate Service Centre unit in 2014561. The Centre offers operational climate services 
and studies weather and climate, and their socio-economic aspects. FMI also monitors 
extreme weather events and their impacts. 

  The  Flood  Centre  of  the  Finnish  Environment  Institute  and  Finnish  Meteorological 
Institute562  was  established  on  1  January  2014  and  is  responsible  for  flood  forecasts 
and warnings and maintaining a national situation awareness on floods. 

  Finnish  Environment  Institute  (SYKE)563:  Monitoring  for  physical,  chemical  and 

biological state of inland waters and marine waters. 

  Finnish Museum of Natural History564, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)565, 
state  enterprise  Metsähallitus566,  and  SYKE:  Collecting  information  on  the  changes 
taking place in ecosystems and habitats, species and species communities, and genes 
and genotype. 

FMI  produces  a  monthly  climate  monitoring  bulletin  and  web  material  with  information  on 
extreme  weather  events.  FMI  is  also  collecting  information  on  impacts  of  weather  events, 
especially  high-impact  events,  which  cause  negative  impacts  on  health,  property  or  critical 
functions  of  the  society.  Information  is  based  on  data  gathered  by  authorities,  research 

559 https://www.arcticfinland.fi/events/Arctic-Resilience-Forum-/39334/41fdbf10-4f1d-4ef4-a14c-ef4876f4a10e 
560 http://www.cbss.org/cbss-baltic-2030-expert-group-sustainable-development-16th-meeting/  
561 http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/climate-service-centre  
562 http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/press-release/340236095  
563 http://www.syke.fi/en-US  
564 https://www.luomus.fi/en  
565 https://www.luke.fi/en/  
566Metsähallitus is a state enterprise that administers the state-owned land and water areas. 
http://www.metsa.fi/web/en  

214 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
institutes and/or private sector. Information on impacts of weather are produced sector-wise, 
e.g.  rescue  operations,  electricity  distribution  network  failures,  railway  passage  delays  and 
cancellations.  This  data  is  located  within  operators  but  FMI  has  been  developing  its  own 
weather impacts data base. 

Information  on  floods  and  their  impacts  is  mainly  collected  by  SYKE.  SYKE  acts  as  a 
coordinating  body  for  the  Finnish  Long-Term  Socio-Ecological  network  (FinLTSER).  The 
Network  brings  together  the  Finnish  research  sites  and  scientists  that  conduct  research  on 
long-term  socio-ecological  processes  and  issues.  FinLTSER  currently  consists  of  nine 
research  platforms,  representing  the  main  ecosystems  (marine,  terrestrial,  lake,  sub-arctic, 
urban) in Finland, which provide a national infrastructure for long-term site-based ecosystem 
and biodiversity research in Finland, including climate impacts. 

The Forest Centre collects data on damage to forests including weather related damages. The 
forest damage advisory service at Luke is responsible for monitoring forest pests and diseases 
and  their  damage,  some  of  which  may  be  related  or  initiated  by  weather  events,  especially 
storms. 

THL is a Finnish expert agency that provides reliable information on health and welfare for 
decision-making and activities in the field. THL monitors the incidence of infectious diseases 
through use of several surveillance systems. THL is also collecting information on impacts of 
weather events and climate change on drinking water security and human health, heatwave-
associated health impacts and other climate-related health effects. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate projections based on the most recent (RCP-based/AR5) GCM and RCM simulations 
have  been  analysed  for  Finland  and  are  explained  in  Ruosteenoja  et  al.  (2016)567.  Various 
datasets have been developed to fulfil the needs of different user groups, such as impact and 
vulnerability studies. Some of the climate scenarios have been developed on a 10x10 km grid. 
Ensemble-based climate scenario analysis has been common in most studies in Finland. Work 
is currently being undertaken to develop national SSP-based socioeconomic scenarios, e.g. in 
the Academy of Finland funded project PLUMES568.  

Various  climate  impact  and  vulnerability  studies  are  using  these  projections.  Some  of  these 
results (e.g. from hydrological models) are also being portrayed in the national climate change 
portal, Climate Guide569.  

567 http://www.geophysica.fi/pdf/geophysica_2016_51_1-2_017_ruosteenoja.pdf  

568 http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/plumes  
569 https://ilmasto-opas.fi/en/datat/vaikutukset#SykeDataPlace:vaikutukset  

215 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

A general assessment of vulnerability across sectors was the basis for the NAS in 2005. For 
the  publication  of  the  NAP,  a  comprehensive  study  of  the  impacts  of  climate  change  and 
vulnerability  of  sectors  was  conducted  in  2013570.  After  the  publication  of  the  NAP,  more 
detailed  and  systematic  vulnerability  assessments571  have  been  done  in  specific  sectors  or 
specific environments and include water, indirect economic effects owing to floods, forestry, 
biodiversity,  agriculture,  transport,  health,  and  for  the  Arctic  Region.  Most  of  these  were 
coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; sector ministries are responsible for 
their administrative branches.  

There  are  various  studies  on  climate  impacts  and  vulnerability  assessments  in  different 
sectors.  For  example,  the  Academy  of  Finland  funded  the  Finnish  Research  Programme  of 
Climate Change (FICCA 2011-2014)572. This programme produced several research projects, 
which  covered  flooding,  urban  water  management,  energy,  forest,  biodiversity,  marine 
ecosystem  and  spatial  planning,  agriculture,  transport,  health,  the  Arctic  region  and  urban 
planning.  

The  vulnerability  of  natural  resources  sectors  (agriculture,  forestry,  game  and  fisheries  and 
reindeer management) was thoroughly analysed as a part of the State of adaptation assessment 
project (Sopeutumisen tila 2017 by Luke).  

In  central  level  active  management  of  weather-related  and  climate-related  risks,  project 
ELASTINEN (2015–2016)573 provided information and sought solutions for strengthening the 
capabilities of different sectors to assess and manage risks related to weather, climate, and the 
economy.  The  assessment  and  development  project  SIETO574  (2017–2018)  funded  by  the 
Government's analysis, assessment and research activities has prepared a national weather and 
climate risk assessment as well as a plan on how to develop the production and collection of 
information and data for future vulnerability and risk assessments. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

570 Sorvali, J. 2013: Ilmastonmuutoksen haitalliset vaikutukset ja toimialojen haavoittuvuus (only available in 
Finnish). 
571 See more here: Vulnerability Assessment of ecosystem services for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation 
(VACCIA): http://www.syke.fi/projects/vaccia; Climate change: a regional assessment of vulnerability and 
adaptive capacity for the Nordic countries (CARAVAN): http://www.iav-
mapping.net/CARAVAN/CARAVAN.html; Assessing the adaptive capacity of the Finnish environment and 
society under a changing climate (FINADAPT): http://www.syke.fi/projects/finadapt; Map-based assessment of 
vulnerability to climate change employing regional indicators (MAVERIC): 
http://www.syke.fi/projects/maveric.   
572http://www.aka.fi/en/research-and-science-policy/academy-programmes/completed-programmes/ficca/  
573 http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/elastinen  
574 http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/climate-service-centre-projects  

216 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Vulnerability  assessments  have  been  conducted  as  parts  of  regional  cooperation,  i.e.  for  the 
Barents  Region,  the  Arctic  or  the  Baltic  Sea  (BACC  II)575.  Finland  is  a  participant  in  the 
Arctic  Monitoring  and  Assessment  Programme  (AMAP),  which  is  an  intergovernmental 
monitoring and research programme under the Arctic Council. The main goal of AMAP is to 
provide  reliable  and  sufficient  information  on  the  status  of,  and  threats  to,  the  Arctic 
Environment.  Assessing  climate  impacts  on  the  Arctic  environment  is  one  of  the  priority 
areas.576 Transboundary risks and transnational cooperation are also considered in the NAP. 

Vulnerability studies consider transboundary effects where relevant, for example, trade flows 
in a project conducting a study on adaptation of the food sector and socio-economic impacts 
of climate change in North-East Europe577. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAP  calls  for  practical  research  on  implementation  of  adaptation  measures.  The 
knowledge  gaps  identified  throughout  the  policy  process  have  triggered  periodic  research, 
programmes  and  projects.  They  have  produced  comprehensive  knowledge  on,  e.g.,  climate 
impacts  and  vulnerabilities  in  different  sectors  for  planning  of  the  adaptation  measures. 
Examples  include  the  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Research  Programme  ISTO  (2006–2010) 
with about 16 research projects, and the Proactive management of weather and climate related 
risks  project  ELASTINEN  (2015–2016),  which  provided  information  and  solutions  for 
strengthening  the  capabilities  of  different  sectors  to  assess  and  manage  risks  related  to 
weather, climate, and the economy. 

The  Academy  of  Finland  (i.e.  the  national  research  council)  has  a  climate  change  research 
portfolio  of  tens  of  millions  of  Euros  as  part  of  its  annual  grants  and  other  annual  funding. 
The  national  climate  change  research  programme  (FICCA)  2011–2014,  funded  by  the 
Academy  of  Finland,  responded  to  a  broad  range  of  scientific  knowledge  gaps  posed  by 
climate change including adaptation research.  

The  main  examples  of  the  current  projects  on  adaptation  include  the  assessment  and 
development  project  SIETO  (2017–2018)  funded  by  the  Government's  analysis,  assessment 
and  research  activities.  The  project  has  prepared  a  plan  to  develop  the  production  and 
collection of information and data for future vulnerability and risk assessments.  

The TASAPELI-project  (2018-2019), which is funded by the Government, develops nature-
based  solutions  for  regional  adaptation.  The  national  Strategic  Research  Council  (SRC)  has 
large programmes that identify and include adaptation and resilience for sustainable growth. 

575 http://www.baltic-earth.eu/BACC2/  
576  
Finland’s Seventh National Communication 
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2017. 
Ministry of the Environment and Statistics Finland, Helsinki. 314 p. 
577http://www.aka.fi/Tiedostot/Tiedostot/FICCA/FICCA%20tutkijaseminaari%202.-
3.12.2014/ADIOSO_presentation_FICCA%2003122014.pdf  

217 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
A large consortium project funded in an SRC programme is Sustainable, climate-neutral and 
resource-efficient  forest-based  bioeconomy  FORBIO578  (2015–2020).  It  will  provide  smart 
means,  solutions  and  tools  needed  to  sustainably  improve  resource-efficiency  and  climate-
neutrality of Finnish forests and to adapt to the changing environment. Another large research 
project  is  From  Failand  to  Winland579  (2016–2019)  which  provides  insight  into  possible 
futures  with  the  help  of  scenarios,  decision  analysis  and  co-creation  methods.  The  project 
studies  how  water,  food  and  energy  related  pressures,  shocks  and  policy  responses  affect 
Finland’s overall security.  

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is funding projects to fill knowledge gaps regarding 
climate  adaptation.  The  analysis  of  knowledge  gaps  and  research  needs  was  funded  in 
2017580.  Other current research initiatives include the ones by the Climate Research Centre at 
the  Finnish  Meteorological  Institute  and  the  Flood  Centre  of  the  Finnish  Environment 
Institute and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Adaptation  relevant  data and information  is  available to  all stakeholders  on a web portal581. 
The  Climate  Guide  portal,  available  in  Finnish,  Swedish  and  English,  offers  research 
information  including  mapping  tools,  data  and  infographics  and  also  case  studies, 
observational  data,  climate  scenarios,  impacts  and  step-by-step  guidance  to  support  both 
mitigation and adaptation actions. 

A website (www.climateguide.fi), co-ordinated by the FMI and SYKE, provides an overview 
of observed and projected climate (temperature and precipitation) and the impacts of climate 
change on water resources, potential energy demand and natural decomposition rate of dead 
plant  material.  The  maps  show  impacts  for  the  present-day  as  well  as  future  climate.  Other 
knowledge  transfer  services  are  flood  maps  co-ordinated  by  SYKE  and  the  wind  atlas  co-
ordinated by FMI. 

The  Finnish  Climate  Change  Panel  was  established  in  December  2011  to  enhance  science-
policy  interaction  for  the  climate  and  energy  sectors  as  well  as  public  discussion582.  The 
Government  nominated  the  third  Climate  Panel  in  January  2016  for  the  period  of  2016-
2019583. 

578 http://www.uef.fi/en/web/forbio  
579 http://winlandtutkimus.fi/english/  
580 Arnkil, N. & Lahti, E. 2018. Ilmastonmuutokseen sopeutumisen tieto- ja osaamistarpeet Suomessa. Kohti 
tutkimusohjelmaa. Tapion raportteja nro 24. 
581 www.Climateguide.fi  
582 Finland’s Seventh National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change. 2017. Ministry of the Environment and Statistics Finland, Helsinki. 314 p. 
583 http://www.ilmastopaneeli.fi/fi/in-english/ 

218 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Panel's  members  come  from  universities  and  research  organisations  and  represent 
different branches of science from educational sciences to atmospheric sciences. It produces 
reports  to  support  the  preparation  and  implementation  of  climate  policy  and  legislation  in 
Finland. The Panel can receive assignments from different Ministries and Ministerial working 
groups or it can launch its own projects. The status and the general assignment of the Finnish 
Climate Panel is determined in the Climate Change Act (2015).  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

Capacity building activities take place in Finland.  An example is a workshop for NGOs on 
how  they  can  influence  the  preparedness  of  citizens  for  climate  impacts.  In  addition,  the 
Climateguide website lists upcoming climate change related events.  

Education and training materials are available and disseminated. A Teachers’ Climate Guide 
for primary and secondary school teachers was published in 2016. The material is available in 
Finnish  and  can  be  downloaded  as  a  pdf584,  with  an  overview  published  in  English585.  For 
University students a interdisciplinary elementary course in climate change is available that is 
also  publicly  accessible586.  The  NAP  contains  actions  to  develop  and  implement  a 
communication plan on adaptation issues and educational material on adaptation for all levels 
of education. Therefore, it is expected that the examples presented above on climate change 
will be accompanied with further training materials focusing on climate adaptation.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  NAP  identifies  horizontal  measures  for  the  objectives  mentioned  in  Section  A1  and 
preliminary timing for implementation. The objectives have twelve separate fields of actions 
and measures in the NAP. The adaptation objective has been integrated into the planning and 
activities of the various sectors and their actors focus on the sectoral adaptation options.  

According  to  the  evaluation  of  the  NAS  in  2013,  many  sectors,  such  as  water  resources, 
agriculture, land use, energy, health and tourism received a score of three or higher implying 
that  climate  impacts  are  relatively  well  known  including  quantitative  information  and 
adaptation  measures  are  identified  and  their  implementation  has  already  started.  However, 
there are sectors where more work is required (e.g. insurance, biodiversity, fisheries). 

584 In Finnish: http://openilmasto-opas.fi/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/open-ilmasto-opas-2016.pdf 
585 http://openilmasto-opas.fi/english/ 
586 http://www.ilmastonyt.fi/studies.html  

219 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  ELASTINEN  (2015–2016)  project  provided  information  and  suggested  solutions  for 
strengthening the capabilities of different sectors to assess and manage weather, climate and 
economic risks. 

Climate risk assessment and management are improved in natural resource sectors: thorough 
analysis of vulnerability of natural resources sectors (agriculture, forestry, game and fisheries 
and  reindeer  management)  was  carried  out  as  a  part  of  the  State  of  adaptation  assessment 
project  (Sopeutumisen  tila  2017).  This  analysis  also  takes  into  account  geographical 
specificities. These specificities are also addressed in other research, such as the Academy of 
Finland  funded  research  programme  Pathways  linking  uncertainties  in  model  projections  of 
climate and its effects, PLUMES.587  

The  SIETO  (2017–2018)  project  prepared  a  plan  on  how  to  develop  the  production  and 
collection  of  information  and  data  for  future  vulnerability  and  risk  assessments,  as  well  as 
how the assessment could be arranged. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Finland  has  selected  adaptation  options  based  on  expert  judgement  and  participatory 
processes588. However, the adopted mainstreaming approach implies that sectors have adopted 
different procedures and some are more advanced than others in their adaptation work and the 
level of detail of the processes preceding the selection of the adaptation measures vary.  

There  are  some  studies  identifying  the  costs  and  benefits  of  climate  change  and  adaptation 
actions  for  certain  sectors,  however,  Finland  reports  considerable  uncertainties  and 
information gaps in estimating the potential costs and benefits of impacts and measures.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  NAP  contains  measures  on  disaster  risk  reduction,  as  part  of  international  cooperation. 
The NAP recognises the important link between climate adaptation and the National Platform 
for Disaster Risk Reduction. The national progress report on the implementation of the Hyogo 
Framework  for  Action  (2013-2015)  includes  a  core  indicator  stating  that  “Disaster  Risk 
Reduction is  an integral  objective of environmental-related policies  and plans, including for 
land  use,  natural  resource  management  and  adaptation  to  climate  change”;  the  level  of 
progress achieved on this indicator is 4 out of 5589.  

587 http://www.syke.fi/projects/plumes 
588 Self-assessment survey findings (EEA): http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/national-adaptation-policy-
processes 
589 http://www.preventionweb.net/files/40147_FIN_NationalHFAprogress_2013-15.pdf  

220 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
There are procedures  in  place for  coordination.  The National  Risk  Assessment  (Kansallinen 
Riskiarvio590)  recognises  climate  change  as  an  important  source  of  risk.  The  national 
monitoring  group  for  adaptation  also  acts  as  a  coordination  mechanism  with  the  authorities 
responsible for disaster risk reduction at national and sub-national levels.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

Although no detailed budget could be found for cross-cutting/coordinated adaptation action, 
the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry carries out these duties as part of its regular work or 
through  projects.  Climate  adaptation  is  integrated  into  the  key  sector  activities  (e.g.  to  dam 
and flood safety or the  monitoring and prevention of damages in  forests) and ministries are 
responsible  for  providing  funding  to  increase  climate  resilience  in  their  administrative 
branches. All the research and development projects have been financed by project funding. 
Therefore, it is challenging to monitor the funding level for climate adaptation.  

The  state  budget  has  an  allocated  budget  for  communications,  guidance  and  studies  for 
climate and energy policies (no information on adaptation)591. Some key funding sources for 
adaptation work includes the Government's analysis, assessment and research activities for the 
ELASTINEN  project  (assessment  of  the  management  of  weather  and  climate  risks  and 
evaluated ways to promote management of these risks in various sectors) and SIETO project 
(preparing  a  national  weather  and  climate  vulnerability  and  change  assessment).  National 
scenarios and climate services are funded through the budget of FMI or other institutions, or 
through research programmes. 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The  new  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  legislation  came  into  force  on  16  May 
2017  and  includes  an  assessment  of  climate  change  risks  for  projects.592  The  legislation 
includes  assessing  direct  and  indirect  impacts  of  the  project  on,  for  example,  climate, 
including the vulnerability of the project to climate change. The legislation covers impacts on 
soil, waters, air, climate, flora, fauna, and biodiversity. 

590 In Finnish: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN978-952-324-059-9  

591 Finland’s Seventh National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change. 2017. Ministry of the Environment and Statistics Finland, Helsinki. 314 pp. 
592 In Finnish: https://www.edilex.fi/lainsaadanto/20170252 

221 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Act  on  the  Assessment  of  the  Effects  of  Certain  Plans  and  Programmes  on  the 
Environment  (200/2005)  and  the  Government  Decree  on  the  Assessment  of  the  Effects  of 
Certain  Plans  and  Programmes  on  the  Environment  (347/2005),  known  as  the  Strategic 
Environmental Assessment (SEA) Decree, are the major pieces of legislation transposing the 
SEA Directive in Finland. In addition, the provisions for SEAs of land-use plans are included 
in  the  Land  Use  and  Building  Act  (Act  132/1999)  and  Decree  (895/1999).  The  SEA 
legislation  includes  assessment  of  direct  and  indirect  impacts  of  plans  or  programmes  on 
climate among a range of other issues, including soil, water, air, and biodiversity. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Finland’s  first  National  Risk  Assessment,  published  in  December  2015,  is  based  on  the  EU 
Civil  Protection  Mechanism,  which  binds  all  EU  Member  States.  Protection  under  the  EU 
Mechanism covers primarily people, but also the environment and property, against all kinds 
of  natural  and  man-made  disasters.  These  include  the  consequences  of  acts  of  terrorism, 
technological,  radiological  or  environmental  disasters,  marine  pollution  and  acute  health 
emergencies.  An  update  of  the  National  Risk  Assessment  and  18  regional  assessments  is 
ongoing. The national assessment includes 19 scenarios that define issues that might endanger 
vital functions of society or cause serious problems for people, property or environment. Ten 
of  these  scenarios  are  related  to  extreme  weather  conditions.  Assessments  of  climate 
adaptation and climate and weather-related risk management will be part of the process at the 
regional level.   

Flood risk maps and flood risk management plans have been prepared according to EU Floods 
Directive (2007/60/EC), under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 
The  future  flood  risks  have  been  considered  in  the  preliminary  flood  risk  assessment, 
completed  for  all  river  basins,  coastal  areas  and  municipalities  of  Finland.  Several  climate 
scenarios were used in the preliminary flood risk assessment to model their impact on floods 
during  the  next  100  years  and  the  impact  was  considered  when  the  areas  of  potential 
significant flood risk were identified. 

The LUOVA (multi-hazard) early warning system was initially developed for natural hazard 
warnings, it is  now used for weather, marine, flood, earthquake, tsunami and space weather 
warning  in  close  cooperation  with  other  technical  agencies.593  LUOVA  provides  an 
assessment of possible events during a restricted time of danger.  

The policies on preparedness in municipalities and developing rescue activities adopted by the 
Board of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities state that municipalities 
should  take  the  consequences  of  climate  change  into  account  in  their  own  plans  for 
preparedness.  There  is  no  evidence  on  how  future  climate  risks  have  indeed  been 
incorporated. 

593 http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/news/20140717_FinlandPeerReport.pdf  

222 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Promoting nature conservation and biodiversity is one of the statutory objectives of the Land 
Use  and  Building  Act  of  1999.  The  Act  also  requires  the  consideration  of  these  aspects  in 
regional  and  local  land-use  plans.594  The  update  of  the  national  governmental  land-use 
guidelines in 2008 mentions the need to consider storms, heavy rains and urban flooding and 
the risks of major accidents during land-use planning processes. The guidelines were revised 
so  that  they  would  better  able  to  meet  the  new  challenges  of  land  use,  especially  climate 
change595. The Guidelines implement the Land Use and Building Act and Decree and help to 
ensure that issues of national interest are taken into account in land use planning and in the 
activities  of  the  government  authorities  in  Finland.  The  Land  Use  and  Building  Act  is 
currently  under  revision  and  the  protection  of  biodiversity  and  cultural  environment  is 
specifically mentioned as an objective. 596 

In 2015 The Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities published a report on the 
climate  work  in  the  municipalities.  The  need  for  adaptation  measures  is  increasingly 
recognised in municipalities although the need varies between the regions and municipalities. 
The  most  common  measures  are  related  to  heavy  rain  and  disruptions  due  to  other  extreme 
weather events.  Work on adaptation  is  also  closely  related to  preparedness  and contingency 
planning in the municipalities. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

Sectoral adaptation is promoted by the NAP, and previously by the 2005 NAS.  

The need for climate adaptation is relatively well-recognised in different sectors, which are in 
differing  stages  of  mainstreaming.  The  most  advanced  sector  is  water  management,  where 
adaptation  has  already  been  integrated  into  decision  making.  For  example,  a  digital 
monitoring and risk management process has been developed for dam safety regulation, flood 
risk management legislation and the Water Services Act.  

The  key  policy  instruments  to  promote  climate  adaptation  are  sectoral  plans  that  detail  the 
specific  measures  for  mainstreaming  adaptation  into  sectoral  activities  and  planning 
processes, see Section B3. For example, the Action Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change of 
the  Environmental  Administration  (2016)597  details  how  adaptation  has  been  integrated  into 
land use planning and the building sector, along with additional measures still to be taken to 

594 Biodiversity Information for Europe, https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/gi/finland, accessed 16th of May 
2018 
595 Ministry of Environment, 2009. The Future of land use is being decided now. The revised land use guidelines 
of Finland. http://www.ym.fi/download/noname/%7B331CBF76-8C6B-4AAF-93E6-
95DCCF1E2AC2%7D/58466  
596 http://www.ym.fi/enUS/Latest_news/Press_releases/Revised_national_land_use_guidelines_tow(45417) 
597 http://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/79789 

223 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
strengthen mainstreaming. Likewise, measures are included for mainstreaming adaptation into 
nature conservation, water management and environmental protection.  

Regarding water management, long-term changes in the climate have been considered in the 
revised legislation on water resources and other relevant steering of the water sector. The key 
instruments  steering  the  water  sector  are  the  Water  Act  (2011),  Act  on  Flood  Risk 
Management  (2010)  implementing  the  Floods  Directive,  Dam  Safety  Act  (2009),  Water 
Services  Act  (2014).  Additionally,  a  handbook  on  preparing  for  floods  in  the  construction 
sector was completed in 2014, suggesting minimum elevations for buildings.  

Statutes aimed to improve the security of electricity supply were included in amendments to 
the electricity market legislation in Spring 2013. 

Recent  modifications  to  forest  legislation  in  2014,  i.e.  to  the  Forest  Act  5  and  the  Forest 
Damages  Prevention  Act  6,  take  into  account  climate  adaptation  by  allowing  more  diverse 
forest  management  and  reduced  length  of  timber  harvesting  cycles  in  response  to  pests.  In 
addition,  Finland’s  National  Forest  Strategy  2025  (2015)  contains  adaptation-related 
measures. The Forest Tree Breeding Programme 2050 (2008) includes a target for selection of 
suitable stock for reforestation that takes account of climate change. The use of high quality 
seed,  suitable  for  different  climatic  conditions,  is  promoted  by  establishment  of  new  seed 
orchards.  New  maps  that  take  into  account  climate    projections  were  released  in  2017  for 
deployment of improved seeds and seedlings of pine and are under preparation for spruce. In 
addition,  there  is  a  programme  for  establishing  a  network  of  genetic  forest  reserves.  The 
Finnish  Forest  Centre’s  forest  damage  contingency  plan  uses  appointed  regional  experts  to 
assist with rapid harvesting of wind-damaged trees in order to prevent consequential damage. 
Planning  of  forest-road  maintenance  has  been  developed  to  take  into  account  exceptional 
weather and soil conditions. 

Invasive  alien  species  are  a  threat  to  all  natural  resource  sectors,  e.g.  agriculture,  forestry, 
game  and  fisheries  and  reindeer  management  (SOPEUTUMISEN  TILA598).  The  EU 
Regulation  on  invasive  alien  species  entered  into  force  in  January  2015.  The  list  of  EU 
invasive  alien  species  entered  into  force  in  August  2016,  and  was  updated  in  August  2017. 
The  Finnish  National  Act  on  Managing  the  Risks  Caused  by  Alien  Species,  as  well  as  the 
Government Decree on Invasive Alien Species of National Concern (national list of invasive 
alien  species),  entered  into  force  on  1  January  2016.  The  national  invasive  alien  species 
portal599 was published in 2014. It enables citizens to recognise and report alien species. The 
portal  includes  information  on  and  pictures  of  alien  species,  maps  of  their  ranges  and 
instructions on combating them. 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No  

Flood  insurance  is  a  key  instrument  in  Finland.  In  2014,  compensation  for  flood  damage 
through  governmental funds was replaced  with  a private-insurance-based system. Under the 

598 http://jukuri.luke.fi/handle/10024/538722 
599 www.vieraslajit.fi 

224 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
new scheme, private insurance companies will provide damage compensation for all types of 
floods,  including  urban  pluvial  floods.  However,  this  will  apply  only  to  floods  above  a 
threshold, pre-defined in insurance policies. The National Flood Centre gives expert opinion 
on whether this threshold was exceeded or not. Flood insurance is included in a package with 
home insurance, with no increase to insurance premiums (at the start of policies). After a few 
years,  it  is  expected  that  premiums  will  be  recalculated  to  eventually  reflect  the  risk  level. 
Insurance companies may use the flood-risk maps prepared during implementation of the EU 
Floods Directive.600  

In 2016, some private insurance companies introduced products which cover risks for extreme 
weather  conditions.  Private  insurance  companies  offer  home  and  property  insurances  that 
cover  damage  caused  by  exceptional  floods,  as  well  as  severe  weather  events.  A  great 
majority of households and property owners have this insurance.  

There  is  a  state  aid  system  for  commercial  fishing  in  case  of  a  loss  or  damage  of  fishing 
equipment  or  vessel  in  Finnish  marine  waters.  Eligible  causes  of  loss  or  damage  include 
storms and ice, with a maximum vessel length of 12 metres. 

The Government compensation scheme for crop damages ended at the end of 2015, and the 
following  year  some  private  insurance  products,  which  cover  risks  for  extreme  weather 
conditions  were  introduced  on  the  market  by  private  insurance  companies.  Approximately 
less than one per cent of the whole arable area has been insured in (the first year) 2016. At the 
moment,  there  is  no  state  aid  to  make  the  insurance  more  attractive  for  farmers.  New 
guidelines  for  the  state  aid  by  the  European  Union  have  restricted  the  possibility  for 
governmental  compensation  of  damage  caused  by  plant  pests  in  agricultural  or  horticultural 
production, thus, no compensation has been paid since 2014. Adjustment of the compensation 
scheme for forest pests to the new guidelines has not yet been carried out. Private insurance 
products  covering  losses  caused  by  plant  pest  outbreaks  have  not  been  introduced  on  the 
market so far, although some private insurance companies have shown interest. 

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

Finland’s  Seventh  National  Communication  (2018)  under  the  United  Nations  Framework 
Convention  on  Climate  Change  provides  an  overview  of  progress  in  climate  adaptation  in 
different sectors.601 The need for adaptation measures is recognised in most sectors, impacts 
of climate change are known reasonably well, and adaptation measures have been identified 
and their implementation has started.  As discussed earlier, a significant  share of adaptation 
actions are implemented at local or regional level, such as flood protection.  

600 http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/news/20140717_FinlandPeerReport.pdf 
601 Climate change impacts, adaptation measures and vulnerability assessment. Chapter 6 in Finland’s Seventh 
National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 2017. Ministry 
of the Environment and Statistics Finland, Helsinki. pp. 179-216. 
https://www.stat.fi/static/media/uploads/tup/khkinv/fi_nc7_final.pdf 

225 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  most  advanced  sector  is  water  management,  where  adaptation  has  been  integrated  into 
decision making, and digital monitoring and risk management processes have been developed. 
Agriculture  and  food  production  are  also  relatively  advanced  in  implementation,  while 
transport and communication, forestry, health, energy, tourism are just beginning. Fisheries, 
insurance, game management and biodiversity are the least advanced although there has been 
some  progress  in  these  sectors,  too.  An  example  is  a  study  an  insurance  for  crop  flood 
damages  by  the  Finnish  Climate  Change  Panel602.  The  action  plan  for  adaptation  to  climate 
change  of  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Forestry  2011  to  2015  will  be  revised  in  2018, 
building  on  a  comprehensive  study  on  vulnerability  and  adaptation  in  agriculture,  forestry, 
fisheries, game and reindeer husbandry sectors that was completed in 2017. 

In summary the following actions plans have been completed for the administrative sectors:  

  Climate Programme. for Finnish  Agriculture  – Steps towards Climate Friendly  Food 

(2014) (will be updated in 2018) 

  Ministry of Environment Action Plan (2016) 

o  Built environment 
o  Conservation  
o  Biodiversity and ecosystems 
o  Water management (including sea and fresh waters) 
o  Cross-cutting  measures 

(research,  communications  and 

cooperation) 

international 

  The Energy and Climate Programme of The Finnish Defence Forces - objectives and 

measures (updated in 2018) 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Implementation of the NAP is monitored and promoted by a National Monitoring Group for 
Adaptation to Climate Change, which is steered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. 
The  municipal  and  regional  perspective  in  the  group  is  represented  by  the  Association  of 
Finnish  Local  and  Regional  Authorities.  The  National  Monitoring  Group  is  the  main 
mechanism for horizontal and vertical coordination. The objective of the monitoring group is, 
among others, to promote cooperation on adaptation between the government authorities and 
sectors of business and society. The current term of the monitoring group runs from 2015 to 
2018. 

The  Government  has  recently  produced  new  research  on  managing  the  climate  and  weather 
risks,  particularly  in  the  municipalities,  including  a  policy  brief  on  how  municipalities  can 
increase  climate  resilience  by  assessing  and  managing  risks.  The  brief  is  based  on  research 
carried out in the ELASTINEN-project that provides information and solutions for sectors and 
actors to manage weather and climate risks.  

602 In Finnish: 
http://www.ilmastopaneeli.fi/uploads/selvitykset_lausunnot/ilmastopaneeli_ilmastomuutoksen%20riskit%20201
6.pdf 

226 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
In  2017,  the  project  KUJA2  (2017-2019)  was  developed.  It  builds  on  the  results  of  the 
previous KUJA (2014-2016) project, and develops preparedness and continuity management 
in municipalities and in the new counties. KUJA2 aims to strengthen the interconnectedness 
of  municipalities,  regional  authorities  and  their  key  stakeholders  and  to  promote  common 
understanding related to preparedness. Climate adaptation is part of the process. Both projects 
are  implemented  in  cooperation  between  the  Association  of  Finnish  Local  and  Regional 
Authorities and the Finnish National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA).603  

Regarding the cooperation fostering the preparation  of the flood  risk management plans the 
Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Forestry  has  appointed  flood  groups  for  the  inland  water  and 
coastal  areas,  where  one  or  several  significant  flood  risk  areas  are  located,  with 
representatives from the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, 
Regional Councils, municipalities and rescue authorities. The planning involves collaboration 
with other parties as well as hearings of local residents and operators. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

We could not find any procedures or guidelines to assess potential climate impacts on major 
projects  or  programmes  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative  options.  The  NAP  includes 
measures to include climate impacts in the draft proposal for impact assessment guidelines for 
legislation, plans and programmes. There are some informal guidelines on increasing climate 
resilience in the public sector and public procurement604. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The  coordination  Group  for  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  was  formed  in  2008  to  monitor 
and promote the implementation  of the adaptation strategy together with  the network of the 
stakeholders.  Its  work  is  continued  in  a  Monitoring  Group  on  Climate  Change  Adaptation, 
which  was  appointed  in  2015.  The  monitoring  group  has  a  broad  representation  with 
representatives  from  the  Prime  Minister’s  Office  and  the  relevant  ministries,  agencies, 
regional and local actors, research institutes, fire and rescue services, and financial services. 
The  group  is  responsible  for  implementation,  follow-up  and  communication  relating  to  the 
adaptation plan and also for enhancing the cooperation between administrations and actors. 

There  are  also  sectoral  mechanisms for stakeholder engagement, including regular meetings 
and groups, the flood groups being one example. 

603 In Finnish: www.kuntaliitto.fi/kuja 
604 https://prezi.com/ydwrtd0fcb_y/julkinen-sektori-ilmastokestavyyden-tyokalut/  

227 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Monitoring  of  the  implementation  of  the  2005  NAS  was  first  published  in  a  mid-term 
evaluation report in 2009. In 2013, a second evaluation report took stock of the progress on 
implementation. 

In line with the new Climate Act, the implementation of the adaptation plan is monitored and 
reported to the Parliament once during the electoral term, as part as the annual climate report. 
The  section  on  adaptation  will  include  a  review  on  the  adequacy  and  effectiveness  of  the 
adaptation actions and, where appropriate, include a description of the implementation of the 
planned actions on a sector-by-sector basis. The monitoring report on climate adaptation has 
not yet been submitted during the current electoral term (2015-2019).  

The monitoring and evaluation of adaptation to climate change has been promoted in 2015 to 
2017  by  building  a  national  adaptation  monitoring  framework  and  its  indicators  in  cross-
sectoral  work.  In  particular,  climate  change  related  risks  to  the  society  and  its  various 
functions have been emphasised. The indicators are divided into three categories: 1. indicators 
representing climate impacts (these indicators measure the impacts and changes in exposure, 
such  as  sea  level  rise),  2.  indicators  representing  risks  (these  indicators  measure  changes  in 
vulnerability  such  as  through  flood  risk  maps),  and  3.  implementation  and  decision  making 
(indicators measuring the level of action and/or supportive decision making such as level of 
investment to renew sewage systems or emergency planning against heat waves in hospitals). 
Assembling  of  the  indicators  was  completed,  and  the  associated  report  has  been  released  in 
May  2017.605  The  report,  however,  recognises  that  further  work  is  needed,  for  example,  on 
harmonising and development sector-specific indicators and monitoring mechanisms.  

There  is  also  an  on-going  work  lead  by  the  Prime  Minister’s  Office  on  the  development  of 
sustainable  development  indicators  that  has  included  adaptation  relevant  indicators,  such  as 
on flooding. The aim is also to link climate adaptation with the on-going regional reform and 
the resilience and preparedness of regions.606  

Information on adaptation-related expenditures at national level has not yet been addressed.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral  policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

605 Arnkil, N., Lilja-Rothsten, S., Juntunen, R., Koistinen A. & Lahti, E. (2017). Ilmastonmuutokseen sopeutumisen 

indikaattorit seurannan työkaluna [Indicators As a Tool For Monitoring Climate Change Adaptation]. (in 
Finnish) Tapion raportteja nro 17. http://tapio.fi/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Ilmastonmuutokseen-
sopeutumisen-indikaattorit.pdf 

606 Personal communication with MS contact.  

228 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
A preliminary indicator of the level of adaptation in relevant sectors on a scale from one to 
five was developed in connection with the evaluation of the NAS implementation conducted 
in  2009.  In  addition  to  the  adaptation  measures  launched  in  a  specific  sector,  this  indicator 
takes  account  of  the  adaptation  research  in  the  sector,  cooperation  between  sectors  and 
recognition  of the need  for adaptation.  The exercise was repeated in  the 2013 evaluation  of 
the NAS and included in the NAP. 

Information on the implementation of adaptation actions is also monitored and disseminated 
through  sectoral  actions  plans,  updates  and  evaluations  (e.g.  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and 
Forestry, Ministry of Environment607). 

10c. Regional, sub-national or local action is monitored and the results of the monitoring 
are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  suggested  monitoring  framework  for  the  NAP  recognises  the  importance  of  the 
adaptation action at local and regional level and discusses potential indicators608. In Finland, 
many adaptation actions are implemented regionally or locally, specifically in flood and water 
management. Therefore, monitoring data for actions implicitly also cover regional and local 
actions,  even  if  not  explicitly  stated  so.  Local  and  regional  authorities  are  also  part  of  the 
Monitoring Group of the NAP (see indicator 11b).  

The Helsinki Metropolitan Area is advanced in monitoring and its Adaptation Strategy (2012) 
has its own monitoring and reporting framework. This framework includes indicators for the 
seven areas of focus (land use; transport and technical networks; buildings and climate proof 
local environment; water and waste management; rescue services and safety; social and health 
services; cooperation to produce and disseminate information). Monitoring information is also 
disseminated, and three monitoring/progress reports have been published since 2012. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The first evaluation report on the implementation of the 2005 NAS was published in 2009. A 
broader  evaluation  was  conducted  in  2013  to  assess  the  progress  in  adaptation  and  to  give 
feedback  and  recommendation  for  the  revision  of  the  strategy.  These  evaluations  led  to  the 
NAP. 

607 Ympäristöministeriö, 2013, Ympäristöministeriön hallinnonalan sopeutumisohjelman arviointi. Available at: 
http://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/41467/YMra_3_2013_Ymparistoministerion.pdf?seque
nce=2 (In Finnish, Documentation Page in English) 
608 Lilja-Rothsten et al., 2015, Ilmastonmuutoksen sopeutumisen seurannan järjestäminen. Seurantakehikko. 
Tapio. In Finnish: http://mmm.fi/documents/1410837/1516663/MMM-%23220285-v1-
sopeutumisen_seurannan_j%C3%A4rjest%C3%A4minen__loppuraportti_.pdf/0aebf686-d8e3-47a8-a213-
ca3bb7e4cae8 

229 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  mid-term  evaluation  of  the  NAP  is  ongoing  and  the  report  will  be  published  at  the 
beginning of 2019. 

The NAP is part of the planning system for climate change policy under the Climate Change 
Act. The act stipulates that the government approves a NAP at least every ten years. The NAS 
from  2005  had  a  mid-term  and  end-term  evaluations.  Therefore,  it  is  expected  that  each 
adaptation plan will be evaluated twice through a mid-term and final evaluation.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

The  Monitoring  Group  of  the  NAP  is  responsible  for  the  implementation,  follow-up, 
evaluation and communication relating to the NAP and promotes cooperation between sectors 
in adaptation actions and the overall awareness raising on adaptation. The Group is composed 
of  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Forestry,  other  ministries,  research  institutes,  local, 
regional and other relevant actors and associations. 

230 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1  Coordination structure 

Met? 

1a 

1b 

1c 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in  charge  of 

adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist 
within  the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance  system, 
enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence 
policy making. 

Yes / In progress 

/ No 

2  Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a 

2b 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary  cooperation 

is  planned 

to  address 

common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3  Current and projected climate change 

3a 

3b 

3c 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor  climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios  and  projections  are  used 

the 
economic,  social  and  environmental 
impacts  of 
climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical 
specificities  and  best  available  science  (e.g.  in 
response to revised IPCC assessments) 

to  assess 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
support 
sectors  are  undertaken 

to 

vulnerable 
adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress 

/ No 

Yes / In progress 

/ No 

3d 

Climate 

risks/vulnerability 

assessments 

take 

Yes / In progress 

transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

/ No 

4  Knowledge gaps 

4a 

Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and 

Yes / In progress 

address the knowledge gaps 

/ No 

231 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

5  Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is  available  to 
all  stakeholders, 
including  policy  makers  (e.g. 
through  a  dedicated  website  or  other  comparable 
means). 

Yes / In progress 

/ No 

Capacity  building  activities  take  place;  education  and 
training  materials  on  climate  change  adaptation 
concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 

/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6  Identification of adaptation options 

6a 

6b 

6c 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on 
analyses, 
robust  methods 
stakeholders'  consultation,  etc.)  and  consistent  with 
existing decision-making frameworks 

(e.g.  multi-criteria 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  disaster  risk 
management  and  climate  change  adaptation  and  to 
ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress 

/No 

7  Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a 

Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in 
vulnerable  sectors  and  for  cross-cutting  adaptation 
action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8  Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been 
for 

frameworks 

included 
environmental impact assessments 

national 

the 

in 

Prevention/preparedness 

in  place  under 
strategies 
national  disaster  risk  management  plans  take  into 
account climate change impacts and projections  

Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and 
maritime  spatial  planning  policies  take  into  account 
the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

National  policy 

instruments  promote  adaptation  at  Yes / In progress 

232 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

sectoral  level,  in  line  with  national  priorities  and  in 
areas  where  adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  EU 
policies 

8e 

Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
to  provide 

policy 
incentives for investments in risk prevention 

instruments,  where 

relevant, 

Met? 
/ No 

Yes / No 

9  Implementing adaptation 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  implemented,  e.g. 
in  action  plans  or  sectoral  policy 

as  defined 
documents 

Yes / In progress 

/ No 

Cooperation  mechanisms  in  place  to  foster  and  support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the 
potential impact  of climate change on major projects 
or programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 

the monitoring are disseminated 

10b 

The  integration  of  climate  change  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring 
are disseminated 

10c 

Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and 

the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11  Evaluation 

11a 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 

action plans is planned 

11b 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation 

and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

233 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

France 

Table of contents 
List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 235 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 236 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 236 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 236 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 236 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 236 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 236 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 237 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 237 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 238 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 238 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 238 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 240 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 242 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 242 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 244 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 245 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 246 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 246 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 248 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 249 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 249 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 251 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 252 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 252 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 253 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 255 

234 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ADEME 

L’Agence de l’environnement et de la maîtrise de l’énergie (Environment  and 
Energy Management Agency) 

EIA 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

EUSALP 

EU Strategy for the Alpine Region 

INTERREG 

Inter-regional cooperation programmes under the European Structural and  
Investment Funds 

IRD 

INRA   

NAS 

NAP 

ONERC 

Institut  de  recherche  pour  le  développment  (Institute  for  Development 
Research) 

Institut national de la recherche agronomique (National Institute of  
Agronomic Research) 

National adaptation strategy 

National adaptation plan 

Observatoire national sur les effets du réchauffement climatique (national  
observatory on the effects of global warming) 

PCAET 

Plans Climat-Air-Energie Territoriaux (Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plans) 

PNACC 

Plan National d’Adaptation au Changement (National climate adaptation  
plan, or NAP) 

PPRI 

Plan de prévention des risques d'inondation (flood risk management plan) 

SDAGE 

Schémas directeurs d’aménagement et de gestion des eaux (river basin  
management plans) 

SRADDET 

Schéma  regional  d'aménagement,  de  développement  durable  et  d'égalité  des 
territoires  (Regional  Plan  for  Sustainable  Development  and  Territorial 
Equality) 

SRCAE 

Schéma  régional  du  climat,  de  l’air  et  de  l’énergie  (Regional  Framework  on 
Climate, Air and Energy) 

In  addition,  several  abbreviations  representing  the  French  acronym  for  organisations  whose 
titles are given in English are provided once (to provide clarity for French readers). 

235 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

A  National  Adaptation  Strategy,  NAS  (Stratégie  nationale  d’adaptation  au  changement 
climatique), was adopted in December 2006609. It was developed via a wide consultation with 
stakeholders  by  the  national  observatory  on  the  effects  of  global  warming  (Observatoire 
national  sur  les  effets  du  réchauffement  climatique,  ONERC),  and  presents  key  actors  and 
principles  for  addressing  climate  adaptation.  A  process  for  revising  the  NAS  was  launched 
with  the  publication  in  November  2015  of  an  evaluation  report610,  which  was  in  turn 
incorporated by ONERC into a wider set of recommendations for action in 2016611, and with 
the  announcement  in  2016  of  a  process  for  the  revision  of  the  National  Adaptation  Plan 
(NAP), see below. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

At the regional level, all of the 26 (one per region) Regional Frameworks on Climate, Air and 
Energy  (SRCAEs)  have  been  approved,  covering  100%  of  the  French  population.  The 
SRCAE  requirements  include  detailed  information  on  planned  mitigation,  air  quality  and 
adaptation  actions  and  measures.  The  section  on  adaptation  measures  in  each  Regional 
Framework is adapted to the regional context. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

A  National  Adaptation  Plan  2011-2015,  NAP  (Plan  National  d’Adaptation  au  Changement 
Climatique  -  PNACC),  was  adopted  in  2011612.  It  sets  out  a  range  of  proposed  actions  and 
implementation  processes,  covering  a  wide  range  of  sectors.  The  NAP  was  developed  in 
coordination  with  stakeholders.  The  development  of  a  new  NAP  was  announced  in  the 
national climate plan (Plan Climat), published in July 2017. The adoption of this new NAP is 

609 See ONERC, 2006 Stratégie nationale d’adaptation au changement climatique : https://www.ecologique-
solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/ONERC_Rapport_2006_Strategie_Nationale_WEB.pdf 
610 See Conseil général de l’Environnement et du Développement durable (CGEDD), 2015, Evaluation du plan 
national d'adaptation au changement climatique 
http:\\cgedd.documentation.developpement-durable.gouv.fr\documents\cgedd\010178-01_rapport.pdf 
611 See Adaptation au changement climatique : Évaluation de la démarche nationale et recommandations, 
ONERC report to the Prime Minister and to Parliament, 2016. http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/rapports-
publics/174000726/index.shtml  
612 Ministère de l’Écologie, du Développement durable, des Transports et du Logement, 2011 : Plan national 
d’Adaptation au Changement Climatique 
http://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/ONERC_PNACC_1_complet.pdf  

236 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
expected by the middle of 2018 but implementation of some actions and measures is already 
under way613. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plans (Plans Climat-Air-Energie Territoriaux, PCAET), which 
are compatible with the SRCAEs’ strategic orientations and with urban planning documents, 
concern all levels, from the region to the municipality. Since 2010, they have been mandatory 
for local authorities with more than 50 000 inhabitants; and, since 2016, mandatory for local 
authorities with more than 20 000 inhabitants (2016 was also when air quality requirements 
were incorporated into the plans). 

The  process  for  the  adoption  of  river  basin  management  plans  (Schémas  directeurs 
d’aménagement et de gestion des eaux - SDAGE) and flood risk management plans (“plan de 
prévention  des  risques  d'inondation”,  PPRI)  is  set  out  in  detail  in  the  national  Environment 
Law (Code de l’Environnement614 Livre II, titre 1er), and requires the close involvement of a 
river  basin  committee  (Comité  de  Bassin),  which  includes  representatives  of  local  and 
regional levels of administration. The local and regional authorities are then consulted on the 
detailed proposals  for the plans, with  clear evidence of strong participation. A high level  of 
engagement  on  climate  adaptation  issues  can  be  observed  in  the  river  basin  management 
plans, which are in most cases informed by a specific river basin plan for climate adaptation 
(plan de bassin d'adaptation au changement climatique).  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

As  established  in  the  first  NAP  (2011-2015),  SDAGEs  (2016-2021)  are  required  to  include 
adaptation actions and measures. All SDAGEs had been approved by December 2015. 

The National Sea and Coastline Strategy615 (Stratégie Nationale pour la mer et le littoral) was 
published  in  July  2017.  This  strategy  also  refers  to  the  national  strategy  on  integrated 
coastline management (Stratégie intégrée de gestion du trait de côte)616.  

The National Research Strategy617 includes a reference to climate adaptation, identifying the 
“responsible  management  of  resources  and  climate  adaptation”  as  one  of  10  societal 
challenges that research efforts should address. 

In the agriculture sector, the General Council for Food, Agriculture, and Rural Areas (Conseil 
général  de  l’alimentation,  de  l’agriculture  et  des  espaces  ruraux)  was  commissioned  to 

613 Personal communication with MS contact. 
614 Code de l’environnement, version consolidée au 21 avril 2018, available at :  
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006074220&dateTexte=29990101&cate
gorieLien=cid  
615 See : https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/SNML_def.pdf 
616 See : https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/12004-
1_Strat%C3%A9gie%20gestion%20trait%20de%20c%C3%B4te%202017_light.pdf 
617 http://cache.media.enseignementsup-
recherche.gouv.fr/file/Strategie_Recherche/26/9/strategie_nationale_recherche_397269.pdf 

237 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
consider the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector. Its report618 was published in 
June 2017 and provides detailed recommendations for a range of scenarios. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In France, the Ministry for Ecological and Inclusive Transition (or Ministère de la Transition 
écologique  et  solidaire)  is  responsible  for  climate  adaptation.  One  of  the  directorates  of  the 
ministry is the General Directorate on Energy and Climate. The General Directorate designs 
and  enforces  policies  on  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation.  Within  the  General 
Directorate, the ONERC) is responsible for adaptation policy-making. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

Until recently, there was no specific horizontal governance structure for adaptation in France, 
although  a  clear  division  of  responsibilities  was  identified  in  the  first  NAP,  and  relevant 
sectoral  ministries  were  involved  in  its  development.  Actions  were  listed  in  the  first  NAP 
according to different sectors, such as agriculture, the forestry sector, fishery, aquaculture, the 
energy sector, industry, the transport sector, infrastructure, buildings and tourism.  

Sectoral  departments  were  then  in  charge  of  implementing  measures  in  their  area  of 
competence while ONERC ensured overall implementation monitoring; ONERC fulfilled this 
role,  reviewing  activity  at  sectoral  level.  Every  action  committed  in  the  NAP  identified  the 
leading  actors  and  partners  to  be  considered  for  implementing  each  action.  The  NAP 
contained  a  set  of  identified  cross-cutting  actions,  where  many  sectoral  ministries  were 
involved.  More  specific  sectoral  actions  also  involved  several  sectoral  ministries,  where 
relevant.  

This governance system has been reinforced in the process of developing the revised NAP. A 
specialised  Committee  of  the  National  Commission  for  Ecological  Transition  (CNTE)  has 
been  established  to  guide  the  actions  of  ONERC  and  will  also  be  in  charge  of  the  regular 
monitoring (three times a year) of the future NAP.  

618 “Eau, agriculture et changement climatique: Statu quo ou anticipation? Synthèse et recommandations”, 
CGAER, 2017 

238 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Regional  planning  is  led  by  the  regional  assemblies  and  local  state  representatives.  Local 
adaptation planning is led by the local councils. There has been some vertical integration with 
regard  to  climate  adaptation  through  the  development  of  the  SRCAE  and  the  PCAET.  The 
SRCAE  was  created  in  2010  by  the  Grenelle  II  law  619.  These  plans  were  drawn  up  in 
collaboration between the state and the region, and include climate and energy goals, with a 
requirement for a section on climate adaptation. Since 2016, the duty to develop an SRCAE 
was  replaced  by  a  new  requirement  for  regions  to  adopt  a  Regional  Plan  for  Sustainable 
Development  and  Territorial  Equality,  SRADDET  (Schéma  regional  d'aménagement,  de 
développement durable et d'égalité des territoires620).  

To  implement  the  SRCAE  at  a  more  local  level,  PCAET  were  developed.  PCAET’s  were 
defined by the NAP and integrated into the Grenelle laws. They were required for territories 
of more than 50,000 inhabitants and could (at the choice of the region) be combined with the 
SRCAE.  The  territories  are  required  to  integrate  adaptation  measures  in  their  territorial 
policies.  Climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation  are  also  integrated  in  the  Local 
Urbanisation Plans and the Territorial Coherence Schemes. 

The  process  for  local  and  regional  governments  to  influence  national  policy-making  is  less 
detailed; however, the Grenelle consultation process, which prepared the first NAP, involved 
close  engagement  of  local  and  regional  authorities  as  one  of  five  “colleges”  (NGOs;  state; 
employers; employees; territorial collectivities). The Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive 
Transition has provided for the involvement of local and regional authorities in developing the 
revision process of the NAP, and in particular has called for the regional economic, social and 
environmental  councils  (Conseils  économiques,  sociaux  et  environnementaux  régionaux)  to 
be closely associated with the new NAP. 

The coordination of cities is ensured by the regional level, because the PCAET should be in 
coherence with the SRADDET, but also with the sectoral plans, schemes and strategies, such 
as  SDAGEs,  PPRIs,  Coastline  Management  Strategy  or  Mountain  Area  Strategy,  when 
relevant.  

The process for vertical and horizontal coordination is presented in the figure below.  

619 Loi no 2010-788 du 12 juillet 2010 portant engagement national pour l'environnement. 
620 See : Décret n° 2016-1071 du 3 août 2016 relatif au schéma régional d'aménagement, de développement 
durable et d'égalité des territoires. 

239 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Figure 1: Stakeholder’s involvement in policy development  

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

A  range  of  different  stakeholders  were  involved  in  the  development  of  the  first  NAP.  In 
advance  of  its  development,  there  was  a  concertation  in  2010  of  elected  representatives, 
communities,  the  state,  employers,  unions  and  associations.  National  groups,  overseas 
regions,  interregional  groups  submitted  reports  in  2010.  Furthermore,  a  report  of  a  public 
consultation was published online621. An active process of stakeholder involvement is also in 
hand for the revision of the NAP.  

Six  working  groups  were  engaged  from  June  2016  to  July  2017.  They  proposed  33 
recommendations622, which are intended to form the basis of the new NAP. The process for 
the  development  of  adaptation  policy,  including  the  development  of  the  new  NAP,  relies 

621 See p.9 of the NAP, referred to in footnote 612 
622 See: https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/adaptation-france-au-changement-climatique#e  

240 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
heavily on stakeholder engagement, and provides frequent opportunities for stakeholder input 
on specific issues.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The  current  NAS  contains  some  statements  about  transboundary  coordination  to  ensure  a 
sound  territorial  approach  to  the  adaptation  action,  but  there  is  no  indication  of  action  to 
prepare  for  transboundary  cooperation  on  common  challenges.  While  the  current  NAP 
includes a section on international and European cooperation, it focuses on development aid 
issues,  and on EU-level  policymaking, and does  not  address  transboundary  issues related to 
the  French  territory.  However,  there  is  some  transboundary  cooperation  at  national 
government  level,  and  the  revised  NAP  is  expected  to  address  transboundary  issues  more 
directly623.  

Transboundary  issues  in  France  are  mostly  addressed  via  EU  Interreg  projects,  or  via 
transboundary  SDAGEs  (Meuse,  Rhine)  or  transboundary  observatories  (Pyrenees)  or 
international  conventions  (Alpine  Convention,  Mediterranean  action  plan,  Indian  Ocean 
Commission).  It  has  not  been  possible  to  establish  to  what  extent  this  is  coordinated  at 
national  level,  although  there  is  active  involvement  of  prefectoral  services,  representing  the 
national government. There is some collaboration on climate adaptation in these projects. For 
example,  the  Interreg  project  POCTEFA  between  France  and  Spain,  the  Interreg  2  MERS 
between  France,  England  and  the  Netherlands  and  the  Interreg  ALCOTRA  between  France 
and Italy have climate adaptation cooperation among their goals. The AMICE project under 
the  Interreg North West  Europe programme specifically  addressed climate adaptation in  the 
Meuse  river  basin.  Recently,  a  project  on  adaptation  in  the  Alpine  areas  (ARTACLIM)  has 
been  launched  in  the  frame  of  the  Interreg  Alcotra  (Italy-France)  project.  France  is  also 
involved in the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP).  

In  2017,  France  involved  one  of  its  experts  in  the  Alpine  Climate  Board,  which  was 
established under the Alpine Convention to bundle together climate change initiatives in the 
Alpine  area  and  to  elaborate  proposals  for  a  concrete  set  of  objectives  of  the  Alpine 
Convention  towards  the  perspective  of  a  “climate-neutral  Alpine  space”.  In  addition,  close 
cooperation must be established with the various projects of the Alpine Space Program  (the 
European  transnational  programme  for  the  Alpine  Region)  and  Action  Groups  under  the 
EUSALP. 

As  of  1  January  2018,  the  L'ASADAC-MDP  (Savoie  Vivante  et  l'Agence  touristique 
départementale  de  la  Savoie)  merged  into  AGATE  (Agence  alpine  des  territoires).  The 
Observatoire Savoyard du Changement Climatique is part of AGATE. 

623 Personal communication with MS contact. 

241 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The website of Météo-France (the French national  weather service)  contains  information  on 
the  climate  in  the  past,  present  and  the  future624.  Yearly  and  seasonal  assessments,  public 
climatologic  data  and  early  warning  system  for  extreme  events  including  storm  surges  are 
available  to  the  public625.  Data  include  knowledge  on  temperatures,  rainfall,  humidity, 
atmospheric pressure, wind, sunshine, storms, snow, droughts, etc. (Météo-France, 2017a). In 
addition, climate change indicators for France are available online and regularly updated on 
the ONERC website. They include climate indicators regarding the atmosphere, temperature 
and  precipitation.  An  ONERC  indicator  is  dedicated  to  population  exposure  to  climate 
events626,  based  on  the  climate  events  database  (Gaspar627)  crossed  with  the  population 
database. 

In  addition  to  the  monitoring  of  extreme  weather  events  and  impacts  in  France  referred  to 
above, France also contributes to global monitoring efforts. The Institut Pierre Simon Laplace 
contributes  to  climate  studies  on  a  global  scale.  The  institute  studies  the  atmosphere,  the 
oceans, the ice, the continental surfaces, marine biogeochemistry, the radiative balance of the 
Earth,  and  the  water  and  carbon  cycles628.  The  National  Observation  Services  are  bodies 
tasked with documenting the formation, evolution and variability of the astronomical system 
and the terrestrial environment on the long term629.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

ONERC  collects  and  disseminates  information  on  the  risks  of  climate  change  including 
climate projections. ONERC is in contact with scientific organisations, such as the National 
Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the national meteorological and climatological service 
(Météo-France),  the  Research  Institute  for  Development  (IRD)  and  the  National  Institute  of 
Agronomic Research (INRA).  

624 See Tout savoir sur la météo, le climat et Météo-France. Available online (accessed the 14th March 2017) 
http://www.meteofrance.fr/climat-passe-et-futur 
625 See: http://pluiesextremes.meteo.fr/ 
626 See: https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/impacts-du-changement-climatique-sante-et-societe  
627 See: https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/gaspar/ 
628 Institut Pierre Simon Laplace : A propos de l’IPSL : https://www.ipsl.fr/Organisation/A-propos-de-l-IPSL  
629 Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Services Nationaux d'Observation : 
http://www.insu.cnrs.fr/node/1228  

242 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Climate  projections  are  available  through  an  extensive  scientific  approach  via  a  reference 
climate scenarios report, a sea-level rise report and a downscaled indices report.  

A scientific report assessing future climate projections until 2100 in France, “The climate in 
France in  the 21th  century” was published in  2014630. The report was commissioned by the 
Ministry  of  Sustainable  Development  (the  current  Ministry  for  the  Ecological  and  Inclusive 
Transition), and written by scientists from Météo-France in collaboration with scientists from 
IPSL (Institut Pierre Simon Laplace) and from  Cerfacs (Centre européen de recherche et de 
formation  avancée  en  calcul  scientifique).  The  evolution  of  precipitations  and  temperatures 
were studied. The scenarios are based on three of the four scenarios of the Intergovernmental 
on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (AR5).  

From 2009 to 2013, the Datar (now CGET) entrusted the regional prefects with the steering of 
six  studies addressing vulnerability and adaptation issues at the interregional  level  (with the 
exception  of  Île-de-France  and  Overseas  territories).  Whenever  possible,  this  work  was 
articulated  in  line  with  the  preparation  of  the  SRCAE  in  cooperation  with  the  Regional 
Councils. These six studies have also contributed to the PCAET. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

In  2009631,  the  Ministry  of  Ecology,  Energy,  Sustainable  Development  and  the  Sea  (the 
current Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition) produced a report on the costs of 
the impact of climate change, which was the result of meetings between ministries to assess 
the sectoral costs of the impact and adaptation to climate change. These groups were centrally 
organised  by  the  Ministry  of  Ecology,  Energy,  Sustainable  Development  and  the  Sea.  The 
groups  consisted  of  experts  from  research,  administration  and  the  private  sector.  The 
knowledge  base  was  built  around  various  research  projects  at  national,  regional  and  local 
level.  The  sectoral  costs  in  the  sectors  of  health,  agriculture,  forestry,  water,  transport 
infrastructure,  building  infrastructure,  energy,  tourism,  natural  risks  and  insurances, 
biodiversity and territories were presented. 

In  1999,  the  Ministry  of  Ecology,  Sustainable  Development,  Transports  and  Housing  (the 
current  Ministry  for  the  Ecological  and  Inclusive  Transition)  launched  the  research 
programme  ‘Management  and  Impacts  of  Climate  Change’632  (GICC).  Different  organisms 

630 Jouzel J., G. Ouzeau, M. Déqué, M. Jouini, S. Planton, R. Vautard, M.Vrac Jouzel et al., 2014, Le climat de la 
France au XXIe siècle Scénarios régionalisés – Édition 2014 pour la métropole et les régions d'outre-mer, Août 
2014p.3, http://www.drias-climat.fr/  
631 Ministère de l’Ecologie, de l’Energie, du Développement Durable et de la Mer (2009) : Changement 
climatique : Coûts des impacts et pistes d’adaptation.  
http://www.ecologique-
solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/ONERC_rapport_Climate%20change_Costs%20of%20impacts%20and%20li
nes%20of%20adaptation_ENG.pdf  
632 See Gestion et Impacts du Changement Climatique : Presentation of the GICC programme.  

243 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
contribute  to  the  programme,  such  as  the  French  Board  for  Economic  Studies  and 
Environmental  Evaluation  (D4E),  the  inter-ministry  task-force  on  the  greenhouse  effect 
(MIES), the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), ONERC, the 
French  Biodiversity  Institute,  etc.  They  gather  information  on  climate  change  impact, 
greenhouse gas limitation and adaptation measures to support public policies. Studies include 
research  on  impacts  on  health,  agriculture,  coastal  impacts,  forests,  fisheries,  etc.  In  2012, 
impacts,  vulnerability  and adaptation  options in  French overseas regions  were evaluated  for 
various sectors633.  

Nevertheless,  the  2015  evaluation  of  the  NAP  mentions  (p.43)  that  no  study  has  yet  been 
carried  out  to  identify  the  industrial  sectors  or  tourism  sectors  most  vulnerable  to  climate 
change or to indicate opportunities, as it was foreseen in the NAP. To fill the gaps, sectoral 
vulnerability assessment is expected to be conducted as part of the second NAP.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

The assessment report (see Indicator 3c) does not consider impacts spreading across borders. 
The NAS contains some statements about consistency of adaptation action across boundaries, 
but  this  objective  is  not  developed  in  the  NAP  into  specific  action.  Nevertheless,  some 
detailed  and  structured  assessment  of  specific  transboundary  risks  is  included  in  material 
developed  under  transboundary  structure  and  projects  referred  to  at  Indicator  2b  above.  As 
noted above, it is expected that the revised NAP will focus more explicitly on transboundary 
issues. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The first NAP (2011) contained a high number of detailed and focused research actions across 
most  thematic  sections,  plus  an  additional  section  on  research.  ONERC  is  charged  with 
making  recommendations  about  knowledge  needs  to  inform  the  NAS,  and  works  in 
coordination with the relevant national research institutions. 

Although it is not fully clear what mechanisms exist for funding (e.g. there is not an explicit 
link  of  the  needs  identified  in  the  NAP  with  the  national  research  programme634,  or  the 
GICC),  a  2013  mid-term  evaluation  of  implementation  of  the  NAP635  stated  that,  despite  a 

http://www.gip-ecofor.org/gicc/?q=en/node/119  
633 See : https://www.ecologique-
solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/ONERC_Rapport_2012_OutreMer_WEB.pdf  
634 Stratégie nationale pour la recherche et l'innovation 
635 Évaluation à mi-parcours du Plan national d'adaptation au changement climatique, ONERC 2013 

244 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
significant shortfall in the funding initially expected, 94% of the research actions identified in 
the 'research' section of the NAP had already been funded636. Similar figures were reported for 
other  knowledge  gathering  actions  identified  as  a  priority  in  other  NAP  sections.  This  is 
evidence that knowledge gaps are identified and  funding is  mobilised to  address  them  (also 
through  the  identification  of  new  co-financing  partners).  The  2015  evaluation  of  the  NAP 
identifies new knowledge gaps and makes recommendations, directed at specific government 
ministries, to address them. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Since July 2012, there is free access to the latest French high-resolution climate simulations 
and  data  (projections,  parameters,  indices)  provided  by  the  "Drias  –  les  futurs  du  climat" 
website, which aims at providing climate services in France. 

The  ONERC  collects  and  disseminates  information  on  the  risks  of  climate  change.  Reports 
are available on the site of the Ministry for Ecological and Inclusive Transition.  

The NAP mentions (p.50) the goal to develop a website to spread recent scientific information 
on  climate  change.  The  Wiklimat  platform  was  developed  within  the  framework  of  the 
national adaptation plan to climate change. It was established in 2013. The website contains 
information on initiatives regarding climate adaptation. Different stakeholders can share their 
experiences  and  realisations.  The  information  on  the  website  is  structured  according  to 
sectoral  fields  (agriculture,  biodiversity,  energy,  forestry,  etc.),  environments  (forests,  sea, 
cities,  etc.),  on  territories  (international,  Europe,  outermost  regions,  French  regions)  and  on 
stakeholders (state, communities, associations, private sector, etc.)637. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

A partnership between the national education ministry and Météo-France led to the creation of 
a  website  about  the  atmosphere,  the  climate  and  its  evolution,  in  support  of  education 
programs in primary school, middle school and high school638.  

The  French  Environment  and  Energy  Management  Agency  (ADEME)  provides  advice  and 
expertise  on  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation  to  businesses,  local  authorities  and 

636 For instance, the National Forest Plan fosters research on adaptation solutions. Similar research is also 
conducted in fisheries and aquaculture. 
637 See http://wiklimat.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/index.php/Portail:Wiklimat  
638 See http://education.meteofrance.fr/, (MEDTL, 2011, p. 52) (Météo-France, 2017b) 

245 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
communities,  government  bodies  and  the  public  at  large.  ADEME  supports  research  and 
innovation and sets up communication campaigns to inform the public and raise awareness639. 

In addition, the current NAP mentions that the strategy on jobs in the green economy has to 
take the impact of climate adaptation in different sectors into account. Detailed work on the 
development  of  the  new  plan  included  a  focus  on  employment  and  training  issues,  and 
detailed  recommendations  on  socio-economic  impacts  (as  part  of  the  recommendations  of 
stakeholder  working  groups  published  in  July  2017).  It  emphasised  the  need  for  a  detailed 
analysis of training requirements.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Some progress under the current NAP has been made in all 17 of the sectors for which actions 
and measures were identified640. For example, the project “Climator” assessed the impacts of 
climate  change  on  agriculture  in  France  from  2007  until  2010  and  was  carried  out  by  7 
institutes  and  organisations.  The  project  was  financed  by  the  National  Research  Agency 
(ANR).  Estimations  were  done  at  13  sites  representative  for  France.  The  work  of  Climator 
consists of analyses of possible impacts according to different hypotheses about the climate in 
the future. Prospective models were created on a biotechnological level641. Local strategies for 
the  management  of  the  risk  of  flooding  have  been  developed  as  well  as  coastal  Risk 
Prevention Programs (PPR) that function as climate adaptation measures. 

The  evaluation  of  the  NAP  notes  that  an  intended  study  to  identify  the  industrial  sectors  or 
touristic sectors most vulnerable to climate change or to indicate opportunities, has not in fact 
been  carried  out.  Sectoral  vulnerability  assessment  is  now  a  priority  foreseen  in  the  second 
NAP. 

Work  on  the  development  of  the  new  NAP  has  included  a  comprehensive  cross-sectoral 
analysis  of  needs,  culminating  in  the  publication  of  recommendations  from  stakeholder 
groups in July 2017, referred to above.  

639 See http://www.ademe.fr/en/about-ademe  
640 Health; water resources; biodiversity; natural risks; agriculture; forestry; fisheries and aquaculture; energy 
and industry; infrastructure and transport; planning and the built environment; tourism; publicity; training and 
education; research; finance and insurance; coastal areas; mountain areas. 
641 See Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique : Projet Climator 
http://w3.avignon.inra.fr/projet_climator/  

246 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Research  was  carried  out  in  2009  to  identify  sectoral  costs  and  benefits  of  adaptation 
action642. The 2015  evaluation  of the NAP notes the need for  further work  to  identify  costs 
and  benefits  of  adaptation  measures  in  different  sectors.  However,  a  stakeholders’ 
consultation, which took place from June 2016 to July 2017, prioritised 33 recommendations 
grouped in six major domains. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

Several  adaptation  measures  related  to  disaster  risk  reduction  are  being  implemented.  More 
specifically,  the  French  NAS  mentions  reducing  risk  inequalities  among  its  four  objectives 
and as one of the four transversal approaches. This notion was translated into the first NAP, 
which  included  a  dedicated  section  on  natural  hazards  (28  measures  out  of  240).  These 
measures are structured around five main areas: i) developing knowledge in sensitive areas, ii) 
developing observations, iii) a flagship measure on sea level rise; generalising vigilance and 
alert  mechanisms;  iv)  integrating  climate  change  impacts  on  natural  hazards  in  urban 
management; and v) reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience and adaptation to climate 
change. The second NAP will also contain a “resilience and prevention” domain.  

The first NAP included 28 measures related to dealing with natural hazard. Information tools 
have  been  developed  and  practices  by  professionals  on  their  assessment  of  natural  hazard 
risks have been reviewed. An iterative process is intended to ensure tools are timely adapted.  

Both  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk  management  have  clear  structures  at  national  and 
regional  levels.  Cooperation  between  the  two  is  to  some  extent  guaranteed  by  the  role  of 
Prefects in the hierarchy of both.  

France  has  a  detailed  mechanism  for  disaster  risk  management,  based  on  the  publication  of 
plans at the level of each département setting out how the response to a range of risks will be 
organised (“L’organisation de la réponse de sécurité civile”). These include the identification 
of key climate-related risks (heatwaves, floods, etc), and the impact of climate change is taken 
into account in their identification, and in the plans themselves. In addition, a specific plan for 
reducing  flood  risks  (PPRI)  is  prepared  in  zones  at  risk  of  flooding,  with  a  process  for 
ensuring  that  it  is  informed  by  developments  in  climate  modelling.  A  national  strategy  for 

642 Ministère de l’Ecologie, de l’Energie, du Développement Durable et de la Mer : Changement climatique : 
Coûts des impacts et pistes d’adaptation. http://www.ecologique-
solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/ONERC_rapport_Climate%20change_Costs%20of%20impacts%20and%20li
nes%20of%20adaptation_ENG.pdf  

247 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
managing flood risks (“stratégie nationale de gestion des risques d’inondation”) was adopted 
in  2014643, with  a focus on the need to  identify increased risks as a result of the impacts of 
climate change. 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

The  cost  of  implementing  the  NAP  has  been  estimated  at  EUR  171  million,  excluding 
governmental staff costs. The budget of EUR 171 million aimed to finance all the activities in 
the NAP, including sectoral, transversal and territorial actions. A total of EUR 391 million for 
future investments has contributed partially to climate adaptation. The financing of the Plan 
against Drought and the Fast Submersion Plan contributed with another EUR 500 million for 
the period 2011-2016 to the adaptation needs. However, the final assessment was not able to 
conclude  on  the  level  of  actual  financial  commitment,  given  the  partial  coverage  of  the 
financial monitoring. 

The  second  NAP  is  still  under  consideration,  but  it  is  foreseen  that  the  Specialised 
Commission  of  the  National  Committee  for  Ecological  Transition  (CNTE)  will  regularly 
monitor the budget allocation and execution. 

In  France,  adaptation  is  also  indirectly  promoted  via  the  State’s  role  on  insurance  markets. 
The State acts as reinsurer of last resort. Moreover, insurers are directly involved in funding 
risk  prevention  policies.  Levies  collected  by  private  insurers  contribute  to  financing  state-
sponsored preventive action (via the so-called Barnier Fund644), such as relocating high-risk 
assets,  risk  reduction  investments  by  individuals,  and  risk  assessment  and  risk  management 
undertakings by local authorities. 

France  allocated  the  second-highest  level  of  funding  from  EU  Structural  and  Investment 
Funds  to  Thematic  Objective  5  “Promoting  climate  change  adaptation,  risk  prevention  and 
management”, with a total of EUR4866m, the bulk of it from rural development funds. 

643 “Stratégie nationale de gestion des risques d’inondation”, Ministère de l’Écologie, du Développement durable 
et de l’Énergie, 2014 ; https://www.ecologique-
solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2014_Strategie_nationale_gestion_risques_inondations.pdf  
644 See : http://www.doubs.gouv.fr/Politiques-publiques/Amenagement-du-territoire-Construction-Logement-et-
Transports/Financement-des-projets-d-investissement/Fonds-de-prevention-des-riques-naturels-majeurs  

248 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Directive  2014/52  on  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  has  been  implemented  in 
France  by  a  regulation  from  2016645.  The  national  legislation  requirements  are  expressed  in 
terms  of  the  need  to  assess  the  impact  of  projects  and,  in  the  case  of  the  Strategic 
Environmental  Assessment  (SEA)  Directive,  plans  and  programmes  on  the  climate.  The 
requirement to address climate impacts is not, however, further specified in order to consider 
adaptation needs. A guide to climate vulnerability assessment in the national EIA framework 
is under consideration. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Some  future  risks  are  being  considered  in  current  French  disaster  risk  management  plans. 
Risk is considered in coastal planning through the July 2011 guidelines for storm-surge risk 
zoning,  including  future  sea-level  rise.  The  projected  increase  in  frequency  and  intensity  of 
heat  waves  is  included  in  the  “Heatwave  Plan”  at  national  and  local  levels.  Similarly,  the 
national strategy for managing flood risks (see Indicator 6c above) identifies increased risk of 
extreme  weather  events  and  the  impacts  of  sea-level  rise  as  key  drivers  for  increased 
preparedness. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

The  first  NAP  covered  urban  planning,  coasts  and  mountain  areas.  The  2013  mid-term 
evaluation  suggested  that  the  integration  of  adaptation  considerations  into  key  land  use  and 
urban planning as well as in coastal and mountain areas was progressing satisfactorily. At the 
regional  and  local  level,  the  SRADDET  (SRCAE)  and  the  PCAET  (PCET)  continue  to 
promote the inclusion of adaptation policy in local spatial/urban planning.  

645 Ordonnance no 2016-1058 du 3 août 2016 relative à la modification des règles applicables à l’évaluation 
environnementale des projets, plans et programmes 

249 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAS mentions recommendations regarding agriculture, energy and industry, the transport 
sector,  buildings  and  habitats,  tourism,  banks  and  insurance.  The  first  NAP  focused  on 
ensuring  that  adaptation  was  mainstreamed  in  various  sectoral  policies,  with  actions  and 
measures  listed  in  17  sectoral  fiches.  The  sectoral  coverage  of  the  NAP  was  extensive. 
Adaptation actions were mentioned in relation to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, 
energy,  industry,  transport,  infrastructure,  buildings,  and  tourism.  The  2015  evaluation 
suggested that the integration of adaptation considerations into resource management policies 
is  progressing satisfactorily in  biodiversity, forestry  and agriculture. Some initial  steps have 
also  been  taken  to  integrate  adaptation  into  water  management  cycles,  as  SDAGEs  are 
revised,  including  some  achievements  in  specific  river  basins.  As  noted  above,  the 
recommendations published for the revised NAP in July 2017 include detailed assessment of a 
wide range of sectoral policy needs.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

 Yes / No 

The  French  system  has  a  long  history  of  investigating  the  role  of  insurance  in  risk 
management,  and  includes  a  public  mechanism  to  avoid  social  exclusion  and  adverse-
selection  phenomena  in  the  natural  catastrophe  insurance  market:  the  Bureau  Central  de 
Tarification.  It  provides  insurance  to  those  that  cannot  obtain  it  through  regular  market 
venues, for either availability or affordability reasons. No indication of other types of public-
private cooperation for the financing of adaptation action could be found. 

The reinforcement of insurance as a tool to face climate change was one of the objectives of 
first the NAP, together with the provision of other incentives for investments. The mid-term 
evaluation  of  2013,  however,  concluded  that  it  was  too  early  to  consider  that  insurance 
objectives  had  been  met,  given  the  complexity  of  the  issue,  and  noted  that  there  were 
significant  works  still  to  be  implemented  to  introduce  the  consideration  of  resilience  to 
climate  change  into  public  investments,  and  to  identify  financial  resources  to  finance 
adaptation.  The  2015  evaluation  addresses  (p.83)  the  trade-off  between  solidarity  and 
incentives  to  adaptation  action,  notes  that  new  mechanisms  have  been  introduced  in  the 
forestry  sector  to  remove  some  climate  risks  from  solidarity  mechanisms  and  encourage 
private  insurance,  in  order  to  improve  incentives  to  action,  and  suggests  that  this  should  be 
adopted more widely.  

250 

 
 
 
 
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress / No 

The  first  NAP  sets  out  lists  of  actions  organised  by  17  sectors646,  together  with  lists  of 
horizontal  actions,  European  and  international  actions,  and  for  governance  actions.  Specific 
sectoral strategies on adaptation were not envisaged, although in many cases, broader sectoral 
strategies have included a focus on climate adaptation. Most actions and measures have been 
implemented  under  the  first  NAP  covering  the  period  2011-2015;  fewer  than  10%  were 
abandoned, due to lack of budget or human resource, or because they were no longer relevant. 
A total of 24 actions were abandoned, relating mostly to biodiversity, forestry, research and, 
especially, financing and insurance (nine actions)647. The second NAP is being developed and 
is now expected to be published around the middle of 2018.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

that  are 

Regional and local governments are not directly involved in implementing the NAP. One of 
the  first  NAP  actions  included  reporting  about  the  consistency  of  national  and  regional 
strategies (i.e. a posteriori), instead of identifying cooperation and coordination mechanisms 
territorially  consistent  (a  priori).  Regional 
to  build  adaptation  strategies 
administrations  were  mentioned  as  partners  of  the  NAP.  For  local  administrations,  the 
provision  of  guidance  was  mostly  considered.  A  dedicated  set  of  measures  in  the  NAP 
focused on reinforcing the coherence of adaptation action at the subnational level.  It mostly 
consisted  of  the  provision  of  guidance  and  development  of  the  framework  for  additional 
coordination.  The  second  NAP  is  intended  to  reinforce  the  vertical  integration  mechanisms. 
However, it should be noted that climate adaptation mechanisms are built into a wide range of 
specific policy instruments relevant to adaptation, as detailed in Indicator 1c above.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Ademe  produced  guidelines  to  support  the  assessment  of  climate  impacts  in  major  projects 
and  programmes.  Some  measures  are  planned,  and  some  have  been  progressed,  but  they 
cannot be considered as implemented. 

646 See footnote 612 
647 See footnote 610 

251 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Regarding infrastructure, France has reviewed design codes and infrastructure standards in the 
transport sector that are related to climate variables. France is also developing a methodology 
for  assessing  the  vulnerability  of  French  airports  to  climate  change.  A  guide  looking  at 
transport networks in general is under development. A network of infrastructure managers has 
been established that meets regularly and exchanges experience.  

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The  2015  evaluation  document  (p.43)  mentions  that  there  is  a  lack  of  involvement  of 
territorial  communities  in  NAP  implementation  and  too  little  involvement  of  professional 
sectors. The evaluation indicated that the first NAP was mostly implemented by the state and 
its  organisms  and  focused  on  national  measures.  However,  preparation  and  revision  of  the 
NAP and the NAS are based on a fully participatory process, and the evaluation called for a 
deepening of the existing processes. A special body has been created as an Advisory Council 
and  will  monitor  NAP  implementation  –  see  Indicator  1b  above.  France  has  a  highly 
developed system of stakeholder engagement on environmental issues, based on Chapter 1 of 
the  national  Environment  Law  (Code  de  l’environnement),  which  sets  out  detailed 
requirements for public and stakeholder engagement in the development of plans, such as the 
NAP.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

An  annual  report  on  the  achievements  of  the  NAP  was  foreseen  in  the  plan.  This  annual 
follow-up is coordinated by ONERC. At the end of 2011, there was a first meeting between 
the actors in charge of the different themes to discuss the implementation of the plan. A first 
synthesis of the implementation of the NAP was presented in 2012 at the National Committee 
of Sustainable Development and the Grenelle of the Environment (CNDDGE), followed by a 
dossier on progress published in 2013648. The progress statements did not provide detailed or 
aggregate information on the finance made available for implementation.  

The General Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (or Conseil général 
de  l’environnement  et  du  développement  durable,CGEDD)  evaluated  implementation  of  the 

648 ONERC, Dossier d’avancement du 1er Plan national d’adaptation au changement climatique après 2 années 
de mise en œuvre (2013) :  
https://www.ecologique-solidaire.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/ONERC_PointAvancement_2ans_2013.pdf  

252 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
NAP  in  2015.  The  report  includes  quantitative  and  qualitative  information.  Around  80%  of 
the actions and 75% of measures of the NAP were achieved according to the evaluation.649  

As  noted  in  relation  to  Indicator  1b  above,  improvements  to  the  process  of  monitoring 
implementation are being put in place for the revised NAP.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The implementation of the first NAP in different sectors is presented in the central evaluation 
report  (see  Indicator  10a).  The  report  indicates  the  amount  of  actions  per  theme  that  were 
implemented,  delayed  or  cancelled.  In  addition,  the  overall  implementation  per  theme  and 
sector is briefly discussed as poorly, partially or strongly implemented.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Cooperation  with  local  and  regional  administrations  on  monitoring  adaptation  action  seems 
quite limited. In the absence of a multilevel governance system for adaptation, a procedure for 
collecting information on actions carried out below the national level does not exist. As part 
of the 'governance' actions in the development of the revised NAP, some studies, such as the 
2015  evaluation  report,  have  focused  on  assessing  the  coherence  between  national  and 
territorial  approaches  to  climate  adaptation.  This  included  the  publication  of  a  fiche 
elaborating  the  NAP  to  action  at  lower  territorial  levels,  which  also  formed    part  of  the 
stakeholder  recommendations  in  2017.  This  includes  stakeholder  recommendations  for 
improved coherence, and the creation of regional adaptation committees. The second NAP is 
intended to address this weakness, but at this moment, the process is under construction. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The first NAP, covering a four-year period from 2011 to 2015, was planned to be evaluated at 
the  midway  stage,  in  2013,  with  a  full  evaluation  carried  out  in  2015  with  a  view  to  its 
revision and updating. As noted above, the NAP was evaluated in 2015. As set out in Section 
B1  above,  a  process  for  revising  the  NAP,  and  producing  a  new  NAP,  is  under  way.  The 
second NAP is planned to be validated during the first anniversary of the Climate Plan in July 
2018. 

649 See footnote 2 

253 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

The  different  stakeholders  were  not  involved  systematically  in  the  follow-up  of  the 
implementation  or  evaluation  of  the  first  NAP,  but  have  been  comprehensively  involved  in 
preparation of the new NAP (and hence the review of the first NAP). The first NAP defined 
that  the  General  Director  of  Energy  and  Climate  had  to  chair  an  evaluation  committee 
together  with  stakeholders  such  as  representatives  of  the  administration  in  charge  of  the 
implementation  of  the  NAP,  national  and  local  representatives  and  scientists.  Annual 
meetings  on  the  implementation  and  evaluation  were  foreseen.  This  committee  was  not, 
however, created, and instead the National Council on the Ecological Transition acted as the 
monitoring and evaluation committee. 

Stakeholders have been actively participating in the preparatory work leading to the updated 
NAP.  A  special  body  has  been  created  as  an  Advisory  Council  that  will  monitor  the  NAP 
implementation progress. 

Based on the available information, it can be concluded that stakeholders are involved in the 
evaluation of the NAP. 

254 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Met? 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms 
exist within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) 
coordination mechanisms exist within the governance 
system, enabling lower levels of administration to 
influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate 
stakeholders' involvement in the preparation of 
adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes /In progress/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of 
climate change, taking into account geographical 
specificities and best available science (e.g. in 
response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for 
priority vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support 
adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

255 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available 
to all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. 
through a dedicated website or other comparable 
means). 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation 
concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks 
identified in 3c, the geographical specificities 
identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar 
contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based 
on robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, 
stakeholders' consultation, etc.) and consistent with 
existing decision-making frameworks 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to 
ensure coherence between the two policies 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress /No 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation 
action 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for 
environmental impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into 
account climate change impacts and projections  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

256 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account 
the impacts of climate change 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in 
areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU 
policies 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or 
alternative policy instruments, where relevant, to 
provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Implementing adaptation 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Yes / No 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, 
e.g. as defined in action plans or sectoral policy 
documents 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and 
support adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, 
subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects 
or programmes, and facilitate the choice of 
alternative options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in 
the implementation of adaptation policies and 
measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the 
results of the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in 
sectoral policies is monitored and the results of the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored 
and the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

11a 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy 
and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

257 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

11b 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, 
evaluation and review of national adaptation policy 

Met? 

Yes / No 

258 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Germany 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 260 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 261 

Adaptation strategies .......................................................................................................... 261 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 261 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ................................................ 261 

Adaptation action plans ...................................................................................................... 262 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 262 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 262 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 263 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 263 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 263 

1. Coordination structure ................................................................................................ 263 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development ..................................................... 265 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 266 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 266 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 268 

5. Knowledge transfer ..................................................................................................... 270 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options............................................................................... 271 

6. Adaptation options' identification ............................................................................... 271 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 273 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ............................................................................ 274 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ....................................................... 274 

9. Implementing adaptation ............................................................................................ 278 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ............................................... 281 

10. Monitoring and reporting .......................................................................................... 281 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 282 

SUMMARY TABLE ......................................................................................................... 284 

259 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

APA    

National Adaptation Plan  

BMBF  

Federal Ministry of Education and Research 

BMU    

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear  
Safety 

BMU/UBA  German Environmental Agency  

BMVI   

Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure 

DAS    

National Adaptation Strategy (Deutsche Anpassungsstrategie) 

DFG    

German Research Foundation 

DWD    

Germany’s National Meteorological Service 

EIA  

GI  

Environmental Impact Assessment 

Green Infrastructure 

ICLEI   

Local Governments for Sustainability 

IMA  

Inter-ministerial Working Group 

IPCC    

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

NGO    

Non-Governmental Organisation 

SEA  

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

260 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Germany  adopted  its  National  Adaptation  Strategy  (DAS)650  on  17  December  2008.  The 
Strategy’s aim is to proactively reduce vulnerability to the consequences of climate change, to 
maintain  or  improve  the  adaptability  of  natural,  social  and  economic  systems,  and  to  take 
advantage of opportunities that may rise from effects of climate change. The DAS presents an 
overview of the effects of climate change, respectively following a sectoral and a geographic 
approach.  In  short,  the  DAS  takes  into  account  existing  global  and  national  climate 
projections,  as  a  basis  for  identification  of  knowledge  gaps  and  the  first  steps  towards  an 
action  plan.  The  DAS  set  the  framework  conditions  for  tackling  climate  adaptation  in 
Germany.  It  was  drafted  in  a  manner  that  allows  for  continuous  refinement,  matching  the 
rapid  developments  in  this  policy  field.  In  this  light,  the  federal  government  adopted  a 
report651 on progress  up to  the end of 2015 with  concrete  and updated steps to  develop  and 
implement the DAS.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

All  16  Bundesländer  (federal  states)  have  developed  climate  adaptation  strategies  and  have 
developed measures, some as a  part of  an integral  climate change strategy or programme652 
(i.e. 100% of territory covered). 

Bundesländer, or regions at the NUTS I level, exercise legislative powers in all areas that are 
not  the  exclusive  competence  of  the  Federal  level.  Environmental  policy  (including  climate 
adaptation) is a concurrent competence between the federal level and Bundesländer level. The 
Bundesländer also implement legislation at lower levels of governance. 

At the time when the DAS was developed (before 2009), 13 Bundesländer had already carried 
out  studies  of  climate  impacts  on  various  sectors.  Sectors  commonly  covered  include  water 
management, forestry, agriculture and health. Studies of the climate impacts on biodiversity 
and  soils  are  less  common.  The  northern  German  Bundesländer  have  studies  on  coastal 
protection. Specific strategies and measures taken by the Länder administrations are drafted in 

650 German Federal Government (2008). German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/bmu-import/files/english/pdf/application/pdf/das_gesamt_en_bf.pdf 
651 German Federal Government (2015). Adaptation to Climate Change: Initial Progress Report by the Federal 
Government on Germany’s Adaptation Strategy. Available at: 
https://www.bmu.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Pools/Broschueren/fortschrittsbericht_anpassung_klimawandel_en_
bf.pdf  
652 See for example: Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Environment, Climate, and Energy (2015). Strategie zur 
Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Baden-Württemberg. Available at: https://um.baden-
wuerttemberg.de/fileadmin/redaktion/m-
um/intern/Dateien/Dokumente/4_Klima/Klimawandel/Anpassungsstrategie.pdf  

261 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
a  coordinated  manner,  by  means  of  KomPass  -  Climate  Impacts  and  Adaptation  in 
Germany653. 

Although  both  the  DAS  and  the  national  action  plan  (APA)  were  drafted  at  Federal  level, 
these documents build on the activities already undertaken by various Länder and the actions 
that were commonly defined and carried out at both governance levels. This shows the result 
of a continuous dialogue between the Länder and the Federal Government. The actual actions 
concerned vary from Land to Land. Some Länder focus on reducing greenhouse emissions – 
including  by  means  of  legislation  –  while  others  have  adopted  a  fully-fledged  adaptation 
strategy at Bundesländ level.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The APA654  (national  adaptation  plan) was adopted on 31 August  2011.  Its main objectives 
are  to  implement  the  DAS  and  to  take  steps  for  the  next  revision  of  the  DAS.  The  APA 
follows  a  sectoral  approach.  The  sectors  presented  are  human  health,  the  building  sector, 
water  regime,  water  management,  coastal  and  marine  protection,  soil,  biological  diversity, 
agriculture,  forestry  and  forest  management,  fishery,  the  energy  industry  (conversion, 
transport  and  supply),  the  financial  services  industry,  transport  and  transport  infrastructure, 
trade and industry, tourism industry; and cross-sectional topics, such as spatial, regional and 
physical  development  planning  and  civil  protection.  The  APA  was  updated  as  part  of  the 
progress  report  in  2015  (APA  II)655.  The  main  ‘clusters’  (i.e.  aggregated  sectors)  that  are 
covered are water, infrastructure, land, health, economy, spatial planning, and civil defence. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

The  APA  II  lays  down  a  set  of  criteria  for  measures  to  be  taken  at  the  level  of  the 
Bundesländer,  in  addition  to  those  to  be  addressed  at  the  federal  level.  Examples  of  these 
criteria are the extent to which measures are ‘no-regret’, or of direct or indirect relevance to 
climate  adaptation.  The  initial  lack  of  a  cost-benefit  analysis  was  provisionally  filled  by 
means of expert judgment on the efficiency and effectiveness of measures. Furthermore, the 

653German Federal Government (2011). The Competence Center for Climate Impact and Adaptation (KomPass). 
Available at: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klima-energie/klimafolgen-anpassung/kompass 

654 German Federal Government (2011). Adaptation Action Plan of the German Strategy for Adaptation to 
Climate Change. Available at: http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/bmu-
import/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/aktionsplan_anpassung_klimawandel_en_bf.pdf 
655 German Federal Government (2015). Fortschrittsbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
http://www.bmu.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbericht_b
f.pdf  

262 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
states  of  Hamburg  (2013)  and  Hessen  (2017)  have  both  complemented  their  adaptation 
strategies with comprehensive action plans.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

Neither the DAS nor the APA presented an analysis allowing sectors to prioritise measures, 
such  as  a  cost-benefit  study  specifically  addressing  risks  per  sector,  or  a  supporting 
vulnerability  analysis.  This  was,  however,  well  acknowledged  and  it  prompted  the  Federal 
Government to make the closing of this significant knowledge gap a key area of the Action 
Plan from 2011 onwards656. Within the “Netzwerk Vulnerabilität”, also established in 2011, 
vulnerability  assessments  were  carried  out  to  support  prioritisation  of  climate  risks.  These 
were published in 2015 in a dedicated report on Germany’s climate vulnerability657. The DAS 
monitoring and progress report (2015) also summarises the results.658  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In  Germany,  the  Federal  Ministry  for  the  Environment,  Nature  Conservation,  Building  and 
Nuclear  Safety  is  the  central  administration  body.  Executive  power  for  policy  making  (i.e. 
continued  development  of  the  DAS  and  horizontal/vertical  coordination)  lies  with  a 
designated  inter-institutional  working  group  –  the  IMA  (Interministerielle  Arbeitsgruppe 
Anpassungsstrategie).  The  IMA  is  supported  by  the  StA  AFK  (Ständiger  Ausschuss  zur 
Anpassung  an  die  Folgen  des  Klimawandels),  a  further  committee  whose  task  is  the 
coordination  of  action  between  the  federal  and  Bundesländer  institutions  for  climate 
adaptation (see Indicator 1b and 1c).  

656 German Federal Government (2011). Adaptation Action Plan of the German Strategy for Adaptation to 
Climate Change. Available at: http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/bmu-
import/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/aktionsplan_anpassung_klimawandel_en_bf.pdf 
657 German Federal Government (2015). Vulnerabilität Deutschlands gegenüber dem Klimawandel. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/378/publikationen/climate_change_24_2015_vulner
abilitaet_deutschlands_gegenueber_dem_klimawandel_1.pdf 

658 German Federal Government (2015). Monitoringsbericht 2015. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/376/publikationen/monitoringbericht_2015_zur_deu
tschen_anpassungsstrategie_an_den_klimawandel.pdf 

263 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist within the governance system, with 
division of responsibilities. At the federal level, there is an Inter-Ministerial Working Group 
(IMA  Anpassung)  mandated  by  the  cabinet,  which  meets  3  to  6  times  a  year,  involving  all 
federal  ministries.  This  IWG  supervised  the  drafting  of  the  APA  and  the  progress  report, 
among  other  activities.  For  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures,  coordination 
mechanisms tend to have an ad-hoc nature, fitting the specific needs and ministerial expertise 
required  for  the  various  projects.  An  example  of  such  an  initiative  is  KLIWAS659 
(Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf Wasserstraßen und Schifffahrt), where the Ministry of 
Transport and Digital Infrastructure is supported by a variety of government agencies. 

Within  the  Vulnerability  Network  (Netzwerk  Vulnerabilität),  experts  from  relevant  federal 
departments  and  agencies  support  the  identification  of  the  climate  vulnerability  of  relevant 
sectors.  Network  partners  include  the  Federal  Office  of  Civil  Protection  and  Disaster 
Assistance,  the  Federal  Institute  for  Geosciences  and  Natural  Resources,  the  German 
Meteorological Service, various research institutes and the KfW bank660.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the 
governance system. A working group on adaptation to climate impacts under the Conference 
of Environmental Ministers integrates the federal states in the process (Ständiger Ausschuss 
zur  Anpassung  an  die  Folgen  des  Klimawandels  [StA  AFK])661.  This  group  meets  twice  a 
year  to  provide  input  from  the  federal  state  level  into  the  national  process,  to  exchange 
experiences  with  the  strategy  processes  in  the  various  federal  states  and  to  coordinate  joint 
activities. Their primary focus to date has been to develop ‘Länder-specific’ activities for the 
implementation  of  the  APA,  as  part  of  the  German  DAS,  as  well  as  the  development  of 
systematic  climate  impact  monitoring  across  states  by  testing  and  selecting  the  most 
meaningful set of indicators to monitor changes throughout nature and the wider environment. 

659 KLIWAS. URL: http://www.kliwas.de/KLIWAS/DE/Home/homepage_node.html. Date accessed: 
16/05/2018. 
660 Netzwerk Vulnerabilität (n.d.). Netzwerkpartner. Available at: http://netzwerk-vulnerabilitaet.de/tiki-
index.php?page=Netzwerkpartner 
661 Federal / State Working Group "Climate, energy, mobility - sustainability". Anpassung an die Folgen des 
Klimawandels. Available at: https://www.blag-klina.de/Themenfelder-Anpassung-an-die-Folgen-des-
Klimawandels.html 

264 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
More  specifically,  the  APA  also  lays  out  those  activities  to  be  carried  out  jointly  by  the 
Federal  and  State  Governments,  namely  expanding  the  knowledge  base,  intensifying  the 
communication  of  knowledge,  building  networks,  drawing  up 
joint  concepts  and 
joint  Federal-Länder  funding  programmes  for 
implementing  measures,  as  well  as 
adaptation662. 

Action on adaptation at city level is also increasing. For this reason, the Federal Government, 
is expanding dialogue about adaptation with the local authority associations and other bodies, 
such as the Klimabündnis663 and ICLEI664, and providing funding support. 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

A dedicated process was in place to facilitate stakeholders' involvement in the preparation of 
both  the  DAS  and  the  APA  (and  their  progress  report  with  the  APA  II),  which  were 
accompanied  by  a  cross-sectoral,  multi-stakeholder  discussion  and  various  formats  for 
participation  as  part  of  the  ongoing  dialogue  and  participation  process  concerned  with  the 
DAS. The DAS preparation involved information gathering from administration, the private 
sector, interest groups, scientists and the general public.  

For  stakeholders  from  priority  sectors,  limited  evidence  could  be  collected  concerning 
involvement, participation or public consultation in drafting the DAS and APA/APA II. The 
examples that could be gathered concern stakeholders from the financial and insurance sector 
who were identified in the DAS and practitioners who were consulted in drafting the climate 
projections. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Transboundary  cooperation  is  mentioned  in  the  DAS  in  the  context  of  river  basin 
management, in which Germany and its Länder are very active. Germany participates in the 
international  river  basin  committees  for  the  Rhine,  Danube,  Meuse,  Elbe,  Saar-Mosel.  The 
International  Commission  for  the  Protection  of  the  Rhine  published  a  climate  adaptation 

662 German Federal Government (2011). Adaptation Action Plan of the German Strategy for Adaptation to 
Climate Change, Section D (p. 44-47). Available at: http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/bmu-
import/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/aktionsplan_anpassung_klimawandel_en_bf.pdf 
663 Climate Alliance. Available at: http://klimabuendnis.org/ 
664 Local Governments for Sustainability. Available at: www.iclei.org  

265 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
strategy  in  2014665.  This  is  a  good  example  of  ongoing  transboundary  efforts.  In  addition, 
Germany has been a leader in BaltAdapt and the follow-up by the Council of the Baltic Sea 
States666, as well as participating actively in the Danube adaptation strategy667.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events and their 
impacts.  

The  German  Government  carries  out  continuous  long-term  observation  of  processes  in  the 
atmosphere,  the  oceans  and  on  land.  Monitoring  the  atmosphere  is  part  of  the  remit  of 
Germany's  National  Meteorological  Service,  results  of  which  are  made  visible  through  the 
Climate  Atlas.  The  German  Meteorological  Service  –  as  the  successor  of  earlier 
meteorological services – has over 150 years of experience in observing the weather and the 
climate. 

Extreme  weather  events  are  monitored  and  climate  impacts  on  different  sectors  (fields  of 
action  from  DAS)  are  monitored  using  indicators.  This  is  reported  in  a  monitoring  report 
(2015) and is planned to be updated every four years668. 

Germany  also  participates  in,  and  funds,  several  international  research  programmes,  and  is 
one of the leaders in Europe on climate research and Earth observation from space.  

Germany's  National  Meteorological  Service  (DWD)669 
is  responsible  for  meeting 
meteorological requirements from all areas of the German economy and society. DWD plays 
an important role in providing services to the Federal Government and the Länder in terms of 
climate  monitoring.  This  includes  the  provision  of  climate  projections  for  the  planning  and 
preparation of adaptation measures. 

665 IKSR (2015). Strategy for the IRBD Rhine for adapting to climate change. Available at: 
http://www.iksr.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Dokumente_en/Reports/219_en.pdf 
666 Council of the Baltic Sea States. Available at: http://www.cbss.org/ 
667 ICPDR (2012). ICPDR Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change. Available at:  
http://www.icpdr.org/main/sites/default/files/nodes/documents/icpdr_climate-adaptation-strategy.pdf 
668 German Federal Government (2015). Monitoringsbericht 2015. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/376/publikationen/monitoringbericht_2015_zur_deu
tschen_anpassungsstrategie_an_den_klimawandel.pdf 
669 DWD. Available at: http://www.dwd.de 

266 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Projections are available at both the Federal level and at the level of the Länder.  

Both  statistical  and  dynamic  regional  climate  models  are  used.  Only  studies  that  were 
developed  after  2009  take  ENSEMBLES  into  account  when  determining  a  climate  signal. 
Most of them look at time frames up to 2100. A number of different Intergovernmental Panel 
on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  scenarios  are  used,  including  the  Representative  Concentration 
Pathways (RCP) scenarios, although A1B is most frequently selected as the reference scenario 
(followed by A2 and B1). Both statistical and model-based approaches are used to determine 
the  consequences  of  climate  change,  depending  on  the  sector  under  consideration.  Most 
calculations  of  the  potential  future  consequences  of  climate  change  use  only  climate 
projections.  Socioeconomic  background  conditions,  such  as  demographics  or  land  use,  are 
seen as constants. 

Excerpts  of  climate  projections  can  be  found  in  the  Climate  Atlas670.  Regional  climate 
projections are also carried out by the individual Länder. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate risks and vulnerability assessments for priority vulnerable sectors are undertaken to 
support adaptation decision making. 

The first vulnerability assessment of climate impacts for selected fields of actions in Germany 
was conducted in 2005671. In 2011, the Vulnerability Network was established: a network of 
16  governmental  departments  and  institutes,  financed  by  the  Federal  Government  (BMUB) 
and  supported  by  the  scientific  project  UBA.  The  aim  was  to  conduct  an  up-to-date, 
standardised  cross-sectoral  vulnerability  assessment,  covering  the  whole  of  Germany.  Two 
different  scenarios  were  used  (strong  change  and  weaker  change)  and  for  the  prioritisation, 
social,  economic,  ecological  and  cultural  criteria  were  used.  Furthermore,  interactions 

670 DWD. Climate Atlas. Available at: 
http://www.dwd.de/EN/climate_environment/climateatlas/climateatlas_node.html 
671 German Federal Government (2005). Climate Change in Germany - Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategies 
of Climate-Sensitive Systems. Available at: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/publikationen/klimawandel-in-
deutschland-vulnerabilitaet 

267 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
                                                           
between  different  ‘action  fields’  were  analysed  and  cross-cutting  vulnerabilities  were 
identified.  The  results  of  the  extensive  vulnerability  assessments  were  published  in  2015, 
pointing out which sectors are most vulnerable and should be prioritised within the adaptation 
action  plan672.  The  14  sectors  analysed  are:  soil,  biodiversity,  agriculture,  forestry,  fishery, 
maritime  and  coastal  protection,  water  management,  transport,  buildings,  industry,  energy, 
tourism, finance and human health. 

In addition, various studies and activities have been carried out by individual Länder to assess 
the level  of  climate vulnerability. These have been reviewed in  a meta-analysis and include 
155 studies that had been published up to mid-2012 throughout different Länder. The meta-
analysis has extracted the most relevant findings across Länder and impact sectors in order to 
feed  these  into  the  analysis  of  climate  risk  and  vulnerability  presented  in  Chapter  6  of 
Germany’s vulnerability to climate change report (2015)673. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Sectoral vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account in a qualitative way. 
The  2015  vulnerability  report  recognises  international  risks  mainly  for  the  sectors  industry 
and  business,  transportation  and  infrastructure,  fishing,  finance  and  in  lesser  degree 
biodiversity,  human  health  and  tourism.  Within  flood  risk  and  water  management, 
transboundary cooperation is already well established.  

Germany recognises that climate impacts in other parts of the world will be large and those 
can in effect have impacts on Germany, for example, through trade and migration (progress 
report). The research regarding the quantification of these effects is, however, still premature.  

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

672 German Federal Government (2015). Vulnerabilität Deutschlands gegenüber dem Klimawandel. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/378/publikationen/climate_change_24_2015_vulner
abilitaet_deutschlands_gegenueber_dem_klimawandel_1.pdf 

673 Meta-analysis findings of existing Länder studies are published in chapter 6 of German Federal Government 
(2015). Vulnerabilität Deutschlands gegenüber dem Klimawandel. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/378/publikationen/climate_change_24_2015_vulner
abilitaet_deutschlands_gegenueber_dem_klimawandel_1.pdf 

268 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
                                                           
Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and  address  the  knowledge  gaps,  in 
collaboration  with  key  stakeholders  (from  science,  administration  and  the  private  sector). 
Research  and  development  in  the  field  of  climate  change  and  adaptation  are  supported  and 
developed  by  a  national  centre  of  competence  for  consequences  of  climate  change  and 
adaptation (KomPass674). The KomPass centre derives from the DAS. Its core tasks are policy 
advice,  environmental  research,  information  distribution,  networking  and  stakeholder 
involvement. 

The  Climate  Service  Centre  was  an  initiative  of  the  German  Federal  Government,  that  was 
kickstarted  in  2009.  In  June  2014,  the  Centre  was  institutionalised  in  the  Helmholtz 
Association  and  renamed  Climate  Service  Center  2.0675.  It  offers  decision  support  and 
decision support tools for administrations dealing with the effects of climate change. Global 
consequences  of  climate  change  are  researched  by  a  national  climate  research  centre  in 
Potsdam676. 

Specific effects of climate change for the building sector have been researched in ExWoSt677. 
An  additional  overview  of  translation  of  projections  to  the  regional  level  can  be  found  in 
KlimZug678.  The  aim  of  KlimZug  is  to  integrate  expected  changes  to  the  climate  and  the 
associated  extreme  weather  challenges  in  regional  planning  and  development  processes. 
Networks are to be formed, partly to increase the future competitiveness of regions, and partly 
to advance the development and use of new technologies, methods and strategies for adapting 
to climate change in regions679. 

Identified  knowledge  gaps  are  used  to  prioritise  public  funding  for  research  on  climate 
impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation. 

Knowledge gaps are well defined by research institutes dealing with climate change. In some 
cases, designated research bodies within a sector exist, working on climate change challenges 
on both mitigation and adaptation sides.  

The  APA  and  APA  II  present  efforts  to  be  undertaken  in  scientific  research,  dealing  with 
uncertainties, new observational methods and systems. Extensive studies on these topics are 

674 German Federal Government (2011). The Competence Center for Climate Impact and Adaptation (KomPass). 
Available at: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klima-energie/klimafolgen-anpassung/kompass 
675 Climate Service Center Germany. Climate Services for Adaptation. Available at: http://www.climate-service-
center.de/ 
676 Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Climate Impacts and Vulnerabilities. Available at: 
https://www.pik-potsdam.de/forschung/klimawirkung-vulnerabilitat  
677 BMUB. ExWoSt. Available at: http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/FP/ExWoSt/exwost_node.html, buildings 
678 German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. KlimZug. Available at: 
http://www.klimzug.de/en/160.php 
679 German Federal Government (2008). German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/bmu-import/files/english/pdf/application/pdf/das_gesamt_en_bf.pdf 

269 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Research 
Foundation (DFG).  
The Federal Government defines priority research fields in its APA and APA II to strengthen 
the knowledge base and to develop climate models on different scales. The BMBF contributes 
through  several  research  projects,  e.g.  ‘The  economics  of  climate  change’680  and  a  research 
programme related to ‘Climate services’ within the framework of “JPI Climate”681. There is 
also collaboration between 14 European countries to coordinate their climate research jointly 
and fund new transnational research initiatives, for which BMBF is one of the key funders.  

The Inter-Ministerial Working Group on climate has published guidelines for Climate Impact 
and  Vulnerability  Assessments,  containing  recommendations  for  applying  regional  and 
national assessment methods. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders through a dedicated 
website.  In  the  framework  of  the  APA,  KomPass  transformed  its  webpage  into  a  national 
Information,  Communication  and  Cooperation  Platform  on  Adaptation682.  The  KomPass 
portal is intended to provide information on adaptation activities and policy interactively, and 
will be expanded further for this purpose in cooperation with other governmental agencies. 

In addition to the website of DKD and KlimAdapts, Klimanavigator683 (Climate Navigator) is 
a  national  web  portal  that  guides  users  to  climate  and  environmental  information.  Other 
informative websites related to the current and future German climate are the German Climate 
Portal (Deutsches Klimaportal)684 and the Regional Climate Atlas685.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

680 BMBF (2015). Economics of Climate Change Adaptation. Available at: http://www.oekonomie-
klimawandel.de/ 
681 JPI Climate. Available at: http://www.jpi-climate.eu/home 
682 German Federal Government (2011). The Competence Center for Climate Impact and Adaptation (KomPass). 
Available at: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klima-energie/klimafolgen-anpassung/kompass 

683 Klima Navigator. Available at: http://www.klimanavigator.de/ 
684 German Climate Portal. Climate Services for Germany. Available at: http://www.deutschesklimaportal.de 
685 Germanys Regional Climate Atlas. Available at: http://www.regionaler-klimaatlas.de/ 

270 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate adaptation 
concepts and practices are available and disseminated. 

Making knowledge available, providing information,  and playing an  enabling role is  one of 
the  key  areas  of  the  DAS.  This  comprises  initiatives  by  the  Federal  Government  to  expand 
knowledge bases, provide and communicate information, expand the research and information 
infrastructure  and  support  stakeholder  dialogue,  participation  and  networking.  At  the 
Bundesländer level, examples of interactive workshops can also be found686.  

Science-policy  interfaces,  such  as  workshops,  are  in  place  to  facilitate  dialogue  between 
researchers and decision and policy–makers. An example of exchanges between government, 
society  and  the  scientific  community  is  offered  by  the  Helmholtz  Centre  for  Environmental 
Research687. 

Education  and  capacity  building  was  an  important  part  of  the  project  KlimZug,  part  of  the 
sustainable development project of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research688.  

Many  tools,  guidelines  and  handbooks  have  been  developed  by  the  Federal  Government 
within  the  research  projects689.  Between  2011  and  2014  five  regional  conferences  were 
organised  by  BMUB,  which  discussed  specific  adaptation  themes  and  aimed  to  support 
cooperation between stakeholders.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Adaptation  options  are  based  on  sectoral  risk  assessments  and  good  practices,  defined  in 
Indicator 3c, and taking into account geographic specificities, as defined under Indicator 3b. 
In the DAS, adaptation options are presented to a limited extent; nonetheless, opening up the 
possibilities  for  development  of  adaptation  measures  through  the  APA.  For  the  further 
development of the DAS and the prioritisation of climate risks and needs for action, an up-to-

686 MKULNV. Klimashutz. Available at: https://www.klima.nrw.de/mediathek/dokumentation/workshops-
anpassung/ 
687 UFZ. Available at: http://www.ufz.de/ 
688 German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. KlimZug. Available at: 
http://www.klimzug.de/en/160.php  
689 BBSR. Available at: www.klimastadtraum.de 

271 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
date, standardised cross-sectoral vulnerability assessment and progress report were published 
in  2015690,691,692.The  APA  is  updated  according  to  these  findings,  for  example,  it  includes 
more  sector-specific  measures  and  instruments693.  The  APA  II  identifies  adaptation  options 
for  all  clusters  (i.e.  grouped  under  14  priority  sectors,  as  mentioned  above).  Actions  can  be 
cross-cutting  and  specific  to  a  multitude  of  priority  sectors  under  one  cluster.  All  priority 
sectors are mentioned in the APA II action list.  

An  additional  overview  of  the  actions  taken  and  options  identified,  collected  at  the  federal 
level, can be found in the KomPass project catalogue, providing an overview of programmes 
and projects related to climate adaptation694.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The updated APA II, as initiated under the DAS progress report695, includes prioritisation of 
adaptation  options  based  on  the  vulnerability  assessments.  It  takes  into  account  expected 
impact,  urgency  and  the  time  that  it  takes  to  implement  a  measure.  The  qualification  of 
options  according  to  these  measures  was  based  on  expert  judgment  by  the  authors  of  the 
vulnerability assessment. The expert judgment was mainly informed by an extensive literature 
review of 285 climate-relevant (impact) studies in Germany.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

690 German Federal Government (2015). Monitoringsbericht 2015. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/376/publikationen/monitoringbericht_2015_zur_deu
tschen_anpassungsstrategie_an_den_klimawandel.pdf 
691 http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/publikationen/klimawandel-in-deutschland-vulnerabilitaet 
692 German Federal Government (2015). Vulnerabilität Deutschlands gegenüber dem Klimawandel. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/378/publikationen/climate_change_24_2015_vulner
abilitaet_deutschlands_gegenueber_dem_klimawandel_1.pdf 
693 German Federal Government (2015). Fortschrittbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbe
richt_bf.pdf 
694 German Federal Government (2011). The Competence Center for Climate Impact and Adaptation (KomPass). 
Available at: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klima-energie/klimafolgen-anpassung/kompass 

695 German Federal Government (2015). Fortschrittbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbe
richt_bf.pdf 

272 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
There is evidence of mechanisms in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate 
adaptation.  It is clear that there have been contacts and cooperation  between the institutions 
responsible for both policies. A representative of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and 
Disaster  is  part  of  the  inter-ministerial  working  group  for  climate  adaptation.  The  office 
nominated a contact person for the topic civil protection and climate change. Members of the 
office are represented in the Strategic Governmental Agencies Alliance (see Indicator 8b) and 
in the Vulnerability Network696. 

Since 2007, there has been a ‘Strategic Governmental Alliance Climate Adaptation’ between 
the  Federal  Office  for  Civil  Protection  and  Disaster  Assistance,  the  German  Meteorological 
Service,  the  Federal  Institute  for  Research  on  Building,  Urban  affairs  and  Spatial 
Development and other institutions.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

For  all  measures  described  in  the  APA  II,  the  amount  and  source  of  available  funding  is 
described, both for vulnerable sectors as well as for cross-cutting adaptation action. 

The  Federal  Government  is  providing  funding  for  developing  the  German  Climate 
Projections, the national climate change risk  assessment, the maintenance of the  Adaptation 
Subcommittee,  the  climate  services  websites,  and  other  research  and  cross-cutting  actions 
needed to implement the APA and coordinate action nationally. The Federal Government is 
also  funding  exemplary  model  and  demonstration  schemes  at  local  and  regional  level,  that 
develop and test concepts and approaches for climate adaptation. 

Since  the  beginning  of  2011,  the  ongoing  funding  of  local  authority  climate  protection 
concepts  under  the  National  Climate  Protection  initiative697  has  been  supplemented  with 
options  to  develop  integrated  adaptation  and  climate  protection  concepts,  and  sub-concepts 
for  adaptation.  Furthermore,  the  BMU  is  launching  a  new  round  of  funding    (in  August 
2018)698  promoting  climate  adaptation  at  the  level  of  individual  enterprises.  This  funding 
scheme  also  supports  communal  lighthouse  projects,  projects  fostering  local  and  regional 

696 Netzwerk Vulnerabilität (n.d.). Netzwerkpartner. Available at: http://netzwerk-vulnerabilitaet.de/tiki-
index.php?page=Netzwerkpartner 
697 BMU. Climate Initiative. Available at: http://www.bmub.bund.de/en/topics/climate-energy/climate-
initiative/general-information/ 
698 Förderung von Maßnahmen zur Anpassung an die Folgen des Klimawandels. Available at: 
https://www.ptj.de/folgen-klimawandel, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 

273 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
                                                           
adaptation cooperation, and the development of educational adaptation tools699. It has been in 
operation since October 2011.  

Where relevant,  funding is  available to  increase  climate resilience in  vulnerable sectors. All 
activities  under  the  APA  are  funded  from  the  budgets  of  the  respective  governments’ 
departments  within  the  current  financial  planning.  Thereby  all  activities  reside  with  the 
ministries responsible. 

Local authorities’ adaptation activities are supported by the expanded opportunities to obtain 
funding under the National Climate Protection Initiative. Further support is being provided by 
the Environment Ministry and the German Environmental Agency (BMU/UBA), the Federal 
Ministry  of  Transport  and  Digital  Infrastructure(BMVI/BBSR)  and 
in 
particular700.  

the  BMBF, 

Furthermore,  the  LIFE  program  of  the  European  Union  regularly  co-funds  climate-relevant 
projects in Germany. Since its inception, 197 of those projects implemented have focused on 
environmental  innovation  and  132  on  nature  conservation.  Under  the  newest  LIFE 
programme,  four  projects  have  specifically  focused  on  climate  adaptation  (and  mitigation). 
For more specific information consult the LIFE website’s Germany profile701. 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The  revised  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  Directive  was  transposed  into 
Germany’s  EIA  legislation702,  as  part  of  a  wider  reform  of  the  country’s  urban  planning 

699 BMU (2017). Bekanntmachung des BMUB über die Förderung von Maßnahmen zur Anpassung an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
https://www.ptj.de/lw_resource/datapool/systemfiles/cbox/715/live/lw_bekdoc/das_foerderbekanntmachung_kli
mawandel_bf.pdf  
700 German Federal Government (2015). Progress Report on the German Adaptation Strategy on Climate 
Change. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbe
richt_bf.pdf 

701 LIFE – Germany. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/countries/germany.html, Date accessed: 
16/05/2018 
702 Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung (UVPG). Available at: http://www.gesetze-im-
internet.de/uvpg/UVPG.pdf  

274 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                           
legislation in March 2017703. It now acknowledges the need to assess climate as one of seven 
subjects  of  protection  from  impacts  of  a  specific  plan  or  project.  The  specific  focus  hereby 
lies on general changes to the climate (e.g. via greenhouse gases) or a change to local climates 
arising from inside the parameters of influence of the planned project(s). At the same time the 
revised Directive also requires the project(s) to assess their vulnerability to potential impacts 
of climate-related extreme weather events and to outline the types of adaptation measures that 
are  planned.  Integration  took  place  with  the  EIA  and  Strategic  Environmental  Assessment 
(SEA) document704. In a majority of the Bundesländer adaptation plans, EIA is mentioned as 
an  existing  tool  to  address  the  effects  of  climate  change  in  local  spatial  planning.  SEA  is 
included in  part of the  same German  EIA legislation as the EIA document  and, hence, also 
considers climate change.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Early warning systems for civil protection purposes at Bundesländ-level draw heavily on the 
information  that  is  available  for  extreme  weather  events,  for  example,  from  the  24-hour 
inundation early warning system that was recently inaugurated by the Saxonian  government 
(early 2018)705. 

No  evidence  has  been  found  of  how  disaster  risk  management  plans  and  associated  risk 
analyses  take  account  of  future  climate  projections.  Climate  change  and  adaptation  is  being 
included  in  educational  activities  for  crisis  management,  emergency  planning  and  civil 
protection706.  This  initiative  is  financed  and  carried  out  by  the  Federal  Office  of  Civil 
Protection and Disaster Assistance (see Initiative 6.2 in the APA II). 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

703 https://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/Artikel/2016/11/2016-11-30-urbane-gebiete.html 
704 Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung (UVPG). Available at: http://www.gesetze-im-
internet.de/uvpg/UVPG.pdf  
705 Hochwasserfrühwarnung für Einzugsgebiete kleiner 200km2. Available at: 
https://www.umwelt.sachsen.de/umwelt/infosysteme/hwims/portal/web/fruehwarnung, Date accessed: 
16/05/2018 
706 German Federal Government (2015). Fortschrittbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbe
richt_bf.pdf 

275 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
When  the  Federal  Regional  Planning  Act  was  revised  in  2008,  climate  adaptation  was 
introduced as one of the principles of spatial planning (Paragraph 2, Section 2, No. 6). This 
Act put in place a framework that has allowed inclusion of adaptation-relevant considerations 
when the spatial plans of the Länder and regions are revised.   

KLIMAPAKT  is  an  example  of  a  project  integrating  climate  change  into  land  use  and  land 
management.  It  has established best  practices for spatial  planning in  Germany  (2008-2010). 
The internet platform Klima und Raum is a result of this project and aims to promote long-
term collaboration between research, institutions and practice707. A recent report (2016) of the 
Federal  Environmental  Office  provides  a  practical  guide  for  consideration  of  climate 
adaptation in spatial planning708. There are several more research projects related to climate 
change  and  spatial  planning.  Examples  include:  the  Klimawandelgerechter  Regional  Plan709 
and projects within the KlimaMORO framework, which aims to develop strategies for spatial 
development and climate change710.  

In addition to consideration of climate adaptation in spatial plans, the National Strategy for an 
Integrated Management  of Coastal  Zones  (IKZM, 2006  – latest  version)711 takes account  of 
climate change as a crucial factor influencing decision making in maritime spatial planning.  

The  main  legal  document  for  urban  planning  in  Germany,  the  Baugesetzbuch  (BauGB)712, 
states that the protection of the climate should always be taken into account. It also states that 
urban  planning  measures  that  contribute  to  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation  are  to  be 
supported and fostered. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with  national 
priorities.  The  APA  and  its  successor,  the  APA  II,  adopt  a  sectoral  approach  (see  above). 
Implementation of the actions identified in  the APA and APA  II is  the  responsibility of the 
Länder. The action programmes and model projects of the APA and APA II are adopted by 

707 Klima und Raum. Available at: http://www.klima-und-raum.org 
708 German Federal Government (2016). Klimaanpassung in der räumlichen Planung. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/1968/publikationen/fkz_3711_41_103_internet_hau
ptprodukt_praxishil_fe_klimaanpassung_in_der_raumlichen_planung.pdf 
709 BBSR (2016). KlimREG. Available at: 
http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/FP/MORO/Forschungsfelder/2014/KlimREG/01_start.html?nn=406988 
710 KlimaMoro. Available at: http://www.klimamoro.de 
711 BMU (2006). Integriertes Küstenyonenmanagement in Deutschland. Available at: http://www.ikzm-
strategie.de/dokumente/endbericht_kabinettversion_30032006.pdf. 
712 German Federal Government (2017). Baugesetzbuch, Fassung 2017. Available at: https://www.gesetze-im-
internet.de/bbaug/BJNR003410960.html  

276 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
the relevant stakeholders. In practice, however, climate adaptation does not have the highest 
priority in most municipalities, except in those that are model projects713.  

The  progress  report  (2015)  identifies  the  following  sectors  as  having  incorporated  climate 
adaptation  in  their  legislation:  the  protection  of  critical  infrastructure,  spatial  development, 
forest management, biodiversity, water and flood management.  

Examples of the policy instruments applied to promote adaptation at sectoral level include: 

  The building code, which was amended to ensure that climate adaptation is considered 

in urban planning by municipalities714.  

  Regulations that require that facility safety consider expected intensities of river high 

water, flood events and heavy rainfall.  

Research projects are also important for the promotion of adaptation in different sectors. For 
example, KLIWAS (by BMVI) investigated climate impacts on waterways and shipping and 
developed  adaptation  options715.  It  also  developed  new  methods  and  tools  by  involving 
relevant  stakeholders across  30 projects,  which has  increased systemic understanding of the 
sector and encouraged implementation of adaptation measures.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Activities described in the APA and APA II discuss insurance options for physical damage. 
Other measures discuss the binding inclusion of climate factors in  risk analysis by financial 
services companies.  

According  to  the  progress  report  (2015),  the  insurance  sector  has  the  capacity  to  react  to 
climatic  changes  and  can  continue  to  provide  insurance  against  natural  disasters.  The 
insurance  sector  in  Germany  is  well  aware  of  the  risks  of  climate  change,  which  are 
considered  within  risk  management.  Insurance  products  incentivising  the  development  of 
climate-resilient buildings (e.g. natural hazard insurance) are identified as important elements 
for  risk  prevention  in  the  APA  II  and  supported  by  Action  5.5.  (funding  for  increased 
campaigning). 

713 German Federal Government (2015). Fortschrittbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbe
richt_bf.pdf 
714 German Federal Government (2015). Fortschrittbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbe
richt_bf.pdf 
715 Kliwas. Available at: http://www.kliwas.de/KLIWAS/DE/Home/homepage_node.html 

277 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  progress  report  states  that  from  the  150  measures  identified  in  the  APA,  43  have  been 
implemented since 2011, 78 are in the process of being implemented, 13 measures are not yet 
being implemented, while 10 are in preparation (status of May 2015).  

At a federal level, implementation has been focusing on four pillars: 

  Pillar 1: Providing knowledge, informing, enabling and involving 
  Pillar 2: Framework-setting by the Federal Government 
  Pillar 3: Activities for which the Federal Government is directly responsible 
  Pillar 4: International responsibilities. 

A  total  of  60%  of  all  APA  I  activities  are  assigned  to  Pillar  1.  Extensive  research  and 
development  activities  have  been  implemented  to  deepen  the  understanding  of  changing, 
regional  climate  impacts  and  the  areas  affected.  Two  key  examples  include:  ‘KLIMZUG  – 
Making climate change sustainable in regions’ (completed), and ‘Local adaptation to climate 
change – Forums for the exchange of ideas and cooperation’ (ongoing).716 

Pillar 3 covers the Federal Government’s responsibilities for climate adaptation in its capacity 
as the owner of property, land and infrastructure, and also as a developer. For example, one of 
the  completed  projects  was  ‘KLIWAS  –  Impacts  of  climate  change  on  waterways  and 
navigation – Searching for options of adaptation’. 

From a sectoral perspective, good progress in project implementation can be found mainly for 
coastal protection, flood protection and prevention, protection against heavy rains, heat waves 
and droughts717. 

In the plans drafted by the Länder, specific challenges to sectors are addressed when deemed 
relevant by the regional government. A complete overview can be found on the Kompass web 

716 http://www.klimzug.de/de/1426.php  
717 German Federal Government (2015). Fortschrittbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den 
Klimawandel. Available at: 
http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Klimaschutz/klimawandel_das_fortschrittsbe
richt_bf.pdf 

278 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
page718. A short background of relevant mechanisms induced by climate change is described 
for each sector.  

The  progress  report  has  particularly  indicated  an  urgent  need  to  further  support  small 
communities. Whereas large cities are capable of performing costly climate and vulnerability 
analyses, small communities often lack the resources to initiate an adaptation process.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Cooperation mechanisms are in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. 
local, subnational). 

The Federal Government supports adaptation at the local level719, including through funding 
schemes. Cooperation between the federal level and the Bundesländer is well coordinated. In 
order to support activities at the local level, the Federal Government has initiated projects on 
adaptation  issues  in  various  model  regions,  facilitated  dialogues  (with  support  of  relevant 
ministries), grants and workshops. As a result, several reports with research results, guidance 
and  implementation  examples  have  been  published720,721.  Within  the  project  KlimZug, 
cooperation  networks  are  built  to  integrate  climate  adaptation  measures  effectively  into 
regional planning and development projects722. IT-supported information services for climate 
impact assessment are available for local authorities, such as the UBA/KomPass Klimalotse, 
an  adaptation  decision-support  tool  and  the  BBSR’s  Stadtklimalotse723.  The  website 
Klimascout gives a wiki-like overview of climate for municipalities724.  

718 German Federal Government (2011). The Competence Center for Climate Impact and Adaptation (KomPass). 
Available at: http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/klima-energie/klimafolgen-anpassung/kompass 
719 EU (2016). Regional and local adaptation in the EU since the adoption of the EU adaptation strategy in 2013. 
Available at: 
http://cor.europa.eu/en/documentation/studies/Documents/Local%20and%20regional%20adaptation.pdf 
720 BBSR (2016). Klimaresilienter Stadtumbau. Available at: 
http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/Veroeffentlichungen/Sonderveroeffentlichungen/2017/klimaresilienter-
stadtumbau-dl.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3 
721 BBSR (2016). Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Stadt und Region. Available at: 
http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/Veroeffentlichungen/Sonderveroeffentlichungen/2016/anpassung-
klimawandel-dl.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2 
http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/FP/MORO/Studien/2011/LeitfadenRegionaleKlimafolgenbewertung/Downl
oads/DL_Handbuch.pdf;jsessionid=9E901BD9056219A1DFBB0E103B660DB1.live11294?__blob=publication
File&v=3 
722 German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. KlimZug. Available at: 
http://www.klimzug.de/en/160.php  
723 German Federal Government. Klimalotse. Available at: www.klimalotse.anpassung.net/ 
724 KlimaScout. Available at: http://www.klimascout.de/kommunen/index.php?title=Hauptseite 

279 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  climate  impacts  on  major 
projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative  options.  The  most  relevant 
guideline  is  Germany’s  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  legislation725  of  March 
2017,  which  transposes  the  EU’s  revised  EIA  Directive  into  national  law.  This  new  EIA 
legislation  requires  major  projects  to  assess  on  the  one  hand  their  potential  contribution  to 
climate  change,  as  well  as  their  potential  vulnerabilities  to  climate  impacts.  It  includes  a 
requirement to make an analysis of alternative options. 

Additionally, from 2014-2017, the climate resilience of infrastructure was examined through a 
project  which  investigated  the  weak  spots  of  current  infrastructure  and  developed  scenarios 
for  future  infrastructures.  These  scenarios  considered  climate  and  extreme  weather  events, 
societal and technological change as well as a vision of future climate resilient and sustainable 
infrastructures726.  

Another  project  about  climate-resilient  regions  studied  the  vulnerability  of  (critical) 
infrastructure  in  the  context  of  climate  change.  Approaches  to  design  climate-resilient 
infrastructures  was  developed.  This  included  the  consideration  of  social,  organizational  and 
institutional  consequences  that  are  associated  with  the  adaptation  of  existing  or  alternative 
infrastructures.  Based  on  this,  policy  recommendations  will  be  developed  for  actors  at  the 
federal  level  and  other  adaptation  stakeholders  (e.g.  municipalities)  for  developing  climate-
resilient infrastructures727. 

It is not clear if green infrastructure (GI) is facilitated specifically as an alternative to major 
projects or programmes, but Germany is active in the field of GI, and GI is, at least, promoted 
as  a  climate  adaptation  measure  for  flood  protection.  In  urban  areas,  green  areas,  water 
retention  basins  and  reduction  of  sealed  soil  are  seen  as  important  measures  for  climate 
the  National  Urban  Development  Policy,  Nationale 
(as  described 
adaptation 
Stadtentwicklungspolitik). 

in 

725 Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung (UVPG). Available at: http://www.gesetze-im-
internet.de/uvpg/UVPG.pdf  
726 German Federal Government (2017). Klaris. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/topics/climate-energy/climate-change-adaptation/adaptation-tools/project-
catalog/klaris-needs-opportunities-for-climate-resilient 
727 German Federal Government (2016). Climate-resilient regions. Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/topics/climate-energy/climate-change-adaptation/adaptation-tools/project-
catalog/climate-resilient-regions 

280 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

Stakeholders  are  being  actively 
in  adaptation  policy  development  and 
implementation.  For  the  development  of  the  DAS,  the  APA  and  the  progress  report. 
Academia, research, NGOs and the business sector have been particularly heavily involved728. 

involved 

In  order  to  showcase  and  bundle  how  non-state  actors  are  involved  in  implementation, 
ongoing activities by stakeholders are captured in an ever-expanding information platform to 
share  this  knowledge  and  experience  with  other  interested  citizens,  business,  NGOs,  etc. 
primarily  at  local  and  regional  levels:  ‘Tatenbank  Anpassung’  (Actionbase  Adaptation)729. 
However, the APA, expert opinion730, and the progress  report  emphasise that  there is  still a 
need  to  embed  the  necessity  for  climate  adaptation  more  deeply  in  society.  Awareness 
particularly needs to be increased among non-state actors and citizens in order to encourage 
more active involvement. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Climate  impacts  on  different  sectors  (fields  of  action  from  DAS)  and  the  progress  on 
adaptation  are  monitored  using  qualitative  and  quantitative  indicators.  Most  recently,  a 
monitoring  report  was  published  by  the  Federal  Ministry  for  the  Environment,  Nature 
Conservation,  Building  and  Nuclear  Safety  in  2015  and  progress  is  planned  to  be  reported 
every four years731. The progress report includes information on allocated budgets.  

728 For example, see p. 17 of APA. Available at: http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/bmu-
import/files/pdfs/allgemein/application/pdf/aktionsplan_anpassung_klimawandel_en_bf.pdf 
729 http://www.tatenbank.anpassung.net/cln_095/Tatenbank/DE/Home/home_node.html 
730 https://www.nachhaltigkeitsrat.de/aktuelles/nachhaltigkeitspolitik/detailansicht/artikel/tut-deutschland-genug-
zur-anpassung-an-den-klimawandel/ 
731 Umweltbundesamt (2015). Monitoringsbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den Klimawandel. 
Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/376/publikationen/monitoringbericht_2015_zur_deu
tschen_anpassungsstrategie_an_den_klimawandel.pdf 

281 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                           
10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As  indicated  in  relation  to  Indicator  10a,  the  monitoring  report  is  structured  per  vulnerable 
sector  and,  therefore,  the  integration  of  climate  adaptation  into  the  priority  sectors  is 
monitored.  At  the  same  time,  the  monitoring  process  does  not  include  a  method  for 
specifically monitoring the integration of climate action in the priority sectors.   

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

No formal monitoring and reporting mechanism or legal requirement seems to be in place for 
adaptation  at  regional  or  local  levels.  However,  guidance  on  establishing  monitoring  and 
evaluation systems at municipal level are provided (e.g. Anpasssung an den Klimawandel in 
Stadt und Region732) and states engage in monitoring and reporting practices throughout the 
country.  As  an  example,  the  Bundesländ  of  Baden-Württemberg  recently  published  its  first 
monitoring report for its regional Climate Protection Law (2017)733.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

A periodic review of the DAS and APA is undertaken through the monitoring report and the 
progress report (see Indicator 10a). These reports inform any revision needed. For instance, an 
update of the APA was published in 2015, containing among other things a detailed planning 
of activities and a funding plan aimed at reaching the DAS objectives. The monitoring report 
described under Indicator 10a is to be drawn up every four years. 

732 BBSR (2016). Anpassung an den Klimawandel in Stadt und Region. Available at: 
http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/Veroeffentlichungen/Sonderveroeffentlichungen/2016/anpassung-
klimawandel-dl.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2 
http://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/FP/MORO/Studien/2011/LeitfadenRegionaleKlimafolgenbewertung/Downl
oads/DL_Handbuch.pdf;jsessionid=9E901BD9056219A1DFBB0E103B660DB1.live11294?__blob=publication
File&v=3 
733 LUBW (2017). Monitoring-Bericht zum Klimaschutzgesetz Baden-Württemberg. Available at: 
https://www4.lubw.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/is/269448/monitoring-
bericht_zum_klimaschutzgesetz_baden-wuerttemberg.pdf?command=downloadContent&filename=monitoring-
bericht_zum_klimaschutzgesetz_baden-wuerttemberg.pdf  

282 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                           
11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national  adaptation 
policy mostly through consultation, and as receivers of information. It would appear as though 
active stakeholder involvement has been limited to science and research stakeholders.  

The indicators for the monitoring of climate impacts and adaptation have been developed over 
a 5-year long process in which governmental and non-governmental experts from national and 
Länder-level were involved, but no evidence can be found that stakeholders were involved in 
the evaluation of the indicators734. 

734 Umweltbundesamt (2015). Monitoringsbericht zur Deutschen Anpassungsstrategie an den Klimawandel. 
Available at: 
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/376/publikationen/monitoringbericht_2015_zur_deu
tschen_anpassungsstrategie_an_den_klimawandel.pdf 

283 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 
Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Indicator 

Met? 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in  charge  of 
adaptation policy making 
Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist 
within 
the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities 
Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 
is  planned 
Transboundary  cooperation 
common challenges with relevant countries 

to  address 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

5 

5a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor  climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

to  assess 

Scenarios  and  projections  are  used 
the 
economic,  social  and  environmental  impacts  of  climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best  available  science  (e.g.  in  response  to  revised  IPCC 
assessments) 
Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable  sectors  are  undertaken  to  support  adaptation 
decision making. 
Climate 
assessments 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

risks/vulnerability 

take 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is  available  to  Yes / In progress 

284 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

5b 

Indicator 
all  stakeholders,  including  policy  makers  (e.g.  through  a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 
Capacity  building  activities  take  place;  education  and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Met? 

/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c,  the  geographical  specificities  identified  in  3b  and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  
The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation,  etc.)  and  consistent  with  existing  decision-
making frameworks 
Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  disaster  risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 
Funding resources identified and allocated 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

strategies 

Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been 
included  in  the  national  frameworks  for  environmental 
impact assessments 
Prevention/preparedness 
in  place  under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  
Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and 
maritime  spatial  planning  policies  take  into  account  the 
impacts of climate change 
instruments  promote  adaptation  at 
National  policy 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 
Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  implemented,  e.g. 

Yes / In 

285 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Met? 

progress / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

No. 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Cooperation  mechanisms  in  place  to  foster  and  support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 
Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the 
potential  impact  of  climate  change  on  major  projects  or 
programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  
There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 
The  integration  of  climate  change  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 
Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 
Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

286 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Greece 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 288 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 289 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 289 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 289 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at sub-national levels .............................................. 289 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 290 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 290 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 290 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 291 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 291 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 291 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 291 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 293 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 294 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 294 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 297 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 297 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 298 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 298 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 300 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 300 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 300 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 303 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 304 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 304 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 305 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 306 

287 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

CCISC  

CoM    

CUGM  

Climate Change Impacts Study Committee  

Covenant of Mayors  

Central Union of Greek Municipalities  

EUMETSAT  

European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites  

FFWI    

FRMPs 

HNMS  

Forest Fire Weather Index  

Flood Risk Management Plans 

Hellenic National Meteorological Service 

LIFE IP AdaptInGR   LIFE Climate Action Integrated Projects Call.  

MEEN  

MD  

MoU    

NAS 

Ministry of Environment and Energy  

Ministerial Decision  

Memorandum of Understanding  

National Adaptation Strategy 

NCCAC  

National Climate Change Adaptation Committee  

NSRF   

RAAP  

RBMP  

SEA  

UGR 

National Strategic Reference Framework 

Regional Adaptation Action Plan  

River Basin Management Plan 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

Union of Greek Regions  

288 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Following public  consultation,  the Greek National  Adaptation  Strategy  (NAS) was finalised 
in April 2016, and formally endorsed by the Greek Parliament in August 2016, through Law 
4414/2016  (Article  45)735.  The  Greek  NAS  has  a  10-year  implementation  horizon  (i.e.  it 
should  be  reviewed  and  revised  by  2026).  Law  4414/2016  defined  the  Ministry  of 
Environment and Energy (MEEN) as the national competent authority for national adaptation 
policy and to oversee the process for the revision of the NAS over a 10-year planning cycle.  
The  MEEN  has  signed  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  with  the  Climate  Change 
Impacts  Study  Committee  of  the  Bank  of  Greece  (CCISC)  and  the  Biomedical  Research 
Foundation of the Academy of Athens, which commits them to undertake climate adaptation 
actions. The drafting of the NAS was included in this MoU. The CCISC, in cooperation with 
the  MEEN,  prepared  a  draft  NAS,  building  on  its  existing  work  and  the  extensive  CCISC 
report736  on  climate  impacts  and  vulnerability  assessment.  The  draft  NAS  underwent  public 
consultation.  The  MEEN  assessed  the  comments  received  during  the  public  consultation, 
completed and finalised the draft NAS.  
Law  4414/2016  also  foresaw  the  establishment  of  a  National  Climate  Change  Adaptation 
Committee (NCCAC), to act as the formal advisory body of the MEEN at national level for 
adaptation policy design and implementation. The NCCAC comprises representatives from all 
Ministries that have a sectoral role in adaptation policy planning and in funding of adaptation 
actions,  as  well  as  representatives  of  other  stakeholder  bodies  and  governmental  authorities 
with a role in adaptation policy support and knowledge enhancement.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at sub-national levels 

Based on a careful assessment of needs, preparation of strategies at the regional (sub-national) 
level has been considered redundant and, thus, no adaptation regional (sub-national) strategies 
will be developed. 

The Greek NAS is an overarching policy document, which defines the goals, principles and 
priorities for adaptation and lists potential adaptation measures (actions) for all environmental 
and  socio-economic  sectors  that  are  likely  to  be  significantly  affected  by  climate  change  in 
Greece. As such, it provides guidance, insight and priorities, which should be further detailed 
at  regional  level  and  translated  into  Regional  Adaptation  Action  Plans  (RAAPs).  Vertical 
coordination (i.e. between the national and the regional level) is achieved through the MEEN, 
on the basis of the NAS priorities.  

735 ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙ∆Α ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ, 2016, NOMOΣ ΥΠ’ ΑΡΙΘΜ. 4414, URL:  
http://www.ypeka.gr/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=aG0JrbpJmSA%3d&tabid=303&language=el-GR 
736 Climate Change Impacts Study Committee, June 2011, The Environmental, Economic and Social Impacts of 
Climate Change in Greece, URL: http://www.bankofgreece.gr/BogEkdoseis/ClimateChange_FullReport1.pdf 

289 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

There is no national adaptation plan (NAP) existing independently from the NAS and the 
RAAPs. According to Greece, the NAP will in due course be comprised of the 13 RAAPs. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

Law  4414/2016  required  the  13  Regional  Authorities  of  Greece  to  develop  and  implement 
RAAPs  (within  a  7-year  planning  cycle).  Law  4414/2016  sets  the  minimum  technical 
specifications for their content. The RAAPs content has been further elaborated by Ministerial 
Decision  (MD)  11258/2017  (Government  Gazette,  issue  B,  873/2017),  which  provides  the 
detailed  specifications/template  for  the  content  of  the  RAAPs.  The  MD  requires  Regional 
Authorities to: perform a detailed assessment of potential climate impacts for short, mid-term 
and  long-term  time  horizons;  identify  and  map  relevant  climate-related  risks,  vulnerabilities 
and hotspots; prioritise adaptation action on the basis of their cost-effectiveness and benefits; 
identify  synergies  with  other  policies  and  regional  plans  (e.g.  land-use  plans,  water 
management and flood risk management plans); and integrate, as necessary, priority measures 
into regional planning.  Each RAAP will examine the potential measures/actions included in 
the NAS based on the particular regional circumstances, priorities and needs and will develop 
regional  action  plans.  Wherever  there  is  a  case  for  sector  or  sub-regional  analysis,  specific 
actions per sector or sub-regional area will be indicated. The development of the 13 RAAPs is 
ongoing with several regions being more advanced than others. It is expected that the majority 
of the RAAPs will have been finalised by mid-2019737.  

It should be noted that the diversity of climate, socio-economic and environmental conditions 
vary  substantially  across  the  country.  As  such,  detailed  plans  can  only  be  developed  and 
implemented  at  sub-national  (i.e.  regional)  level  to  address  vulnerable  sectors  and  hotspots 
regionally and locally. To this end, each RAAP will define priority actions on the basis of the 
specificities and characteristics of each region.  

Due  to  the  limited  administrative  and  financial  resources  available,  the  MEEN  submitted  a 
proposal  (LIFE  IP  AdaptInGR)  in  the  September  2017  LIFE  Climate  Action  Integrated 
Projects  Call.  LIFE  IP  AdaptInGR  is  planned  as  an  8-year  project.  It  includes  actions  to  a) 
coordinate  cross-regional  and  enhance  national-regional-local  adaptation  action,  in  close 
collaboration  with  the  Union  of  Greek  Regions,  the  Central  Union  of  Greek  Municipalities 
and  individual  Regions  and  Municipalities  that  are  full  partners  in  the  project  proposal;  b) 
build the capacity of national and regional stakeholders; c) support cross-regional cooperation 
and transnational  cooperation with  countries from  the Balkans and the  wider Mediterranean 
area;  d)  develop  and  operate  a  National  Adaptation  Knowledge  Hub;  e)  develop  and  test 
methodologies  to  monitor  the  progress  of  NAS  and  RAAP  implementation;  f)  assess  the 
existing  level  of  mainstreaming  and  integration  of  climate  adaptation  priorities  in  other 

737 Personal communication with MS contact. 

290 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
sectors at national level. The National Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development 
and  the  MEEN  will  take  over  training,  information  sharing  and  monitoring  activities  at  the 
end of the project. 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

As mentioned above, actions per sector will be embedded in the RAAPs. After the finalisation 
of  the  RAAPs,  it  will  be  possible  to  better  mainstream  adaptation  in  existing  sectoral 
strategies  and  to  identify  potential  additional  needs  for  sectoral  adaptation  action  plans. 
Nevertheless, adaptation-related actions are already embedded in some sectoral strategies: i.e. 
the  National  Biodiversity  Strategy,  the  National  Research  &  Innovation  Strategy  for  Smart 
Specialisation, the recent Maritime Spatial Planning Law738, the National Strategy for Forests 
(currently under consultation), and the National  Plan for Energy  & Climate (which is  under 
preparation)739.  Further  information,  on  the  sectoral  aspects  of  the  NAS  and  RAAPs  can be 
found in relation to Indicators 3c, 6a and 8a-8e below. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The  MEEN740  is  the  competent  national  authority  for  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation,  as 
well as the enhancement of mechanisms and institutions for environmental governance. In this 
capacity, the MEEN has been the leading body in the development of the NAS. In addition, 
pursuant  to  the  Law  4414/2016  (Article  42),  the  MEEN  is  responsible  for  the  NAS’s 
evaluation and revision.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Law  4414/2016  (Article  44)  established  the  National  Climate  Change  Adaptation 
Committee  (NCCAC)  as  the  formal  coordination  and  advisory  mechanism  body  for 
adaptation policy monitoring, evaluation and formulation.  

The NCCAC is chaired by the MEEN Minister and comprises representatives of all competent 
ministries (Environment and Energy, Economics, Internal Affairs, Economy & Development, 
Tourism,  Infrastructure  &  Transport,  Health,  Maritime  Affairs  &  Insular  Policy,  Rural 

738 Law 4546/2018 
739 Personal communication with MS contact. 
740 Ministry of Environment and Energy, URL: www.ypeka.gr, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 

291 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Development & Food, Education, Research & Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports, National 
Defence). The NCCAC  also  includes  representatives from  the Union of  Greek Regions,  the 
Central Union of Greek Municipalities, the Hellenic Meteorological Service, the Association 
of  Industries,  NGOs  and  academics  specialising  in  climate  adaptation  issues.  Additional 
participants can be invited to participate on the basis of identified needs. 

The Ministerial Decision for the formal appointment of the NCCAC members was issued on 
15th September 2017, including the procedures for its operation. According to the provisions 
of Law 4414/2016, the NCCAC is responsible for: (a) the specification and operationalisation 
of adaptation policies, and proposals to the MEEN and other competent ministries of relevant 
policies,  measures,  actions  and  legislative/regulatory  measures;  (b)  the  specification  of 
horizontal policies and actions included in the NAS, especially those concerning awareness, 
dissemination and capacity building; (c) the development of recommendations for the review 
or revision of the NAS and of the RAAPs; (d) the development of recommendations for any 
matter relating to climate adaptation, as put forward by the MEEN. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  formalised  channel  for  vertical  coordination  among  national,  regional  and  local 
authorities is through the NCCAC (see Indicator 1b), which includes representatives from the 
Union  of  Greek  Regions  (UGR)  and  from  the  Central  Union  of  Greek  Municipalities 
(CUGM),  as  well  as  from  the  Ministry  of  the  Interior  (the  competent  authority  for 
coordinating regional and local authorities). 

In addition, several meetings and seminars are held regularly, at the initiative of the MEEN, 
UGR  and  CUGM  to  spread  awareness,  and  exchange  information  on  adaptation  progress, 
issues  and  knowledge  developments.  Examples  include:  (a)  consultation  with  the  Regional 
Authorities in  May 2015 regarding the NAS priorities and the specifications of the RAAPs, 
(b) a consultation/information seminar in December 2016 regarding the specifications of the 
RAAPs, and (c) conferences organised by CUGM on climate adaptation in April 2017 and in 
June  2017  on  adaptation  needs,  progress,  and  knowledge  developments.  In  order  to  further 
facilitate the exchange of information between national and regional experts, contact persons 
for climate change have been nominated in each region. 

The  consultation  procedure  leading  to  the  formal  endorsement  of  RAAPs  ensures  good 
vertical  coordination  across  the  three  levels  of  governance  (national,  regional  and  local). 
Specifically,  pursuant  to  the  Law  4414/2016  (Article  43),  the  MEEN  is  checking  the 
compliance  of  the  RAAPs  with  the  NAS,  while  the  local  authorities  participate  in  the 
Regional  Consultation  Committees  giving  formal  opinions  on  the  RAAPs  of  the  respective 
regions.  

292 

 
 
 
 
The Covenant of Mayors (CoM) also fosters vertical cooperation by enabling local authorities 
to  influence climate adaptation  policy making.  A total  of 48 signatories from  Greece joined 
the  Mayors  Adapt  initiative,  38  of  which  have  also  committed  to  the  integrated  2030 
Covenant  of  Mayors  for  Climate  and  Energy741.  Coordinators742  of  the  CoM  include  the 
Regions  of  Attica,  Crete,  Central  Macedonia  and  Western  Macedonia.  Supporters743  to  the 
CoM,  besides  the  Central  Union  of  Greek  Municipalities,  include  the  Regional  Union  of 
Municipalities  of  Central  Greece,  which  is  the  union  of  municipalities  of  the  Region  of 
Central Greece; the Regional Union of Municipalities of Attica (PEDA), which is the union of 
municipalities  of  Attica;  the  Network  of  Sustainable  Greek  Islands,  the  Network  of  Cities 
with  Lakes,  and  the  Association  for  the  Sustainable  Development  of  Cities.  The  CoM 
Coordinators  and  Supporters  support  and  help  to  coordinate  adaptation  efforts  by  their 
corresponding members. 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The  draft  NAS  was  subject  to  a  public  consultation744  prior  to  its  finalisation.  Stakeholders 
who provided feedback included academia, ministries, the Hellenic National Meteorological 
Service and NGOs745.  
Stakeholder  engagement  and  public  consultation  have  been  made  mandatory  for  the 
development of the RAAPs through the Ministerial Decision 11258/2017. The main regional 
stakeholders  (public  authorities,  scientific  community,  business  and  industry,  civil  society 
etc.)  are  invited  to  identify/submit  their  views  on  measures  that  can  contribute  to  the 
adaptation  of  their  region/area  of  interest.  In  addition,  regional  authorities  are  required  to 
consult and coordinate with neighbouring regions, in the case of shared vulnerability hotspots 
(e.g. shared protected areas or river basins).  
Public  consultation  on  the  RAAPs  will  also  take  place  through  the  Strategic  Environmental 
Assessment  (SEA)  process,  as  the  RAAPs  will  have  to  undergo  this  step  before  their  final 
endorsement. 
As already mentioned, the draft RAAPs will be subject to an opinion-giving procedure by the 
Regional  Consultation  Committee.  The  Regional  Consultation  Committee  comprises  the 

741 At the end of 2015, the Covenant of Mayors and the Mayors Adapt initiatives merged under the new 
integrated Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. 
742 Covenant community, URL: http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-community/coordinators.html, 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
743 Covenant community, URL: http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-community/supporters.html, 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
744 Public consultation has been made obligatory for the development of future or revised NAS by Law 
4414/2016 (Article 42).  Individual citizens, public authorities and other stakeholders are able to submit written 
views and contributions through an open online process. 
745 Personal communication with MS contact.  

293 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
mayors  of  the  relative  municipalities  and  the  representatives  of  the  government  authorities 
within the territorial boundaries of the respective region, as well as regional stakeholders and 
citizens  representatives  (Law  3852/2010  “Kallikratis  Administrative  Programme”,  Article 
178).  
Furthermore,  the  NCCAC  (see  Indicator  1b)  is  an  essential  instrument  for  stakeholder 
engagement at the national level.   

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The NAS recognises that Greece shares a significant amount of water resources, mountainous 
areas and forests with neighbouring countries and that it is, therefore, important to establish 
communication channels with those countries. A number of specific actions are mentioned in 
the  NAS,  including  identifying  and  recording  transboundary  adaptation  issues,  creating 
processes  for  the  development  of  common  policies,  creating  shared  data  collection  stations, 
training and capacity building. The development of these actions is still in progress.  

The  RAAPs  assess  the  transboundary  character  of  climate  impacts  (Ministerial  Decision 
11258/2017)  to  identify  needs  for  international  cooperation.  There  are  already  bilateral  and 
sectoral  programmes  in  this  field.  For  example,  a  Greece-Bulgaria  bilateral  cooperation 
programme  funded  through  Interreg  foresees  the  development  of  common  technical 
specifications  for  national  flood  risk  management  plans  covering  the  border  area  and  the 
subsequent revision of the existing plans to improve cohesion and coordination.  

Cooperation  on  adaptation  issues  is  a  priority  in  the  2017  trilateral  cooperation  agreements 
between Greece-Cyprus-Israel and Greece-Cyprus-Egypt mainly focusing on the exchange of 
knowledge and know-how on adaptation  policy  monitoring, evaluation  and good practice  at 
regional and local scales.  

Transboundary  public  consultations  on  the  RAAPs  will  also  occur  through  the  Strategic 
Environmental  Assessment  (SEA)  process  to  consider  potential  transboundary  impacts. 
Transboundary public consultations, as part of the SEA process, are currently ongoing for the 
transboundary flood risk management plans (the consultation on the Evros River Basin shared 
by Greece and Bulgaria has recently been concluded).  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

294 

 
 
 
 
Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events and their 
impacts. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service746 (HNMS) operates a network of 79 
land surface and three upper air measurement stations747. Several other stations are operated 
by other entities, such as  the Ministry of Rural  Development  and Food  (agrometeorological 
stations), 
Institute  of  Mediterranean  Forest  Ecosystems  and  Forest  Products 
Technology748,  the  National  Observatory  of  Athens749,  and  a  number  of  national  research 
centres.  The  country’s  oceanic  observation  is  highly  developed.  Greece  is  a  member  of  the 
European organisation for the exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). 

the 

Further  information  on  the  observation  systems  in  place  and  Greece’s  contribution  to  the 
Global  Climate  Observing  System  can  be  found  in  the  corresponding  national  report 
submitted to UNFCCC750. The HNMS is updating their monitoring strategy plans focusing on 
climate change needs, as is the National Observatory of Athens. The General Secretariat for 
Civil  Protection  also  tracks  records  of  extreme  events  (forest  fires,  floods,  extreme  weather 
conditions, etc.) and presents impacts kept by relevant national authorities, according to their 
competences.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  was  based  upon  a  national  multi-sectoral  climate  impact  and  vulnerability 
assessment developed by the CCISC in 2011. The assessment used model simulation datasets 
for  four  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  4th  Assessment  Report  (AR4) 
greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emissions  scenarios  (A2,  A1B,  B2  and  B1),  developed  by  the 
Research  Centre  for  Atmospheric  Physics  and  Climatology  of  the  Academy  of  Athens,  to 
estimate  variation  in  the  mean  seasonal  and  annual  values  of  six  climate  parameters  (air 
temperature,  precipitation,  humidity,  cloud  cover,  total  incident  short-wave  radiation,  wind 
speed) for the periods 2021-2050 and 2071-2100. Extreme weather events and their impacts 
were also assessed. A regional climate model (ENSEMBLES) was used to project changes in 
maximum  summer  and  minimum  winter  temperatures,  number  of  warm  days  and  nights, 
number of days with precipitation and dry days,  number of frost days and growing seasons. 

746Hellenic National Meteorological Service, URL: http://www.emy.gr/emy/en/climatology/climatology, Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018 
747Hellenic National Meteorological Service, URL: http://www.emy.gr/emy/en/observation/, Date accessed: 
11/05/2018 
748Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems and Forest Products Technology, URL: 
http://www.fria.gr/EngPage/, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
749National Observatory of Athens, URL: http://www.meteo.noa.gr/ENG/iersd_research.htm, Date accessed: 
11/05/2018 
750Hellenic Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, January 2013, Greek report on activities with 
respect to the GCOS Implementation Plan, URL: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/gcos_2014_greece.pdf 

295 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  degree-days  method  was  used  to  assess  changes  in  energy  demand  for  heating  and 
cooling, the Forest  Fire Weather Index (FFWI) to assess the wildland fire potential, and the 
Humidex  to  estimate  the  number  of  days  with  high  thermal  discomfort.  Moreover,  the 
ECHAM5  and  the  HadCM3  models  were  used  to  assess  changes  in  the  intensity  and 
distribution of landslides and floods. In addition, changes in mean sea level and its impact on 
Greece’s shoreline were assessed.  

The risks and impacts of climate change by sector were assessed based on the outcomes of the 
climate  projections  using  state-of-the-art  impact  assessment  models.  The  economic  cost  of 
climate change was estimated using the GEM-E3 general equilibrium model (estimations per 
climate scenario and per sector). Priority sectors were identified based on the climate change 
costs per sector. The results per sector were further downscaled to a regional level in the NAS 
report, based on the mix and intensity of economic activities in each region. 

Pursuant  to  Law  4414/2016  (Article  42),  multi-sectoral  climate  impact  and  vulnerability 
assessments  will  be  an  integral  part  of  the  NAS  in  the  future.  In  particular,  the  NAS  will 
include  projections  of  future  climate  trends  for  various  GHG  emissions  scenarios,  climate 
vulnerability analyses of various sectors and activities, and climate impact assessments of the 
most vulnerable sectors at national level. Priority sectors for action will be identified based on 
vulnerability analyses and impact assessments.  

In addition, detailed regional climate impact and vulnerability assessments will be undertaken 
as  part  of  the  RAAPs  (Ministerial  Decision  11258/2017).  The  RAAPs  will  include: 
projections of future climate trends and sea-level rise for multiple GHG scenarios and three 
time periods (i.e. short-term, 2050, 2100); climate vulnerability analyses for specific sectors 
and geographical areas within the region; climate impact assessments of the most vulnerable 
sectors  and  geographical  areas  considering  probability,  magnitude,  intensity,  complexity, 
timing,  reversibility,  cross-border  and  cross-sectoral  aspects.    Priority  sectors  and  priority 
geographical areas for action will be identified based on the vulnerability analyses and impact 
assessments. 

Geographical  specificities  have  been  considered  in  the  NAS  but  will  be  further  analysed 
within the regional climate impact and vulnerability assessments for the RAAPs.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

As  mentioned  in  relation  to  Indicator  3b,  the  NAS  was  built  on  a  national  multi-sectoral 
climate  impact  and  vulnerability  assessment  developed  by  the  CCISC  in  2011.  The 
vulnerability  of  11  priority  sectors  was  assessed:  biodiversity  and  ecosystems;  agriculture; 
forest ecosystems; fisheries and aquaculture; water resources; coastal zones; tourism; human 
296 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
health care; built environment; transport; and mining industry. The climate risks and impacts 
by  sector  were  assessed  based  on  the  outcomes  of  climate  projections  using  state-of-the-art 
impact assessment models.  

The  RAAPs  will  also  include  multi-sectoral  climate  impact  and  vulnerability  assessments. 
The climate risks and impacts identified by sector and geographical area will drive decision 
making and adaptation action planning at regional level.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Transboundary risks and the need to raise awareness of vulnerable sectors at a transboundary 
level  is  mentioned  in  the  NAS.  However,  it  is  unclear  whether  transboundary  risks  were 
considered  in  the  vulnerability  assessments.  Nevertheless,  it  is  planned  that  the  regional 
climate impact and vulnerability assessments will take transboundary risks into account. 

According to the RAAPs’ technical specifications (Ministerial Decision 11258/2017), climate 
impacts will be assessed based on, inter alia, their cross-border character. Adaptation plans in 
areas  shared  by  neighbouring  regions  should  be  compatible  and  coordinated  accordingly 
(Ministerial Decision 11258/2017, Article 2, Paragraph 7).  

Transboundary cooperation regarding shared rivers in the north of the country is linked to the 
protection and management of Greece’s water resources rather than being specific to climate 
change considerations. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  research  priorities  and  knowledge  gaps  outlined  in  the  NAS  were  based  on  a  thorough 
assessment  of  available  information  through  the  CCSIC,  and  have  been  subjected  to 
stakeholder and public consultation. The NAS outlines sectoral knowledge gaps that need to 
be closed. 

It is expected that the development of the RAAPs will allow the MEEN to identify additional 
regional and/or sectoral knowledge and information needs arising from the climate impact and 
vulnerability  assessments  and/or  for  specific  geographical  areas/hotspots.  This  information 
will be communicated through the NCCAC to relevant bodies (e.g. academic institutions and 
the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs) to also inform their work. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

297 

 
 
 
 
 
Yes / In progress / No 

The  need  to  create  an  online  National  Adaptation  Knowledge  Hub  that  pools  together 
adaptation  relevant  data,  information,  good  practices  and  approaches  has  already  been 
identified but is not yet implemented due to resource constraints. The MEEN has developed a 
plan to: a) build capacities and foster cooperation at local, regional and national level; and b) 
allow sharing of information, knowledge and good practices through the Hub. The MEEN is 
trying to secure necessary funding to implement this plan. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

The need to create training materials and build the capacities of the key national, regional and 
local  stakeholders  was  identified  at  an  earlier  stage,  however,  no  evidence  was  found  of  a 
systematic  and  coordinated  approach  driven  by  the  NAS.  The  MEEN  is  trying  to  secure 
necessary funding (see Section B2) to provide a capacity building and a training programme 
targeting key regional and national stakeholders. 

It  is  worth  noting  that  a  number  of  projects  under  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  for 
Research  (FP7)  address  relevant  issues  that  could  lead  to  future  capacity  building 
(ClimateCost751,  MEECE  —  Marine  Ecosystem  Evolution 
in  Life-IPa  Changing 
Environment752, ADAGIO753, SERPEC-CC754, Climate-KIC755). 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  RAAPs  will  include  actions  aiming  to  address  impacts  on  the  priority  sectors  and/or 
geographical  areas,  identified  through  the  climate  impact  and  vulnerability  assessments 
mentioned in relation to Indicators 3b and 3c. The NAS is a guiding document and contains a 
list of potential actions per sector based on best available scientific knowledge, international 
and European practice.  

751Climate Cost, URL: http://www.climatecost.cc/, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
752MEECE, URL: http://www.meece.eu/, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
753ADAptation of AGriculture in European RegIOns at Environmental Risk under Climate Change, URL: 
http://www.adagio-eu.org/, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
754European Commission, Sectoral emission reduction potentials and economic costs for climate change, URL: 
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/84044_en.html, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
755EIT- Climate-Kic, URL: http://www.climate-kic.org/, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 

298 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  elaborate  national  risk  assessment  for  all  priority  sectors  undertaken  by  the  CCSIC  in 
2011 provided background evidence for development of the NAS.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The  methodology  used  to  identify  priority  sectors  and/or  priority  geographical  areas  is 
described  in  relation  to  Indicators  3b  and  3c  above.  The  NAS  priority  sectors  have  been 
identified through the climate impact and vulnerability assessment conducted by the CCISC, 
using  robust  modelling  methods  to  quantify  risks  and  potential  economic  losses  associated 
with climate impacts.  

The list of potential actions included in the NAS was the outcome of an extensive consultation 
with  experts  from  various  disciplines,  the  national  administration,  which  has  thorough 
knowledge of sectoral planning, as well public stakeholders.  

Pursuant  to  the  respective  technical  specifications  for  RAAPs,  the  adaptation  actions  per 
sector  or  geographical  area  are  prioritised  based  on  cost-effectiveness  and  cost-benefit 
analyses.  The  effectiveness  of  actions  corresponds  to  their  climate  change  prevention, 
mitigation and restoration capacity (in order of priority). The wider economic, environmental 
and social benefits arising from their implementation are considered in order to focus on ‘win-
win’ and ‘no-regret’ actions. Stakeholders will also be involved in the selection of adaptation 
actions through the public consultation processes described in relation to Indicator 2a.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

There are mechanisms in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate adaptation 
and thereby ensure coherence between the two policies. 
The MEEN (notably the Climate Change & Air Quality Directorate, the Forest Protection & 
Forest Environment Directorate, and the Special Secretariat for Water) is represented within 
the structure of the Hellenic National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. The Platform is 
coordinated by the Ministry of Interior (i.e. General Secretarial for Civil Protection)756. 
The NCCAC is chaired by the MEEN Minister and includes representatives of the Ministry of 
Interior (see Indicator 1b above), which is responsible for Civil Protection. 

756 United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, URL: https://www.unisdr.org/partners/countries/grc, Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018 

299 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

Adaptation actions are primarily financed by EU funds. The Sectoral Operational Programme 
on ‘Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable development’ and the 13 Regional 
Operational  Programmes  (one  for  each  administrative  region  of  Greece)  of  the  National 
Strategic Reference Framework 2014-2020 (NSRF, cohesion policy) include specific budget 
and measures under the Thematic Objective 5 ‘Climate Change Adaptation & Disaster Risk 
Management’. These instruments,  together with  the Rural  Development  Programme, are the 
main  source  of  EU  funding  for  adaptation  actions  nationally  and  in  the  13  administrative 
regions until 2020.  

A  Greek  LIFE  Task  Force757  was  established  to  support  potential  LIFE  Programme 
beneficiaries  and  to  facilitate  the  exchange  of  experiences  and  good  practices,  inter  alia,  on 
climate adaptation issues. In September 2017, a proposal was submitted to the LIFE Climate 
Action Integrated Projects Call to support NAS implementation.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Pursuant to the Law 4416/2014 (Article 43) and the Ministerial Decision 11258/2017 (Article 
2, Paragraphs 6 and 7), synergies of proposed adaptation actions with other existing national 
policies (e.g. for biodiversity, disaster risk management and infrastructure) will be addressed 
by the RAAPs, which will suggest ways of integrating adaptation. The complementarity and 
compatibility of RAAPs with other regional plans (e.g. spatial plans, flood risk management 
plans) will be investigated in order to inform these plans and thereby mainstream adaptation 
considerations.  The  climate  projections  and  climate  impact  and  vulnerability  assessments 
conducted  as  part  of  the  RAAPs  will  provide  useful  data  and  information  for  planners  and 
decision makers. In short, the RAAPs will provide the necessary information to mainstream 
adaptation  into  planning  processes  and,  more  specifically,  to  revise  existing  plans  and 
policies.  

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

757 URL: http://www.lifetaskforce.gr/en/  

300 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  transposition  of  the  revised  EIA  directive  has  been  completed  (the  joint  ministerial 
decisions  1915/24.01.2018  and  5688/  12.03.2018  are  available  online758)  and  takes  all 
necessary provisions into account759. 

Climate  adaptation  is  not  explicitly  mentioned  in  the  national  legislation  for  Strategic 
Environmental  Assessment  (SEA).  However,  the  competent  national  authority  for  climate 
adaptation  gives  its  opinion  on  draft  plans  (e.g.  RBMPs,  FRMPs)  and  their  SEA  reports 
before their adoption, through the existing official SEA information and consultation process.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The  General  Secretariat  for  Civil  Protection  is  the  national  competent  authority  for  the 
coordination  of  all  actions  for  prevention,  preparedness,  response  and  recovery  concerning 
natural and manmade disasters. Climate change is considered during the formation of national 
disaster  risk  management  plans.  Long-term  climate  risk  prevention,  which  is  the  focus  of 
climate  adaptation  planning,  will  be  integrated  into  the  RAAPs.  As  already  mentioned, 
RAAPs  have  to  take  into  account  synergies  with  existing  planning  (e.g.  for  flood  risk 
management) and integrate relevant measures into sectoral plans.  

In addition, the regional climate impact and vulnerability assessments (to be conducted as part 
of  the  RAAPs)  will  improve  climate-related  disaster  risk  analyses  and,  thus,  enable  better 
integration of climate change considerations in disaster risk management plans. As mentioned 
previously,  the  RAAPs  will  analyse  the  synergies  between  proposed  adaptation  actions  and 
disaster risk management policies and plans, and will suggest ways to integrate adaptation. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Climate  impacts  appear  to  be  taken  indirectly  into  account  in  land-use  and  spatial  planning 
policies. The General National Framework for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development 
2008760  includes  priorities  that  may  contribute  to  climate  adaptation,  such  as  energy-saving 
measures,  forest-fire  prevention  and  reforestation  measures,  implementation  of  bioclimatic 
energy, food etc.  

758 Εθνικό Τυπογραφείο- Αναζήτηση ΦΕΚ, URL: http://www.et.gr/index.php/anazitisi-fek, Date accessed: 
16/05/2018, ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΔΕΥΤΕΡΟ 
Αρ. Φύλλου 304/2018 και 988/2018 
759 Personal communication with MS contact. 
760ΒΟΥΛΗ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ, July 2008, ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ 
ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ Αρ. Φύλλου 128, URL: 
http://www.ypeka.gr/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=znJpFQj917U%3d&tabid=513&language=el-GR  

301 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
On coastal zone management, reference is made to climate impacts in the law concerning the 
creation  of  new  settlements  or  the  expansion  of  existing  ones.  Additional  useful  provisions 
exist in the Specific Framework Spatial Plans published in 2009761 and refer to climate change 
with  regards  to  fisheries,  tourism,  industry,  renewable  energy  and  sustainable  development. 
The majority of spatial plans date back to 2009. Several of these spatial plans are being or will 
be revised. In addition, the new framework for maritime spatial planning aims to ensure, inter 
alia, resilience to climate impacts (Law 4546/2018, Article 4) 

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the RAAPs will propose ways to integrate adaptation into 
existing strategies, policies and plans, including urban and spatial (land and marine) policies 
and plans. Future climate projections and climate impact and vulnerability assessments used 
by the RAAPs  will also  be valuable input for land-use, urban  and spatial  plans and studies, 
and in other sectoral planning, such as flood risk management plans. 

The  RAAPs  will  refer  to  regional  level  plans  and  policies,  which  take  into  account  climate 
impacts.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in some sectors, but it is unclear whether the NAS has been the 
driver. Examples of sectors where adaptation has been mainstreamed include: 

  Agriculture  and  forests  (supported  by  Civil  Protection):  concerning  operations  to 
prevent  forest  fires  and  natural  disasters762,  reforestation  and  mountain  anti-flood 
actions for burned forest areas763 

  Biodiversity (supported by the MEEN): the National Biodiversity Strategy764 includes 

“Prevention & Reduction of climate change impacts on biodiversity” 

  Health  (supported  by  the  Ministry  of  Health):  the  ‘Response  to  Environmental 
Hazards  Threatening  Health'  for  2008-2012765  includes  a  special  action  dedicated  to 
‘Exploring Climate Change Impacts on Health'. 

761ΧΩΡΟΤΑΞΙΚΟΣ ΣΧΕΔΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΕΘΝΙΚΟΥ ΕΠΙΠΕΔΟΥ, URL: http://www.ypeka.gr/?tabid=513, Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018 
762Γενική Γραμματεία Πολιτικής Προστασίας, http://civilprotection.gr/el, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
763Γενική Γραμματεία Πολιτικής Προστασίας, Σχέδια-Εγκύκλιοι, URL: http://civilprotection.gr/el/εγκυκλιοι, 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
764Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος & Ενέργειας, Βιοποικιλότητα, URL: 
http://www.ypeka.gr/Default.aspx?tabid=237&language=el-GR#biodiv, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
765Υπουργείο Υγείας & Κοινωνικής Αλληλεγγύης, 2008, Εθνικό Σχέδιο Δράσης για την Αντιμετώπιση των 
Περιβαλλοντικών Κινδύνων που Απειλούν την Υγεία 2008 – 2012, URL: 
http://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/health/domes-kai-draseis-gia-thn-ygeia/ethnika-sxedia-drashs/95-ethnika-sxedia-
drashs?fdl=223 

302 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The NAS recognises that insurance schemes could be updated to ensure that they incentivise 
climate  adaptation.  However,  no  evidence  could  be  found  that  adaptation  is  already 
mainstreamed  in  insurance  policies  or  alternative  policy  instruments  in  order  to  provide 
incentives for investments in risk prevention. 

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

Sectoral adaptation measures have been implemented in relation to specific vulnerabilities, as 
documented  by  the  CCISC  in  2011  (see  Indicator  3c).  The  measures  include  responding  to 
sectoral  impacts  at  a  regional  level,  such  as  the  regional  river  basin  management  plans,  the 
regional framework spatial plans, and the anti-flooding measures implemented by important 
coastal  cities  and  regions  (City  of  Thessaloniki,  Heraklion,  etc.).  Several  research 
projects/programmes  (e.g.  MEDROPLAN,  ORIENTGATE)  address  climate  adaptation 
options.  

Implementation of adaptation-related actions is ongoing at sectoral, regional and local levels. 
For  example,  the  bioclimatic  restoration  of  urban  areas,  underway  in  several  regions  of 
Greece,  is  embedded  in  municipalities  existing  sustainable  urban  development  plans. 
However, coordinated implementation of the NAS has only just begun.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The implementation  of adaptation  actions is not  yet completed. However, the framework to 
foster and support implementation at local and regional levels is in place and is described in 
Sections B1 to B3 and in relation to Indicator 1c above. 

A relevant project proposal (LIFE IP AdaptInGR) for funding, submitted to the September 
2017 LIFE Climate Action Integrated Projects Call, is described in Section B2.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

303 

 
 
 
 
 
Apart from various guidelines issued by the European Commission, no specific procedures or 
guidelines  issued  or  used  by  the  Greek  authorities  for  assessing  climate  impacts  on  major 
projects or programmes and for facilitating their adaptation could be identified. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

As already mentioned in relation to Indicator 2a, the MEEN will invite regional stakeholders 
(public authorities, scientific community, business and industry, civil society, etc) to identify 
measures  that  they  could  take  to  contribute  to  the  climate  resilience  of  their  region  and  to 
support the implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

As of May 2018, no monitoring reports have been published.  

Pursuant  to  the  Law  4416/2014  (Article  44),  the  NCCAC  will  regularly  monitor  NAS 
implementation and propose changes to political, legislative or other means and arrangements 
necessary  to  promote  action.  Pursuant  to  the  same  Law  (Article  43)  and  the  Ministerial 
Decision 11258/2017 (Article 2, Paragraph 11), an indicator-based system will be developed 
for each RAAP, which will be used to continually monitor the progress and effectiveness of 
implementation. The timeline and the periodicity of monitoring is not indicated. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As of May 2018, no sectoral monitoring reports have been published.  

Sector-specific  adaptation  actions  will  be  included  in  the  RAAPs.  It  is  expected  that  the 
majority  of  the  RAAPs  will  have  been  finalised  by  mid-2019766  and  will  be  monitored 
through the respective regional monitoring plans.  

766 Personal communication with MS contact. 

304 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As of May 2018, no sub-national level monitoring reports have been published.  

Monitoring and reporting of RAAPs is described under Indicator 10a. The Central Union of 
Greek  Municipalities  and  the  Union  of  Greek  Regions  will  also  provide  feedback  to  the 
NCCAC. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  (adopted  in  2016)  and  RAAPs  (to  be  adopted  by  mid-2019)  will  be  subject  to 
evaluation  and  revision  at  least  once  every  ten  years  and  at  least  once  every  seven  years, 
respectively  (pursuant  to  Law  4414/2016,  Articles  42  and  43).  Furthermore,  the  NCCAC 
plans  to  regularly  monitor  and  evaluate  the  NAS  and  suggest  political,  legislative  or  other 
measures and arrangements necessary to promote action (see Indicator 10a).  

11b. Stakeholders are involved in the monitoring and review of the national adaptation 
policy 

Yes / No 

As indicated in 10a and 11a, monitoring and evaluation have not taken place yet.  

Pursuant to  Law 4414/2016 (Article 42), any future revisions of the NAS will be subject to 
open online public consultation for minimum of 30 days to allow individual citizens, public 
authorities and other stakeholders to submit written views and contributions.  

305 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Met? 

Yes / No 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

3d 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 

Yes / In progress 

306 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Met? 

/ No 

4 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

307 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 

308 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

10c 

Indicator 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

309 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Hungary 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 311 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 312 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 312 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 312 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 312 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 313 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 313 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 313 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 313 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 314 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 314 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 314 

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development .................................................... 315 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 317 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 317 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 319 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 320 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 321 

6. Adaptation options’ identification ............................................................................. 321 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 323 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 324 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 324 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 327 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 329 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 329 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 329 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 331 

310 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

CF 

Cohesion Fund 

EEE OP 

Environment and Energy Efficiency Operative Programme 

ERDF   

European Regional and Development Fund 

ESIF 

HMS 

European Structural and Investment Funds 

Hungarian Meteorological Service 

LRAs   

Local and regional authorities 

NAC 

National Adaptation Centre 

NAGiS 

National Adaptation Geo-Information System 

NCCP 

National Climate Change Programme (i.e. National Climate Change Action 
Plan) 

NCCS-I 

First National Climate Change Strategy 

NCCS-II 

Second National Climate Change Strategy 

OP 

RDP 

Operational Programme 

Rural Development Programmes 

311 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The 2007 Climate Change Act (no. LX)767 provided a mandate for the Hungarian Government 
to  develop  a  strategy  on  climate  change  in  Hungary.  In  2008,  the  former  Ministry  for  the 
Environment  and  Water  developed  Hungary’s  First  National  Climate  Change  Strategy  for 
2008-2025  (NCCS-I)768,  which  entered  into  force  via  the  Parliamentary  Resolution 
29/2008769.  The  NCCS-I  covers  three  major  areas  of  action:  mitigation,  adaptation  and 
awareness-  raising.  Compared  to  mitigation,  consideration  of  adaptation  plays  only  a  minor 
role  and  the  chapter  is  mostly  descriptive  and  theoretical.  The  sectors  covered  by  the 
adaptation chapter include: nature, human health, water, agriculture and spatial planning.  

In  accordance  with  the  2007  Climate Change  Act,  a  draft  Second  National  Climate  Change 
Strategy  for  2017-2030  (draft  NCCS-II)770  was  submitted  to  the  Hungarian  Parliament  in 
2017. As of June 2018, the draft NCCS-II has not been adopted. The draft NCCS-II includes a 
National  Adaptation  Strategy,  a  National  Decarbonisation  Roadmap,  and  a  “Partnership  for 
Climate” Awareness-Raising Plan. Compared to the NCCS-I, adaptation plays a much more 
prominent role in the draft NCCS II. The draft NCCS-II treats the following sectors as priority 
for  adaptation  actions:  human  health,  water,  disaster  risk  reduction,  agriculture,  nature 
protection,  forestry,  built  environment  and  spatial  planning,  energy  and  tourism.  It  also 
includes a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis of the NCCS-I and 
specifically highlights the weaknesses of the adaptation chapter. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

While the NCCS-I does not discuss subnational-level adaptation strategies, the draft NCCS-II 
emphasises the need to actively involve regional  and local  authorities (LRAs), as part of its 
stakeholder  engagement  objectives,  and  also  identifies  a  set  of  sectoral  actions  specifically 
linked to LRAs.  

767 2007 Climate Change Act (no. LX), URL:https://net.jogtar.hu/jr/gen/hjegy_doc.cgi?docid=a0700060.tv  
768 Hungary’s National Climate Change Strategy for 2008-2025, URL: 
http://www.kvvm.hu/cimg/documents/nes080214.pdf  
769 Parliamentary Resolution 29/2008, URL: 
https://mkogy.jogtar.hu/?page=show&docid=a08h0029.OGY#lbj0idafef  
770 

 Draft of the Second National Climate Change Strategy for 2017-2030 (NCCS-II), URL: 

http://www.kormany.hu/download/f/6a/f0000/N%C3%89S_2_strat%C3%A9gia_2017_02_27.pdf#!DocumentBr
owse  

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Currently,  the  2014-2020  Environmental  and  Energy  Efficiency  Operational  Programme 
(EEE OP), funded by the EU Cohesion Fund (CF) and the European Regional Development 
Fund (ERDF), provides support for the preparation of county-level adaptation strategies.771  

As of May 2018, 18 of the 19 county-level climate change strategies, as well as the climate 
change  strategy  of  Budapest  have  been  adopted.  Currently,  the  only  exception  is  Békés 
County, where a strategy is being finalised. 

As of May 2018, there are twelve signatories772 to the adaptation actions of the Covenant of 
Mayors of Climate & Energy773 at the city level in Hungary. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The objectives of the NCCS-I were planned to be implemented by National Climate Change 
Programmes developed every two  years. The first National Climate Change Programme (1st 
NCCP) for 2009-2010 was adopted in 2010 by the Governmental Decree 1005 /2010.774 The 
Programme  included  a  set  of  adaptation  actions  for  the  priority  sectors  and  identified 
indicators, financial resources and the responsible authorities for these actions.  

Nevertheless, no further National Climate Change Programmes have been adopted since 2010 
and, thus, currently, no adaptation plans are in place. 

The  draft  NCCS-II  indicates  that  National  Climate  Change  Programmes  will  be  developed 
every three years.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

The county-level strategies described in Section A2 also include adaptation action plans.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

Separate sectoral adaptation plans do not exist, but sectoral adaptation actions are integrated 
into relevant sectoral strategies – see Indicator 8d. 

771 Personal communication with MS contact.  
772 The 12th and the 18th district of Budapest, Békéscsaba, Debrecen, Dunaújváros, Kaposvár, Kőszegdoroszló, 
Nagypáli, Nyíregyháza, , Répceszemere, Szeged and Sárvár. 
773 Covenant of Mayors signatories, URL: 
http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/signatories_en.html?q=Search+for+a+Signatory...&country_search=hu
&population=&date_of_adhesion=&status=&commitments2=1 [Accessed: 23/04/2018]  
774 1005/2010. (I.21.) Korm. határozata Nemzeti Éghajlatváltozási Programról, URL: 
http://klima.kvvm.hu/documents/103/N_P_v_gleges_honlapra.pdf  

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SCOREBOARD 

As the draft NCCS-II has not been adopted, the scores below are based on the NCCS-I. 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The Department  for Climate Policy in  the Ministry for  Innovation and Technology (former: 
Ministry  of  National  Development)775  is  responsible  for  adaptation  policy  making  and  the 
implementation  of  the  NCCS-I.  Some  of  the  priority  goals  of  the  Ministry  are  to  support 
domestic  climate  and  environmental  projects  and  to  keep  the  private  sector  representatives 
informed  of  the  latest  EU  and  domestic  funding  opportunities.  The  Climate  Policy 
Department  is  responsible  for  international  and  EU-level  climate  negotiations  and  national 
climate law-making. It also includes the National Climate Protection Authority, which carries 
out tasks related to administration on F-gases and the EU Emissions Trading System, and to 
the National Administrator of the Registry. 

The National Adaptation Centre (NAC)776 acts as a background institute, and takes part in the 
development  of  climate  change  strategies,  national  adaptation  strategies  and  climate  change 
action plan(s) and supports the coordination of implementation. Furthermore, the Mining and 
Geological Survey of Hungary (former Geological and Geophysical Institute of Hungary) acts 
as an institution providing background research. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

There is  no systematic horizontal coordination mechanism in  place in  Hungary. The central 
coordinating body is  the Ministry  for  Innovation and Technology (as  Indicated in  1a) while 
other  relevant  ministries  include  the  Ministry  of  Interior  (responsible  for  the  protection  of 
surface waters and groundwater) and the Ministry of Agriculture (responsible for agricultural 
and rural development policy).777   

775 

 See at: http://www.kormany.hu/hu/innovacios-es-technologiai-miniszterium/energiaugyekert-es-

klimapolitikaert-felelos-allamtitkar; former: http://www.kormany.hu/hu/nemzeti-fejlesztesi-
miniszterium/fejlesztes-es-klimapolitikaert-valamint-kiemelt-kozszolgaltatasokert-felelos-allamtitkarsag;  
776 See at: http://nak.mfgi.hu/hu   
777 It should be noted that following the parliamentary elections held in April 2018, a new Government has 
formed modifying the competencies of certain governmental institutions. Further changes may happen regarding 
the responsibilities in the near future. 

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The  NCCS-I  indicates  that  the  responsible  coordinating  authority  should  have  formed  a 
Climate  Change  Policy  Working  Group  in  order  to  support  the  horizontal  coordination  of 
adaptation policy making with the relevant ministries. It is unclear if this working group is in 
place and how the various sectoral ministries were involved in the drafting of the NCCS-I.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

County-level  climate  change  platforms  exist,  including  one  for  the  capital.  These  platforms 
include  a  wide  range  of  county-level  stakeholders,  including  relevant  governmental 
authorities,  academia  and  environmental  NGOs.  The  platforms  are  responsible  for  the 
dissemination of climate change related information to local stakeholders, to assess adaptation 
needs  and  to  identify  good  practices,  and  as  such  support  the  implementation  of  climate 
adaptation policy. 778 The platforms are supported by the EEE OP.  

The Hungarian Alliance of Climate-Friendly Cities779, initiated by the Institute of Sociology 
of  the  Hungarian  Academy  of  Sciences,  is  a  partnership  of  local  governments  and  NGOs 
providing technical advice, tools, case studies and information to cities on climate adaptation 
and mitigation. As of June 2018, the Alliance had 46 Hungarian member cities. The county-
level  platforms  are  responsible  to  report  on  their  progress  to  the  Hungarian  Alliance  of 
Climate-Friendly Cities.  

As  mentioned  above,  a  number  of  cities  are  part  of  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  initiative.  The 
Hungarian  Alliance  of  Climate-Friendly  Cities  is  responsible  for  the  national  and  regional 
coordination between the members of the Covenant of Mayors. 

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The most recent draft of the NCCS-II was open for public consultation for a limited time (two 
weeks) in  2017. Stakeholders were invited to  send their comments  to  a  governmental email 
address, but no templates or questions were publicly available. Following this administrative 
consultation, the draft NCCS-II was first discussed by the National Environmental Protection 
Council,  whose  members  are  mainly  NGOs  and  scientific  institutions,  and  second  by  the 

778 Personal communication with MS contact.  
779 Klimabarat.hu, URL: http://klimabarat.hu/ [Accessed: 23/04/2018] 

315 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
National Council for Sustainable Development, which consists of members of parliamentary 
parties and NGOs. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The  NCCS-I  does  not  discuss  transboundary  adaptation  issues  and,  thus,  did  not  drive 
transboundary cooperation. In contrast, the draft NCCS-II describes some plans in this area. 
Furthermore,  there  are  a  number  of  transnational  initiatives  in  which  Hungary  takes  part. 
These are presented below in chronological order. 

In  2011,  during  the  Hungarian  Presidency,  the  EU  Strategy  for  the  Danube  Region780  was 
adopted. The main objectives of the Strategy are to sustainably develop the river basin macro-
region, protect its natural areas, landscapes and natural values. Climate adaptation is listed as 
one of the issues that needs to be addressed by the Strategy. 

Hungary  is  also  a  party  to  the  International  Convention  for  the  Protection  of  the  Danube 
River, under which a dedicated Climate Adaptation Strategy781 was developed in 2013. 

In 2014, a Carpathian Home Development  Concept  Note was developed, and discussed and 
supported by the National Assembly of Foreign Hungarian Communities. The Concept Note 
provides a strategic development framework for the Carpathian region until 2030. The  draft 
NCCS-II indicates that the Concept Note supports the objectives of the draft NCCS II.  

In 2016, a water summit was organised in Budapest, which specifically aimed to align actions 
with  the  UN’s  Sustainable  Development  Goals.  Building  on  the  event,  the  draft  NCCS-II 
suggests that a regional  adaptation  centre should be established in  Hungary for the Danube, 
but no further details are provided on this action.  

The  draft  NCCS-II  also  indicates  that  adaptation  could  be  strengthened  via  the  Framework 
Convention on the Sustainable Development and Protection of the Carpathians782 and calls for 
action in the Visegrad 4 countries. The need for transboundary action also appears in a small 
number of adaptation options identified by the draft NCCS-II but a systematic assessment has 
not been completed. 

780 European Union Strategy for Danube Region, 2010, URL: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:52010DC0715  
781 ICPDR Programmes, URL: http://www.icpdr.org/main/publications/programmes [Accessed: 16/05/2018]  
782 306/2005. (XII. 25.) Korm. rendeleta Kárpátok védelméről és fenntartható fejlesztéséről szóló 
Keretegyezmény kihirdetéséről, URL: http://net.jogtar.hu/jr/gen/hjegy_doc.cgi?docid=A0500306.KOR   

316 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Hungarian  Meteorological  Service  (HMS)  operates  a  network  for  observations  and 
measurements,  providing  quality  control  and  harmonisation  of  long-term  observation  data. 
The HMS has a large number of meteorological stations measuring temperature, precipitation, 
wind, sunshine and many other meteorological parameters.  

The primary impacts of climate change on climate and on weather events are fully tracked by 
the  HMS.  The  secondary  impacts  of  extreme  events  are  tracked  by  the  institutes  mentioned 
below:  

  Water  management  related  information  (e.g.  flood,  inland  inundation)  –  General 

Directorate of Water Management 

  Geological  hazards  related  data  and  information  (e.g.  landslide)  –  Mining  and 

Geological Survey of Hungary 

  Environmental  and  other  disaster  situations  related  data  and  information  –  National 

Directorate General for Disaster Management 

  Agriculture and forestry risk related data and information (e.g. ice and storm damage) 

– National Food Chain Safety Office 

  Human  health  related  data  and  information  (e.g.  high  mortality  rates  caused  by  heat 

waves) – National Public Health and Medical Officer Service. 

Observation and monitoring systems to assess secondary climate impacts are not operated by 
the HMS. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  HMS  (Regional  Climate  Modelling  Group)  applies  two  regional  climate  models:  the 
ALADIN Climate model and the REMO model.783 The scenarios and projections, included in 
the draft NCCS-II, are based on these models.  

783 OMSZ Modellkísérletek, URL: http://met.hu/omsz/tevekenysegek/klimamodellezes/modellkiserletek/ 
[Accessed: 16/05/2018] 

317 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
With  regards  to  scenarios  and  projections,  the  latest  and  most  important  initiative  is  the 
National Adaptation Geo-information System (NAGiS)784, which was established in 2014 and 
became operational in 2016. The NAGiS is operated by the Mining and Geological Survey of 
Hungary785 according to Government Decree No. 94/2014 (III. 21.)786 and the detailed rules 
of  operation  of  the  System.  The  legal  foundation  of  NAGiS  was  laid  down  by  the  2007 
Climate  Change  Act,  which  stipulates  that  the  implementation  of  the  adaptation  strategy 
framework should be supported by a national adaptation geo-information system, and by the 
results of climate vulnerability assessments based on this system. The reference years of the 
NAGiS  are  1961-1990.  It  provides  projections  for  the  period  of  2021-2050  and  2071-2100, 
which are based on the IPCC SRES A1B scenario787 (AR4). 

The follow up project NAGiS2 was launched at the end of 2016, which will be implemented 
by  August  2019.  Its  main  objectives  are  to  further  develop  the  methodology  assessment 
scheme  and  the  databases  of  the  current  system,  and  to  create  a  new  toolkit  for  local  and 
governmental climate adaptation decision making. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NCCS-I  was  built  on  the  so-called  VAHAVA  project788,  which  undertook  a  climate 
vulnerability  assessment  between  2003  and  2007.  The  project  was  carried  out  by  the 
Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the former Ministry of Environment and Water, now the 
Ministry of National Development. It was a nationwide project, involving leading researchers 
from a number of scientific institutions across Hungary. The vulnerability assessment covered 
the following sectors: natural resources, agriculture, forestry, water, energy, transport, spatial 
planning, tourism, human health and insurance.789  

The draft NCCS-II, building on the results of the NAGiS (see above), provides a vulnerability 
assessment of the following sectors and areas: 

  Human health impacts as a result of heatwaves 
  Vulnerability of arable lands and agriculture production 
  Vulnerability of forests 
 

Impacts on natural ecosystems 

784 See at: http://nater.mfgi.hu/en  
785 See at: http://mbfsz.gov.hu/  
786 94/2014. (III. 21.) Korm. Rendelet a Nemzeti Alkalmazkodási Térinformatikai Rendszer működésének 
részletes szabályairól, URL: http://njt.hu/cgi_bin/njt_doc.cgi?docid=168214.261603   
787 Personal communication with MS contact.  
788 The website of the project is not operating anymore.  
789 KvVM, 2005, A GLOBÁLIS KLÍMAVÁLTOZÁS: HAZAI HATÁSOK ÉS VÁLASZOK, ELÔZETES 
ÖSSZEFOGLALÁS, URL: http://netrix.mta.nsd.sztaki.hu/fileadmin/2005/09/vahava0915.pdf  

318 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Flash flood risks in hills and mountains 
  Vulnerability of drinking water supply. 

The  NAGiS  was  extended  to  the  agricultural  sector  (AGRAGiS)  in  order  to  assess  its 
vulnerability  in  more  detail.  A  further  project  of  the  NAGiS  was  the  “Long-term  socio-
economic forecasting for Hungary”790, which was implemented by the Institute for Regional 
Studies, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, Hungarian Academy of Sciences.  

A set of background studies were conducted to support some of the vulnerability assessments 
(e.g.  nature  and  water)791.  A  further  project  called  ‘CRIGiS:  Vulnerability/Impact  Studies 
with  a  focus  on  Tourism  and  Critical  Infrastructures’,  funded  by  an  EEA  grant,  was  also 
undertaken.792 

Only  limited  information  is  available  on  the  VAHAVA  project,  so  it  is  difficult  to  deduce 
whether its vulnerability assessment was comprehensive. While the draft NCCS-II applied a 
sound vulnerability assessment methodology, it has not been officially adopted. Subsequently, 
an ‘in progress’ score has been assigned.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Transboundary risks are not covered by the NCCS-I.  

Transboundary risks are also not covered by the vulnerability assessment in the draft NCCS-II 
and  the  NAGiS  only  covers  Hungary.  Nevertheless,  one  of  the  planned  actions  of  the  draft 
NCCS-II is to develop a geo-information model, which considers the whole water catchment 
area of the Danube and  builds on regional hydrological  models. At the same time, as noted 
under Indicator 2b, Hungary is part of a range of transboundary cooperation initiatives. Some 
of  these  by  nature  consider  transboundary  risks,  as  part  of  the  conducted  vulnerability 
assessments. The assessments primarily focus on the river Danube.  

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

790 See at: http://nater.rkk.hu/english/ 
791 See for instance: Somodi I., Bede-Fazekas Á., Lepesi N., Czúcz B.: Természetes ökoszisztémák éghajlati 
sérülékenységének elemzése, 2016.; A klímaváltozás hatása a villámárvíz kockázatra, D4.10 NATéR kutatási 
jelentés, Magyar Földtani és Geofizikai Intézet, 2016.; Rotárné Szalkai Ágnes - Homolya Emese - Selmeczi Pál: 
A klímaváltozás hatása az ivóvízbázisokra. Kutatási jelentés. MFGI, Budapest, 2015. december 15. 
792 See at: http://www.met.hu/KRITeR/en/kezdo/  

319 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  NCCS-I  identified  a  list  of  areas  where  further  research  and  development  is  needed. 
However, this was not done in a systematic way. 

The draft NCCS-II includes a SWOT analysis of the NCCS-I and indicates that it will address 
the identified gaps. 

Research,  development  and  innovation  are  also  considered  in  the  draft  NCCS-II,  as  a  key 
horizontal  tool,  and  short-,  mid-  and  long-term  actions  are  established.  For  instance,  in  the 
short-term  the  draft  NCCS-II  aims  to  further  implement  regional  climate  models  and 
observation systems. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  dedicated  portal  on  the  Government’s  website  on  climate  change  is  available793.  This 
website provides detailed information about domestic climate change policy, including on the 
NCCS-I and the draft NCCS-II.  

The  National  Adaptation  Centre794  also  provides  information  about  Hungary’s  adaptation 
policy, including detailed information on the NCCS-I and the draft NCCS-II.  

The  website  of  the  NAGiS795  provides  detailed  information  and  guidance  on  the  use  of  the 
databases. 

There  is  a  dedicated  website  for  climate  change  on  the  website  of  the  Hungarian 
Meteorological  Service  (HMS)796.  Information  on  climate  projections  and  regional  climate 
models is available, however, it is not fully up to date.  

Finally, in 2016, a Facebook page was launched by the Ministry for National Development to 
share information with the public on climate change issues.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

793 The Government’s website on climate change: http://klima.kormany.hu 
794 National Adaptation Centre website: http://nakfo.mbfsz.gov.hu 
795 NAGiS website: http://nater.mbfsz.gov.hu/ 
796 HMS website: http://met.hu/eghajlat/eghajlatvaltozas/ 

320 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The NCCS-I covers education within its horizontal chapter and the 1st NCCSP identified a set 
of indicators for it. While the first (and only) progress report on the 1st NCCSP indicated some 
progress within this area, no further data (post-2012) is available on these indicators.  

Capacity building and stakeholder engagement appears as an important horizontal tool in the 
draft NCCS-II, however, no systematic action is planned and activities are uncoordinated.  

During the Hungarian presidency in 2011, guidance was developed for cities and regions with 
support  for  climate  action.  Furthermore,  a  set  of  newly  developed  guidance  documents  on 
how to develop climate change strategies is available for counties, cities and villages797 on the 
website of the Hungarian Alliance of Climate-Friendly Cities. 

In  2013,  the  NAC  established  an  online  platform,  the  Climate  Dialogue,  where  registered 
stakeholders can discuss climate change informally. This  platform has targeted stakeholders 
during the development of the first draft of the NCCS II in 2014798. Furthermore, as indicated 
in Indicator 1c, support is provided at the county-level as part of the climate change platforms.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  NCCS-I  identifies  a  set  of  adaptation  options  within  the  identified  priority  sectors, 
nevertheless, no references are made to the results of the VAHAVA vulnerability assessment 
and  it  is  unclear  what  process  has  been  used  to  identify  these  options.  In  contrast,  the  draft 
NCCS-II  defines  short-,  medium-  and  long-term  actions  for  the  priority  sectors  and  the 
identified  objectives  seem  to  build  on  the  results  of  the  vulnerability  assessments  and  the 
observed climate impacts and projections; furthermore, expert judgement seems to be applied. 
The aim was to integrate the sectoral actions into other sectoral policies and strategies, as, in 
many  cases,  the  NAS  provides  the  links  between  the  various  strategies.  Compared  to  the 
identification  of  sectoral  adaptation  options,  the  geographical  focus  is  less  apparent. 
Nevertheless, it is addressed in more detail in the vulnerability assessment.  

797 See at: http://klimabarat.hu/  
798Bemutatkozik a Klímadialógus, URL: http://klimadialogus.mfgi.hu/hu/cikk/bemutatkozik-klimadialogus 
Accessed: 16/05/2018 

321 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Overall, given that the draft NCCS-II has not been adopted the score is based on the NCCS-I. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Adaptation options are not prioritised within the NCCS-I and no prioritisation tools have been 
applied. Actions are listed for all of the priority sectors. The same applies to the draft NCCS-
II. While time horizons (short-, mid- and long-term) are identified for each of the adaptation 
actions,  it  is  unclear  how  their  duration  was  determined  or  what  will  be  their  actual 
timescales.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  2001  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  Act  (No.  CXXVIII)799  makes  no  reference  to  climate 
change or adaptation and provides no further details about a disaster risk reduction strategy.  

Although  the  current  National  Security  Strategy800  makes  a  reference  to  climate  change,  it 
does not present adaptation actions as a potential tool to address security problems. In order to 
comply with the European Strategic Investment Fund’s (ESIF) ex-ante conditionality for the 
Thematic  Objective  5  (“the  existence  of  national  or  regional  risk  assessments  for  disaster 
management, taking into account  climate change adaptation”), Hungary  prepared a report801 
on its approach to disaster risk management, which considered climate impacts.  

Disaster  risk  management  is  not  discussed  in  detail  in  the  NCCS-I  and  is  only  briefly 
mentioned in relation to the built environment and infrastructure.  

The  draft  NCCS-II  specifically  assesses  disaster  risk  reduction  and  security  concerns  and 
considers the projected impacts on key infrastructure, industrial security, ecological security, 
food safety and impacts on health care, and national security (including for instance climate 
migration). Short-, mid- and long-term actions are identified for disaster risk reduction and the 
draft  NCCS-II  emphasises  that  adaptation  needs  to  be  considered  in  the  National  Disaster 

799 2011. évi CXXVIII. Törvény a katasztrófavédelemről és a hozzá kapcsolódó egyes törvények módosításáról, 
URL: http://njt.hu/cgi_bin/njt_doc.cgi?docid=139408  
800 A Kormány 1035/2012. (II. 21.) Korm. határozata Magyarország Nemzeti Biztonsági Stratégiájáról, URL: 
http://2010-2014.kormany.hu/download/f/49/70000/1035_2012_korm_hatarozat.pdf  
801 BM, 2014, Jelentés Magyarország nemzeti katasztrófakockázat-értékelési módszertanáról és annak 
eredményeirőlhttp://www.katasztrofavedelem.hu/letoltes/szervezet/20140718-katasztrofakockazat-ertekelesrol-
jelentes.pdf  

322 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Risk Reduction Strategy, which was adopted in 2012 by the Government Decision 1035/2012. 
(II. 21.).  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

While  the  NCCS-I  does  not  provide  details  about  the  financing  framework,  the  1st  NCCP 
indicated  the  specific  financial  resources  for  all  of  its  actions.  These  included  both  EU  and 
national funds. In contrast, information on funding resources are specifically discussed as part 
of the implementation framework of the draft NCCS-II and details are provided separately for 
mitigation and adaptation. 

The  key  financial  resources  for  adaptation  actions  come  from  EU  funds,  particularly  the 
ERDF,  CF  and  European  Agriculture  Fund  for  Rural  Development  (EAFRD).  Adaptation 
actions  are  mainstreamed  through  Operational  Programmes  (the  Environment  and  Energy 
OP802,  the  Competitive  Central  Hungary  OP803  and  the  Territorial  and  Settlement 
Development  OP804)  and  the  Rural  Development  Programme  (RDP)805.  Unsurprisingly,  the 
Environment and Energy OP delivers the majority of adaptation actions. In total, during the 
2014-2020  Cohesion  Policy  programming  period  EUR  892.71  million  is  allocated  to 
adaptation actions under these three OPs (no figures are included in the draft NCCS-II on the 
RDP). In comparison, EUR 3024.53 million is allocated to mitigation under five OPs. 

The  draft  NCCS-II  also  describes  national  funding  sources  that  are  allocated  to  both 
mitigation and adaptation actions.  

No evidence was found on the funding of cross-cutting adaptation actions. 

802 See more information at: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/atlas/programmes/2014-
2020/hungary/2014hu16m1op001  
803 See more information at http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/atlas/programmes/2014-
2020/hungary/2014hu16m2op002  
804 See more information at http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/atlas/programmes/2014-
2020/hungary/2014hu16m2op001  
805 See more information at https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rural-development-2014-2020/country-files/hu_en  

323 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The  EIA  Directive  and  the  SEA  Directive  are  translated  into  Hungarian  legislation  via  the 
Governmental  Decree  314/2005.  (XII.  25.)806  and  the  Governmental  Decree  2/2005.  (I. 
11.)807, respectively.  

In June 2017, the Governmental Decree 139/2017 introduced the amended provisions of the 
the  pre-examination 
EIA  Directive.  The  modification  prescribes, 
documentation  shall  include  a  climate  sensitivity  analysis  for  certain  investment  types,  the 
analysis of potential climate impacts, risk-evaluation and potential adaptation actions.  

inter  alia, 

that 

The  Governmental  Decree  2/2005  transposing  the  SEA  Directive  does  not  provide  specific 
details on climate adaptation.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

In  order  to  comply  with  the  European  Strategic  Investment  Fund’s  (ESIF)  ex-ante 
conditionality  for  the  Thematic  Objective  5  (“the  existence  of  national  or  regional  risk 
assessments  for  disaster  management,  taking  into  account  climate  change  adaptation”), 
Hungary prepared a report808 on its approach to disaster risk management, which considered 
climate impacts.  

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

While  the  NCCS-I  discusses  adaptation  options  for  the  built  environment  it  does  not  make 
any reference to related policies. In contrast, the draft NCCS-II makes a specific reference to 

806 314/2005. (XII. 25.) Korm. Rendelet a környezeti hatásvizsgálati és az egységes környezethasználati 
engedélyezési eljárásról, URL: http://net.jogtar.hu/jr/gen/hjegy_doc.cgi?docid=A0500314.KOR  
807 2/2005. (I. 11.) Korm. Rendelet egyes tervek, illetve programok környezeti vizsgálatáról, URL: 
https://net.jogtar.hu/jr/gen/hjegy_doc.cgi?docid=a0500002.kor  
808 BM, 2014, Jelentés Magyarország nemzeti katasztrófakockázat-értékelési módszertanáról és annak 
eredményeirőlhttp://www.katasztrofavedelem.hu/letoltes/szervezet/20140718-katasztrofakockazat-ertekelesrol-
jelentes.pdf  

324 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
the  National  Development  and  Spatial  Development  Concept  Note,  which  establishes  the 
strategic orientation for the development priorities for Hungary until 2030. The legal base of 
the concept note is the Parliamentary Resolution 1/2014. (I. 3.)809 and is linked to the Act XXI 
of  1996  on  Regional  Development  and  Spatial  Planning810,  which  is  the  main  legal  base  of 
land-use  and  spatial  planning  in  Hungary.  The  Concept  Note  assesses  climate  impacts  on 
land-use  and  spatial  planning  and  discusses  the  implications  primarily  at  the  national  level. 
Nevertheless, some regional specificities are also presented. The Concept Note also provides 
an overview of the climate vulnerability of key sectors in Hungary and emphasises regional 
variations  and  differences  in  adaptation  capacities.  Practical  implementation  of  the  Concept 
Note is achieved through the operational programmes referenced in Indicator 7a. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NCCS-I  does  not  provide  an  overview  of  key  national  policies  and  how  adaptation  is 
mainstreamed  into  them.  In  contrast,  the  draft  NCCS-II  includes  a  specific  chapter  on  the 
links  between  the  Strategy  and  other  sectoral  policies.  The  following  strategies,  which  are 
already in place, are specifically mentioned: 

  National  Rural  Strategy  (2012-2020)811:  the  NAS  makes  a  specific  reference  to  the 
need to better adapt to climate change in the agriculture sector via for instance water 
use efficiency and capacity building for farmers. 

  National Forestry Strategy (2016-2030)812: the need to implement alternative forestry 

practices to better adapt to climate change is mentioned.  

  National Environmental Protection Strategy (2015-2020)813: adaptation actions at the 

local and regional level are emphasised. 

  National  Nature  Protection  Strategy  (2015-2020)814:  for  instance,  the  importance  of 

green infrastructure is indicated. 

  National  Biodiversity  Strategy  (2015-2020)815:  the  need  to  maintain  ecosystem 

services is emphasised. 

809 1/2014. (I. 3.) OGY határozat a Nemzeti Fejlesztés 2030 - Országos Fejlesztési és Területfejlesztési 
Koncepcióról, URL: https://mkogy.jogtar.hu/?page=show&docid=a14h0001.OGY  
810 1996. évi XXI. Törvény a területfejlesztésről és a területrendezésről, URL: 
https://net.jogtar.hu/jr/gen/hjegy_doc.cgi?docid=99600021.TV  
811 Nemzeti Vidékstratégia 2012 – 2020, URL: 
http://videkstrategia.kormany.hu/download/4/37/30000/Nemzeti%20Vid%C3%A9kstrat%C3%A9gia.pdf  
812 Nemzeti Erdőstratégia 2016-2030, URL: 
http://www.kormany.hu/download/a/1a/d0000/Nemzeti_Erd%C5%91strat%C3%A9gia.pdf  
813 27/2015. (VI. 17.) OGY határozat a 2015−2020 közötti időszakra szóló Nemzeti Környezetvédelmi 
Programról URL: https://mkogy.jogtar.hu/?page=show&docid=a15h0027.OGY  
814 NEMZETI TERMÉSZETVÉDELMI ALAPTERV, URL: http://2010-
2014.kormany.hu/download/6/c7/11000/Nemzeti%20Term%C3%A9szetv%C3%A9delmi%20Alapterv%20IV.p
df  

325 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  National Environmental Technology Innovation Strategy (2011-2020)816: the strategy 
aims  to  support  the  development  of  innovative  and  new  technologies,  which  could 
help to adapt to climate change.  

  National  Water  Strategy817  (2014-2020):  water  policy  has  the  explicit  aim  of 
adaptation  to  climate  change,  with  special  emphasis  on  extreme  weather  events  and 
droughts.  The  National  Water  Strategy  includes  several  adaptation  measures  in  the 
field  of  local  water  management,  such  as  water  retention  in  local  (both  groundwater 
and  surface)  water  reservoirs,  improved  irrigation  and  land-use  change,  where 
necessary (less arable lands at extreme low elevations). 

  National Tourism Development Strategy 2030: describes climate change as among the 
most important future challenges that can have serious impacts on tourist destinations, 
and responds by putting greater emphasis on the need for climate and environmental 
awareness in developing tourist attractions. 

the  Constitution, 

the  National  Sustainable  Development  Strategy, 

Furthermore, 
the 
Partnership  Agreement,  the  National  Reform  Programme,  the  National  Development  and 
Spatial Development Concept Note and the Carpathian Home Development Concept Note are 
also listed as key strategic documents that are closely linked to the overarching objectives of 
the draft NCCS-II and are integrating climate objectives.  

Overall,  there  are  many  sectoral  strategies  that  are  increasingly  considering  adaptation, 
nevertheless,  some  of  the  key  sectors  are  still  missing,  such  as  human  health,  built 
environment and infrastructure.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The  need  to  re-evaluate  the  insurance  sector’s  role  in  climate  change  policy  is  very  briefly 
discussed within the NCCS-I.  

In  the  draft  NCCS-II,  the  need  to  ensure  adequate  insurance  instruments  primarily  appears 
linked  to  the  agriculture  sector.  The  2011  Act  (no.  CLXVIII.)818  on  climate-related  risk 
management affecting agriculture production provides a framework on how to deal with risk 
prevention in  the agriculture sector, nevertheless it does not refer to  the need for adaptation 
actions.  

815 28/2015. (VI. 17.) OGY határozat a biológiai sokféleség megőrzésének 2015-2020 közötti időszakra szóló 
nemzeti stratégiájáról, URL: https://mkogy.jogtar.hu/?page=show&docid=a15h0028.OGY  
816 Nemzeti Környezettechnológiai Innovációs Stratégia, URL: 
http://kornyezettechnologia.kormany.hu/download/c/66/40000/NKIS.pdf  
817 Kvassay Jenő Terv tájékoztatás és társadalmi konzultáció, URL: 
https://www.vizugy.hu/index.php?module=vizstrat&programelemid=143 [Accessed: 16/05/2018] 
818 2011. évi CLXVIII. Törvény a mezőgazdasági termelést érintő időjárási és más természeti kockázatok 
kezeléséről, URL: https://net.jogtar.hu/jr/gen/hjegy_doc.cgi?docid=a1100168.tv  

326 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
Overall, no evidence could be found that adaptation is mainstreamed into insurance policies 
or alternative policy instruments to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention. 

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

As indicated in the policy framework section, Hungary only adopted one action plan, which 
covered the  years 2009 and 2010. In 2012, the Hungarian Government published a report819 
on  the  implementation  of  the  1st  NCCP,  which  identified  some  progress  with  adaptation 
actions,  including  on  nature  and  biodiversity,  human  health,  water,  agriculture,  forestry  and 
spatial  planning.  Furthermore,  progress  has  been  registered  on  some  horizontal  climate 
actions, such as in education, capacity building and research. 

Since  2010,  no  further  documented  evidence  has  been  published  on  the  implementation  of 
adaptation actions. Nevertheless, some actions are taking place sectorally (see mainstreaming 
under Indicator 8d) and at the sub-national level (see Indicator 9b).  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

As indicated in Indicator 1c, county-level climate change platforms are in place and support 
the  implementation  of  adaptation  actions.  Furthermore,  the  Hungarian  Alliance  of  Climate-
Friendly  Cities820  and  the  Climate  Protection  Alliance821  also  provide  support  at  the  sub-
national level.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

In  January  2017,  climate  risk  guidance  was  developed  by  the  Government  on  how  the 
resilience  and  vulnerability  of  major  projects  and  other  projects  funded  by  ESIF  should  be 
assessed. The adaptation guidance follows eight steps: 

819 J/6926. Számú jelentés a 2009-2010. évi Nemzeti Éghajlatváltozási Programról, URL: 
http://www.parlament.hu/irom39/06926/06926.pdf  
820 See at: klimabarat.hu  
821See at: http://www.eghajlatvedelmiszovetseg.hu/  

327 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Assessment of the project’s sensitivity 
  Analysis of the project’s exposure 
  Assessment of the potential impacts 
  Risk assessment 
 
  Assessment of the possible adaptation options 
 
Integration of adaptation options into the project 
  Monitoring the effectiveness of adaptation options.  

Identification and selection of possible adaptation options 

In addition to the guidance, a detailed description of the methodology is also available822.  

The Ministry of National Development held several trainings and briefings for the leaders of 
major  projects  supported  by  the  Cohesion  Policy  on  the  practical  utilisation  of  the 
Governmental Decree 314/2005 on the procedure of environmental impact assessment (EIA) 
and integrated pollution prevention and control. The Prime Minister’s Office has published a 
technical  guidance  document  on  the  detailed  climate  risk  assessment  methodology823.  This 
document  is  an  amendment  of  the  European  Commission’s  guidance  on  integrating  climate 
adaptation into the programmes and investments supported by the Cohesion Policy824 with the 
addition of Hungarian local and regional specificities. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

In  2009,  a  Climate  Change  Committee  was  formed825  to  support  implementation  of  the 
NCCS-I  and  included  stakeholders  from  relevant  ministries,  academia  and  environmental 
NGOs.  

As indicated in Indicator 1c, County Climate Change Platforms have also been established in 
every  county,  as  a  result  of  the  support  of  the  EEE  OP,  and  include  a  wide  range  of 
stakeholders. 

822 Szechenyi 2020, Útmutatók, szabályzatok, URL: https://www.palyazat.gov.hu/tmutatkszablyzatok [Accessed: 
16/05/2018] 
823 Szechenyi 2020, Útmutató projektek klímakockázatának becsléséhez és csökkentéséhez , URL: 
https://www.palyazat.gov.hu/tmutat-projektek-klimakockzatnak-becslshez-s-cskkentshez [Accessed: 
16/05/2018]  
824 https://ec.europa.eu/clima/sites/clima/files/adaptation/what/docs/swd_2013_135_en.pdf  
825 Éghajlatváltozással foglalkozó kormányzati bizottság alakult, URL: 
http://www.alternativenergia.hu/eghajlatvaltozassal-foglalkozo-kormanyzati-bizottsag-alakult/4054, Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018  

328 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

A progress report on the 1st NCCP was published by the Hungarian Government in 2012. This 
report provided an overview of progress  on the specific adaptation actions, including on the 
results for the specific indicators and the allocation of funds. 

Nevertheless,  as  no  further  action  plans  have  been  published  by  the  Government,  no 
monitoring has been in place since 2012.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

No evidence was found of the existence of sectoral monitoring since 2012.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Subnational-level monitoring reports are not published or disseminated.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No  

The NCCS-I was expected to be reviewed first after two years of its adoption (in 2010) and 
then  every  five  years  (2015,  2020  and  2025).  A  first  evaluation  started  in  2013,  which 
eventually  led  to  the  drafting  of  the  draft  NCCS-II  in  2017.  The  NCCS-I  also  states  that 
National Climate Change Programmes (i.e. action plans) are to be adopted every two  years. 
Nevertheless, there was only one NCCP adopted in 2009 and a progress report was published 
in 2012 (see Indicator 10a).  

There is a more detailed evaluation framework in the draft NCCS-II, nevertheless, given the 
delay with its adoption, this evaluation framework is expected to be revised.  

329 

 
 
 
 
The first two-year long Climate Change Action Plan is planned to be developed six months 
after the NCCS-II is adopted. The following timeline for review is foreseen by the NCCS-II: 

  The  second  action  plan  is  planned  to  be  developed  in  2020  for  2021-2023  and  then 

every three years, i.e.2023 for 2024-2026 and 2026 for 2027-2029.  

  The NCCS II is planned to be evaluated in 2020 and 2026. This evaluation will be in 

line with the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union.  

  Finally,  an  ex-post  evaluation  of  the  NCCS-II  and  the  renewal  of  the  Strategy  is 

planned to take place in 2031.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

No  description  is  provided  in  the  NCCS-I  and  the  draft  NCCS-II  on  plans  for  involving 
stakeholders  in  the  evaluation  processes.  Nevertheless,  as  noted  in  relation  to  Indicator  2a, 
ministries, NGOs and research organisations took part in discussions about the draft NCCS-II 
and had a chance to influence the revision of the NCCS-I.  

330 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

331 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

8d 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 

332 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Met? 
progress / No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

333 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Ireland 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 335 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 336 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 336 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 336 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 337 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 337 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 337 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 337 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 338 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 339 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 339 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 339 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 341 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 343 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 343 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 347 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 347 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 349 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 349 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 352 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 353 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 353 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 357 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 359 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 359 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 361 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 362 

334 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ARC 

ATS 

BIC 

Adaptive Responses to Climate impacts 

Annual Transition Statement 

British Irish Council 

CCAC  

Climate Change Advisory Council 

CCRP   

Climate Change Research Programme 

CFRAM 

Catchment Flood Risk Assessment 

DCCAE 

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment 

DRR 

EIA 

EPA 

Disaster Risk Reduction 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

Environmental Protection Agency 

GCM   

Global Climate Models 

NAF 

National Adaptation Framework 

NCCAF 

National Climate Change Adaptation Framework 

NDCA  

National Dialogue on Climate Action 

NMP 

National Mitigation Plan 

NSMC  

North South Ministerial Council 

NUIG   

National University of Ireland Galway 

OPW 

SEA 

SEM 

Office of Public Works 

Strategic Impact Assessment 

Strategic Emergency Management 

335 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The  former  Department  of  Environment,  Community  and  Local  Government  published  a 
National  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Framework  (NCCAF)  in  December  2012826.This  non-
statutory,  but  Government-approved, 
the  development  and 
implementation of sectoral adaptation plans and local government adaptation strategies which, 
together, would form the national response to climate impacts. 

framework  mandated 

The  policy  in  relation  to  climate  adaptation,  first  set  out  in  the  NCCAF,  was  subsequently 
restated  in  the  National  Policy  Position  on  Climate  Change  (2014)827.  The  National  Policy 
Position  provides  a  high-level  policy  direction  for  the  adoption  and  implementation  by 
Government  of  plans  to  enable  the  State  to  pursue  the  transition  to  a  low  carbon,  climate 
resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 (known as the “national transition 
objective”). 

The enactment on 10 December 2015 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development 
Act  2015828  (The  Climate  Act)  was  an  important  milestone  in  establishing  the national 
transition  objective on  a  statutory  basis.  To  facilitate  this ‘transition’,  the  Climate  Act 
provided for the development  and submission to the Government  of national  mitigation and 
adaptation plans. It also established the institutional and governance framework within which 
these plans can be developed and implemented on a cyclical basis. The framework identifies 
the key participants at sectoral level (i.e. relevant government ministers) and at local level (i.e. 
the local government sector) that will drive the adaptation effort.  

Under Section 5 of the Climate Act, the Minister for Department of Communications Climate 
Action and Environment (DCCAE)829 published a National Adaptation Framework (NAF) in 
January 2018. The NAF must be reviewed not less than once in every five-year period830. This 
replaces  the  previous  NCCAF  and  specifies  the  national  strategy  for  the  application  of 
adaptation measures in different sectors and by local authorities in their administrative areas. 

826 DCCAE, 2012, National Climate Change Adaptation Framework, URL: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-
ie/climate-action/publications/pages/national-climate-change-adaptation-framework.aspx  
827 DCCAE, 2014, National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, URL: 
http://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/climate-action/publications/Pages/National-Policy-Position.aspx  
828 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, URL: 
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/46/enacted/en/html  
829 Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, home page, URL: 
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/Pages/default.aspx 
830 DCCAE, 2018, National Adaptation Framework, URL: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/climate-
action/topics/adapting-to-climate-change/national-adaptation-framework/Pages/default.aspx 

336 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  aim  of  the  NAF  is  to  reduce  the  vulnerability  of  the  State  to  the  negative  effects  of 
climate change and to avail of any positive effects that may occur.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

In  Ireland,  regions  and  regional  assemblies  have  limited  competencies  and  a  low  degree  of 
autonomy, although they are granted regional planning competences, such as the preparation 
and  adoption  of  regional  spatial  and  economic  strategies.  Local-level  authorities  (i.e.  city 
councils or county councils) were identified by the NCCAF as the appropriate implementation 
level. These authorities are responsible for integrating climate adaptation measures into their 
future planning decisions.  

The NAF requires that local authorities develop climate adaptation strategies and   integrate 
these  strategies  into  their  statutory  plans  and  policies  (e.g.  county  and  city  development 
plans). Some local authorities have already undertaken small-scale projects and participated in 
EU-funded projects on adaptation.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The statutory NAF, developed by the DCCAE, identifies the sectors and lead departments that 
will be required to prepare sectoral adaptation plans. The plans will need to be developed in 
line with the requirements of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act and will 
be subject to approval at Government level.  These sectoral adaptation plans should be revised 
and updated at least every five years. Sectoral specific guidelines were published in May 2018 
to help the sectors required to prepare sectoral adaptation plans. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

Local  authorities  are  mandated  under  the  NAF  to  prepare  local  adaptation  strategies. 
Completed  strategies  should  then  be  integrated  into  each  local  authority’s  existing  plans, 
policies and services (such as city and county development plans). A network of four Climate 
Action Regional Offices (CAROs) has been set up in order to support this requirement and to 
drive climate action at local level.  

The  Minister  for  Communications,  Energy  and  Natural  Resources  launched  the  Local 
Authority Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Guidelines in May 2016. The guidelines were 
designed  to  assist  local  authorities  to  develop  their  own  adaptation  strategies.  While  these 
strategies  will  be  distinct  and  separate  from  the  NAF,  it  is  intended  that  they  should 
complement  sectoral  adaptation  plans  to  be  prepared  by  government  departments.    The 
guidelines describe six steps (tasks) that a local authority needs to complete to develop, adopt 
and implement an adaptation strategy: 

  Forming an adaptation team and preparing the ground 

337 

 
 
 
 
  Assessing the current adaptation baseline 
  Assessing future climate risk 
 
  Developing an adaptation pathway map and drafting the adaptation strategy 
  Mainstreaming, monitoring and reviewing the adaptation strategy. 

Identifying, assessing and prioritising adaptation options 

The  guidelines  are  currently  being  updated  as  a  key  action  under  NAF  and  the  updated 
guidelines will be published in Autumn 2018. 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

In March 2017, a subgroup of the National Adaptation Steering Committee was established to 
consider  how  adaptation  planning  can  be  effectively  progressed  in  sectors  where  roles  and 
responsibilities are fragmented.  

Under  the  2012  Framework  and  with  the  input  of  the  National  Adaptation  Steering 
Committee, four sectoral plans covering five sectors were developed, including: 

  Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management831 
  Adaptation  Planning  –  Developing  Resilience  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Irish 

Agriculture and Forest Sector832 

  Adaptation  Planning  –  Developing  Resilience  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Irish 

Transport Sector833 

  Adaptation Plan for the Electricity and Gas Networks Sector834. 

These plans are non-statutory and will be re-developed in line with current legislation and in 
line with the NAF. 

Under  the  newly  published  NAF,  government  departments  (or  agencies,  where  appropriate) 
with responsibility for priority sectors are required to prepare sectoral adaptation plans in line 
with the requirements of Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Climate Act. The NAF identifies twelve 

831 OPW, 2015, Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan: Flood Risk Management (2015-2019), URL: 
https://opw.ie/en/media/FRM%20CC%20Sectoral%20Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20Dec%202015%20-
%20Finalb.pdf 
832 DAFM, 2017, Adaptation Planning – Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Agriculture and 
Forest Sector, URL: 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/climatechange/ApprovedAdaptationPlanning0
40817.pdf 
833 DTTAS, 2017, Adaptation Planning – Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Transport Sector, 
URL: 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/climatechange/ApprovedAdaptationPlanning0
40817.pdf 
834 DCCAE, 2017, Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Electricity and Gas Networks sector, URL: 
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/news-and-media/publications/Pages/Climate-Change-Adaptation-Plan-for-the-
Electricity-and-Gas-Networks-sector-0221-5002.aspx 

338 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
key sectors where sectoral adaptation plans are to be prepared: seafood, agriculture, forestry, 
biodiversity,  built  and  archaeological  heritage,  transport  infrastructure,  electricity  and  gas 
networks, flood risk management, water quality, water services infrastructure, and health. 

In March 2018, the Government requested, in line with its obligations under Section 6(1) of 
the  Climate  Act,  that  relevant  ministers  begin  the  preparation  of  their  respective  plans.  The 
statutory  deadline  for  the  submission  of  completed  sectoral  adaptation  plans  to  the 
Government for approval is no later than 30 September 2019.835  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The DCCAE is  a central component of the climate change  governance architecture, leading 
and  coordinating  national  adaptation  policy  and  supporting  the  implementation  of  the 
adaptation effort at national, sectoral and local government levels. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) was established by Ministerial Order on 18 
January 2016 under Section 8 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. 
The Council, which is  independent  in  the performance of its functions, provides advice and 
recommendations  to,  inter  alia,  the  DCCAE  Minister  in  relation  to  the  preparation  of  the 
NAF; the development by a relevant minister of a sectoral adaptation plan; and the approval 
by the Government of a NAF.  

Sectoral coordination has taken place under the auspices of the National Adaptation Steering 
Committee  which  is  chaired  by  DCCAE.  As  a  key  action  under  the  NAF,  the  National 
Adaptation  Steering  Committee  has  been  restructured  to  ensure  that  a  coordinated, 
comprehensive and coherent approach continues to operate in implementing actions under the 
NAF.  The  need  for  appropriate  cross  sectoral  coordination  and  consultation  is  identified  as 
critical to the effective implementation of the NAF. 

835 Personal communication with MS contact 

339 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The National Adaptation Steering Committee’s membership now includes representatives of 
those preparing plans under the NAF, as well as other key departments and agencies. These 
include  the  Departments  of  Finance  and  Public  Expenditure  and  Reform,  representatives  of 
local  government  and  the  Climate  Action  Regional  Offices,  the  Environmental  Protection 
Agency,  Met  Éireann  and  the  National  Standards  Authority  of  Ireland.  This  Steering 
Committee now reports to a National Climate Action High-Level Steering Group, chaired by 
the  Minister  for  Communications,  Climate  Action  and  Environment.    This  group  addresses 
climate mitigation and adaptation. In terms of adaptation, the High-Level Steering Group will:  

  Monitor progress by sectors and agencies in delivering on climate adaptation actions 

for which they are responsible; and 

  Ensure  that  a  coordinated  and  coherent  approach  is  adopted  and  maintained  towards 

achieving a climate resilient Ireland836 

In  order  to  support  key  national  sectors  in  planning  for  climate  adaptation  and  departments 
and agencies in the preparation of sectoral adaptation plans required under the NAF and the 
Climate  Act,  “Sectoral  Guidelines  for  Planning  for  Climate  Change  Adaptation”  were 
published  in  May  2018.  These  guidelines  aim  to  ensure  that  a  coherent  and  consistent 
approach to adaptation planning is adopted at national and local scales and draw on existing 
sources  of  climate  and  adaptation  information  relevant  for  Ireland  (e.g.  Climate  Ireland). 
DCCAE is also considering the ongoing development of the Climate Information Platform for 
Ireland (Climate Ireland), which can act as a long-term operational support for climate action 
at local and sectoral level in Ireland.837 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  adaptation  planning  and  implementation  across 
national,  regional  and  local  levels.  As  indicated  in  Indicator  1b,  sub-national  level 
governments are part of the National Adaptation Steering Committee and have been involved 
in the preparation of adaptation policies and are also part of the implementation phase.  

In order to further support climate action at local level and to advance key actions identified 
under both the NAF and the NMP, in January 2018 the Minister for Communications, Climate 
Action  and  Environment  announced  €10  million  in  funding  over  five  years  to  set  up  four 
Regional Local Authority Climate Action Offices.838 

836 Personal communication with MS contact 
837 Personal communication with MS contact 
838 Personal communication with MS contact 

340 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  regional  offices  are  located  in  four  lead  authorities  (Cork  County  Council,  Dublin  City 
Council on a rotating basis, Kildare County Council and Mayo County Council) and are based 
on  four  geographical  areas  with  the  associated  grouping  of  local  authorities  in  each  region 
based upon shared climate change risks.  

Local  authorities  have  been  contacted  through  the  regional  lead  authorities  outlining  the 
obligations and governance arrangements for the sector in relation to climate action, including 
the preparation of local adaptation strategies by each local authority. It is intended that these 
strategies will be in place by 30 September 2019. The regional offices will contribute to the 
implementation  of  national  climate  adaptation,  mitigation  and  awareness  (e.g.  the  National 
Dialogue on Climate Action) policy. The regional offices will provide expertise and capacity 
at local and regional level to contribute effectively to the national transition to a low carbon 
and  climate  resilient  economy.  The  regional  offices  will  also  provide  a  more  focused 
approach  for  how  local  government  liaises  centrally  with  relevant  government  departments, 
regional assemblies and agencies on climate-related matters and in the preparation of sectoral 
adaptation  plans  and  local  adaptation  strategies.839  Twelve840  Irish  local  authorities  have 
signed the Covenant  of  Mayors for Climate & Energy  and the regional structure above will 
provide them with a platform to further coordinate any action under the Covenant of Mayors.  

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The 2012 NCCAF was subject to a stakeholder consultation in 2009. Prior to the preparation 
of the current NAF, an initial public consultation took place from 21 March 2016 to 20 May 
2016,  in  which  members  of  the  public  and  stakeholders  were  invited  to  comment  on  the 
contents and development of such a framework. This feedback was incorporated into the draft 
NAF, and a period of public consultation opened on 15 September 2017 and closed after six 
weeks on 27 October 2017. 

The  Government  also  has  a  commitment  to  establishing  a  National  Dialogue  on  Climate 
Action  (NDCA)  which  will  inform  the  national  objective  to  transition  to  a  low  carbon  and 
climate  resilient  economy  and  society.  In  terms  of  climate  resilience,  the  publication  of  the 
draft  NAF  was  a  key  landmark  in  informing  the  NDCA  and  how  it  addresses  the  issue  of 
climate impacts.  

An advisory group on the NDCA has also been established to provide advice in relation to the 
overall strategy, structure and operation of the national dialogue to the DCCAE Minister. The 

839 Personal communication with MS contact 
840 Seven have made commitments in relation to adaptation. 

341 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Advisory Group held its first meeting in July 2017. A regional gathering of the NDCA will 
take  place  in  Athlone  on  23  June  2018.  This  is  the  first  in  a  series  of  regional  and  local 
meetings to be held across Ireland.841 

In  addition  to  the  NDCA,  the  Citizens’  Assembly  provided  an  avenue  for  stakeholder 
engagement. The Citizens' Assembly was an exercise in deliberative democracy, placing the 
citizen  at  the  heart  of  important  legal  and  policy  issues  facing  Irish  society  today.  The 
Assembly  was  a  body  comprising  the  Chairperson  and  99  citizens,  randomly  selected  to  be 
broadly representative of the Irish electorate.  The Assembly considered the topic “How the 
State  can  make  Ireland  a  Leader  in  tackling  Climate  Change”  over  two  weekends  30 
September-1 October 2017 and 4-5 November 2017. The Citizens’ Assembly’s final report on 
the topic was published on 18 April 2018.842  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The  British  and  Irish  Council  (BIC)  and  North  South  Ministerial  Council  (NSMC)  are 
identified as potential avenues for transboundary cooperation on climate adaptation.  

Both  initiatives  were  established  under  the  Belfast  Agreement  and  their  membership 
comprises representatives from the Irish Government; UK Government; Scottish Government; 
Northern  Ireland  Executive;  Welsh  Government;  Isle  of  Man  Government;  Government  of 
Jersey and Government of Guernsey. 

The  objective  of  the  NSMC  is  to  facilitate  cooperation  between  the  governments  of  Ireland 
and Northern Ireland, while the objective of the BIC is to facilitate dialogue between the Irish 
and UK Government. 

The  British-Irish  Council’s  Environment  Working  Group  held  its  fifteenth  ministerial 
meeting,  hosted  by  the  Government  of  Ireland,  on  23  March  2018.  Ministers  discussed  the 
observed and projected climate impacts, including increases in average temperature, changes 
in precipitation patterns, sea-level rise and changes in the frequency and character of weather 
extremes, such as storms.  

Ministers recognised that, given Ireland’s shared geographic location and climatic influences, 
some  impacts,  such  as  extreme  weather  events,  are  likely  to  affect  member  administrations 
simultaneously.  It  was  agreed  by  ministers  that  these  shared  challenges  offer  significant 

841 https://dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/news-and-media/press-releases/Pages/Minister-publishes-National-Adaptation-
Framework.aspx 
842 Personal communication with MS contact; See the report at: https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/How-the-
State-can-make-Ireland-a-leader-in-tackling-climate-change/Final-Report-on-how-the-State-can-make-Ireland-a-
leader-in-tackling-climate-change/Climate-Change-Report-Final.pdf 

342 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
potential  for  cooperation  in  terms  of  sharing  information  and  best  practice  across  the 
administrations and that the possibilities for better coordinated and co-funded research should 
be examined.  

There was agreement that the private sector, local government, communities and civil society 
all  have  a  key  role  to  play  in  increasing  climate  resilience  and  all  administrations  are 
committed to sharing their experiences on supporting and engaging these sectors.843 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Irish  Meteorological  Office  Met  Éireann  has  primary  responsibility  for  atmospheric 
observations,  with  the National  University of  Ireland Galway (NUIG) and other bodies also 
providing support. Responsibility for oceanic and terrestrial observations lies with the Marine 
Institute, Met Éireann, EPA, universities and other institutions.  

Met Éireann is currently collaborating with the Office of Public Works (OPW) in developing 
a National Flood Forecasting Service, which will have a critical role to play in disseminating 
climate-related information at regional and local levels. 

In the Status of Ireland’s Climate report844, it was concluded that many elements of a climate 
observation,  analysis  and  reporting  system  are  in  place.  Nonetheless,  there  are  a  number  of 
outstanding issues that need to be addressed to make the system more robust and capable of 
addressing Ireland’s long-term climate change needs and reporting requirements. 

Research  on  analysis  and  re-analysis  of  climate  information  and  data  is  ongoing  through  a 
number  of  research  projects.  These  include  work  on  temperature,  precipitation,  extreme 
events,  flooding  and  droughts.  The  continued  systematic  observation  of  key  climate 
parameters  and  data  analysis  is  central  to  research  in  this  area.  The  aim  is  to  ensure  the 
sustainability of the observation systems while providing on-going support of data analysis. 

The  EPA  Research  Programme  is  funding  a  number  of  research  projects  collecting 
observation  data  in  areas  other  than  meteorology.  The  CIViC  (Critical  Infrastructure 
Vulnerability  to  Climate  Change)  study  at  NUIG  will  assess  the  vulnerability  of  elements 

843 British Irish Council, 2018, paper prepared on the topic of adaptation to climate change, URL: 
https://www.britishirishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/Climate%20Adaptation%20Paper.pdf 
844 Environmental Protection Agency, 2013, The Status of Ireland’s Climate, URL: 
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/climate/ccrpreport26.html 

343 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
(water,  energy,  transport  and  communications)  of  Ireland’s  critical  infrastructure  to  climate 
change.  The  overall  aim  is  to  inform  critical  asset  management  decisions  in  the  context  of 
climate change. 

The Adaptive Responses to Climate Impacts (ARC) project developed a framework for 
costing climate impacts on the Irish economy and assessing the options for adaptation, with a 
specific focus on the role of key stakeholders.  

Information  on  the  impact  of  severe  weather  events  is  being  compiled  at  the  Government 
level.  An  example  of  this  is  the  report  compiled  by  the  National  Directorate  on  Fire  and 
Emergency  Management  in  the  Department  of  Housing,  Planning,  Community  and  Local 
Government  following  severe  flooding  at  the  end  of  2015  and  the  beginning  of  2016.  This 
Department is the lead government department in Ireland for the response to severe weather 
events and flooding and coordinated the report across government. 

The 2017 “Strategic Emergency Management: National Structures and Framework” notes the 
potential  to  include  climate  impacts  in  the  national  risk  assessment  process.  This  document 
will be complemented by a series of “Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Guidelines” 
dealing with specific aspects of strategic emergency management. It is likely this will lead to 
more impact monitoring. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  2015  projections  of  climate  change  in  Ireland  for  2050  and  2100  utilise  outputs  from 
global  climate  models  (GCMs).  These  are  downscaled  using  both  dynamic  and  statistical 
approaches.  New  global  model  simulations  carried  out  in  Ireland  by  Met  Éireann  (2013) 
provide an update on the expected changes climate over the 21st Century. Regional climate 
models were run at high spatial resolution, maximum of 4 km, allowing for a better evaluation 
of the potential local effects of climate change (Nolan, 2015845). 

The  Department  of  Housing,  Planning  and  Local  Government  continues  to  support  Met 
Éireann in its development of climate projection systems and provision of climate services for 
Ireland. 

845 EPA, 2015, Research 159: Ensemble of regional climate model projections for Ireland, URL: 
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/climate/research159ensembleofregionalclimatemodelprojectionsforirela
nd.html  

344 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Analyses of potential climate impacts for Ireland are summarised in the State of Knowledge 
Report846 and in Climate Ireland847.  

Potential  negative  sectoral  impacts  arising  from  climate  projections  are  summarised  in  the 
NAF.  This  includes  impacts  on  agriculture,  forestry,  biodiversity,  coastal  areas,  critical 
infrastructure, marine and fisheries, water management, and human health and wellbeing.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Research on climate impacts  and adaptation  is  coordinated by the Environmental  Protection 
Agency, through its Climate Change Research Programme (CCRP). The programme supports 
and  develops  research  to  inform  decision  making  and  planning  on  adaptation  and  identify 
options to reduce the adverse climate impacts and their associated costs.  

The  report  by  the  Irish  Academy  of  Engineering,  Ireland  at  Risk  Critical  Infrastructure  – 
Adaptation  for Climate Change848 and the report by  the Heritage Council and Fáilte  Ireland 
(the  National  Tourism  Development  Authority),  Climate  Change,  Heritage  and  Tourism, 
Implications for Ireland's Coast and Inland Waterways849 are early examples of initiatives of 
this kind.  

Research  on  specific  impacts  is  included  in  the  Hydrodetect  project850,  which  identified  a 
reference  river  flow  network  for  monitoring  and  detecting  climate  driven  changes  in  Irish 
river  flows.  A  phenological  study  (Donnelly  et  al.,  2012851)  showed  that  the  warmer  Irish 
climate has led to a change in the seasonal cycle of a range of plant and animal species. 

A  National  Climate  Change  Vulnerability  Scoping  Study852  was  undertaken  to  identify  first 
generation  vulnerabilities  for  Ireland  based  on  a  sensitivity  analysis  across  key  sectors.  The 
analysis identified a clustering of impacts and their importance in relation to an assessment of 
likely  resilience  by  sector.  By  comparing  sensitivity  versus  impacts,  an  estimate  of  first-
generation  vulnerability  was  made.  A  deliberative  risk-ranking  methodology  was  applied 

846 Desmond et al., 2017, A Summary of the State of Knowledge on Climate Change Impacts for Ireland, URL : 
https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/climate/EPA%20RR%20223_web.pdf  
847 Climate Ireland, 2018, Website, URL : http://www.climateireland.ie/#/about  
848 http://www.iae.ie/site_media/pressroom/documents/2009/Nov/17/Ireland_at_Risk_2.pdf  
849 Heritage Council and Failte Ireland, 2009, Climate Change, Heritage and Tourism : Implications for Ireland’s 
Coast and Inland Waterways, URL : 
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/climate_change_heritage_tourism_main_report_2009.pdf 
850 EPA, 2013, Climate Change Research Programme 2007-2013 Report Series No.27, URL : 
https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/climate/CCRP_27_HydroDetect.pdf  
851 Donnelly et al., 2012, Surviving in a warmer world : environmental and genetic responses, URL : 
http://www.int-res.com/articles/cr_oa/c053p245.pdf  
852 EPA, 2013, Current and future vulnerabilities to climate change in Ireland, URL: 
https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/climate/CCRP_29.pdf  

345 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
using multiple stakeholder perspectives. The priority sectors identified were: biodiversity and 
fisheries; water resources and the built coastal environment; forestry and agriculture. As each 
sector  develops  its  sectoral  adaptation  plan  (under  the  Climate  Action  and  Low  Carbon 
Development  Act  2015),  detailed  vulnerability  and  risk  analysis  will  be  required.  Some 
preliminary work has been undertaken on costing climate impacts in  Ireland853. This is now 
being  supported  by  more  detailed  analysis  of  the  current  and  future  costs  of  flood  risk 
management. 

The  EPA  is  currently  funding  a  research  project  called  Urb-Adapt,  which  aims  to  identify 
climate impacts on Dublin city and surrounding towns within the greater Dublin region. The 
project  aims  to  identify  possible  risks  to  the  population  living  in  that  area  and  future  risks 
posed  to  it  by  the  changing  climate.  The  project  is  divided  into  two  key  strands,  water  and 
heat. 

The  DCCAE  is  providing  funding  for  two  EPA  funded  research  projects,  which  aim  to 
establish a national risk and impacts assessment of the effect on Ireland of current and future 
climate warming pattern while also assessing the vulnerability of elements of Ireland’s critical 
infrastructure (water, energy, transport and communications) to climate change.  

“Ongoing  development  of  Ireland’s  first  dedicated  national  climate  change  risk  assessment 
and  assessing  the  vulnerability  of  critical  infrastructure  to  climate  change”  is  included  as  a 
supporting objective in the NAF. 

The National Risk Assessment of Impacts of Climate Change (C-RISK) has commenced. The 
aim of this EPA-funded project is to establish a national assessment of the risks and impacts 
on  Ireland  of  current  and  future  climate  warming  patterns  in  the  21st  century.  The  EPA-
funded Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability to Climate Change (CIViC) study, will assess the 
vulnerability of elements (water, energy, transport and communications) of Ireland’s critical 
infrastructure to climate change. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Transboundary  cooperation  with  the  Northern  Ireland  Devolved  Government  and  ‘Climate 
Northern Ireland' is on-going with a view to understanding areas of commonality, sharing of 
experiences  and  best  practices.  The  NAF  states  that  Ireland  will  “continue  to  avail  of 
opportunities  to  collaborate  with  other  jurisdictions  to  tackle  common  challenges  on 
adaptation  and  resilience  and  to  consider  transboundary  impacts  and  synergies  when  they 

853 UCC, Costing Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation in Ireland, URL : 
https://www.ucc.ie/en/eri/projects/cosclimchange/ 

346 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
arise.” Vulnerability assessments to date such as the National Climate Change Vulnerability 
Scoping Study have not considered transboundary risk. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  DCCAE  prioritises  climate  research  needs  and  ensures  that  accessible  information  is 
provided  to  support  the  NAF.  Climate  research  is  also  funded  by  a  number  of  state  bodies 
including Teagasc, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the Economic and Social 
Research  Institute  (ESRI)  (NAF).  €38.2  million  was  spent  on  research  funding  for  climate 
change related research in Ireland from 2010-2015 by the EPA, SEAI and the Department of 
Agriculture, Food and the Marine.854 

The Climate Change Research Programme (CCRP), established and administered by the EPA, 
supports  research  addressing  specific  knowledge  gaps  of  direct  relevance  to  the  National 
Climate Change Strategy855. The CCRP research outputs are aimed at strengthening data and 
the information base, and filling gaps in knowledge. A significant number of research projects 
has been funded to date with a focus on the policies and measures needed to adapt to climate 
impacts856,857.  

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Ireland’s Climate Information Platform “Climate Ireland”858 provides support to decision 
makers in the development of their adaptation plans. The objective of the platform is to 
support adaptation decision making at all levels, including the public. This is achieved 
through the provision of essential climate information (observed and projected) to support 
impact and risk assessment.  

It  is  an  objective  of  the  NAF  to  develop  Climate  Ireland  further  on  an  operational  basis. 
Climate Ireland delivered training on climate adaptation to the regional offices in May 2018. 

854 Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, 2017, Spending Review 2017 – Climate Change 
Related-Research & Funding in Ireland. URL: file:///C:/Users/js77/Downloads/Climate-Change-Related-
Research-and-Funding-in-Ireland.pdf 
855 EPA, 2018, Climate Change Research Programme, URL: http://www.epa.ie/climate/climatechangeresearch/ 
856 EPA, 2018, Climate Change Research Programme, URL: http://www.epa.ie/climate/climatechangeresearch/ 
857 CoFoRD Programme of Competitive Forestry Research for Development: Publication Irish Forests and 
Climate Change http://www.coford.ie/publications/forestry2030/irishforestsandclimatechange/ 
858 Climate Ireland platform: www.climateireland.ie 

347 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  final  phase  of  Climate  Ireland859  has  now  been  developed  by  University  College  Cork, 
under  the  EPA's  research  programme.  As  part  of  the  project’s  third  and  final  phase  of 
development the functionality of the platform was enhanced through the provision of greater 
data analysis and additional decision-support tools.  

The DCCAE is considering the ongoing development of the Climate Information Platform for 
Ireland (Climate Ireland), which can act as a long-term operational support for climate action 
at local and sectoral level in Ireland.860 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  science-policy  interface  was  set  up  to  assist  in  developing  the  NCCAF.  Various  research 
institutes  and  the  national  meteorological  administration  ensured  feedback  in  that  process. 
Further workshops have been held since, such as for the preparation of the report on Current 
and Future Vulnerabilities to Climate Change in Ireland (Coll and Sweeney, 2013)861. 

Knowledge  transfer  activities  (e.g.  science/policy  interfaces)  between  researchers  and 
decision  and  policymakers  occur  when  research  reports  are  published  and  disseminated862. 
Key findings are accompanied by press releases and research dissemination seminars. 

There is an ongoing programme of capacity building, outreach and training measures aimed at 
decision makers and adaptation practitioners within local authorities, which includes training 
seminars and workshops.863. Most recently, in May 2018 a series of seminars were held by the 
Climate  Ireland  research  team  in  order  to  build  the  capacity  of  local  authority  staff,    which 
have  been  particularly  timely  in  the  context  of  the  ongoing  development  of  the  CAROs 
project.   

Climate  change  features  in  the  education  curriculum  at  the  2nd  and  3rd  level  of  secondary 
school. A number of universities includes climate adaptation education at Masters level864. 

860 Personal communication with MS contact 

862 For example, the State of Knowledge Report 2009.  
863 DCCAE, 2018, Local level adaptation, URL: https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/climate-action/topics/adapting-
to-climate-change/national-adaptation-framework/Pages/Localadaptation.aspx 
864 Maynooth University MSc Climate Change https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-
maynooth/postgraduate-studies/courses/msc-climate-change, University College Dublin: 
https://sisweb.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=PROG&MAJR=F112; NUI Galway 
http://www.nuigalway.ie/ccafs/ 

348 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
 
Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Twelve sectors are required to prepare sectoral adaptation plans not later than 30 September 
2019 in line with NAF and the Climate Act. These plans will contain the adaptation measures 
that the minister responsible for that sector intends to introduce over the lifetime of the plan. 
A key step in the development of each sectoral plan will be the preparation of sector-specific 
risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  using  up-to-date  research  in  the  area,  as  well  the 
prioritisation of actions based upon the risks identified in those assessments. 

Work has been completed in a number of sectors under the NCCAF (2012) that will provide a 
strong  foundation  for  statutory  sectoral  adaptation  plans.  The  following  sectoral  plans  have 
been prepared under the NCCAF and the experience of preparing these informed drafting of 
the statutory NAF: 

  Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management (OPW, 2015) 
  Adaptation  Planning  –  Developing  Resilience  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Irish 

Agriculture and Forest Sector (DAFM, 2017) 

  Adaptation Planning – Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Transport 

Sector (DTTAS, 2017) 

  Draft Adaptation Plan for the Electricity and Gas Networks Sector (DCCAE, 2017). 

These four existing plans identify adaptation options for these sectors.  

Under  the  statutory  NAF  each  sectoral  plan  must  be  approved  by  the  Government.  Plans 
should be based primarily  on the  results of a sectoral  risk assessment. As a minimum,  each 
plan  should  present:  clear  evidence  of  climate  risks  to  the  sector,  its  vulnerabilities  to  such 
risks, and actions to address the risks and ensure the sector’s climate resilience. 

In drawing up the sectoral plans, three basic steps must be reflected: 

  Clear understanding of the consequences of a changing climate 
  Actions to equip decision-makers with skills and tools; and 
 

Integration of adaptation into policy and administration at sectoral level in Ireland. 

Sectoral adaptation plans will be developed in line with sectoral adaptation guidelines, which 
were  approved  in  May  2018.  The  guidelines  aim  to  ensure  that  a  coherent  and  consistent 
approach to adaptation planning is adopted at national and local scales and draws on existing 
349 

 
 
 
 
 
 
sources of climate and adaptation information (e.g. Climate Ireland865). The guidelines were 
published  in  May  2018  having  been  originally  developed  as  part  of  an  Environmental 
Protection  Agency  (EPA)  research  project  (‘A  Climate  Information  Platform  for  Ireland’) 
with  funding  provided  by  the  DCCAE.  The  guidelines  are  structured  around  six  steps:  1) 
Preparing  the  Ground;  2)  Climate  Impact  Screening;  3)  Prioritisation;  4)  Priority  Impact 
Assessment; 5) Develop your Plan; 6) Implement, Monitor and Review. 

The  NAF  also  discusses  the  potential  synergies  of  a  themed  approach  to  considering  the 
sectoral plans as part of four thematic areas: Natural Capital, Critical Infrastructure, River and 
Coastal Flood Risk Management, and Public Health. Such a thematic approach is intended to 
further coordinate sectors’ responses to cross-cutting issues and enhance collaboration in the 
preparation  of  sectoral  adaptation  plans.  The  NAF  identifies  the  following  sectors  will 
produce  individual  adaptation  plans  using  the  NAF  and  tools  such  as  Climate  Ireland  for 
guidance:  seafood,  agriculture,  forestry,  biodiversity,  built  and  archaeological  heritage, 
transport  infrastructure,  electricity  and  gas  networks,  communications  networks,  flood  risk 
management,  water  quality,  water  services  infrastructure,  and  health.  These  plans  will  be 
reviewed and updated as a minimum once every five years.  

A number of technical supports have been produced to assist in the development of local level 
adaptation  strategies,  such  as  Climate  Ireland  and  the  Local  Authority  Adaptation  Strategy 
Development Guidelines866. The Guidelines, originated as research commissioned by the EPA 
and prepared by University College Cork, are designed to  assist local authorities to develop 
their  own  adaptation  strategies  and  to  ensure  that  they  will  complement  sectoral  adaptation 
plans. The Guidelines are currently under review with a view to publication before end 2018. 

In  January  2018,  the  Minister  for  Communications,  Climate  Action  and  Environment 
announced  €10  million  in  funding  over  five  years  to  set  up  four  Regional  Local  Authority 
Climate  Action  Offices.867  The  regional  offices  are  located  in  four  lead  authorities  (Cork 
County Council, Dublin City Council on a rotating basis, Kildare County Council and Mayo 
County  Council)  and  are  based  on  four  geographical  areas  with  the  associated  grouping  of 
local authorities in each region based upon shared climate change risks.  

The approach taken harnesses the potential to group certain local authorities based on similar 
geographical  and  topographical  characteristics  and  on  the  basis  of  existing  synergies  in 
addressing  threats  and  impacts  of  severe  weather  events  and  ongoing  climate  change  risks. 
The approach is, therefore, based on climate risk assessment with a focus on the predominant 
risk(s) in each geographical area. 

865 Climate Ireland. URL: www.climateireland.ie 
866 Gray, S. 2016. Local Authority Adaptation Strategy Development Guideline. Environmental Protection 
Agency Research Report 164. Available at: 
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/climate/researchreport164.html 
867 Personal communication with MS contact 

350 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The  NAF  lays  out  the  principles  for  the  identification  of  adaptation  options  in  Ireland.  The 
sectoral  guidelines provide a detailed step by step guide on how sectors should develop and 
prioritise their adaptation actions.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In Progress / No 

The  NAF  includes  as  a  supporting  objective:  “Ensure  continued  alignment  with  emergency 
planning for extreme weather events including where plans related to emergencies assigned to 
a  sectoral  department  as  Lead  Government  department  under  the  ‘Strategic  Emergency 
Management National  Structures and  Framework’ are  climate proofed”.  The NAF notes the 
emerging acknowledgement of the need to enhance coherence and complementarity between 
the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as the UN 
Sustainable Development Goals. 

A  subgroup  of  the  Government  Task  Force  on  Emergency  Planning,  jointly  chaired  by  the 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of Emergency Planning, is in place 
regarding Ireland’s engagement with the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction. The 
DCCAE is represented on this subgroup.  

Ireland’s “Sustainable Development Goals National  Implementation Plan 2018  – 2020” was 
published  in  May  2018.  It  sets  out  how  Ireland  will  work  to  achieve  the  Goals,  including 
those related to climate adaptation, both domestically and internationally.868 

Statutory  responsibility  for  emergency  planning  in  various  sectors  lies  across  a  number  of 
government  departments.  Departments  must  engage  with  key  players  in  their  respective 
sectors, championing adaptation policies and instruments, and encouraging the private sector 
and civil society to partake in the collective adaptation effort. 

Ireland  published  a  National  Framework  on  Emergency  Planning869  in  October  2017.    This 
will  be  complemented  by  a  series  of  strategic  emergency  guidelines  dealing  with  specific 
aspects  of  strategic  emergency  management,  including  climate  adaptation.  The  NAF 
recognises  that  the  local  government  sector  plays  a  pivotal  role  in  planning  for,  and 
responding to, emergency situations. Local authorities can react faster and more effectively to 

868 Personal communication with MS contact 
869 URL: https://www.emergencyplanning.ie/system/files/media/file-uploads/2017-11/SEM.pdf 

351 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
local  climate  events  than  other  government  agencies,  as  they  have  closer  relationship  with 
communities.  Local  authorities  also  have  essential  local  knowledge  of  the  natural  and  man-
made  environment  and  have  a  critical  role  to  play  in  managing  climate  risks  and 
vulnerabilities and identifying adaptation actions. 

It  is  also  important  to  note  the  establishment  of  an  Interdepartmental  Flood  Policy 
Coordination  Group  to  support  OPW870  National  Catchment-based  Flood  Risk  Assessment 
and  Management  (CFRAM)  Programme871.  Through  this  group  the  OPW  is  coordinating 
Ireland’s  whole  of  government  approach  to  flood  risk  management  across  three  strategic 
policy areas: prevention, protection and preparedness. The purpose of the Coordination Group 
is  to  help  inform  the  ten-year  implementation  strategy  of  the  flood  risk  management  plans 
(FRMP) and to ensure that policies that can benefit communities and individuals directly are 
carefully  considered.  It  will  be  critical  that  the  work  of  the  Coordination  Group  also  aligns 
with the on-going development of climate resilience being carried out by the relevant sectors 
under the NCCAF and NAF. 

Ireland  is  currently  looking  at  how  best  climate  adaptation  and  emergency  planning  can  be 
coordinated particularly at the sectoral and local  level.  In this regard Ireland is aware of the 
challenges that exist at the European level in terms of integrating these areas.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress / No  

In the ongoing development of Ireland’s National Development Plan (2018-2027), the role of 
public  capital  investment  in  achieving  national  climate  action  goals  is  recognised.  The  plan 
identifies flood defences, resilient infrastructure and agriculture as priority actions. 

Climate  change  research  is  carried  out  funded  by  FP7  and  Horizon  2020,  with  €33  million 
target  income  under  Horizon  2020  and  €18.2  million  FP7  drawdown  allocated  to  climate 
action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials.872  

870 The Office of Public Works (OPW) is the lead State body for the coordination and implementation of 
Government policy on the management of flood risk in Ireland. The OPW is also the national authority for the 
implementation of the EU Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks [2007/60/EC] 
871 https://www.cfram.ie/  
872 D/JEI, 2016, Evaluation of Ireland’s Participation in FP7 and Horizon 2020, URL: 
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Evaluation-of-Participation-in-FP7-and-Horizon-2020-DJEI-
Summary-Report.pdf 

352 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The provisions of EIA Directive 2014/52/EU (hereafter called the 2014 EIA Directive) came 
into effect in Ireland in May 2017. The provisions are detailed in Circular Letter PL 1/ 2017 
and  the  accompanying  Transposition  of  2014  EIA  Directive  (2014/52/EU)  in  the  Land  Use 
Planning  and  EPA  Licensing  Systems,  Key  Issues  Consultation  Paper  issued  from  the 
Department  of  Housing,  Planning,  Community  and  Local  Government  in  May  2017  to 
relevant competent authorities.    

The EPA has published specific guidelines on integrating consideration of climate change into 
Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA)873. More recent national guidance from the EPA 
on  EIA  and  SEA  also  gives  due  consideration  to  climate  change  in  preparation  and 
implementation of assessments874.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The  NAF  recognises  the  need  to  develop  early-warning  systems,  as  part  of  its  response  to 
extreme events, such as flooding. The response to these events is coordinated across relevant 
sectors,  and  managed  by  local  authorities  to  take  advantage  of  their  local  knowledge.  The 
NAF states the importance of maintaining coherence between long-term adaptation planning 
and short-term emergency management of extreme weather events. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

The national administration has made significant effort to integrate adaptation in land use and 
resource planning policies, though this is work in progress.  

873 EPA, 2015, Integrating Climate Change into Strategic Environmental Assessment in Ireland, URL: 
http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/ea/Climate-Change-SEA-Ireland-Guide-Note.pdf 
874 EPA, 2017, Draft Guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact Assessment 
Reports, URL: http://www.epa.ie/pubs/advice/ea/drafteiarguidelines.html 

353 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Planning  and  Development  Act  2000,  as  amended,  requires  that  local  authority 
development plans and the forthcoming Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies address the 
promotion  of  sustainable  settlement  and  transportation  strategies  in  urban  and  rural  areas, 
including  promotion  of  measures  to  address  the  need  for  climate  adaptation.  In  addition, 
current  statutory  planning  guidance  for  local  authorities  and  An  Bord  Pleanála  makes 
reference to climate change (e.g. Development Plan Guidelines, 2007; The Planning System 
and  Flood  Risk  Management  Guidelines,  2009;  and  Local  Area  Plans  Guidelines,  2013). 
Current  guidelines  on  flood  risk  management  require  local  authorities  to  be  vigilant  in 
ensuring that future risks of flooding are identified and integrated into the planning process.  

The  NAF  identifies  the  importance  of  spatial  planning,  as  a  means  of  integrating  climate 
adaptation into national policies. It identifies the importance of considering   the heat-island 
effect,  biodiversity  and  green  spaces,  development  layouts  and  building  materials  within 
existing planning decision-making processes. 

The  National  Planning  Framework  (NPF)875  is  Ireland’s  overarching  planning  and 
development  framework  for  the  period  up  to  2040.  It  sets  a  high-level  strategy  for  the 
coordination  of  a  range  of  national,  regional  and  local  policies  and  activities,  planning  and 
investment, for delivery through both the public and private sectors. The NPF seeks to ensure 
that  climate  change  considerations  are  further  integrated  into  the  planning  system,  and 
continue to be addressed as a matter of course in planning-related decision-making processes. 
The NPF contains a number of national policy objectives to achieve this aim.  

The  NPF  provides  a  framework  for  national  spatial  planning,  pulling  together  relevant 
government  policies  and  investment  on  national  and  regional  development.  It  focuses  on 
economic development and investment in housing, water services, transport, communications, 
energy, health and education infrastructure focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation 
and resilience. 

The NPF, together with the National Investment Plan (2018-27), sets the context for each of 
Ireland’s three regional assemblies to develop their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. 
The NPF will also be considered during the preparation of local authority development plans. 
The approach is intended to ensure coherence of national, regional and local plans with regard 
to climate adaptation.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAF identifies the sectors and lead departments that will be required to prepare sectoral 
adaptation  plans  in  line  with  the  requirements  of  the  Climate  Action  and  Low  Carbon 

875 URL: http://npf.ie/wp-content/uploads/Project-Ireland-2040-NPF.pdf 

354 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Development  Act.  Twelve  sectors  are  identified  in  the  NAF:  seafood,  agriculture,  forestry, 
biodiversity,  built  and  archaeological  heritage,  transport  infrastructure,  electricity  and  gas 
networks,  communications  networks,  flood  risk  management,  water  quality,  water  services 
infrastructure,  and  health.    Guidelines  for  sectoral  adaptation  plans  were  published  in  May 
2018. 

Under  the  2012  Framework  and  with  the  input  of  the  National  Adaptation  Steering 
Committee, four sectoral plans covering five sectors have been developed: 

  Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management876 
  Adaptation  Planning  –  Developing  Resilience  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Irish 

Agriculture and Forest Sector877 

  Adaptation  Planning  –  Developing  Resilience  to  Climate  Change  in  the  Irish 

Transport Sector878 

  Adaptation Plan for the Electricity and Gas Networks Sector879. 

These plans are non-statutory and will be the basis for statutory plans required under NAF. 

  The Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management: 

  Outlines existing flood risk and flood-risk management practice in Ireland 
  Summarises  existing  science  on  climate  change  and  the  current  state  of  knowledge  for 

impacts on flooding and flood risk in Ireland 

  Defines the policy for adaptation in the flood risk management sector 
  Sets out a series of actions to enhance understanding of the potential climate impacts on 
flooding and flood risk and to embed adaptation into flood-risk management practice 
Identifies  how  changing  flood  risk  should  be  considered  in  spatial  planning  and  other 
sectors; and 

 

  Sets out what is required for the monitoring, review and evaluation of the plan. 

876 OPW, 2015, Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan: Flood Risk Management (2015-2019), URL: 
https://opw.ie/en/media/FRM%20CC%20Sectoral%20Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20Dec%202015%20-
%20Finalb.pdf 
877 DAFM, 2017, Adaptation Planning – Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Agriculture and 
Forest Sector, URL: 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/climatechange/ApprovedAdaptationPlanning0
40817.pdf 
878 DTTAS, 2017, Adaptation Planning – Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish Transport Sector, 
URL: 
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/climatechange/ApprovedAdaptationPlanning0
40817.pdf 
879 DCCAE, 2017, Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Electricity and Gas Networks sector, URL: 
https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/news-and-media/publications/Pages/Climate-Change-Adaptation-Plan-for-the-
Electricity-and-Gas-Networks-sector-0221-5002.aspx 

355 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Catchment  Flood  Risk  Assessment  and  Management  (CFRAM)  Programme  is  the 
mechanism through which many of the actions will be implemented. It will embed adaptation 
in long-term flood-risk management and the development of capital projects in  Ireland. The 
future  scenario  flood  maps  produced  under  the  CFRAM  Programme  will  facilitate  this 
approach, inform other sectors, and provide a valuable resource for local adaptation planning 
and sustainable land use management and planning. 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The NAF recognises that the private sector has significant experience in quantifying, pricing, 
reducing  risk  and  managing  weather-related  risks  across  the  relevant  sectors.  In  partnership 
with Government, therefore, it can play an important role in collecting and disseminating data 
on  weather  and  catastrophe  risk,  financing  risk  assessments,  and  supporting  the  design  and 
provision of insurance schemes.  

One  project  that  sought  to  examine  climate  impacts  on  the  insurance  industry  was  the 
Adaptive  Responses  to  Climate  impacts  (ARC)  project.880  The  aim  of  the  ARC  project, 
funded  by  the  EPA,  was  to  develop  a  framework  for  costing  climate  impacts  on  the  Irish 
economy  and  assessing  the  options  for  adaptation,  with  a  specific  focus  on  the  role  of  key 
stakeholders. The study applied a framework to the specific case of flood risk in Cork and the 
South West region of Ireland. 

The ARC project included a stakeholder forum, comprised of policy makers, local authorities, 
business groups and the insurance industry, to assess information needs and concerns of those 
exposed  to  current  and  future  climate  risks.  It  proceeded  to  examine  two  parallel  but 
interlinked strands of research: 

1)  Empirical  estimates  of  the  costs  of  climate  impacts  without  adaptation,  particularly 

focused on flooding; and  

2)  The range of adaptation options available, including the appropriate role for insurance.  

The  outputs  from  this  project  included:  costs  of  flooding;  recommendations  on  the  use  of 
tools  and  methods  for  costing  climate  impacts;  policy  recommendations  on  the  design  of 
adaptation strategies; and implications for the private sector, including insurance. 

880 EPA, 2017, Adaptive Responses to Climate Impacts (ARC), URL: 
http://erc.epa.ie/droplet/modalFull.php?cid=18136 

356 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

Most  adaptation  activities  in  Ireland  are  currently  linked  to  assessing  climate  impacts  and 
vulnerabilities, and significant effort is being put into mainstreaming. Adaptation has not yet 
moved  from  integration  to  the  effective  definition  or  implementation  of  actions  to  meet 
specific objectives, at least at the national level. The NAF states that following its publication, 
ministers will be requested to prepare sectoral plans assigned to them and that these plans will 
specify adaptation policies. This has taken place and the statutory deadline for the submission 
of completed sectoral adaptation plans to the Government for approval is 30 September 2019. 
Development and implementation of the sectoral plans will be an iterative process, and they 
will be revised every five years. Sectoral adaptation plans covering the agriculture, forestry, 
transport and energy sectors have been written, however, are non-statutory and based upon the 
requirements of the draft NAF, so may be amended.  

There are no specific programmes or projects focused on implementing adaptation measures, 
although  many  activities  to  manage  natural  resources  (water,  biodiversity,  etc.)  have  a  high 
potential to contribute to adaptation.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

DCCAE leads and coordinates national adaptation policy and supports the implementation of 
the NAF at national, sectoral and local government levels. 

Arising from the 2012 NCCAF, a National Adaptation Steering Committee was established in 
2014  and  includes  representation  from  key  government  sectors,  EPA  research,  the  Climate 
Change  Advisory  Council  Secretariat,  and  local  and  regional  government.  The  Steering 
Group’s  role  is  to  provide  advice  and  guidance  to  sectors,  identified  in  the  NAF,  on  the 
development of sectoral adaptation plans. This includes issues related to coordination at local 
and  regional  level  and  particularly  between  national  level  structures  and  local  government. 
Membership  of  the  Steering  Committee  has  recently  been  reviewed  and  now  reports  into  a 
National  Climate  Action  High-Level  Steering  Group,  chaired  by  the  Minister  for 
Communications, Climate Action and Environment. This group addresses climate mitigation 
and adaptation. In terms of adaptation, the High-Level Steering Group will:  

  Monitor progress by sectors and agencies in delivering on climate adaptation actions 

for which they are responsible; and 

357 

 
 
 
 
  Ensure  that  a  coordinated  and  coherent  approach  is  adopted  and  maintained  towards 

achieving a climate resilient Ireland881 

In  January  2018  the  Minister  for  Communications,  Climate  Action  and  Environment 
announced  €10  million  in  funding  over  five  years  to  set  up  four  Regional  Local  Authority 
Climate  Action  Offices.882The  regional  offices  are  located  in  four  lead  authorities  (Cork 
County Council, Dublin City Council on a rotating basis, Kildare County Council and Mayo 
County  Council)  and  are  based  on  four  geographical  areas  with  the  associated  grouping  of 
local authorities in each region based upon shared climate risks.  

It is envisaged that the regional teams will develop expertise on the predominant climate risks 
in its particular region and develop regional strategies on that basis. These regional strategies 
will  then  inform  the  local  authority  strategies.  These  structures  will  also  provide  an 
opportunity  for  the  local  government  sector  to  play  a  key  role  in  coordinating  relevant 
activities related to the NDCA. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Progress has been made in mainstreaming climate change considerations into Ireland’s 
planning system. Ongoing work in developing climate resources such as the CIViC and C-
RISK projects, Climate Ireland, the Sectoral and Local Authority Adaptation Guidelines and 
the outputs of the Flood Policy Coordination Group may also be seen as relevant. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The draft NAF was subject to a six-week public consultation in line with the Climate Action 
and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, closing at the end of October 2017. The NAF is also 
subject to review every five years. Prior to the preparation of the draft NAF an initial public 
consultation was also held in 2016 for a period of eight weeks. 

The Government has established the NDCA to:  

  Create  awareness,  engagement  and  motivation  to  act  (locally,  regionally  and 

nationally) in relation to the challenges presented by climate change  

881 Personal communication with MS contact 
882 Personal communication with MS contact 

358 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Create  structures  and  information  flows  to  facilitate  people  gathering  to  discuss, 
deliberate and maximise consensus on appropriate responses to these challenges, and 
to enable and empower appropriate action 

  Establish, on a long-term basis, appropriate networks for people to meet periodically 
to consider evidence-based inputs on the economic, social, behavioural, environmental 
and public aspects of climate and energy policy; and  

  Provide regular input into the prioritisation and implementation of climate and energy 
policy, which can be reported and monitored at local, regional and national levels. 

An NDCA Advisory Group has been established to provide advice in relation to the overall 
strategy, structure and operation of the national  dialogue. The  Advisory  Group held  its first 
meeting in July 2017. A regional gathering of the NDCA took place in  Athlone on 23 June 
2018 in the presence of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. 
This is the first in a series of regional and local meetings to be held across Ireland. 

Work  undertaken  at  the  sectoral  level  to  date  has  also  involved  substantial  stakeholder 
consultation. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Under  the  Climate  Action  and  Low  Carbon  Development  Act  2015  an  annual  transition 
statement  (ATS)  must  be  made  to  each  House  of  the  Oireachtas  by  the  Minister  for 
Communications, Climate Action and Environment with regard to a number of mitigation and 
adaptation-related  matters,  including  adaptation  policy  measures  adopted  in  the  preceding 
year  to  enable  the  achievement  of  the  national  transition  objective  (Section  14  of  the  2015 
Act). The first ATS883 was published in 2016. Annual sectoral adaptation statements to each 
House of the Oireachtas are also required. 

As described in relation to in Indicator 1b, the CCAC has a number of reporting obligations, 
including  with  regard  to  ‘Annual’  and  ‘Periodic  Reviews’  of  progress  towards  meeting  the 
National  Transition  Objective.  The  CCAC  published  its  first  periodic  report  in  July  2017, 

883 DCCAE, 2018, Annual Transition Statements, URL: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/climate-
action/topics/climate-action-at-a-national-level/climate-action-and-low-carbon-development-act-/Pages/Annual-
transition-statement.aspx 

359 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
which  is  a  key  aspect  of  the  NAF.  The  Minister  for  Communications,  Climate  Action  and 
Environment is required to review the NAF at least once in every 5 years period. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Twelve sectors are identified in the NAF, which will be required to submit sectoral adaptation 
plans.  Annual  sectoral  adaptation  statements  need  to  be  submitted  to  each  House  of  the 
Oireachtas. 

The  CCAC  has  a  number  of  reporting  obligations,  including  with  regard  to  annual  and 
periodic  reviews  of  progress  towards  meeting  the  National  Transition  Objective.  The  NAF 
specifies  that  the  CCCAC  must  liaise  with  key  sectors  to  assess  and  monitor  progress  in 
achieving climate resilience. 

The  National  Adaptation  Steering  Committee  reports  to  the  National  Climate  Action  High-
Level  Steering  Group,  which  is  tasked  with  monitoring  progress  by  sectors  in  delivering 
adaptation actions.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

No  sub-national  level  reporting  on  the  implementation  of  adaptation  actions  has  yet  taken 
place.  

In  January  2018,  the  Minister  for  Communications,  Climate  Action  and  Environment 
announced EUR 10 million in funding over five years to set up four Regional Local Authority 
Climate  Action  Offices.884The  regional  offices  are  located  in  four  lead  authorities  (Cork, 
Dublin,  Kildare  and  Mayo)  and  are  based  on  four  geographical  areas  with  the  associated 
grouping  of  local  authorities  in  each  region  based  upon  shared  climate  change  risks.  The 
Offices  are  overseen  by  a  National  Steering  Committee,  which  will  approve  annual  work 
programmes  for  each  office  and  monitor  the  delivery  of  the  actions.  The  DCCAE  is 
represented on the steering committee.  

The Regional Offices  are  also  represented in  national adaptation  oversight  structures on the 
National Adaptation Steering Committee. National priorities for climate change action will be 
set  by  the  committee  and  drive  consistency  at  a  central  level.  The  Steering  Committee 

884 Personal communication with MS contact. 

360 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
monitors  progress  by  sectors  and  agencies,  including  local  government  in  delivering  on 
climate adaptation actions for which they are responsible and ensure a coordinated approach. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

A periodic review of adaptation action is mandated by the Climate Action and Low Carbon 
Development  Bill  2015,  whereby  the  relevant  minister  shall  review  the  NAF  not  less  than 
once every 5 years. The NAF was published in January 2018 and, as such, is to be expected to 
be reviewed by early 2023. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

As noted in relation to Indicator 2a, stakeholders and members of the public were extensively 
consulted during development of the NCCAF and NAF. As indicated in relation to Indicator 
10a, the CCAC, which is mainly comprised of researchers and scientists, will contribute to the 
monitoring of the NAF.  

The  NDCA  will  inform  the  national  objective  to  transition  to  a  low  carbon  and  climate 
resilient economy  and society. The NDCA Advisory  Group has been established to  provide 
advice in relation to the overall strategy, structure and operation of the national dialogue. A 
regional gathering of the NDCA took place in Athlone on 23 June 2018. This is the first in a 
series of regional and local meetings to be held across Ireland.885  

Also, as  noted in  relation  to  Indicator 2a, in  addition  to  the NDCA, the Citizens’ Assembly 
places  the  public  at  the  heart  of  important  legal  and  policy  issues  facing  Ireland  and  has 
considered the topic “How the State can make Ireland a Leader in tackling Climate Change” 
with a final report on the topic published on 18 April 2018.886  

885 Personal communication with MS contact. 
886 Personal communication with MS contact.  

361 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

4 

Knowledge gaps 

362 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Met? 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

8c 

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

363 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

364 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Italy 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 366 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 368 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 368 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 368 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational level ................................................. 368 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 369 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 369 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 370 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 370 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 371 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 371 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 371 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 372 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 374 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 374 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 377 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 377 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 379 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 379 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 380 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 381 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 381 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 384 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 385 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 385 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 387 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 388 

365 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ACCC 

ANCI 

APCCA 

ARPAs 

C3-Alps 

ClimChAlp  

CMCC  

CoM  

EIA  

ERDF  

ESNACC   

EUSAIR    

EUSALP    

ISPRA  

MAREMED 

MATTM   

MIUR  

NAP  

NAS  

 Alpine Convention on Climate Change  

National Association of Italian Municipalities  

Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps  

Regional agencies for environmental protection 

Climate Change Capitalisation  

Climate  Change,  Impacts  and  Adaptation  Strategies  in  the 
Alpine Space  

Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Climate Change 

Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

European Regional Development Fund  

Elements for a Strategy Document  

EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region 

EU Strategy for the Alpine Region 

Institute for Environmental Protection and Research  

MAritime REgions cooperation for MEDiterranean Project 

Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea  

Ministry for Education, University and Research 

National Adaptation Plan 

National Adaptation Strategy 

PNACC    

National Adaptation Plan 

PNR  

ROP  

SEA  

STRADA  

UPI  

National Research Programme 

Regional Operative Programme 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

Adaptation Strategies in Transboundary Areas 

Union of Italian Provinces 

366 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WIZ  

WaterIZe spatial planning project 

367 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The  Italian  National  Adaptation  Strategy  (NAS)887  was  adopted  in  June  2015  through  a 
Decree of the Climate and Energy Director General. 

To help elaborate the NAS, some background documents888 were published: 

  A national climate impact and vulnerability assessment of the national sectors 
  An analysis of the European and national policy framework for climate adaptation 
  Elements  for  a  strategy  document:  'Elementi  per  una  Strategia  Nazionale  di 
Adattamento ai Cambiamenti Climatici' (ESNACC). A public consultation process on 
its contents was closed in January 2014. 

The  ‘Conferenza  Unificata’,  the  Committee  of  Ministers,  Regions  and  Municipalities 
delivering advice on areas of its jurisdiction, issued a positive opinion on the Italian NAS889 in 
October 2014. Local authorities, regions and central government, coordinated by the Ministry 
for the Environment, Land and Sea (MATTM), are expected to implement the NAS, through 
the development of adaptation plans. The NAS is planned to be updated within 5 years. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational level 

A  survey  of  the  ongoing  development  of  climate  adaptation  strategies  (and  plans)  at  the 
regional  level  was  carried  out  in  2016  by  the  Institute  for  Environmental  Protection  and 
Research (ISPRA, 2016)890. The survey indicated that around 50% of regions (e.g. Sardinia891, 
Calabria,  Apulia)  had  recognised  the  cross-cutting  nature  of  adaptation  in  their  governance 
model  and/or  were  developing  their  own  strategy  (and/or  plan).  Some  other  regions  were 
reviewing their regulatory measures (e.g. EIA) and planning tools (e.g. EU Structural Funds) 
to  better  integrate  adaptation  (e.g.  Abruzzo,  Molise).  Yet  other  regions  were  promoting 
adaptation  at  the  local  level  by  supporting  cities  and  municipalities  who  have  joined  the 
Covenant  of  Mayors  for  Climate  and  Energy  (CoM),  as  territorial  coordinators  (e.g.  Lazio, 

887 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2015, Strategia Nazionale di Adattamento ai 
Cambiamenti Climatici. URL: 
http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/clima/documento_SNAC.pdf  
888 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2015, Documenti di supporto alla strategia 
nazionale di adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici. URL: http://www.minambiente.it/pagina/documenti-di-
supporto-alla-strategia-nazionale-di-adattamento-ai-cambiamenti-climatici  
889 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2015, Strategia Nazionale di Adattamento ai 
Cambiamenti Climatici. URL: 
http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/clima/strategia_adattamentoCC.pdf  
890 ISPRA Ambiente, 2016, Strategie e piani di adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici. URL: 
http://annuario.isprambiente.it/entityada/basic/6358URL: http://annuario.isprambiente.it/entityada/basic/6358  
891 Sardegna Resiliente, URL: http://sardegnaresiliente.it/http://sardegnaresiliente.it/, Date accessed: May 2018 

368 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Abruzzo).  Since  the  2016  ISPRA  study,  Liguria  has  been  particularly  active  on  climate 
adaptation,  hosting  the  international  network  on  urban  adaptation  to  climate  change  and 
proposing a scoping document on climate adaptation in Genoa for approval by the European 
Commission892. The Lombardy Region has now approved its Regional Adaptation Strategy893. 

Under  the  European  Regional  Development  Fund  (ERDF),  the  Italian  Ministry  for  the 
Environment, Land and Sea (MATTM) has coordinated a project to support several regional 
environmental authorities, including Calabria894 and Apulia895, in implementing the principles 
of the NAS in future regional adaptation plans.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

Italy is preparing the Piano Nazionale di Adattamento ai Cambiamenti Climatici (PNACC) – 
a  National  Adaptation  Plan  (NAP)  –  to  implement  the  NAS.  The  first  draft  NAP  was 
published in 2017896. The purpose of the NAP will be to guide ministries, regions, and local 
authorities  on  integrating  adaptation  criteria  into  policy  processes.  The  NAP  is  being 
developed  by  the  MATTM’s  Directorate  General  for  Climate  and  Energy.  The  preparatory 
work  is  being  shared  between  national,  regional  and  local  institutions,  including  research 
centres.  

The MATTM launched a public consultation on the draft NAP, which closed on 15 October 
2017.  It  has  also  set  up  a  technical  committee  to  review  the  draft.  Once  the  output  of  the 
public consultation and review are integrated with the draft, the NAP will be finalised. 

892 Comune di Genova, URL: 
http://www.comune.genova.it/node/76573http://www.comune.genova.it/node/76573, Date accessed: May 2018 
893 Regione Lombardia, URL: http://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/wcm/connect/946249ce-87c4-4c39-88f9-
5eab3a264f14/Documento+Azione+Adattamento+RL_9dic.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=946249ce-87c4-
4c39-88f9-5eab3a264f14, Date accessed: May 2018 
894 European Commission, 2018, ROP Calabria ERDF ESF, URL: 
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/atlas/programmes/2014-2020/italy/2014it16m2op006  
895 European Commission, 2018, ROP Puglia ERDF ESF, URL: 
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/atlas/programmes/2014-2020/italy/2014it16m2op002  
896 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2017, PNACC, URL: 
http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio_immagini/adattamenti_climatici/documento_pnacc_luglio
_2017.pdf  

369 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

A total of 220 Italian municipalities are signatories to the CoM, of which 106 have submitted 
action plans897, for example, the city of Bologna produced a Local Plan for Adaptation in the 
context of the BLUEAP Project. 

ISPRA’s survey in 2016 addressed the ongoing development of adaptation plans at the sub-
national level898 (see Section A2). Lombardy899 has published an adaptation action plan, with 
other regions, such as Friuli-Venezia Giulia, working actively towards developing their own 
regional adaptation plans900. 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

A  national  operating  plan  for  the  prevention  of  the  effects  of  heatwaves  on  health  was 
developed  by  the  Italian  Ministry  of  Health  in  collaboration  with  other  institutions901.  The 
plan  includes  a  mapping  system  with  bulletins  announcing  heatwave  risks902.  Its  main 
objective is to foster coordination between institutions at different levels of governance, and 
to provide guidelines for implementation of a centralised system for prediction and prevention 
of the effects of heatwaves on health. 

A  White  Paper  on  “Challenges  and  opportunities  of  rural  development  for  mitigation  and 
adaptation  to  climate  change”  was  published  by  the  National  Rural  Network  in  2011903.  It 
provides information and analysis of climate impacts on agriculture, the livestock sector, food 
production  and  forestry,  and  proposes  possible  strategies  for  climate  mitigation  and 
adaptation. 

897 Covenant of Mayors, URL: https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-initiative/covenant-in-
figures.htmlhttps://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-initiative/covenant-in-figures.html, Date 
accessed: May 2018 
898 ISPRA Ambiente, 2016, Strategie e piani di adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici. URL: 
http://annuario.isprambiente.it/entityada/basic/6358URL: http://annuario.isprambiente.it/entityada/basic/6358  
899 Regione Lombardia, URL: http://www.regione.lombardia.it/wps/wcm/connect/946249ce-87c4-4c39-88f9-
5eab3a264f14/Documento+Azione+Adattamento+RL_9dic.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=946249ce-87c4-
4c39-88f9-5eab3a264f14, Date accessed: May 2018 
900 Cambia il clima in Friuli Venezia Giulia, 2018, URL: 
http://www.arpa.fvg.it/cms/tema/osmer/approfondimenti/cambiamenti-
climatici.htmlhttp://www.arpa.fvg.it/cms/tema/osmer/approfondimenti/cambiamenti-climatici.html, Date 
accessed: May 2018 
901 Piano Nazionale della Prevenzione 2014-2018, 2015, URL: 
http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/caldo/dettaglioPubblicazioniCaldo.jsp?lingua=italiano&id=2285http://www.salu
te.gov.it/portale/caldo/dettaglioPubblicazioniCaldo.jsp?lingua=italiano&id=2285  
902 Ondate di calore. URL: 
http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/caldo/homeCaldo.jsphttp://www.salute.gov.it/portale/caldo/homeCaldo.jsp, 
Date accessed: May 2018 
903 Rete Rurale Nazionale, “Libro bianco: Sfide ed opportunita dello sviluppo rurale per la mitigazione e 
l’adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici”, 2011. URL: 
https://www.reterurale.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/5799 

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SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The MATTM is responsible for elaborating the NAS and NAP, and for implementing specific 
elements.  In  this  context,  it  promotes  the  participation  of  ministries  and  sub-national 
governments in the adaptation policy-making process.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

Horizontal  coordination  is  achieved  by  the  Institutional  Panel  established  to  support 
elaboration of the NAS. The Panel includes representatives from the ministries of: Economic 
Development;  Agricultural  and  Forestry  Policies;  Infrastructures  and  Transport;  Health; 
Education, University and Research; Cultural and Environmental Heritage; Regional Affairs; 
and  Tourism  and  Sport.  Other  institutional  stakeholders  are  also  represented  on  the  Panel, 
such as the Department of Civil Protection, regional committees, the National Association of 
Italian Municipalities (ANCI) and the Union of Italian Provinces (UPI).  

The  Institutional  Panel  is  involved  in  the  elaboration  of  the  NAP.  Representatives  of  the 
ministries involved have been provided with the draft NAP and have been asked to actively 
contribute  to  the  contents  of  the  document.  Notably,  the  draft  NAP  defines  roles  and 
responsibilities for implementing the various adaptation actions identified. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Representatives  of  local  and  regional  institutions  are  involved  in  the  Institutional  Panel 
established to support elaboration of the NAS (see Indicator 1b), alongside the ministries: the 
Union of Italian Provinces (UPI), the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), 
and the Italian Committee of the Regions. The process of drafting, finalising and adopting the 
NAP  is  following  a  similar  approach.  The  MATTM  has  established  an  interregional  panel 
with  the  National  State-Regions  Commission  for  Climate  Change  and  an  inter-ministerial 
panel,  involving  the  same  ministries  in  the  formulation  of  the  NAS.  The  aim  is  to  collect 
views from all of the actors involved in the NAP process and to evaluate the implementation 

371 

 
 
 
 
of adaptation actions at national, regional and local level. There is vertical coordination in all 
sectors (i.e. water, air, energy, nature, territory).   

At the subnational level: 

  Some  regions  have  recognised  the  cross-cutting  nature  of  adaptation  in  their 
governance model (e.g. Sardinia904 has a dedicated website for climate adaptation and 
resilience) 

  Some regions (e.g. Abruzzo, Molise) are reviewing consideration of adaptation in their 
regulatory measures (e.g. Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA) and planning tools 
(e.g. EU Structural Funds) 

  Some  regions  (e.g.  Lazio,  Abruzzo)  are  promoting  adaptation  at  local  level  by 

facilitating the European CoM  

  Some  municipalities  (e.g.  Bologna)905  have  also  come  up  with  their  own  adaptation 

plan, coherent with the NAS.  

In  Italy,  all  220  municipalities  have  already  committed  to  adaptation  planning  and  actions 
through the framework of the CoM906. 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

A  bottom-up  approach  was  used  in  developing  the  NAS,  starting  with  an  online  survey 
launched in October 2012 on the perception of climate risks and on the country’s “adaptation 
concept.”  

In 2013, both an on-line public consultation and “ad hoc” consultations with NGOs, regions 
and cities were organized, in order to promote the involvement of citizens and stakeholders, 
such as: NGOs, municipalities, private sector and trade unions. The ESNACC (see Section A1 
above)  was  subject  to  public  consultation,  the  results  of  which  were  integrated  in  the  final 
NAS,  e.g.  a  chapter  on  “Intersectoral  aspects”,  addressing  disaster  risk  management, 
monitoring, synergies, research, and sustainable development.  

The  MATTM  undertook  an  online  public  consultation  (22  February  to  15  March  2017)  in 
order to gauge public perceptions of climate adaptation, to understand climate vulnerabilities 
and  impacts,  and  to  identify  adaptation  options  from  the  different  stakeholders  and  regions. 
The MATTM also consulted the public (August to October 2017) on the draft NAP. 

904 Sardegna Resiliente, URL: http://sardegnaresiliente.it/http://sardegnaresiliente.it/, Date accessed: May 2018  
905 BLUEAP, 2018, Bologna adaptation plan for a resilient city, URL: http://www.blueap.eu/site/  
906 The Covenant of Mayors, URL: http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/index_en.html, Date accessed: May 2018 

372 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The NAS contains some references to transboundary and international cooperation (albeit not 
systematic),  particularly  in  relation  to:  adaptation  measures  in  biodiversity  conservation; 
monitoring  and  risk  evaluation;  desertification;  and  the  exchange  of  good  practices  and 
experiences. More specifically, the NAS states that international cooperation programmes will 
be established on: desertification with countries in the Mediterranean basin (e.g. through the 
Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Climate Change, CMCC, which was inaugurated in Venice in 
April 2018907); and mountainous areas with countries of the Alpine region.  

The  draft  NAP  also  contains  examples  of  transboundary  and  international  cooperation,  for 
instance: 

  MAritime  REgions  cooperation  for  MEDiterranean(MAREMED),  which  was 
established  to  develop  tools  for  enhancing  and  coordinating  regional,  European  and 
Mediterranean  policies  on  six  thematic  strategies,  including  climate  adaptation  in 
coastal areas; the project ended in 2013908 

  The WaterIZe spatial planning project (WIZ), which encompasses climate adaptation 
in  relation  to  future  management  of  drinking  water,  and  is  an  example  of 
transboundary cooperation between Italian and Spanish partners.909 

At  the  interregional  level,  Italy  is  a  contracting  party  to  the  Alpine  Convention  on  Climate 
Change and the implementation of the Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps adopted in 
March 2009910. The country is a partner in the cooperative and transboundary projects carried 
out  in  the  region  to  address  adaptation,  such  as  Climate  Change,  Impacts  and  Adaptation 
Strategies  in  the  Alpine  Space  (ClimChAlp),  Adaptation  Strategies  in  Transboundary  Areas 
(STRADA),  Climate  Change  Capitalisation  (C3-Alps)  and  others  (e.g.  that  address  climate 
adaptation  with  regard  to  management  of  natural  hazards,  winter  tourism,  or  transboundary 
river basin management).  

Italy is also participating in the implementation of the two EU-level macro-regional strategies, 
which  include  consideration  of  climate  adaptation:  the  EU  Strategy  for  the  Alpine  Region 
(EUSALP911)  and  the  EU  Strategy  for  the  Adriatic-Ionian  Region  (EUSAIR912).  As  part  of 

907 CMCC, 2018, Centre for Climate Change, URL: https://www.cmcc.it/events/cmcccafoscari-the-new-center-
on-climate-change  
908 MareMed, 2010, Editorial: Presentation of the results and achievement of the Maremed project, URL: 
http://www.maremed.eu/index.php  
909 WIZ, URL: http://www.wiz-life.eu/index.php, Date accessed: May 2018  
910 Alpine Convention, 2009, Action plan on climate change in the Alps, URL: 
http://www.alpconv.org/en/ClimatePortal/Documents/AC_X_B6_en_new_fin.pdf  
911 EU Strategy for the Alpine region, URL: https://www.alpine-region.eu/, Date accessed: May 2018  
912 EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region, URL: http://www.adriatic-ionian.eu/http://www.adriatic-
ionian.eu/, Date accessed: May 2018  

373 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
EUSALP  for  example,  climate  change  is  considered  under  the  risk  governance  and  green 
infrastructure  action  groups  (as  part  of  a  thematic  policy  area  on  environment  and  energy). 
Furthermore,  Italy  is  actively  cooperating  internationally  on  climate  change,  as  relevant  for 
effective  management  of  challenges  in  the  Mediterranean913.  Climate  impacts  on  alpine 
tourism  have  also  been  researched  and  general  strategies  and  recommendations  have  been 
developed914.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Italy  is  covered  by  a  comprehensive  observational  network.  Climate  monitoring  informs 
weather forecasting and an early warning system. National and regional monitoring networks 
(such  as  the  Department  of  Civil  Protection’s  hydro-meteorological  networks,  and  other 
national  and regional agro-meteorological  networks, including the Air Force Meteorological 
Service) provide time-series data of current and recent past climate variability and trends that 
are  used  to  calculate  climate  indicators  for  Italy.  However,  the  time  series  for  each  of  the 
different variables have their own characteristics in terms of continuity, completeness, spatial 
coverage and data quality. Trends in mean temperature and cumulated precipitation, as well as 
their extremes, are updated regularly. 

Some data are available through specific online networks, such as: the ISPRA website915; the 
Long-Term  Ecosystem  Research  in  Europe  website916;  the  Polaris  website  on  areas  of 
potential  flooding  in  Italy917;  and  the  Government’s  public  safety  website918.  A  monitoring 
network to help infrastructural projects cope with hydrogeological risk is also in place919.  

The  website  of  the  ‘National  system  for  the  collection,  elaboration  and  dissemination  of 
environmentally relevant climate data’ (Sistema nazionale per la raccolta, l'elaborazione e la 
diffusione di dati Climatici di  Interesse Ambientale, SCIA) and annual reports published by 

913 Farnesina, 2017, The Italian strategy in the Mediterranean stabilising the crisis and building a positive agenda 
for the region. URL: http://www.esteri.it/mae/resource/doc/2017/11/rapporto-med-maeci-2017-eng.pdf  
914 ClimAlpTour, 2011, Climate change and its impact on tourism in the Alpine sector. URL: 
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Primo_Pipan/publication/318351465_ClimAlpTour_-
_Il_Cambiamento_Climatico_e_i_suoi_impatti_sul_turismo_nello_Spazio_Alpino/links/59654295a6fdcc69f148
bd7a/ClimAlpTour-Il-Cambiamento-Climatico-e-i-suoi-impatti-sul-turismo-nello-Spazio-Alpino.pdf  
915 ISPRA website, http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/it/banche-dati, Date accessed: May 2018  
916 Long-Term Ecosystem Research in Europe website, http://www.lter-europe.net/elter/data, Date accessed: 
May 2018 (site under construction) 
917 Popolazione a Rischio da Frana e da Inondazione in Italia, http://polaris.irpi.cnr.it/, Date accessed: May 2018  
918 Italian Public Safety, http://italiasicura.governo.it/site/home/dissesto/link.html, Date accessed: May 2018  
919 ISPRA webpage on infrastructure risks, http://www.rendis.isprambiente.it/rendisweb/geo.jsp?id_reg=20, Date 
accessed: May 2018  

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ISPRA  disseminate  information  on  extreme  temperature  and  precipitation  events.  Some 
indicators  of  extreme  weather  events  are  updated  and  disseminated  annually  through  the 
Italian  Environmental  Yearbook  (ISPRA),  including  with  regard  to:  floods,  landslides, 
number  of  injured  people  and  deaths  due  to  flooding,  number  of  injured  people  and  deaths 
due to landslides, losses and damages due to flooding, losses and damages due to landslides, 
and mortality due to heatwaves. 

The  National  System  for  Environmental  Protection  (i.e.  the  National  Institute  for 
Environmental Protection and Research and the regional environmental  protection agencies) 
is  seeking  to  define  a  national  set  of  climate  impact  indicators,  including  a  more 
comprehensive set relating to extreme weather events.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAS is based on several climate scenarios and projections carried out by the CMCC and 
the  Italian  National  Agency  for  New  Technologies,  Energy  and  Sustainable  Economic 
Development  (ENEA).  The  draft  NAP920  provides  an  analysis  of  current  and  future  climate 
conditions  in  Italy.  Climate  projections  for  the  periods  2021-2050  and  2071-2100  (IPCC 
AR5) have been produced using high-resolution climate models for two scenarios:  RCP 4.5 
and RCP 8.5. Sectoral assessments  of impacts and vulnerabilities, which are included in the 
draft  NAP,  are  based  on  a  review  of  existing  literature  and  on  the  outputs  of  climate 
projections (up to 2050).  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

A number of vulnerable sectors have been identified in the NAS, namely:  

  Water resources (quantity and quality) 
  Desertification, soil degradation and drought 
  Hydrogeological risk (landslides, flooding and erosion) 
  Biodiversity and ecosystems (terrestrial ecosystems, marine ecosystems, inland water 

ecosystems and transition ecosystems) 

  Health 
  Forestry 
  Agriculture, aquaculture, marine fishery 

920 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2017, Consultazione su piano nazionale 
adattamento cambiamenti climatici, URL: http://www.minambiente.it/pagina/consultazione-su-piano-nazionale-
adattamento-cambiamenti-climatici  

375 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Energy (production and consumption) 
  Coastal zones 
  Tourism 
  Urban settlements 
  Critical infrastructure (in relation to cultural heritage, transport, and industry)  

The  NAS  also  refers  to  vulnerability  assessments  addressing  the  mountainous  areas  of  the 
Alps and Apennines, and the Po River Basin. 

Vulnerability screening processes have taken place in Italy. In 2009 the report "I cambiamenti 
climatici  in  Italia:  evidenze,  vulnerabilità  e  impatti'921  presented  the  knowledge  on  impacts 
and  vulnerability  assessments  across  several  sectors,  including  water  resources,  agriculture, 
forestry,  health  and  others.  A  technical  panel  of  experts  established  in  2012,  constituted  by 
about  100  scientists  and  coordinated  by  the  CMCC  (see  Indicator  4a),  carried  out  a 
comprehensive  assessment  of  climate  impacts  and  vulnerabilities.  The  assessment  sought  to 
identify key vulnerabilities, sectors and related measures and was published in 2014922, as part 
of the NAS process. The approach used was based on literature review and expert knowledge. 
A sectoral vulnerability assessment included in the draft NAP is based on an updated review 
of the literature and on climate projections. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  need  for  transboundary  coordination  is  not  systematically  addressed  in  the  NAS. 
However, the NAS explicitly mentions transboundary coordination when referring to: climate 
impacts on and adaptation of biodiversity and ecosystems; and desertification. The NAS also 
refers  to  the  need  to  harmonise  risk  indicators  with  neighbouring  countries.  The  draft  NAP 
does not take transboundary risks into account in a coordinated manner. It includes examples 
of transboundary cooperation in evaluating climate impacts by some sectors and in particular 
regions (e.g. the AdaptAlp project923) linked, in most cases, to specific projects or examples 
of best practice. 

This  indicator  is  assessed  as  ‘in  progress’,  as  transboundary  risks  are  not  addressed  in  a 
coordinated manner across a range of relevant sectors.  

921 Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, 2018, I cambiamenti climatici in Italia: evidenze, 
vulnerabilità e impatti, URL: http://www.cmcc.it/it/publications/i-cambiamenti-climatici-in-italia-evidenze-
vulnerabilita-e-impattiURL: http://www.cmcc.it/it/publications/i-cambiamenti-climatici-in-italia-evidenze-
vulnerabilita-e-impatti 
922 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2014, Rapporto sullo stato delle conoscenze 
scientifiche su impatti, vulnerabilità ed adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici in Italia. URL: 
http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/clima/snacc_2014_rapporto_stato_conoscenze.pdf  
923 AdaptAlp, 2018, URL: http://www.regione.vda.it/territorio/adaptalp_i.asp  

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4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAS identifies cooperation with the research and innovation community as one of its key 
principles. Research is needed in many sectors. A research programme, or its elements, is not 
defined  as  part  of  the  document,  and  there  is  no  plan  for  stakeholder  involvement  in  the 
identification  of  research  priorities.  However,  the  research  community  was  involved  in  the 
development  of the NAS and is  involved in  developing the NAP, e.g. through the technical 
panel of experts established for this purpose in 2012 (see Indicator 3c).  

The  CMCC  facilitates  the  involvement  of  the  research  community  and  the  prioritisation  of 
research. The evaluation of available knowledge and involvement of the research community 
was essential for the production of the ESNACC. The CMCC was appointed as the institution 
responsible for collecting the information needed to elaborate the NAS. 

Several research programmes funded by the  Italian government address  climate change as a 
priority.  The  most  recent  National  Research  Programme  (PNR,  2014-2020)924  considers 
“Climate  action,  environment,  resource  efficiency  and  raw  materials”  as  one  of  the  main 
challenges for research. The PNR is the result of a wide consultation led by the Ministry for 
Education,  University  and  Research  (MIUR)  and  the  Ministry  of  Economic  Development. 
The  consultation  involved  the  most  relevant  public  and  private,  national  and  regional 
stakeholders. The PNR identifies an action plan addressing the major challenges identified at 
community  level  and  emerging  from  the  smart  approach  of  territories  at  national  level.  The 
Italian PNR has aligned its structure to Horizon 2020, but there is no description available of 
the topics to be covered in climate action. 

Furthermore,  several  universities  as  well  as  regional  agencies  for  environmental  protection 
(ARPAs)  are  actively  conducting  research  on  climate  data  monitoring,  regional  climate 
modelling and regional impact assessment. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Trends  in  mean  temperature  and  cumulated  precipitation,  as  well  as  their  extremes,  are 
updated regularly and disseminated through the SCIA website and the ISPRA annual reports. 

924 Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, 2016, Programma nazionale della ricerca 2015-
2020, URL: http://www.istruzione.it/allegati/2016/PNR_2015-2020.pdf  

377 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Some  regions  have  local  initiatives,  e.g.  monitoring  systems  and  weekly  forecast  of  snow 
cover in Valle d'Aosta. 

Despite the draft NAP being featured on a dedicated MATTM web page, Italy does not have a 
dedicated website providing access to climate adaptation relevant information or data, e.g. a 
repository  of  key  documents  or  a  climate  services  website.  The  NAS  encouraged 
establishment of a national platform, using Climate-ADAPT as a model, as well as a national 
observatory in order to support decision making. However, such a platform does not exist yet. 
The  intention  was  also  to  establish  a  permanent  stakeholder  forum  to  collect  requests  for 
training  and  information  from  the  Italian  territory  and  to  implement  actions.  The  websites 
currently  presented  in  Climate-ADAPT  are  those  of  the  MetOffice  and  the  CCMC,  which 
present mostly administrative information and a general description of their objectives. 

Despite the lack of a dedicated portal, the MATTM regroups key documents such as the NAS 
in  one  webpage,  as  well  as  some  of  the  aforementioned  documents925,  such  as  the 
vulnerability assessment by the CMCC. These are theoretical, policy-based documents. Other 
information, such as scientific data and monitoring is provided by separate institutes, as stated 
under Indicator 3a. Projection data and scenario results are available, for example, through the 
CMCC.926 

The  de-centralised  sources  complement  each  other  and  address  specific  needs,  although  the 
proposed central platform would be a desirable improvement. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  is  some  evidence  of  systematic  actions  on  capacity-building  taking  place  in  a 
coordinated manner or, at least, it is encouraged and monitored by the central administration. 
Several actions are mentioned in the draft NAP that focus on capacity building and education. 
For example, Lombardia’s regional adaptation plan includes capacity-building and knowledge 
dissemination  among  its  objectives.  The  CMCC  organises  training  programmes  related  to 
climate  adaptation  for  graduate  students.927  The  IPCC  National  Focal  Point  is  also 
responsible,  among  others,  for  “disseminating  IPCC  activity  and  findings  at  all  the  levels 
within  the  national  territory  through  web-site,  meetings,  conferences  and  dedicated 
workshops.”928 

925 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2018, Adattamento ai cambiamenti 
climatici. URL: http://www.minambiente.it/pagina/adattamento-ai-cambiamenti-climatici-0  
926 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2018, Clime. URL: 
http://www.cmcc.it/software/clime-2 and COSMO-CLM. URL: https://www.cmcc.it/models/cosmo-clm-
climate-limited-area-modelling-community  
927 Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, 2018, Training programs, URL: 
http://www.cmcc.it/training-programs  
928 Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, 2018, URL: https://www.cmcc.it/ipccitalia/  

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Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  risks  related  to  each  sector  outlined  under  Indicator  3c  are  included  in  the  NAS  in  the 
form  of  “key  messages”  per  sector  and  take  into  account  geographic  specificities.  For  each 
sector, the NAS identifies a long portfolio of measures classified as soft, green, grey, or long-
medium term. It also provides a compilation of good practices, win-win solutions, no or low-
regrets  measures,  desirable  options,  sectoral  needs,  etc.  These  measures  and  good  practices 
have  resulted  from  the  consultation  process  with  institutional  authorities  and  stakeholders, 
rather  than  from  detailed  and  specific  assessments.  The  draft  NAP  proposes  a  set  of 
adaptation actions in each of the vulnerable sectors, as well as possible competent institutions 
for their implementation.  

To date, implementation of adaptation measures has focused primarily on the most vulnerable 
sectors: agriculture, water use, forests, human health, flood risk, desertification and drought, 
coastal areas, biodiversity, tourism, urban settlements. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The  draft  NAP  identifies  361  actions  based  on  the  following  criteria929:  effectiveness, 
economic  efficiency,  side-effects,  performance  under  uncertainties,  and  conditions  for 
decision  making.  This  methodology  has  allowed  each  action  to  be  prioritised  as  high, 
medium-high, medium, medium-low or low.   

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  NAS  proposes  actions  aimed  at  reinforcing  coordination  between  the  strategies  for 
disaster  risk  prevention  and  management  and  adaptation  to  enhance  capacity  to  cope  with 
some extreme events, particularly hydrogeological damage resulting from climate change.  

929 Flörke et al., 2011, Final Report for the Project Climate Adaptation – modelling water scenarios and sectoral 
impacts. 

379 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Italy  has  significant  tools  to  cope  with  current  climatic  extreme  events.  These  include  a 
national-regional  warning  system  on  hydro-geological  and  hydraulic  risk  for  the  purpose  of 
civil protection, which build on the activities of Functional Centres.930 Notably, there is also a 
heatwave  prevention,  communication  and  management  programme,  and  a  "National 
Operational Plan to prevent effects on human health from heat waves"931 that, inter alia, plans 
monitoring of negative impacts on health.  

The MATTM has taken part in several meetings on disaster risk reduction with a view to its 
integration  with  climate  adaptation,  although  there  are  no  mechanisms  in  place  currently  to 
ensure coordination and coherence between these two policy areas. 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  NAS  does  not  provide  information  on  how  its  governance  or  the  basic  horizontal  or 
cross-cutting  activities  that  it  identifies  would  be  organised  or  financed.  The  7th  National 
Communication932 mentions that funds disbursed have been allocated to both mitigation and 
adaptation.  The  draft  NAP  provides  a  detailed  table  of  the  necessary  financial  and  human 
resources, and possible funding sources.  

Up to 50% funding for adaptation actions can be obtained from “carbon trading” in relation to 
Directive  2003/87/CE  (Art.  3).  MATTM  launched  a  programme  in  2013  that  used  this 
mechanism  to  fund  the  containment  of  minor  landslides  in  mountain  cities,  which  could  be 
worsened by climate change. Seventeen regions and almost 55 municipalities were involved 
in this programme.  

Climate research and technological development is also financed by the Government through 
various schemes – see Indicator 4a. 

An  ongoing  initiative  for  monitoring  adaptation  actions  included  in  regional  operative 
programmes (ROP) is being undertaken through the “Network of Environmental Authorities 
and Managing Authorities” in relation to environmental aspects of EU Structural Funds. 

930 Protezione Civile, 2018, Attività di previsione. URLs: 
http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/jcms/it/previsione_servizio.wp;jsessionid=1534B415C4E0033BA59B4D827
03D6B9F.worker3 and http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/jcms/it/attivita_idrogeologico.wp  
931 Ministry of Health, 2016, Piano nazionale per la prevenzione degli effetti del caldo sulla salute, URL: 
http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/caldo/dettaglioContenutiCaldo.jsp?lingua=italiano&id=408&area=emergenzaCa
ldo&menu=vuoto  
932 UNFCCC, 2017, Seventh National Communication under the UN Framework Convention on Climate 
Change, URL: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/258913076_Italy-NC7-2-
Italy%20Seventh%20National%20Communication%20Final.pdf  

380 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Structural  and  cohesion  funds  have  been  used  to  support  the  implementation  of  adaptation-
related  actions,  including  in  the  water  sector.  Under  the  Partnership  Agreement  for  Italy, 
2014-2020,  EUR  2,359  million  have  been  allocated  to  the  thematic  objective  “Promoting 
climate  change  adaptation,  risk  prevention  and  management”,  including  EUR  812  million 
from  the  European Regional  Development  Fund  and EUR 1,547  million  from  the  European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.933 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Climate  impacts  are  explicitly  mentioned  in  the  new  EIA  law.  In  2013,  the  Guidance  on 
Integrating Climate Change and Biodiversity into Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 
was  published,  highlighting  the  importance  of  considering  climate  adaptation  (and  potential 
positive/negative impacts on adaptation actions). Some regions are reviewing their regulatory 
measures  (e.g.  EIA)  and  planning  tools  (e.g.  EU  Structural  Funds)  considering  adaptation 
(e.g.  Abruzzo,  Molise).  Furthermore,  in  2011  under  the  Regions  for  Sustainable  Change 
programme a further guide for local entities on how to integrate climate change considerations 
into SEA was published for the Piemonte region, illustrating regional attention to the issue934. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The  national  platform  for  disaster  risk  management  was  established  by  decree  in  Italy  in 
2008935.  The  national  flood  risk  management  plan  was  published  in  2016.  Italy  has  made 
progress  in  preventative  measures  better  addressing  extreme  climate  events  e.g.  for  heat 
waves under the Ministry of Health936 and flooding risks in line with the Floods Directive937. 

933 European Commission, 2014, Summary of the Partnership Agreement for Italy 2014-2020. URL: 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/partnership-agreement-italy-summary-oct2014_en.pdf 
934 Regione Piemonte, 2011, Cambiamento climatico e valutazione ambientale strategica: guida per enti locali. 
URL: http://www.lamoro.it/documents/CambiamentoClimaticoeValutazioneAmbientaleStrategica-
guidaperglientilocali_000.pdf  
935 Protezione Civile, 2008, URL: 
http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/resources/cms/documents/DPCM_18_FEBBRAIO_2008.pdfhttp://www.prote
zionecivile.gov.it/resources/cms/documents/DPCM_18_FEBBRAIO_2008.pdf  
936 Ondate di calore, URL: 
http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/caldo/homeCaldo.jsphttp://www.salute.gov.it/portale/caldo/homeCaldo.jsp, 
Date accessed: May 2018 
937 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2013, Documento definitivo indirizzi 
operativi direttiva alluvioni, 

381 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
In  particular,  a  recent  study  by  ISPRA  has  taken  into  account  climate  impacts  on  water 
resources938. Preparedness efforts in relation to flood risk are at the watershed level and plans 
were  fully  approved  in  early  2017939.  The  NAP  draft  illustrates  several  actions  to  better 
manage different disaster risks due to climate change but it is difficult to assess the extent to 
which these actions will be implemented in national disaster planning. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Although planning at the sub-national level has taken into account climate impacts, currently, 
there is scarce evidence of a consistent approach to policy. In fact, several actions in the draft 
NAP  refer  to  the  importance  of  integrating  adaptation  into  spatial  planning  (e.g.  Action 
TT010).  The  NAS  identifies  the  need  to  integrate  land-use  and  land-management  policies, 
taking  into  consideration  the  risks  from  different  sources,  including  those  due  to  climate 
change  (e.g.  desertification,  hydrogeological  risks,  rural  development,  water  management). 
According  to  the  NAS,  “the  NAP  will  provide  institutional  guidance  to  national  and  local 
authorities,  for  the  integration  of  adaptation  measures  within  policy  processes  and  spatial 
planning.”  As  yet,  this  guidance  has  not  been  defined  or  implemented  at  national  level, 
although  planning  is  taking  place  in  some  instances  at  regional  level,  for  example,  in  the 
regions  specified  under  Indicator  1c.  Furthermore,  in  2011  a  guidance  document  on  the 
management of climate impacts within the context of spatial planning was published for the 
Alpine region, illustrating transboundary consideration of this issue940. However, no binding 
maritime spatial plan has yet been adopted in Italy941.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  main  driver  of  mainstreaming  is  EU  policy,  with  sector-relevance  also  playing  an 
important role. The draft NAP includes a sector-based assessment of climate impacts, while 
also  assigning  actions.  The  draft  NAP  has  provided  a  set  of  adaptation  actions  for  a  large 
selection  of  sectors.  According  to  the  information  published  on  Climate-ADAPT,  the  main 
adaptation  activities  implemented  so  far  concern  the  most  vulnerable  sectors,  such  as 

http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/vari/documento_definitivo_indirizzi_operativi_dir
ettiva_alluvioni_gen_13.pdf  
938 ISPRA, 2018, Valutazione tramite BIGBANG dell'impatto dei cambiamenti climatici sulla risorsa idrica 
naturale, URL: http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/pre_meteo/idro/BIGBANG_CC_ISPRA.html  
939 ISPRA, 2018, Piani di gestione del rischio di alluvioni, URL: 
http://www.isprambiente.gov.it/pre_meteo/idro/Piani_gest.htmlhttp://www.isprambiente.gov.it/pre_meteo/idro/P
iani_gest.html  
940 Pütz, M., Kruse, S., Butterling, M., 2011, Assessing the Climate Change Fitness of Spatial Planning: A 
Guidance for Planners. 
941 MSP, URL: http://www.msp-platform.eu/countries/italy, Date accessed: May 2018.  

382 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
agriculture,  water  use,  forests,  human  health,  flood  risk,  desertification  and  drought,  coastal 
areas,  biodiversity,  tourism,  urban  settlements.52  However,  a  consistent  approach  to 
mainstreaming  is  clear.  Mainstreaming  has  been  reported  for  the  national  sustainable 
development  strategy and the National  Biodiversity Strategy  (minimising climate impacts  is 
considered  one  of  its  pillars).  Initial  steps  have  also  been  taken  in  the  agriculture  sector 
through  a  2011  White  Paper  on  "Challenges  and  opportunities  of  the  rural  development  in 
adapting  and  mitigating  climate  change".53  For  coastal  areas,  first  steps  have  been  taken  to 
develop integrated coastal zone management plans in which climate change concerns will be 
included. The River Basin Management  Plan of the Po River catchment (approved in 2013) 
aims  to  identify  climate  adaptation  strategies.  The  Watershed  Authority  of  the  Arno  River 
Basin also took climate impacts into account in mapping flood hazards and risks in support of 
river  basin  planning  (pursuant  to  Directive  2007/60/EC  on  flood  risks  assessment  and 
management)  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The programming and  use of economic instruments  for the management  of climatic risks is 
considered  as  one  of  the  adaptation  options  for  sectors  such  as  cultural  heritage,  water 
resources, agriculture, the energy sector, coastal areas, transport and infrastructure, as listed in 
the NAS. However, they are mostly not yet implemented. 

Mainly,  the  specific  actions  contained  in  the  NAS  are  to  consider  insurance  a  strong  ally 
towards financing climate adaptations (in the cultural heritage sector, for instance), to increase 
the  coverage  of  insurance  within  the  transport  and  infrastructure  sector  by  diffusing  risk 
awareness and systems  of obligatory insurance and compensation, and to increase resilience 
to extreme weather events by using insurance as a way to spread out the risk. 

Furthermore,  generally  speaking,  the  NAS  does  state  the  importance  of  exploring  a  public-
private partnership between private insurance companies and public administration. 

Some of the actions included in the NAP draft fall into the category “economic and financial 
instruments”.  Their  objective  is  to  promote  the  use  of  insurance  instruments  for  risk 
management  due  to  climate  change.  Moreover,  the  draft  NAP  analyses  possible  sources  of 
financing:  European,  National  and  Regional  programmes.  It  provides  information  on  the 
amount of resources, the type and objectives of the programme, the beneficiaries, sectors and 
type of actions involved. 

383 

 
 
 
 
 
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

The draft NAP is available on the website of the Ministry of Environment942. It analyses the 
role  of  different  public  administrations  in  implementing  adaptation  actions  for  each  sector 
included  in  the  NAP.  Activities,  aligned  with  the  NAS  preliminary  analysis,  have  already 
been  implemented  in  key  vulnerable  sectors.  In  agriculture,  the  National  Strategic  Plan  for 
Rural Development aims, inter alia, at promoting adaptation activities for the efficient use of 
resources and climate resilience in the agro-food and forestry sectors. The Ministry of Health 
and  the  Department  of  Civil  Protection  have  been  operating  an  early  warning  system  in 
relation  to  heatwaves.  National  guidelines  for  coastal  protection  have  been  developed.  The 
strategic  plan  for  tourism,  elaborated  by  the  Ministry  of  Cultural  Heritage  and  Tourism, 
includes specific actions aimed at minimising climate impacts on tourism in the period 2017-
2022.  

Furthermore, several regional climate adaptation plans have been published (see Indicator 1c), 
including in Lombardy, and also at the municipal level with the BLUEAP project in Bologna 
recognised by the EU943.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Cooperation  mechanisms  are  in  place  with  subnational  administration  bodies  to  coordinate 
implementation  of  adaptation  through  the  “Conferenza  Unificata”  (see  Section  A).  The 
“Conferenza Unificata” creates a mandate to translate the NAS to adaptation action plans at 
all levels, and the “State/Regions Conference”. It is intended that this cooperation mechanism 
will be reinforced in the future, as one of the aims is to enhance cooperation at all levels and 
set  up  a  'multilevel  governance'  system.  This  might  also  be  reinforced  by  the  Permanent 
Forum and national observatory mentioned under Indicator 9d. However, at the moment there 
is  no  structural  cooperation  in  place  with  regions  and  cities  with  regard  to  NAS 
implementation. The draft NAP also proposes some consideration of governance (governing 
body,  type  and  level  of  planning,  emergency  management)  to  further  implementation  of 
adaptation actions. 

942 Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, 2017, Consultazione su piano nazionale 
adattamento cambiamenti climatici, URL: http://www.minambiente.it/pagina/consultazione-su-piano-nazionale-
adattamento-cambiamenti-climatici  
943 BLUEAP, URL: http://www.blueap.eu/site/cambiamenti-climatici-citta-europee-promosse-per-piani-
dazione/, Date accessed: May 2018. 

384 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

It  is  unclear  whether  guidelines  for  assessing  the  climate  impacts  on  projects/programmes 
have been developed and promulgated.  

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The NAS identifies, as one of its basic principles, the need to work in partnership and involve 
stakeholders  and  citizens  (see  also  Indicator  1c).  Furthermore,  there  has  been  detailed 
consultation  of  stakeholders  in  the  definition  of  the  draft  NAP  (which  is  awaiting  final 
publication of the results of consultation).  

The  MATTM  established  an  interregional  panel  with  the  national  state-regions  commission 
for climate  change and  an inter-ministerial  Panel  in  order to involve institutions  in  defining 
the  NAP.  The  aim  is  to  collect  the  views  of  all  actors  involved  in  the  NAP  process  and  to 
share and evaluate the state of implementation of adaptation actions at national, regional and 
local level.  

Within the framework of the NAP, the establishment of two support instruments is foreseen: a 
forum,  to  promote  information,  education  and  public  capacity  building;  and  an  observatory 
composed  of  representatives  of  regional  and  local  authorities.  Regions  and  ministries  have 
been included in the panels set up for the elaboration of the NAP, and were involved in the 
implementation  of  adaptation  actions  throughout  2017  and  will  also  be  involved  in  future 
phases.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Although  the  NAS  makes  specific  reference  to  the  importance  of  monitoring  adaptation 
actions,  it  is  not  yet  clear  that  information  on  adaptation  actions  is  being  systematically 
collected,  beyond  fulfilling  the  reporting  obligations  under  the  UNFCCC.  A  monitoring 
system to evaluate progress in implementing the NAS is neither in place at the national level 
nor at the regional level. The draft NAP provides an analysis of indicators useful to monitor 
the  progress  and  efficacy  of  adaptation  actions  and  guidelines  for  monitoring  the 

385 

 
 
 
 
implementation  of  adaptation  actions.  However,  since  it  has  not  been  finalised  yet,  it  is 
difficult to conclude on its implementation and monitoring. 

Coherence with all of the existing monitoring systems and initiatives at the national level will 
be created in close cooperation with ISPRA and ARPAs.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

A system to monitor sectoral adaptation activities and their related expenditures, or to report 
adaptation  activities,  has  not  been  established.  Nonetheless,  a  network  for  monitoring 
infrastructural  projects  to  cope  with  hydrogeological  risk  is  in  place944.  There  is  no  actual 
reporting by this network, although it maintains a map of the country that identifies all of the 
projects currently being undertaken and their progress.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

While climate adaptation reporting is  taking place at  regional, sub-national  and local  levels, 
these efforts are not consistently monitored and disseminated through an overarching system.  

While  regions  and  cities  are  undertaking  adaptation  planning  and  implementing  adaptation 
actions,  these  are  not  systematically  reported,  nor  is  information  collected  centrally  in  a 
systematic  way.  Nonetheless,  provision  of  feedback  from  sub-national  to  national  level  is 
planned  (given  that  sub-national  institutions  participate  in  the  national  coordination 
committee for adaptation, as specified in Indicator 1c). Cities were also committed to report 
every two years on adaptation activities under the Mayors Adapt initiative945. 

The 7th UNFCCC National Communication946 contains some information about regional and 
local adaptation activities, as well as planned policies and measures. 

944 ISPRA, 2018, Repertorio Nazionale degli interventi per la Difesa del Suolo, URL: 
http://www.rendis.isprambiente.it/rendisweb/geo.jsp?id_reg=20  
945 Mayors Adapt, 2016, URL: https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/IMG/pdf/Mayors-
Adapt_Reporting_Guidelines.pdf  
946 UNFCCC, 2017, Seventh National Communication under the UN Framework Convention on Climate 
Change, URL: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/258913076_Italy-NC7-2-
Italy%20Seventh%20National%20Communication%20Final.pdf  

386 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  periodic  review  of  adaptation  actions  is  planned  on  a  five-year  basis,  as  defined  in  the 
NAS.  Thus,  the  next  review  is  due  in  2020.  The  NAS  mentions  that  the  review  will  be 
informed  by  continuous  monitoring  of  progress  and  evaluation  using  indicators,  and  the 
consideration of available knowledge about climate impacts and vulnerabilities. 

As the NAP is still in draft format, it is unclear whether it will also be subject to a periodical 
review.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  identifies  that  stakeholders  will  be  consulted  periodically.  However,  it  is  not 
specified  whether  or  how  stakeholders  will  be  involved  in  the  monitoring  and  review  of 
adaptation policy. 

387 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

388 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Met? 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

389 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

impacts of climate change 

Met? 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

390 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Latvia 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 392 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 393 

A. Adaptation strategies .......................................................................................... 393 
A1. National adaptation strategy ................................................................... 393 
A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ............................... 393 
B. Adaptation action plans ...................................................................................... 394 
B1. National adaptation plan ......................................................................... 394 
B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ...................................... 394 
B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ........................................................................ 394 

SCOREBOARD .............................................................................................................. 394 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ........................................................... 394 
1. Coordination structure ............................................................................... 394 
2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ................................... 396 
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change................................ 397 
3. Current and projected climate change ....................................................... 397 
4. Knowledge gaps ........................................................................................ 400 
5. Knowledge transfer ................................................................................... 401 
Step C: Identifying adaptation options .................................................................... 402 
6. Adaptation options’ identification ............................................................. 402 
7. Funding resources identified and allocated ............................................... 403 
Step D: Implementing adaptation action ................................................................. 404 
8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................... 404 
9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................... 405 
Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .................................... 407 
10. Monitoring and reporting ........................................................................ 407 
11. Evaluation ................................................................................................ 408 

SUMMARY TABLE ...................................................................................................... 409 

391 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ASTRA  

Developing Policies and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in the Baltic 
Sea Region 

BaltAdapt 

The Baltic Sea Region Climate Change Adaptation Strategy,  

BaltCICA 

Climate Change: Impacts, Costs and Adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region 

BaltClim 

Supporting Strategies on Climate Change Adaptation in the Baltic States  

BalticClimate  Baltic  Challenges  and  Chances  for  Local  and  Regional  Development  

Generated by Climate Change 

ERDF   

European Regional Development Fund 

EU 

EUR 

European Union 

European Union Euro 

EUSBSR 

EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region 

FCMC  

Financial and Capital Market Commission  

GHG 

IPPC 

Greenhouse gases 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

LEGMC 

The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre  

NAP    

National Adaptation Plan 

NAS    

National Adaptation Strategy  

NGOs   

Non-governmental organisations 

MMR   

Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Mechanism Regulation 

MoEPRD 

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development  

PPP 

RCP 

Public-private partnership 

Representative Concentration Pathways 

392 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

A. Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Latvia  has  not  yet  adopted  its  national  strategy  on  climate  change  (NAS).  The  National 
Environment  Policy  Guidelines  2014-2020947,  adopted  by  Government  on  18  March  2014, 
cover  adaptation  to  some  extent.  There  is  a  dedicated  chapter  on  climate  change  covering 
mitigation and adaptation policy objectives.  

A  systemic  approach  to  climate  adaptation  was  initiated  in  2008  by  approval  of  the 
Government Report on Adaptation to Climate Change.  

The  project  “Development  of  Proposal  for  National  Adaptation  Strategy,  including 
identification  of  scientific  data,  and  measures  for  adapting  to  changing  climate,  impact  and 
cost  evaluation”,  ended  in  March  2017.  The  NAS  to  2030  together  with  the  National 
Adaptation Plan (NAP) is in the process of intragovernmental consultation948. Two working 
groups on adaptation (an intragovernmental group and an experts group) were established in 
September 2017. A working version  of the NAS is  currently being considered by these two 
groups.  Once  they  have  provided  their  comments  and  inputs,  the  NAS  will  be  updated  and 
prepared for submission to the State Secretaries’ meeting. It is planned that the NAS will be 
adopted during 2018949. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

There  is  evidence  that  adaptation  strategies  are  being  developed  at  subnational  (regional  or 
local)  levels,  at  the  initiative  of  individual  municipalities.  The  Environment  Ministry  is 
encouraging their development through provision of information on the importance of climate 
adaptation planning at regional level, as well as through organising exchanges of experience 
between Latvia’s municipalities and those of other countries. 

Three  Latvian  municipalities,  Valka,  Daugavpils  and  Smiltene,  have  signed  up  to  the 
Covenant  of  Mayors  for  Climate  and  Energy  initiative,  committing  to  develop  local 
adaptation strategies or plans.  

The first regional adaptation strategy in the Salacgriva region950 was developed and adopted 
in August 2011951. Possible adaptation options have been developed and appraised, and their 
implementation  will  be  initiated  with  a  particular  focus  on  coastal  erosion,  flooding, 
agriculture, forestry, infrastructure, public health.  

947 The National Environment Policy Guidelines 2014-2020 (in LV), 
http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/pol/ppd/vide/?doc=17913 
948 Personal communication with MS contact.  
949 Personal communication with MS contact. 
950 Municipality with 9581 inhabitants or 0.47% of the total Latvian population 
951 http://www.salacgriva.lv/lat/salacgrivas_novads/zalais_novads/?text_id=6401 

393 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
B. Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The NAP together with NAS is currently subject to consultation. A draft version of the NAP 
has  been  sent  together  with  the  NAS  to  an  expert  group  and  an  inter-ministerial  working 
group on adaptation for their comments and inputs, as mentioned above. The NAP is expected 
to be published with the NAS during 2018.  

The draft NAP, in line with the NAS goals and directions for actions, contains 89 measures, 
identifies  institutions  that  are  responsible  and  involved,  and  the  necessary  finance  and 
timeframes for the measures.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

At  the  moment,  there  are  no  sub-national  or  regional  adaptation  strategies  and  plans. 
Traditionally, the regional level has not been very relevant in Latvia. Regions have no defined 
role in climate adaptation.  

Local  authorities  (municipalities)  have  an  important  role  to  play,  particularly  regarding 
implementation  of  adaptation  action.  For  example,  three  Latvian  municipalities  have  signed 
up to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and have committed to developing and 
implementing  adaptation  actions.  Some  municipalities,  such  as  Riga  and  Ventspils,  have 
drawn up their local action plans to minimise the greatest risks (e.g. flood boundaries, flood 
construction level) and these actions are included in flood-risk management plans.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

No specific sectoral adaptation plans have been adopted. Sectoral work on climate adaptation 
is  ongoing.  The  climate  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  conducted  for  six  main  sectors 
identify,  describe  and  analyse  relevant  adaptation  measures.  The  implementation  of 
adaptation  actions  has  started  in  a  coordinated  way.  Many  adaptation  actions  in  specific 
sectors  (agriculture,  forestry,  public  health,  civil  protection,  water  management,  etc.)  are 
being undertaken, for example, in the framework of the international project “Baltic Climate 
Change: Impacts, Costs and Adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region”952.  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure  

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In Latvia, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD), 
in  particular,  the  Climate  Change  and  Adaptation  Policy  Division  of  the  Climate  Change 

952 See: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/transnational-regions/baltic-sea-region 

394 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Department953, is responsible for preparing the NAS and for coordinating its implementation. 
Responsibility  for  the  implementation  of  particular  measures  identified  in  the  NAS  will  be 
shared among the many institutions that are involved. 

1b. Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms within the governance system 

Yes / In progress / No 

The MoEPRD has established two working groups: an intragovernmental group and an expert 
working  group.  The  main  tasks  of  both  groups  are  (i)  information  exchange  on  climate 
adaptation,  including  on  policy  planning  documents,  legislation,  scientific  research,  events, 
(ii) fostering implementation of adaptation policies, and (iii) integrating adaptation issues into 
different  legislative  proposals.  Members  of  both  groups  can  submit  proposals  for  different 
policies that are connected to climate adaptation. Both groups have received the draft NAS for 
their comments and inputs.  

The intragovernmental working group involves members from the MoEPRD, the Ministry of 
Health,  the  Ministry  of  Finance,  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  the  Ministry  of  Transport,  the 
Ministry of Economics,  the Ministry of Welfare, the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), 
the Cross-sectoral  Coordination  Centre, and the State Centre for Defence Military Sites and 
Procurement.  

The  expert  group  involves  members  from  the  MoEPRD,  the  Rural  Support  Service,  the  AS 
“Sadales tīkli”, i.e. the State Regional Development Agency, the JSC “Latvian State Roads”, 
the JSC “Latvia’s State Forests”, the Riga Technical University, the University of Latvia, the 
Nature  Conservation  Agency,  the  Health  Inspectorate,  the  AS  “Latvenergo”,  Employers’ 
Confederation of Latvia, the Latvian Building Material Manufacturers Association, the Latvia 
University of Agriculture, the Food and Veterinary Service, the Centre for Disease Prevention 
and  Control,  the  Central  Statistical  Bureau,  the  State  Forest  Service,  the  Latvian  Insurers 
Association,  the  State  limited  Liability  Company  "Latvian  Environment,  the  Geology  and 
Meteorology Centre" and the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Different levels of administration, such as municipalities and planning regions are involved in 
the  development  of  climate  adaptation  policy  in  relation  to  the  following  sectors:  civil 
protection  and  emergency  planning,  building  and  infrastructure,  biodiversity  and  ecosystem 
services, and agriculture, fisheries and forestry.  

The  MoEPRD  Climate  Change  Department  undertakes  national-level  coordination  in  the 
framework  of  the  Covenant  of  Mayors.  The  department  works  closely  with  the  Latvian 
Association of Municipalities. The NAS is still being prepared, but the MoEPRD foresees a 

953 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/latvia, under 'Contact' 

395 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
role for the municipalities in its implementation954. In 2011 the parish of Salacgriva produced 
a climate adaptation strategy; and the parish of Salapils is currently preparing one955. 

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

Since 2015, experts from agencies, scientific institutions, ministries, municipalities, business 
structures  and  NGOs  have  participated  in  several  workshops  and  conferences  regarding: 
climate scenarios, risk and vulnerability assessments, discussions on indicators and adaptation 
monitoring  systems,  flood  risk  warning  systems,  spatial  and  coastal  zone  planning.  In 
addition,  an  adaptation  working  group  has  been  established  by  MoEPRD,  with  members 
representing a wide range of public institutions, as well as other social partners. As described 
in relation to  Indicator 1b, two working groups were established to finalise the work on the 
NAS and NAP and to  follow up implementation, monitoring, reporting  and evaluation  after 
the  adoption  of  the  framework.  These  working  groups  include  the  following  stakeholders: 
ministries, governmental authorities and research institutes.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

There is evidence of transboundary cooperation to address common challenges with relevant 
countries. Latvia takes active part in the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea 
Region  (EUSBSR,  2009)956  and  is  a  member  of  the  Baltic  Sea  Region  Climate  Dialogue 
Platform957. The Baltic Sea Region Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and the action plan 
covers  the  issue  of  ever  stronger  rainfall  and  urban  planning,  as  well  as  practical  solutions. 
Special importance is given to visual aid materials, which help to explain the risks of future 
climate change and its impacts.  

Furthermore, several  projects  on adaptation  to  climate change in  the  Baltic Sea region  have 
been  implemented,  such  as  BaltAdapt  (The  Baltic  Sea  Region  Climate  Change  Adaptation 
Strategy),  BaltClim  (Supporting  Strategies  on  Climate  Change  Adaptation  in  the  Baltic 
States), BaltCICA (Climate Change: Impacts, Costs and Adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region), 
BalticClimate  (Baltic  Challenges  and  Chances  for  Local  and  Regional  Development 
Generated  by  Climate  Change),  ASTRA  (Developing  Policies  and  Adaptation  Strategies  to 
Climate  Change  in  the  Baltic  Sea  Region)  and  iWater958  on  integrated  storm  water 
management.  These  projects  have  included  cooperation  on  sectors/themes  such  as:  marine 
biodiversity  and  habitats,  food  supply  –  fisheries  and  agriculture,  coastal  infrastructure  and 
coastal tourism (BaltAdapt). In addition, regarding all type of adaptation knowledge exchange 

954 Personal communication with MS contact. 
955 Personal communication with MS contact. 
956 http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/ 
957 http://www.cbss.org/strategies/horizontal-action-climate/ 
958 https://www.integratedstormwater.eu/content/integrated-storm-water-management 

396 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
and  capacity  building,  Latvian  experts  have  met  with  Estonian,  Norwegian,  Hungarian, 
Finnish, British colleagues in many workshops and discussions.959 

Latvia  also  has  formal  agreements  with  Estonia  and  Lithuania  to  cooperate  on  river  basin 
management. The cooperation entails regular information exchange (for example, during the 
annual  meetings  of  senior  officials).  Latvia  has  agreements  on  environmental  co-operation 
with Belarus and Russia and the LEGMC exchanges information with the respective services 
of these countries. 

Finally, the SFRS cooperates with neighbouring countries on flood risks in various projects. 
However,  there  is  no  special  intergovernmental  committee  or  working  group  established, 
especially on flood issues.  

No actions are included in the NAS on transboundary cooperation (the NAS is mainly focused 
on  national-level  targets),  but  cooperation  is  envisaged  in  the  fields  of  research  on  climate 
impacts,  and  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments.  Cooperation  and  projects  to  exchange 
experience, for example, for strengthening Baltic Sea coast, are envisaged960. 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Latvian  Environment,  Geology  and  Meteorology  Centre  (LEGMC)961  performed  a 
detailed  analysis  of  long-term  (1961-2010)  historical  climate  data  (average  and  extreme 
values  of  air  temperature,  precipitation,  wind  direction  and  speed  –  average  and  extreme 
values) and developed future climate scenarios for Latvia using the Intergovernmental Panel 
on Climate Change (IPCC) Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios, RCP4.5 
and RCP8.5 for the periods 2011-2040, 2041-2070, 2071-2100962.  

LEGMC is responsible for continuous climate change data collection, as well as monitoring 
extreme  events,  data  storage  and  analyses  on  long-term  observation  results.  LEGMC  acts 
internationally (as a member, or presents Latvia) in different international organisations, such 
as through EUMETSAT, a climate atlas tool to help visualise climate datasets for Europe and 
Latvia.963 

The SFRS provides monitoring regarding climate change risks for fire safety and firefighting. 
Forest fires are identified as Latvia’s priority risk due to the importance of forest ecosystems, 
biodiversity,  forest  seedlings,  the  timber  industry,  the  significance  of  the  forest  sector  to 
Latvia’s  national  economy  and  the  amount  of  forested  lands.  National  Forest  Inventory 

959 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/latvia, under 'Engaging stakeholders' 
960 Personal communication with MS contact. 
961 Latvijas Vides, Geologijas un Meteorologijas Centrs - LVGMC 
962 http://www2.meteo.lv/klimatariks/zinojums.pdf 
963 http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Images/ImageLibrary/DAT_2266050.html 

397 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
(monitoring)  is  collecting  and  analysing  data  about  climatic  impacts,  growth  and  yield, 
species composition, forest types, and damage levels.964 

LEGMC  monitors  weather  extremes  as  well  as  average,  minimum,  and  maximum  climatic 
parameters, and regularly sends reports to the World Meteorological Office. There is a newly 
developed climate change and adaptation monitoring system and database, which includes 38 
adaptation  indicators.  A  total  of  38  climate  change  parameters  and  indices965,  including 
extreme events, are included in the NAS.  

A  database  on  the  annual  loss  coverage  during  weather  extremes  for  municipalities  is 
maintained by the Department of Municipalities in the Ministry of Environmental Protection 
and Regional Development (MoEPRD).  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are developed for impact, vulnerability and adaptation assessments, 
using the RCP scenarios from the IPCC 5th Assessment Report. These have been produced for 
specific sectors966: biodiversity and ecosystem services; forestry and agriculture; tourism and 
landscape planning; health and welfare; building and infrastructure planning; civil protection 
and  emergency  planning.  LEGMC  has  prepared  the  report  “Climate  Change  Scenarios  for 
Latvia”967 (historical climate change data analysis and scenarios for the future); a summary in 
English is also available968.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate risks in the context of policies were first identified at the national level in the “Report 
on adaptation to climate change”, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in August 2008. 

The most comprehensive regional level study (for the Baltic Sea Region), which also covered 
Latvia, was the assessment of climate change risks and vulnerability performed within the 
BSR Programme 2007-2013 and the ERDF common project BALTADAPT. 

In cooperation with SIA “Baltkonsults”, SIA “Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment”, 
SIA “Procesu analīzes un izpētes centrs”, LVMI “Silava” and “Zaļā Brīvība”, MoEPRD has 
prepared research papers on risk and vulnerability assessment and identification of measures 

964 Document: Latvia’s updated report on the first reporting period on national adaptation actions under article 15 
of the MMR (October 2016) – received from Ieva Bruneniece (Senior Expert, Ministry of Environmental 
Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Climate Change Department, Climate Change and Adaptation 
Policy Division) - personal communication (3 May 2017) 
965 http://etccdi.pacificclimate.org/list_27_indices.shtml  
966 http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/publ/petijumi/petijumi_klimata_parmainu_joma/?doc=23668  
967 http://www2.meteo.lv/klimatariks/zinojums.pdf  
968 http://www2.meteo.lv/klimatariks/summary.pdf  

398 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
for climate adaptation covering six thematic areas. Research was done in the framework of the 
European  Economic  Zone  Financial  Instrument  2009-2014  Programme  “Nacional  Climate 
Policy”. The research is available at the website of the MoEPRD969.  

In 2012, risk and vulnerability assessments in the main sectors were prepared, and proposals 
for  development  or  improvement  of  adaptation  policies  and  measures  were  set  out.  In 
addition,  the  main  risks970  in  the  country  were  recognised  and  described  within  an 
intragovernmental expert group, using a risk assessment matrix. 

Significant progress has been achieved, starting from 2015, when detailed climate change risk 
and  vulnerability  assessments,  and  cost-benefit  and  cost-effectiveness  assessments  for 
adaptation measures in the most vulnerable sectors were prepared with scientific expertise and 
methods.  The  reports  of  the  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  for  the  sectors  (biodiversity 
and  ecosystem  services,  forestry  and  agriculture,  tourism  and  landscape  planning,  building 
and infrastructure planning, civil protection and emergency planning, and health and welfare) 
have been completed and are available on the MoEPRD website.971 Additionally, all sectoral 
climate risk and vulnerability assessment reports have included the following steps: 

  Context analysis (scientific observations, analysis of existing policies, reports, articles) 
and  socio-economic  data  analysis  has  been  undertaken  in  the  following  sectors: 
biodiversity  and  ecosystem  services;  forestry  and  agriculture;  tourism  and  landscape 
planning; health and welfare; building and infrastructure planning; civil protection and 
emergency planning. 

  Use of flowcharts to identify cause–effect relationships between the direct and indirect 
impacts of climate change on socio-economic considerations and on biodiversity and 
ecosystems services. 

  Use  of  the  European  Commission’s  “Risk  Assessment  and  Mapping  Guidelines  for 
Disaster Management”972 and the IEC 31010:2009 (Risk management) standard973.  

969 MoEPRD website with climate research results 
http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/publ/petijumi/petijumi_klimata_parmainu_joma/?doc=23668 
970 Storms, floods, damages to power supply systems and interruptions in electricity supply, forest fires, pollution 
in rivers and Baltic Sea, pandemic influenza, significant accident on the railways, in aviation and in sea 
transport, significant IT accident, accident in SEVESO facilities, upstream pipeline damage (Latvia’s updated 
report on the first reporting period on national adaptation actions under article 15 of MMR – Oct. 2016)   
971 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/latvia, under 'Summary', link to webpages of 
LEGMC, with different reports in Latvian 
(http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/publ/petijumi/petijumi_klimata_parmainu_joma/?doc=23668), published in 2016 
Document: Latvia’s updated report on the first reporting period on national adaptation actions under article 15 of 
the MMR (October 2016) – received from Ieva Bruneniece (Senior Expert, Ministry of Environmental Protection 
and Regional Development of Latvia, Climate Change Department, Climate Change and Adaptation Policy 
Division) - personal communication (3 May 2017) 
972 Commission Staff Working Document. 2010. Risk Assessment and Mapping Guidelines for Disaster 
Management (SEC 2010) 1626 Final. 
https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/about/COMM_PDF_SEC_2010_1626_F_staff_working_document_en.pdf 
973 IEC 31010:2009 (Risk management) standard. https://www.iso.org/standard/51073.html 

399 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Use  of  qualitative  methods  (risk  matrices),  quantitative  methods  (regression  analysis 
and  partial  correlation),  risk  mapping  (for  flood  risk  zones,  sea  coastal  zones, 
vulnerable  territories  for  tourism  and  landscape  planning,  etc.),  and  socio-economic 
assessments. 

  Vulnerability assessment – based on risk levels, categories and target groups affected, 
adaptive  capacity,  level  of  estimated  economic  losses  or  gains,  and  ranking  of 
vulnerabilities 

 

Identification, description and analysis of relevant adaptation measures 

  Cost-benefit  and  cost-effectiveness  assessment  of  adaptation  measures  for  a  50-year 

period.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Transboundary  risks  are  not  explicitly  included  in  the  draft  NAS.  As  noted  in  relation  to 
Indicator  2b,  these  risks  are  considered  by  some  sectors,  such  as  water  and  flood  risk 
management.  Risk  assessments  performed  have  not  identified  any  significant  transboundary 
risks. Among others, climate-driven migration was considered. 

Climate  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  take  transboundary  risks  into  account  within  the 
framework  of  the  Baltic  Sea  Region  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Strategy974,  which  focuses 
on such sectors as food supply (including fisheries and agriculture), coastal infrastructure and 
coastal tourism. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

During  the  development  of  the  NAS,  knowledge  gaps  were  identified  and  prioritised  for 
sectors  regarding  data  collection,  monitoring,  and  research.  Information  exchange  between 
national and international institutions was carried out and included in the NAS and NAP. The 
knowledge gaps regarding climate change impacts, risks and adaptation, including adaptation 
monitoring and evaluation, are included in sectoral policy planning documents and legal acts.  

Additionally,  experience-exchange  seminars  have  been  organised  in  2016  with  an  emphasis 
on exchange of knowledge and experience related to climate scenarios, data preparation and 
modelling, analysis and interpretation, development and management of a monitoring system 
for  adaptation,  approaches  to  risk  and  vulnerability  assessment  for  adaptation,  and 
identification  and  cost-benefit  analysis  of  adaptation  measures.  There  was  no  evidence  of 

974 http://baltadapt.eu/ 

400 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
                                                           
specific knowledge gaps identified during these seminars. However, there is a strong need for 
general  awareness  raising  on  climate  change  and  improvement  of  knowledge  regarding 
climate resilience.  In order to  help  to  address  this gap MoEPRD will organise a visit  of the 
IPCC975 at the end of May 2018 to Latvia. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  dedicated  website  (in  English),  available  via  the  main  website  of  the  Ministry  of 
Environment  Protection  and  Regional  Development976,  provides  information  on  the 
'Development of a proposal for the National Adaptation Strategy, Including Identification of 
Scientific  Data,  and  Measures  for  Adapting  to  Changing  Climate,  Impact  and  Cost 
Evaluation'.  

The  Ministry’s  website  in  Latvian  includes  more  information,  such  as  sectoral  risk  and 
vulnerability  and  adaptation  assessments977.  MoEPRD  is  responsible  for  the  content  of  its 
website. Information in the official website of the MoEPRD is regularly updated. 

The  LEGMC  prepares  reports  and  provides  information  to  the  public,  to  the  state  and  local 
governments,  and  to  international  organisations.  It  also  provides  services  for  customers, 
including  national  aviation,  Latvian  National  Armed  Forces,  civil  protection  authorities  and 
energy companies. One of the newest LEGMC products are flood risk management plans and 
early flood warning systems for the biggest river catchments. 

A  public  tool  for  visualisation  of  climate  scenarios  has  been  developed,  which  is  available 
online.978  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  are  some  capacity  building,  training  and  education  materials  on  climate  adaptation 
available.  The  activities  are  not  driven  or  coordinated  by  the  NAS,  as  it  has  been  in 
development. Examples are: the project 'Climate education for all'979 and 'Climate Change in 
Latvia- challenge or opportunity.'980 

975Personal communication with MS contact. 
976 http://www.varam.gov.lv/eng/par_ministriju 
977http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/fondi/grants/EEZ_2009_2014/nacionala_klimata_politika/?doc=18209 (Latvian) 
/ 
http://www.varam.gov.lv/eng/fondi/EEA_Norv/european_economic_area_financial_mechanism_programme__n
ational_climate_policy/?doc=18233 (in English) 
978 http://www2.meteo.lv/klimatariks/. 
979 http://www.zalabriviba.lv/klimata-parmainu-izglitiba-visiem/  
980 http://www.homoecos.lv/lat/projekti/klimata-parmainas-latvija-izaicinajums-iespeja 

401 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Climate  Change  Department  is  currently  working  on  a  climate  change  communication 
strategy  to  provide  more  precise  information  on  climate  impacts  on  sectors,  to  raise 
awareness  and promote  better understanding on  climate policies among societal  groups and 
people. 

Different universities, such as the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, and Latvia 
University  of  Agriculture,  provide  academic  studies,  address  and  develop  knowledge  on 
climate change risks and adaptation. Examples include a course on Climate and Sustainable 
Development981,982. 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Comprehensive analyses of possible adaptation options are conducted for the most vulnerable 
sectors. This is part of the climate change risk and vulnerability assessment and cost-benefit 
and cost-effectiveness assessments for adaptation measures, that are prepared with scientific 
expertise and methods for the different sectors, and included in the NAS and NAP.983 

In  accordance  with  the  assessment  of  the  impacts  and  risks  of  climate  change,  the  NAS 
identifies  the  overarching  target  and  strategic  objectives  for  climate  adaptation,  and  the 
directions  of  action  and  measures  to  be  implemented  in  six  key  sectors:  construction  and 
infrastructure  planning,  civil  protection  and  emergency  planning,  health  and  well-being, 
biodiversity and ecosystem services, agriculture and forestry, tourism and landscape planning. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Adaptation options are prioritised and there is a systematic analysis of the various options at 
the  sectoral  level.  A  cost-benefit  analysis  has  been  produced  for  adaptation  measures  in  the 
most vulnerable sectors.984 Adaptation options have been chosen based on semi-quantitative 
analysis methods according to levels of risk, vulnerability and adaptive capacity. 

981 Document: Latvia’s updated report on the first reporting period on national adaptation actions under article 15 
of the MMR (October 2016) – received from Ieva Bruneniece (Senior Expert, Ministry of Environmental 
Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Climate Change Department, Climate Change and Adaptation 
Policy Division) - personal communication (3 May 2017); http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/latvia, under 'Summary' 
982https://www.lu.lv/fileadmin/user_upload/lu_portal/par/starptautiska-
sadarbiba/ERASMUS_PLUS/K_GZZF_VidZ1033_Climate-Sustainable-Development.pdf  
983 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/latvia, under 'Assessments' 
984 http://www.varam.gov.lv/lat/publ/petijumi/petijumi_klimata_parmainu_joma/?doc=23668  

402 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

There  is  no  evidence  provided  on  how  the  NAS  and  NAP  will  contribute  to  disaster  risk 
reduction.  There  is  a  mechanism  in  place  for  coordinating  disaster  risk  management  and 
climate  adaptation  and  ensuring  coherence.  The  Civil  Protection  and  Catastrophe 
Management  Law  (2016)  prescribes  the  civil  protection  system,  which  includes  risk 
assessment  and  prevention,  and  disaster  management  of  natural  extremes  across  all  sectors 
and  governmental  levels  (including  clear  definition  of  all  responsibilities  among  state  and 
municipal  institutions).  The  main  added  value  of  the  system  is  the  serious  attention  paid  to 
risk assessment and prevention.  In doing so, it tightly links climate change  risk assessment, 
prevention and adaptation with civil protection985.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Different funding resources per sector are specified for climate adaptation, such as the general 
state  budget,  municipal  budget,  insurance,  EU  funds,  business,  Latvian  Environmental 
Protection Fund, Latvian Environmental Investment Fund and the Climate Change Financial 
Instrument. In order to realise the measures and tasks specified in the NAS, use of state and 
municipal budget resources is planned and EU and private funding will be sought (dependent 
on the particular measure)986. 

Within  the  European  Structural  and  Investment  Funds  for  2014-2020,  appropriated  funding 
for  measures  related  to  the  shift  towards  a  low-carbon  economy  is  more  than  EUR  480 
million,  and  more  than  EUR  63  million  for  climate  adaptation.  Under  the  Climate  Change 
Financial  Instrument  specific  activities  for  adaptation  have  not  been  undertaken.  However, 
some of the activities financed by the Emission Allowances Auctioning Instrument promote 
climate adaptation as a co-benefit.  

Resources  from  the  general  state  budget  are  used  to  cover  climate-related  damages,  as  and 
when required. 

985 Document: Latvia’s updated report on the first reporting period on national adaptation actions under article 15 
of the MMR (October 2016) – received from Ieva Bruneniece (Senior Expert, Ministry of Environmental 
Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Climate Change Department, Climate Change and Adaptation 
Policy Division) - personal communication (3 May 2017) 
http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/latvia, under 'Policy & Legal Framework' 
986 Personal communication with MS contact. 

403 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The  national  law  on  EIA  (amended  2017)  does  not  include  climate  change  considerations. 
Amendments  to  this  law  are  in  preparation,  however,  no  information  is  available  as  to 
whether and how adaptation will be addressed.987 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Several  rules  of  Cabinet  of  Ministers  are  currently  being  developed  in  accordance  with  the 
Law on Civil Protection and Catastrophe Management (2016). Climate impacts and extremes 
are considered in the State Civil Protection Plan (2014). The Latvian Environment, Geology 
and Meteorology Centre is working on an initial flood risk assessment report, which will be 
used for the preparation of 2021-2027 flood  risk  governance plans. Public consultations  are 
ongoing until 30 June 2018.  

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Climate  impacts,  risks  and  adaptation  measures  are  addressed  in  several  documents, 
including:  Coastal  Spatial  Development  Programme  2011-2017,  State  Long-term  Thematic 
Planning  for  Baltic  Sea  Coast  Public  Infrastructure  up  to  2030,  National  Development  Plan 
2014-2020,  Rural  Development  Programme  of  Latvia  2014-2020,  Regional  Policy 
Programme 2013-2019 (2013), Environmental Policy Programme 2014-2020 (2014).   

At  the  regional  level,  within  the  framework  of  the  Estonian-Latvian  program  "Coastal  and 
Marine Planning in the Pärnu Bay in Estonia and the Coastal Municipalities of Latvia" 2013- 
2015, guidelines for “Reducing the Impact of Coastal Erosion” have been prepared. 

At  the  local  level,  activities  are  carried  out  in  accordance  with  national  and  regional  level 
documents  and  regulations  defined  in  the  regulatory  acts.  For  example,  local  government 
territorial  development  planning  documents  identify  territories  with  flood  risks,  and  coastal 
areas  with  increased  risk  of  erosion.  These  risks  need  to  be  taken  into  account  in  building 
regulations, as well as planned activities and investments. 

987 Document: National Law on environmental impact assessment: http://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=51522 

404 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

National  policy instruments  to  promote sector-level  adaptation  are foreseen in  the NAS and 
the  NAP.  The  overarching  goal  is  to  minimise  the  vulnerability  of  people,  economy, 
infrastructure, buildings and nature to climate impacts, and to promote opportunities created 
by  climate  change.  The  NAS  will  also  include  more  specific  strategic  targets  and  an  action 
plan  that  will  identify  specific  measures  and  the  institutions  responsible  for  their 
implementation.  The  NAP  focuses  on  people,  economy,  infrastructure  and  construction, 
nature,  and  information  and  knowledge,  and  includes  18  main  actions.  In  total  89 
actions/measures relate to climate risk and vulnerability assessment. For each action, the NAP 
details  the  responsible  institution,  other  involved  institutions,  duration,  necessary  financing, 
finance sources, priority, and other information.   

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No  

The  insurance  system  is  regarded  as  an  important  adaptation  tool  in  relation  to  extreme 
weather events or disasters. Particular instruments have been developed under the supervision 
of the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC). There are three existing insurance 
schemes  relevant  to  natural  disasters.  One  provides  individual  cover  in  the  private  sector, 
including  for  health,  life,  and  property.  The  second  scheme  addresses  the  agricultural  and 
forestry  sectors,  covering  insurance  risks  through  privative  and  State  financing.  The  third 
covers businesses (commerce, and trade).988 

The  draft  NAS  defines  a  specific  action  on  insurance  under  the  second  strategic  priority  on 
adapting  the  national  economy  and  reaping  the  benefits.  The  specific  action  foresees 
strengthening  the  insurance  market  through  effective  schemes  and  instruments  in  order  to 
cover and compensate for losses from climate and natural catastrophes and reduce the burden 
of risk on the state budget. 

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

Despite  the  NAS  not  yet  being  adopted,  autonomous  adaptation  actions  in  some  sectors 
(agriculture,  civil  protection,  forestry,  public  health,  building  and  construction,  water 

988 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/latvia, under 'Policy & Legal framework' 
Document: Latvia’s updated report on the first reporting period on national adaptation actions under Article 15 
of the MMR (October 2016) – received from Ieva Bruneniece (Senior Expert, Ministry of Environmental 
Protection and Regional Development of Latvia, Climate Change Department, Climate Change and Adaptation 
Policy Division) - personal communication (3 May 2017) 

405 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
management,  etc.)  are  already  underway.  The  efficiency  and  sustainability  of  adaptation 
measures was analyses in six sectoral studies on climate impacts, vulnerability and adaptation 
measures, including their cost-benefit.  

Practical adaptation options and activities have been implemented with regards to coastal and 
river  basin  management,  where  floods,  storm  surges,  coastal  erosion  and  extreme 
temperatures have been identified as the main risks. Coastal vulnerabilities have been mapped 
and  adaptation  activities  have  been  developed,  mainly  through  EU-funded  trans-boundary 
projects, such as ASTRA, BaltCICA, BaltClim, BalticClimate and BaltAdapt.  

Some activities related to climate adaptation have taken place in several municipalities but not 
as part of a systematic process. Some municipalities, such as Riga and Salacgriva, which have 
been influenced by extreme weather conditions (storm surges, floods) have been most active 
in  implementing  adaptation  measures.  For  example,  Riga  City  has  included  anti-flood 
measures (such as raising the level of existing paved roads and embankments, construction of 
new  embankments,  reconstruction  or  installation  of  new  canal  locks  and  culverts)  in  the 
Integrated Strategy for Riga City.  

Another example is construction of coastal defence structures at dense settlement sites in the 
Salaca  River  Basin,  as  well  as  introduction  of  control  or  prohibition  of  the  expansion  of 
settlement sites in vulnerable coastal areas along the Salaca river (ASTRA project). 

In order to reduce climate impacts, a number of Latvian municipalities (in particular, Liepaja, 
Riga,  Vilani,  Daugavpils,  Cesis,  Livani,  Sigulda,  Salaspils  and  Ikskile),  as  well  as  Zemgale 
planning  region,  have  elaborated  sustainable  energy  action  plans  (Zemgale  planning  region 
starting from 2012, the municipalities in subsequent years).989  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Cooperation mechanisms to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales are foreseen in the 
NAS and NAP. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Apart from the drafted Maritime Spatial Plan and various guidelines issued by the European 
Commission,  no  specific  procedures  or  guidelines  are  issued  or  used  to  assess  potential 
climate impacts on major projects or programmes. 

989 Personal communication with MS contact. 

406 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

As  coordinated  implementation  of  the  adaptation  measures  has  not  yet  started,  the  specific 
mechanisms for ensuring the involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of adaptation 
policies and measures are not yet in place. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Currently, no monitoring or reporting on implementation of the NAS and NAP is in place.  

Climate change and adaptation monitoring system is under development. It is planned that it 
will be finalised by the end of 2018. For each indicator a detailed metadata sheet is proposed 
(including, description of indicator, the period covered, measurement, spatial  coverage, data 
source, indicator relevance, current trends, trends in the future, vulnerability characteristics). 
The  methodology  is  under  consultation.  Both  the  indicators  and  the  methodology  will  be 
published on the LEGMC and MEPRD web links. The NAS includes a task to establish the 
legal  frame  for  the  monitoring  system  and  determine  the  institutions  responsible  for  data 
delivery in each sector.990 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Currently,  no  monitoring  or  reporting  on  the  integration  of  climate  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is in place. 

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Currently, no monitoring or reporting on regional, sub-national or local action is in place. 

990 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/latvia, under 'Summary' Document: Latvia’s 
updated report on the first reporting period on national adaptation actions under Article 15 of the MMR (October 
2016) – received from Ieva Bruneniece (Senior Expert, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional 
Development of Latvia, Climate Change Department, Climate Change and Adaptation Policy Division) - 
personal communication (3 May 2017) 

407 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

As the NAS is not yet adopted, no interval has yet been set for its periodic review. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

As no assessment, evaluation or review is taking place there is no stakeholder involvement.  

408 

 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in  charge  of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist 
within 
the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

Transboundary  cooperation 
is  planned 
common challenges with relevant countries 

to  address 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor  climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

the 
Scenarios  and  projections  are  used 
economic,  social  and  environmental  impacts  of  climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best  available  science  (e.g.  in  response  to  revised  IPCC 
assessments) 

to  assess 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable  sectors  are  undertaken  to  support  adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate 
assessments 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

risks/vulnerability 

take 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and 

Yes / In 

409 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 
address the knowledge gaps 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 
progress / No 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is  available  to 
all  stakeholders,  including  policy  makers  (e.g.  through  a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity  building  activities  take  place;  education  and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c,  the  geographical  specificities  identified  in  3b  and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation,  etc.)  and  consistent  with  existing  decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  disaster  risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been 
included  in  the  national  frameworks  for  environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness 
in  place  under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

strategies 

Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and 
maritime  spatial  planning  policies  take  into  account  the 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

410 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 
impacts of climate change 

National  policy 
instruments  promote  adaptation  at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Implementing adaptation 

Met? 

Yes /  No 

Yes /  No 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  implemented,  e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation  mechanisms  in  place  to  foster  and  support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the 
potential  impact  of  climate  change  on  major  projects  or 
programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The  integration  of  climate  change  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

411 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Lithuania 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 413 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 414 

A. Adaptation strategies .......................................................................................... 414 
A1. National adaptation strategy ................................................................... 414 
A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ............................... 414 
B. Adaptation action plans ...................................................................................... 414 
B1. National adaptation plan ......................................................................... 414 
B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ...................................... 415 
B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ........................................................................ 415 

SCOREBOARD .............................................................................................................. 416 

1 
2 

3 
4 
5 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ........................................................... 416 
Coordination structure ..................................................................... 416 
Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ......................... 417 
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change................................ 418 
Current and projected climate change ............................................. 418 
Knowledge gaps .............................................................................. 421 
Knowledge transfer ......................................................................... 422 
Step C: Identifying adaptation options .................................................................... 423 
Adaptation options’ identification ................................................... 423 
Identifying and making resources available .................................... 424 
Step D: Implementing adaptation action ................................................................. 424 
Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ............................ 424 
Implementing adaptation ................................................................. 427 
Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .................................... 429 
Monitoring and reporting ................................................................ 429 
Evaluation ........................................................................................ 430 

10 
11 

8 
9 

6 
7 

SUMMARY TABLE ...................................................................................................... 432 

412 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

Action Plan 

ASTRA 

Action  Plan  for  the  implementation  of  the  goals  and  objectives  of  the 
Strategy of National Climate Change Management Policy 2013-2020  

Developing Policies & Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in the 
Baltic Sea Region project 

Committee 

National Climate Change Committee 

EIA 

LHMS 

MoE 

NGO 

Environmental Impact Assessment  

Lithuanian  Hydrometeorological  Service  under 
Environment 

the  Ministry  of 

Lithuanian Ministry of Environment 

Nnon-governmental organisation 

RADOST 

Regional Adaptation Strategies for the German Baltic Sea Cost project 

Strategy 

Strategy for National Climate Management Policy 2013-2050  

413 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

A. Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Lithuania  adopted  a  ‘Strategy  for  National  Climate  Management  Policy  2013-2050'  in 
November 2012991 (hereafter the “Strategy”). This is an integrated strategy which covers both 
adaptation  and  mitigation  issues  and  includes  implementation  considerations.  There  are  no 
plans to develop a separate climate adaptation strategy. Until 2012, Lithuania had the National 
Strategy  for  the  Implementation  of  the  UNFCCC992,  which  included  measures  for  both 
mitigation and adaptation. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

The  new  guidelines  for  municipalities  on  preparing  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation  plans 
were  developed  by  the  Association  of  Local  Authorities  in  Lithuania  in  2017993,  though  no 
regional adaptation strategies have yet been adopted. The municipalities of Panevezys district 
(“rajonas”)  and  Klaipeda  city,  have  conducted  comprehensive  vulnerability  studies994.  The 
Lithuanian  Hydrometeorological  Service  prepared  a  climate  scenario  study  for  Vilnius  until 
2100995.  Lithuania  has  taken  part  in  several  transboundary  EU-funded  projects996  in  which 
local adaptation options have been analysed and elaborated.  

B. Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

An  action  plan  (hereafter  the  “Action  Plan”)  to  implement  the  goals  and  objectives  of  the 
Strategy  of  National  Climate  Change  Management  Policy  2013-2020  was  first  adopted  in 
April  2013  and  contained  measures  for  the  years  2013-2016.  The  Action  Plan  consisted  of 
implementing 
general  provisions, 
institutions,  assessment  criteria  and  values.  Following  the  strategic  planning  methodology 
approved  by  the  Government,  the  Action  Plan  was  prepared  for  a  three-year  period  and  is 
updated annually by adding one more  year. In 2016, the updated Action Plan with measures 

targets,  objectives,  measures,  financial  resources, 

991Lithuanian Ministry of Environment, URL: 
http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/Nacionaline_klimato_kaitos_valdymo_politikos_strategija_EN
_galutinis.docx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
992Lithuanian Parliament Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://e-
seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/TAIS.314407?positionInSearchResults=0&searchModelUUID=f0d11b05-
5d5d-4c2b-bab1-de5e5b8895ef, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
993 Kaunas Regional Energy Agency (author of the guidelines), URL: 
http://www.krea.lt/images/angle180/klimato-kaita-gaires-savivaldybems.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
994 Panevėžys district municipality, URL: www.panrs.lt/aplinka/2011/ataskaita.doc, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
995 Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service, URL: 
http://www.meteo.lt/documents/20181/0/klimato_kaita_vilnius_xxi_v2-Vup1Vlbw.pdf/2e285f17-8bfb-4451-
a865-f0c5e22ff42c, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
996 These include: ASTRA (Developing Policies and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in the Baltic Sea), 
Baltadapt, BaltCICA (Climate Change: Impacts, Costs and Adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region), BalticClimate, 
Baltclim, RADOST. See: selected project websites, URL:http://www.baltadapt.eu/, http://www.balticsea-region-
strategy.eu/, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

414 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
for  2017-2019  was  adopted  by  the  Government  Resolution  No.  846997.  It  includes  66 
measures  of  which  31  are  related  to  climate  adaptation.  An  updated  Action  Plan  with 
measures for was adopted by the Government Resolution No. 147 in 2018998. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

Municipalities,  together  with  relevant  national-level  ministries,  are  responsible  for  the 
implementation of the Strategy for National Climate Change Management Policy, as well as 
certain  measures  of  the  Action  Plan.  Independent  activities  have  so  far  been  limited  to 
vulnerability  studies  in  the  municipalities  of  Panevezys  district,  and  Klaipeda  city.  In 
Klaipeda, the study was conducted through the EU-funded project ASTRA999. Flood risk has 
received  the  most  attention  at  the  sub-national  level,  so  the  EU-funded  adaptation  projects 
focus  on  coastal  management  and  flood  risks.  The  counties  of  Klaipeda  and  Taurage  have 
adopted programmes to prepare for and mitigate flood1000 impacts. No adaptation strategies or 
plans  have  been  prepared  under  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  initiative  by  the  Lithuanian 
municipalities 1001.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

Adaptation  measures  at  sector 
in  specific-sector  development 
level  are  embedded 
programmes,  such  as  those  that  aim  to  promote  sustainable  farming  (National  Rural 
Development  Programme  2014-20201002),  and  public 
transport  (National  Transport 
Development Programme 2014-20221003). There are also other initiatives, such as the National 
Public  Health  and  Heat  Prevention  Action  Plan  for  2016-20201004.  In  2015,  a  study  was 
conducted  on  sector-specific  climate  vulnerabilities  and  related  risk  assessments1005.  The 
following  priority  sectors  have  been  identified:  energy,  transport,  industry,  agriculture, 
landscape,  spatial  planning,  ecosystems  and  biodiversity,  fisheries  and  aquaculture  sector, 
forestry, tourism, groundwater resources, and waste management.  

997 Lithuanian Parliament Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://e-
seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/bfb5d0406b5311e6a421ea2bde782b94, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
998 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/76fe2cf0122111e88456d055fb6f6244, 
Date accessed: 14/05/2018 
999 Project website: http://www.astra-project.org/02_lithunia.html, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1000 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.3B87E3056C10/TAIS_237899, 
Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1001 Covenant of Mayors initiative, URL: https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/plans-and-actions/action-plans.html, 
Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1002 Ministry of Agriculture, URL: https://zum.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/lietuvos-kaimo-pletros-2014-2020-m-
programa, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1003 Ministry of Transport and Communications, URL: https://sumin.lrv.lt/lt/administracine-
informacija/nacionaline-susisiekimo-pletros-2014-2022-metu-programa, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1004 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/78ffb580a97511e5be7fbe3f919a1ebe, 
Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1005Ministry of Environment, URL: 
http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/Klimato%20kaita_galutine%20ataskaita_2015_08_31.pdf, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 

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SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

Coordination structure  

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The  Lithuanian  Ministry  of  Environment  (MoE)1006  is  the  main  coordinating  institution 
responsible  for:  the  development  and  implementation  of  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation 
policy,  for  transposing  EU  climate  policy  into  national  legislation,  and  advising  for  other 
institutions on integrating climate policy objectives and concerns into sectors that are not the 
MoE’s responsibility.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The National Climate Change Committee (hereafter “the Committee”) is tasked to coordinate 
the development and implementation of the national climate policy1007. Representatives of the 
following ministries are involved in the Committee’s work: Ministry of Environment (chair), 
Ministry  of  Energy,  Ministry  of  Finance,  Ministry  of  Transport  and  Communications, 
Ministry  of  Education  and  Science,  Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Ministry  of  Economy, 
Ministry of Agriculture and the Chancellery of the Government of Lithuania. Thus, most of 
the relevant  sectors  are  covered by the Committee with  the Ministry  of  Health and the  Fire 
and Rescue Department being exceptions.  

According  to  the  Decree  of  the  Minister  of  Environment  No.  178  of  30  March  2001,  the 
Committee: coordinates the implementation of the Strategy for National Climate Management 
Policy and its Action Plan; coordinates the development of new strategies, action plans, and 
legal  initiatives;  provides  recommendations  regarding  investment  priorities;  coordinates 
preparation  of  climate  policy  related  reports;  and  performs  other  coordination  tasks.  The 
Decree  also  provides  procedural  guidance  on  the  functioning  and  decision  making  of  the 
Committee. Usually there are two annual meetings of the Committee organised by the MoE.  

The  MoE  is  responsible  for  overall  coordination  of  the  implementation  of  the  Action  Plan. 
However,  certain  activities  of  the  Action  Plan  are  assigned  to  other  ministries,  such  as  the 
Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Economy.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

1006 See at: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/12866  
1007 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/12866, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

416 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  National  Climate  Change  Committee  is  tasked  with  coordinating  the  development  and 
implementation of the national climate policy.1008 According to the Decree of the Minister of 
Environment  No.  178  of  30  March  2001,  the  Committee  includes  a  representative  of  the 
Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) 
and the science community1009.  

The Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania also coordinates activities in the framework 
of the Covenant of Mayors, ensuring cooperation and knowledge exchange of municipalities 
and national institutions.  

Certain  activities  of  the  Action  Plan  are  expected  to  be  implemented  by  municipalities, 
including  adaptation-related  actions.  The  MoE  coordinates  implementation  of  the  Action 
Plan.  

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

A  dedicated  process  has  been  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation  of  the  adaptation  policies.  Firstly,  stakeholders  and  any  interested  parties  have 
possibilities to review and provide comments and proposals regarding the draft legal acts as 
they are made publicly available during their preparation as part of the legislative process.  

Secondly,  and  more  specifically  to  adaptation,  the  National  Climate  Change  Committee 
consists of experts from the government, municipalities, research institutions and NGOs, all 
contributing to climate policy making, including the development of the adaptation strategy.  

For developing sectoral programmes (e.g. for public health, agriculture, biodiversity, coastal 
management,  river  basin  management),  targeted  working  groups  involving  relevant 
stakeholders were created. These working groups usually play an important role in selecting 
specific  measures  or  setting  monitoring  indicators.  For  example,  the  inter-institutional 
working  group for heatwave prevention is  set  up by the Order No V-725 of the Minister of 
Health, adopted on 6 June 20161010. At the moment, these groups gather according to the need 
and they deal with mitigation and adaptation issues in separate sectors.1011  

1008 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Engaging stakeholders - Governance', Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1009 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/12866, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1010 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-
tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/2f2e3aa0344711e69cf5d89a5fdd27cc/BBKjhkxsNI, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 
1011 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania,  under 
'Engaging stakeholders - Governance', Date accessed: 07/05/2018  

417 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The  Strategy  for  National  Climate  Management  Policy  and  the  Action  Plan  do  not  contain 
specific  actions  to  initiate  or  support  transboundary  cooperation  with  relevant  countries  in 
addressing common challenges.  

However,  several  adaptation-related  activities  are  being  implemented  in  cooperation  with 
neighbouring countries. The transboundary cooperation in flood risk management is organised 
within  the  framework  of  existing  intergovernmental  agreements  between  Lithuania,  Latvia 
and  Poland  to  cooperate  and  exchange  information  and  data  in  environmental  fields.  The 
transboundary  cooperation  is  also  ensured  through  implementation  of  the  four  river  basin 
management plans.1012  

Lithuania  has  taken  part  in  several  transboundary  projects,  including  ASTRA,  Baltadapt, 
BaltCICA, BalticClimate, Baltclim, RADOST1013. Lithuania has been active within the Baltic 
Sea  Region  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Strategy  and  Action  Plan.  In  these  projects,  local 
adaptation  options  are  analysed  and  elaborated1014.  In  addition,  Lithuania  takes  part  in  the 
implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region by participating in the Climate 
Change Dialogue Platform (EUSBSR, 2009) 1015.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Lithuanian  Hydro-meteorological  Service  (LHMS)  under  the  MoE  is  responsible  for 
meteorological  (including  agrometeorological,  aeronautical  and  marine)  and  hydrological 
observations and forecasts. The website of LHMS1016 contains information on climate change. 
In  addition,  it  provides  records  on  extreme  events,  related  to  temperature,  rain  fall,  wind 

1012 See more information about Lithuania’s RBMPs at: 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/participation/map_mc/countries/lithuania_en.htm, Date accessed: 
07/05/2018 
1013 Project websites, URL: http://www.astra-project.org/; http://www.baltadapt.eu/; http://www.baltcica.org/; 
http://www.balticclimate.org/en/project; http://www.bef-de.org/index.php?id=52; http://www.klimzug-
radost.de/en, Date accessed: 07/05/2018   
1014 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Engaging stakeholders - Governance', Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1015 EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, URL: http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/, www.balticsea-
region-strategy.eu/9th-annual-forum, Date accessed: 14/05/2018  
1016 Lithuanian Hydro-meteorological Service, URL: http://www.meteo.lt/en/web/guest/climate-
change?inheritRedirect=true and http://www.meteo.lt/en/web/guest/extreme-phenomena, Date accessed: 
07/05/2018   

418 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
speed,  and  snow  fall.  Moreover,  LHMS  provides  warnings  on  dangerous  and  catastrophic 
hydro-meteorological phenomena, sudden weather changes, ozone layer depletion, etc. 

Measures  improving  the  observation  of  climate  and  ensuring  the  implementation  of  the 
Strategy  for  National  Climate  Management  Policy,  are  being  implemented.  This  includes, 
among  others, 
the  LHMS  observation  network,  renewing 
measurement  equipment  of  the  automatic  agro-meteorological  stations  network  and  solar 
ultraviolet radiation, and developing satellite climatology1017.  

increasing  capacities  of 

Meteorological  data  is  collected  only  from  meteorological  stations.  Sometimes  there  is 
information  about  damage  from  extreme  meteorological  phenomena  near  meteorological 
stations, but it is only a visual recording of damage. There is no systematic information about 
impacts, such as loss and damage figures and numbers of people affected. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate projections for the 21st century are based on outputs from numerical climate models. 
Vilnius  University produces climate projections by  downscaling output data from  COSMO-
CLM,  HadCM3,  and  ECHAM5  models.  Climate  change  scenarios  for  Lithuania  and  its 
regions were finalised in 20151018. They reflect potential future the greenhouse gas emissions 
caused  by  future  social-economic  development.  Two  greenhouse  gas  emissions  scenarios 
from  the  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  4th  Assessment  Report  were 
considered, A1B (a relatively high-emissions scenario) and B1 (a low-emissions scenario). 

The Lithuanian Hydro-meteorological Service prepared climate projections for Vilnius city in 
2013 using the A1B scenario1019. 

A  study  in  2015  on  'Laying  down  specific  sectors  vulnerability  to  climate  change  impacts, 
risk assessment and adaptation to climate change, effective adaptation and evaluation criteria' 
includes an analysis of Lithuanian climate change trends and projections based on the IPCC 
Representative  Concentration  Pathway  (RCP)  scenarios  from  its  5th  Assessment  Report. 
Geographical specifications are included in the scenarios and projections.1020 

1017 Lithuania’s 6th National Communication and Second Biennial Report under the UNFCCC, URL: 
http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/6_Nacionalinis_pranesimas_2014.pdf and 
https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/biennial_reports_and_iar/submitted_biennial_reports/application/pdf/fina
l_2nd_br_lt.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1018 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Assessments', Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1019 Lithuanian Hydro-meteorological Service, URL: 
http://www.meteo.lt/documents/20181/103901/klimato_kaita_vilnius_xxi_v2-Vup1Vlbw.pdf/2e285f17-8bfb-
4451-a865-f0c5e22ff42c?version=1.0, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1020 Ministry of Environment, 'Laying down specific sectors vulnerability to climate change impacts, risk 
assessment and adaptation to climate change, effective adaptation and evaluation criteria' URL: 
http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/Klimato%20kaita_galutine%20ataskaita_2015_08_31.pdf, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018  

419 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

In 2015, an assessment of individual sectors’ vulnerabilities, risks and opportunities to adapt 
to climate change was completed. It also identified the most efficient adaptation measures and 
indicators  for  evaluation.  The  study  focused  on  the  following  sectors:  spatial  planning, 
transport,  energy,  waste  management,  industry,  agriculture,  underground  water  resources, 
ecosystems and biodiversity, fisheries, forestry, tourism and others. The reports are available 
on  the  MoE  website.1021  For  each  sector  there  is  a  detailed  analysis  of  the  sensitivity, 
vulnerability and potential risk for the sector due to climate change, the impacts, experience in 
other European countries, adaptation options, and criteria for measuring the effectiveness of 
adaptation in the sector.  

A  national  risk  assessment  was  conducted  between  Autumn  2012  and  Spring  2013 
coordinated by the Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of Interior. It assessed all 
risks  in  Lithuania,  including  those  associated  with  climate  change.  An  updated  assessment 
was conducted in 20151022. 

In  2014,  a  climate  risk  and  vulnerability  assessment  was  undertaken  in  the  public  health 
sector. The study identified the risks posed to human health by climate change and proposed 
cost-efficient measures and indicators1023. 

By agreement with the MoE, the Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University carried out "The 
study  of  climate  change  impact  to  the  land  ecosystems,  biodiversity,  water  resources, 
agriculture  and  forestry  and  human  health  and  the  strategic  plan  for  the  mitigation  of 
consequences"  in  20071024.  This  study  is  still  one  of  the  most  important  studies,  which 
comprehensively  investigates  the  climate  impacts  on  ecosystems,  biodiversity,  water 
resources, agriculture and forestry and human health in Lithuania. 

Sub-national  level  vulnerability  studies  are  carried  out  in  most  cases  as  part  of  EU-funded 
projects, such as "ASTRA. Developing Policies and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change 
in  the  Baltic  Sea"  and  "BaltCICA.  Climate  Change:  Impacts,  Costs  and  Adaptation  in  the 
Baltic Sea Region".  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

1021 Ministry of Environment, 'Laying down specific sectors vulnerability to climate change impacts, risk 
assessment and adaptation to climate change, effective adaptation and evaluation criteria' URL: 
http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/Klimato%20kaita_galutine%20ataskaita_2015_08_31.pdf, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018  
1022 Fire and Rescue Department, URL: 
http://www.vpgt.lt/go.php/Nacionalin%C4%97%20rizikos%20analiz%C4%97611, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1023 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/Galutine%20ataskaita-
2014-09-17.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1024 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/12840, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  

420 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Transboundary risks are not explicitly included in the Strategy for National Climate Change 
Management Policy. As referred in  Indicator 2b, these risks are taken into account by some 
sectors, such as water and flood risk management.  

Climate  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  take  transboundary  risks  into  account  within  the 
framework  of  the  EU  Baltic  Sea  Region  Strategy,  with  horizontal  action  on  climate.  The 
Baltic  Sea  Region  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Strategy  and  Baltadapt  Action  Plan  were 
developed, which focus on sectors, such as food supply (including fisheries and agriculture), 
coastal infrastructure and coastal tourism.1025  

Lithuania  has  also  taken  part  in  several  transboundary  projects,  including  Astra,  Baltadapt, 
BaltCICA, BalticClimate, Baltclim, RADOST. Baltadapt (2010-2013) was a flagship project 
under  the  EU  Strategy  for  the  Baltic  Sea  Region,  developing  a  Baltic  Sea  Region-wide 
climate adaptation strategy and taking transboundary risks into account.  

4 

Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The Strategy for National Climate Management Policy does not identify specific knowledge 
gaps, even though the importance of a sound evidence base and knowledge on adaptation are 
emphasised. The Action Plan includes a number of measures related to climate research, such 
as studies on soil, forestry, agriculture and public health. No details are provided in the Action 
Plan  as  to  whether  these  studies  will  identify,  prioritise  and  address  knowledge  gaps.  The 
climate risk and vulnerability assessments mentioned in relation to Indicator 3c do not refer to 
specific knowledge gaps to be addressed in the future.  

Lithuania is now preparing an update of the strategy for the period 2021-2030 and beyond. An 
analysis  of  the  current  situation  and  a  SWOT  will  be  provided  to  identify,  prioritise  and 
address  the  knowledge  gaps.  For  identifying  and  addressing  knowledge  gaps  in  different 
sectors working groups are being installed. For example, a Heat prevention working group is 
established,  where  specialists  from  different  institutions  (national  and  local  authorities, 
universities,  institutes)  will  be  working  together  to  identify  adaptation  options  and  promote 
preparedness  to  heat  events.  A  working  group  for  National  risk  assessment  is  also  being 
established. 

Furthermore,  numerous  Lithuanian  universities  and  research  institutions  conduct  research 
relevant to climate adaptation. For example: 

  Vilnius  University  performs  research  on  temperature  observations  and  adaptation  of 

ecosystems 

  Vilnius  Gediminas  Technical  University  is  actively  involved  in  green  buildings 

initiatives 

1025 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Assessments - Impacts & Vulnerability assessments', Date accessed: 07/05/2018   

421 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Vytautas  Magnus  University  conducts  research  on  environmental  infrastructure 

projects.  

5 

Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Ensuring  systematic  gathering  and  dissemination  of  climate  change  information  to  various 
interest groups and the public is among the main objectives concerning adaptation defined in 
the Strategy for National Climate Management Policy.1026 A web-portal on climate mitigation 
and adaptation is to be developed in accordance with the Action Plan using the EU 2014-2020 
funds.  

Climate-related  information  is  available  on  the  website  of  the  MoE1027  and  the  websites  of 
other ministries, e.g. the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of 
Transport  and  Communications1028.  The  website  of  the  MoE  provides  information  on  the 
Strategy for National Climate Management Policy, studies and teaching material primarily on 
mitigation but also including limited information on adaptation.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  is  some  evidence  available  on  capacity  building  activities,  education  and  training 
materials  on  climate  change; mostly on materials  and  guidelines related to the transnational 
projects1029. Several awareness-raising materials, studies and guidelines are publicly available, 
such as guidance for the Lithuanian municipalities on climate mitigation and adaptation.  

The Action Plan’s annual  implementation  in  2017 provided details  on the capacity building 
activities that had been implemented1030. For example, 806 farmers were consulted on climate 
impacts  and  adaptation  during  2017,  which  was  significantly  more  than  expected  and 
reflected  their  high  interest  in  the  topic.  Fourteen  capacity  building  projects  were 
implemented targeting forestry specialists.  

1026 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Summary' and under 'Engaging stakeholders - Adaptation capacity, dissemination, education, training', Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 
1027 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#r/847, 
http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/12840, http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/12844, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1028 Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, URL: 
http://sumin.lrv.lt/, http://enmin.lrv.lt/, http://ukmin.lrv.lt/, Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1029 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Engaging stakeholders - Adaptation capacity, dissemination, education, training', Date accessed: 07/05/2018. 
1030 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/19247, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 

422 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  detailed  analysis  undertaken  in  2015  of  the  climate  sensitivities,  vulnerabilities  and 
potential risks for sectors identified adaptation options that address geographical specificities 
by building upon best practices from other European countries (see Indicator 3c). The study 
focused  on  the  following  sectors:  spatial  planning,  transport,  energy,  waste  management, 
industry,  agriculture,  underground  water  resources,  ecosystems  and  biodiversity,  fisheries, 
forestry, tourism and others.1031 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The  2015  study  described  in  relation  to  Indicators  3c  and  6a  provides  a  list  of  adaptation 
options,  as  well  as  performance  evaluation  criteria  per  sector.  However,  the  study  does  not 
provide any information on whether the options have been ranked based on these evaluation 
criteria and listed in priority order.1032 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress/ No 

Climate adaptation is a consistent part of the national civil protection system. The citizens are 
warned  and  informed  about  natural  disasters,  emergency  situations  and  possible  threats 
related to climate change through the public warning and information system. However, it is 
unclear how the Strategy  for National  Climate Management Policy and Action Plan include 
disaster  risk  management  measures,  and  how  climate  impacts  are  integrated  in  disaster  risk 
reduction planning. It is also unclear if the disaster risk reduction and adaptation policies are 
coordinated through institutional frameworks to ensure coherence between the policies, as the 
Fire and Rescue Department and the Ministry of Interior are not part of the National Climate 
Change Committee.  

1031 Ministry of Environment, 2015 study 'Laying down specific sectors vulnerability to climate change impacts, 
risk assessment and adaptation to climate change, effective adaptation and evaluation criteria' URL: 
http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/Klimato%20kaita_galutine%20ataskaita_2015_08_31.pdf, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018  
1032 Ministry of Environment, 'Laying down specific sectors vulnerability to climate change impacts, risk 
assessment and adaptation to climate change, effective adaptation and evaluation criteria' URL: 
http://www.am.lt/VI/files/File/Klimato%20kaita/Klimato%20kaita_galutine%20ataskaita_2015_08_31.pdf, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 

423 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
7 

Identifying and making resources available  

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The implementation of the Strategy for National Climate Management Policy is funded from 
the  state  budget  of  the  Republic  of  Lithuania,  municipal  budgets,  EU  and  international 
organisations  and  other  sources.  The  2016  Action  Plan  for  2017-2019  and  updated  2018 
Action  Plan  for  2018-2020  establish  measures  ensuring  the  implementation  of  goals  and 
objectives  set  by  the  Strategy  for  National  Climate  Management  Policy.  The  Action  Plan 
indicates what financial resources are dedicated to the measures and identifies the institutions 
responsible  for  implementing  them.  A  dedicated  budget  is  indicated  for  several  sectors, 
including:  transport,  agriculture,  waste,  industry,  public  health,  water  resources,  forestry, 
ecosystems, biodiversity, landscape.1033 As noted in relation to Indicator 5b, capacity-building 
activities are also supported. The annual reports of the MoE provide in-depth information on 
the disbursed funds and the achievement of specific objectives and indicators1034.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The  Law  on  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  of  the  Proposed  Economic  Activity 
transposing requirements of EIA Directive 2014/52/EU was adopted on 27 June 20171035. The 
new  law  requires  the  competent  authority  to  consider  the  climate  impact  when  selecting 
projects to be subject to EIA (Article 7.5.1). However, no further details are provided in the 
law. The Minister of Environment issued two decrees in October 2017 setting procedures for 
project selection (No. D1-845)1036 and impact assessment (No. D1-885)1037. Both documents 
require climate impacts on a project to be assessed. Decree No. D1-885 provides more details 
on the assessment. The projects are to be assessed with regard to:  

  Potential heatwaves and their impact on human health, agriculture, forestry, etc. 

  Droughts and water sector impacts 

1033 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Policy & Legal Framework', Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1034 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/article.php3?article_id=19247, Date accessed: 
07/05/2018 
1035 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/d55bc650617c11e7b85cfdc787069b42, 
Date accessed: 08/05/2018  
1036 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/f26fcf10b30d11e7be72a4385c9bc055, 
Date accessed: 08/05/2018 
1037 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/81ad5250be4511e79122ea2db7aeb5f0, 
Date accessed: 08/05/2018  

424 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Extreme precipitation and floods 

  Strong winds and storms 

  Landslides 

  Changes of sea levels, cold spells and others.  

The decree requires a vulnerability assessment and analysis of adaptation options, as well as a 
disaster risk assessment.  

The  Lithuanian  Government  Decree  No.  967  (2004)  on  the  procedures  for  Strategic 
Environmental  Assessment  (SEA)  includes  climate  impact  in  the  list  of  the  environmental 
impacts to be assessed1038. However, no further details are provided.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

A  national  risk  assessment  was  coordinated  by  the  Fire  and  Rescue  Department  under  the 
Ministry  of  Interior  in  2012-2013.  This  assessment  evaluates  all  threats  in  Lithuania, 
including those caused by climate change. It was updated in 20151039. It is, however, unclear 
how the disaster risk management plans currently incorporate future climate projections. The 
MoE is planning on updating the national risk assessment, and disaster risk management plans 
will be updated in line with the results of climate projections for Lithuania. These projections, 
addressing  four  RCP  scenarios,  were  produced  by  the  Hydrology  and  Climatology 
Department of Vilnius University in 2013-2015.  

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

There  is  some  indication  that  land  use  and  spatial  and  urban  policies.  Work  on  the 
comprehensive  national  plan,  setting  out  mandatory  provisions  on  the  requirements  for  the 
spatial  structure  and  use  of  the  territory  and  principles  of  protection,  including  climate 
impacts, was started in 20181040. No Lithuanian maritime spatial plan has yet been developed 
in accordance with Directive 2014/89/EU; the deadline is 31 March 2021.  

In  addition,  there  are  other  initiatives  and  guidelines  being  developed  for  the  construction 
sector and infrastructure, which incorporate sustainable development of urban areas, such as: 

1038 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/TAR.0F35D6D2E316/PIywwvkmkF, 
Date accessed: 08/05/2018 
1039 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 'Sectors & Actions' and under 
'Assessments - Impacts and vulnerability assessments'; Documents national risk assessment: 
http://www.vpgt.lt/go.php/Nacionalin%C4%97%20rizikos%20analiz%C4%97611 
1040 Personal communication with MS contact.  

425 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Guidelines for the expansion and development of the Lithuanian construction sector in 
2015-2020, approved by the Minister of Environment (Order No D1-817, 2015), and  

  A concept for the draft Infrastructure Development Law to be coordinated with public 

and municipal institutions and relevant non-state actors1041. 

However,  climate  adaptation  is  barely  mentioned  in  these  documents;  the  focus  is  on 
mitigation measures.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Strategy  for  National  Climate  Management  Policy  refers  to  mainstreaming  of  climate 
adaptation  objectives  and  measures  in  the  country’s  economic  sectors  that  are  most  climate 
sensitive.  The  Strategy  lists  specific  adaptation  measures  to  be  implemented  in  agriculture, 
forestry, water management, energy, transport, industry and public health by 2020.  

The Strategy promotes the implementation  of economic measures, including tax relief, state 
aid  measures  and  other  instruments  to  achieve  short-term  climate  adaptation  goals  and 
objectives, as well as preparing a legal framework for regulations in the transport and energy 
sectors and spatial planning.1042 

The Strategy also sets special indicative medium-term (by 2030 and 2040) and long-term (by 
2050)  climate  adaptation  goals  that  include  continuous  monitoring  and  survey  of  the  most 
vulnerable economic sectors, such as agriculture, and ensuring their resilience. The measures 
for  attaining  these  goals  and  objectives  have  been  planned  during  the  development  of  the 
Action  Plans  taking  into  account  the  developments  at  the  EU  and  international  policy 
level.1043 

The latest Action Plan includes measures that ensure the implementation of cross-sectoral and 
short-term climate adaptation goals and objectives. These measures mainly focus on reducing 
negative climate impacts on different sectors, on improving the sustainability of sectors and 
on improving management systems. For example, the Ministry of Health is tasked to educate 
doctors  and  other  health  sector  employees  on  climate  impacts,  health  risks  and  adaptation 
measures. The Ministry of Agriculture is tasked to implement climate adaptation measures in 
the forestry sector.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

1041 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://e-
seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAP/22bc4db2c1a811e48799bc57840226ce and https://www.e-
tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/4a443e3087a811e5b7eba10a9b5a9c5f, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1042 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/en/VI/index.php#a/717, Date accessed: 08/05/2018  
1043 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Engaging stakeholders - Governance' and 'Sectors & Actions', Date accessed: 08/05/2018 

426 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
There are some plans to mainstream adaptation into insurance or alternative instruments. For 
example, the Action Plan (2017-2019) includes activities related to crop and animal insurance 
compensation1044.  

The  Strategy  for  National  Climate  Management  Policy  (Objective  148.2)  specifically 
identifies the need to develop risk and crisis management instruments to respond to economic 
effects of climate impacts, taking into account: flood risk maps, flood risk management plans 
and  early  warning  systems,  emergency  management  plan,  insurance  and  compensation 
mechanisms for damage to agriculture caused by natural disasters. There is no evidence that 
insurance schemes are available that incentivise adaptation. 

9 

Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  already  being  implemented,  as  defined  in  the  Action 
Plans or sectoral policy documents, such as the heat prevention action plan for 2016-20201045. 
For example: 

  Upgraded mechanisms of support for agrarian environmental programmes 

  Measures for afforestation of unproductive land with a view to increasing forest cover 

by 3–5 %1046, and 

  Measures to promote the planting of buffer strips in agricultural areas with a view to 

reducing water and wind erosion, and to retain water resources in the soil. 

The annual 2017 implementation report of the Action Plan provides details on the measures 
implemented  in  20171047.  For  example,  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  reported  the  number  of 
studies  conducted  on  agricultural  plant  species  that  can  adapt  to  climate  change,  and  the 
number of farmers consulted on climate adaptation. However, no details are available on the 
MoE  website  of  adaptation-related  actions  implemented  by  other  ministries  and  agencies  in 
the framework of their own sectoral development plans (e.g. the heat prevention action plan 
for  2016-20201048)  where  the  actions  are  not  integral  to  the  Action  Plan.  Nevertheless,  the 
website of the Health Education and Disease Prevention Centre provides some information on 
the  implementation  of  several  measures  in  the  heat  prevention  action  plan,  such  as  the 
development  of  guidelines  on  health  protection  in  cases  of  extreme  heat  and  workshops 

1044 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://e-
seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/bfb5d0406b5311e6a421ea2bde782b94, Date accessed: 08/05/2018 
1045 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/78ffb580a97511e5be7fbe3f919a1ebe, 
Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1046 Convention on Biological Diversity, URL: https://www.cbd.int/financial/doc/id226-Lithuania-integration-
en.pdf, Date accessed: 08/05/2018  
1047 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/19247, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1048 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/78ffb580a97511e5be7fbe3f919a1ebe, 
Date accessed: 07/05/2018  

427 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
conducted  on  climate  change  and  health  threats1049.  The  MoE  has  an  ongoing  project  to 
develop web pages containing comprehensive climate change related information. 

At  the  sub-national  level,  climate  adaptation-related  activities  have  happened  as  a  result  of 
EU-funded transboundary projects, such as ASTRA, BaltCICA, BalticClimate and BaltAdapt.  

While adaptation measures are being implemented, it does not appear that they are yet being 
undertaken in all key sectors. 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The National Climate Change Committee is tasked with coordinating implementation of the 
national climate policy. It includes a representative of the Association of Local Authorities in 
Lithuania. The Committee usually has two annual meetings to discuss climate policy issues.  

The Action Plans include a few adaptation measures which are expected to be implemented 
by relevant ministries in cooperation with municipalities, such as the implementation of flood 
risk  management  projects.  The  Action  Plan  obliges  ministries  to  ensure  close  inter-
institutional  cooperation  during  the  development  and  implementation  of  the  sectoral  action 
plans  and  programmes.1050  However,  no  projects  related  to  flood  risk  management  were 
implemented  in  2017  due  to  a  lack  of  funding1051.  It  is,  therefore,  difficult  to  judge  the 
effectiveness of this cooperation mechanism for catalysing implementation.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The  Strategy  for  National  Climate  Management  Policy  provides  some  goals  and  objectives 
related  to  assessing  climate  impacts,  including  the  need  to  ensure  that  development  of 
engineering infrastructure takes account of projected climate impacts1052.  

Projects  which  are  subject  to  EIA  are  to  be  assessed  from  an  adaptation  perspective.  The 
Minister of Environment  Decree No. D1-885 of 31 October 2017 setting  procedures  for the 
impact assessment requires a vulnerability assessment and analysis of adaptation options, as 
well as disaster risk assessment1053. Recommendations for the use of innovative technologies 
in  spatial  planning  and  construction  are  prepared  by  the  MoE.  Application  of  climate 

1049 Health Education and Disease Prevention Centre: 
http://www.smlpc.lt/lt/aplinkos_sveikata/klimatas_ir_sveikata/, Date accessed: 30/05/2018 
1050 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://e-
seimas.lrs.lt/portal/legalAct/lt/TAD/bfb5d0406b5311e6a421ea2bde782b94, Date accessed: 08/05/2018 
1051 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/article.php3?article_id=19247#r/640, Date accessed: 
08/05/2018  
1052 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/12869, Date accessed: 08/05/2018  
1053 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/81ad5250be4511e79122ea2db7aeb5f0, 
Date accessed: 08/05/2018  

428 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
modelling  will  become  obligatory  for  newly  built  large  public  infrastructure  constructions 
from  1  July  20221054.  However,  the  guidelines  for  the  expansion  and  development  of  the 
Lithuanian construction sector in 2015-2020, for example, do not directly refer to the risks of 
climate change or the need to climate proof major projects or programmes1055. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

Lithuanian  non-governmental  and  academic  institutions  are  quite  active  in  various  regional 
climate  adaptation  projects,  providing  analysis  and  elaboration  of  adaptation  options  to  be 
applied at local level. While the 2017 implementation report does not provide enough details 
to judge if processes are in place for ensuring stakeholder involvement in the implementation 
of adaptation policies and measures1056, the Member State contact has advised1057 that: 

  Academic institutions are involved in the National Climate Change Committee 
  New  guidelines  for  municipalities  on  preparing  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation 

plans were developed by the Association of Local Authorities  

  Relevant  stakeholders  are  involved  when  working  groups  and  task  forces  are 

established. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  MoE  reports  on  the  implementation  of  the  Action  Plan  annually1058.  The  latest  report 
available  on  the  website  of  the  MoE  is  for  the  year  20171059.  The  report  contains  two  files 
(MS Word and MS Excel). The first file provides detailed information on the achievement of 
quantitative assessment criteria per activity. The second file provides financial details for each 
individual activity.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

1054 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1055 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/4a443e3087a811e5b7eba10a9b5a9c5f, 
Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1056 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/19247, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1057 Personal communication with MS contact. 
1058 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/article.php3?article_id=19247#r/640, Date accessed: 
08/05/2018 
1059 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/19247, Date accessed: 08/05/2018 

429 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Sectoral climate adaptation policies and measures included in the Action Plan are monitored 
annually,  as  explained  in  relation  to  Indicator  10a1060.  The  annual  report  compiled  by  the 
MoE, the institution  responsible for implementation of climate policy in  Lithuania, contains 
two  documents.  The  first  document  provides  detailed  information  on  the  achievement  of 
quantitative  assessment  criteria  per  activity.  The  second  document  provides  details  on  the 
financial  performance  for  each  individual  activity.  The  list  of  individual  activities  includes 
measures  implemented  by  the  MoE  as  well  as  sectoral  measures  implemented  by  other 
ministries. However, as noted in relation to Indicator 9a, no details are available on the MoE 
website  on  adaptation-related  actions  implemented  by  other  ministries  and  agencies  if  these 
actions  are  not  part  of  the  climate  Action  Plan,  although  such  information  may  be  reported 
and  disseminated  elsewhere,  e.g.  the  Health  Education  and  Disease  Prevention  Centre’s 
provision  of  information  on  implementation  of  the  heat  prevention  action  plan  on  its 
website1061.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Measures included in the Action Plan implemented by municipalities are monitored annually. 
They are included in the annual report of the MoE (see Indicator 10a). Municipal institutions 
provide the MoE with information by submitting annual activity reports, which are integrated 
in the annual report posted on the MoE website1062. These institutions also report on planned 
measures that could be included in the next Action Plan.1063 

11 

Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  outcomes  of  the  monitoring,  reporting  and  evaluation  system  feed  into  further 
development  of  the  Action  Plans  and  update  of  the  Strategy  for  National  Climate 
Management  Policy.  The  Strategy  does  not  refer  to  any  timing  for  its  revision  or  update. 
However,  initial  work  on  reviewing  the  Strategy  and  setting  up  legally  binding  climate 
mitigation  and  adaption  objectives  for  the  period  of  2021-2030  has  started  in  2018.  It  will 
include indicative mid–term measures and a long-term outlook beyond 20501064. The Action 
Plan is  updated regularly  with the latest  update  adopted in  20181065.  In  accordance with  the 

1060 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Assessments', Date accessed: 08/05/2018 
1061 Health Education and Disease Prevention Centre: 
http://www.smlpc.lt/lt/aplinkos_sveikata/klimatas_ir_sveikata/, Date accessed: 30/05/2018 
1062 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/19247, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1063 Climate ADAPT, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/lithuania, under 
'Assessments', Date accessed: 10/05/2018  
1064 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1065 Registry of Legal Acts, URL: https://www.e-tar.lt/portal/lt/legalAct/76fe2cf0122111e88456d055fb6f6244, 
Date accessed: 14/05/2018  

430 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
MoE 2018 Activity Plan, public procurement of services related to the update of the Strategy 
is planned for the 4th quarter of 20181066.   

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

The  National  Climate  Change  Committee  is  an  advisory  body  providing  comments  and 
proposals for updating the Strategy and its Action Plan. Other stakeholders can be involved in 
the assessment, evaluation and review of national  adaptation  policy by  providing comments 
on  any  proposed  changes  to  the  Strategy  via  the  Draft  Legal  Acts  information  system  and 
participating in hearings and workshops1067.   

1066 Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.am.lt/VI/index.php#a/19248, Date accessed: 30/05/2018 
1067 Personal communication with MS contact.  

431 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in  charge  of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist 
within 
the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities 

Yes/ In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes/ In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary  cooperation 
is  planned 
common challenges with relevant countries 

to  address 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor  climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

the 
Scenarios  and  projections  are  used 
economic,  social  and  environmental  impacts  of  climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best  available  science  (e.g.  in  response  to  revised  IPCC 
assessments) 

to  assess 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable  sectors  are  undertaken  to  support  adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate 
assessments 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

risks/vulnerability 

take 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

432 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is  available  to 
all  stakeholders,  including  policy  makers  (e.g.  through  a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity  building  activities  take  place;  education  and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c,  the  geographical  specificities  identified  in  3b  and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation,  etc.)  and  consistent  with  existing  decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  disaster  risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress/ No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been 
included  in  the  national  frameworks  for  environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness 
in  place  under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

strategies 

Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and 
maritime  spatial  planning  policies  take  into  account  the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

8d 

National  policy 

instruments  promote  adaptation  at 

Yes / In 

433 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Met? 
progress / No 

Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  implemented,  e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation  mechanisms  in  place  to  foster  and  support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the 
potential  impact  of  climate  change  on  major  projects  or 
programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The  integration  of  climate  change  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

434 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 
Luxembourg 

Table of contents  

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 436 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 437 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 437 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 437 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at sub-national levels .............................................. 437 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 438 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 438 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 438 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 438 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 439 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 439 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 439 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 440 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 441 

3  Current and projected climate change .................................................................... 441 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 443 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 443 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 444 

6  Adaptation options’ identification .......................................................................... 444 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 445 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 445 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 445 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 446 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 447 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 447 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 448 

Summary Table ..................................................................................................................... 449 

435 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

BENELUX 

Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg 

CIM 

CIPMS 

CLiSys  

ICPR  

LIST 

NAS 

Commission Internationale de la Meuse  

Commissions Internationales pour la Protection de la Moselle et de 
la Sarre  

Climate Data Management System  

International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine 

Luxembourg Institute for Science and Technology 

National Adaptation Strategy 

UNFCCC  

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  

436 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Luxembourg's  Council  of  Ministers  adopted  a  "National  Adaptation  Strategy  on  Climate 
Change"1068 (NAS) in June 2011, prioritising four sectors: biodiversity, water, agriculture and 
forestry.  

Luxembourg's  NAS  is  not  a  free-standing  document.  Strategic  considerations  on  adaptation 
are included as a section of the 2011 "Paquet Climat" (which lists 35 priority measures)1069. 
The  section  on  adaptation,  the  NAS,  defines  adaptation  priorities  in  the  four  key  areas 
mentioned  above,  but  practical  suggestions  for  implementing  adaptation-related  activities, 
sources of funding, attribution of responsibility for implementation and other key elements of 
a NAS are missing.  

The  2011  NAS  is  currently  being  revised  and  extended,  with  an  update  expected  to  be 
published by the end of 2018 (as per Luxembourg’s 7th Communication to the UNFCCC1070). 
Luxembourg's  Council  of  Ministers  agreed  a  draft  strategy  on  adaptation  to  the  effects  of 
climate  change  for  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Luxembourg  in  April  20181071,  which  will  now  be 
subject to stakeholder consultation1072. The updated NAS is expected to tackle several topics, 
particularly related to precipitation and water bodies, such as drinking water and agriculture. 
The NAS is expected to be finalised by the end of 2018. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at sub-national levels 

Given the small size and the nature of the administrative organisation of the country, climate 
adaptation policy is entirely driven at national level. There is no self-governing sub-national 
level  in  Luxembourg.  While  there  is  currently  no  mechanism  for  coordinating  action  on 
climate adaptation, municipalities (or communes in French) are involved in climate mitigation 
policy through a Climate Pact between the State and the communes, which entered into force 
in  January  20131073.  All  102  communes  of  Luxembourg  are  engaged  under  the  Pact.  Under 

1068 Europaforum, 2011, Claude Wiseler et Marco Schank ont présenté le "paquet climat" luxembourgeois qui 
doit permettre d’atteindre l’objectif européen de réduction de 20 % des émissions de CO2 d’ici 2020, URL: 
http://www.europaforum.public.lu/fr/actualites/2011/05/partenariat-paquet-climat/index.html Date accessed: 
May 2018 
1069 Europaforum, 2011, Claude Wiseler et Marco Schank ont présenté le "paquet climat" luxembourgeois, qui 
doit permettre d’atteindre l’objectif européen de réduction de 20 % des émissions de CO2 d’ici 2020, URL: 
http://www.europaforum.public.lu/fr/actualites/2011/05/partenariat-paquet-climat/index.html Date accessed: 
May 2018 
1070 The Government of Luxembourg: Environment, 2018, Protection du climat. URL: 
http://environnement.public.lu/fr/klima-an-energie/changement-climatique.html Date accessed: May 2018 
1071 Gouvernement du Grand-Duché du Luxembourg, 2018, https://gouvernement.lu/fr/gouvernement/pierre-
gramegna/actualites.gouvernement%2Bfr%2Bactualites%2Btoutes_actualites%2Bcommuniques%2B2018%2B0
4-avril%2B20-conseil-gouvernement.html Date accessed: May 2018 
1072 Personal communication with MS contact - http://environnement.public.lu/fr/actualites/2018/juin-
2018/effets_changement_climatique.html Date accessed: May 2018 
1073 Ministère du Développement durable et des Infrastructures, undated, Pacte Climat, URL: 
http://www.pacteclimat.lu/fr Date accessed: May 2018 

437 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
this  Pact,  the  national  level  can  financially  support  communes  to  implement  mitigation  and 
energy efficiency measures. The Pact provides an appropriate platform for future engagement 
of the communes on climate adaptation.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

In Luxembourg, a specific national adaptation plan (NAP) has not been adopted. However, in 
May  2013,  the  Government  adopted  the  second  Climate  Action  Plan1074,  which  focuses  on 
mitigation  measures,  and  refers  to  the  2011  NAS.  The  third  Climate  Action  Plan  is  under 
development and, according to Luxembourg’s 7th National Communication to the UNFCCC, 
is foreseen to be adopted in 20181075. Section 2.7 (page 34) of the second Climate Action Plan 
document refers to developing an adaptation strategy. However, it has a rather narrow scope, 
mentioning land use, and agroforestry measures and optimising carbon storage in forests and 
agricultural  soils1076.  The  aim  for  the  third  national  Climate  Action  Plan  is  for  it  to  be  a 
strategic document, presenting Luxembourg’s strategy until 2030 and beyond. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

As the national adaptation policy process is at a relatively early phase of formulation, no sub-
national  adaptation  plans  have  yet  been  formulated.  This  is  in  line  with  the  fact  that  the 
subnational level is not relevant for Luxembourg, except for the communes.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

There are limited adaptation actions embedded in  sectoral  strategies and  action plans. River 
basin  and  flood  risk  management  plans  contain  adaptation  actions  mostly  related  to  flood 
prevention  and  management.  Luxembourg  participated  in  the  elaboration  of  the  Adaptation 
Strategy  for  the  Rhine  Basin1077  by  the  International  Commission  for  the  Protection  of  the 
Rhine, which was adopted in 2015. There have also been efforts by Luxembourg to develop 
adaptation strategies for spatial planning1078. Furthermore, Luxembourg has in place a sectoral 

1074 Ministère du Développement durable et des Infrastructures, 2013, 2. Nationaler Aktionsplan Klimaschutz, 
URL: http://www.developpement-durable-
infrastructures.public.lu/fr/actualites/articles/2013/05/presentation_plan_action_climat/2_Nationaler-
Aktionsplan-Klimaschutz.pdf Date accessed: May 2018 
1075 Gouvernement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, 2014, Programme gouvernemental, URL: 
http://environnement.public.lu/fr/klima-an-energie/changement-climatique.html Date accessed: May 2018 
1076 Ministère du Développement durable et des Infrastructures, 2013, 2. Nationaler Aktionsplan Klimaschutz, 
URL: http://www.developpement-durable-
infrastructures.public.lu/fr/actualites/articles/2013/05/presentation_plan_action_climat/2_Nationaler-
Aktionsplan-Klimaschutz.pdf Date accessed: May 2018 
1077 ICPDR, 2015, The Danube River Basin District Management Plan, URL: 
https://www.icpdr.org/main/management-plans-danube-river-basin-published Date accessed: May 2018 
1078 ESPON, 2012, Adaptation to climate change: strategies for spatial planning in Luxembourg, URL: 
http://www.espon-usespon.eu/library,adaptation-to-climate-change-strategies-for-the-spatial-planning-in-
luxembourg-c-change-changing-climate-changing-lives-2012 Date accessed: May 2018 

438 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
strategy for international development, which  includes strong support for climate adaptation 
efforts1079.  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In Luxembourg, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures, (Ministère du 
Développement  durable  et  des  Infrastructures)1080  and  within  it,  the  Department  of  the 
Environment,  is  in  charge  of  adaptation  policy-making.  In  relation  to  climate  change 
specifically,  the  Department  of  the  Environment  is  responsible  for  coordinating  climate 
change action, following international  negotiations,  managing the Climate and Energy Fund 
(Fonds  climat  et  énergie),  managing  the  ‘Pacte  Climat’,  and,  adapting  to  climate  change 
within the context of managing flood risk. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  is  no  formal  intersectoral  or  inter-ministerial  committee  currently  in  place  for 
coordination  of  adaptation  policy.  Systematic  coordination, 
the 
implementation phase of the NAS, is not yet established. However, coordination meetings and 
inter-ministerial  consultations  are  held  to  develop  the  new  NAS.  As  the  NAS  will  define 
measures to be implemented for each sector, different relevant ministries will be indicated as 
responsible for these sectors.  

including  during 

In accordance with Luxembourg’s 7th National Communication to the UNFCCC (published in 
February  2018),  the  sectors  covered  by  the  NAS  are:  construction  and  housing1081,  energy, 
forestry, infrastructure, disaster management, land planning, agriculture (including plant and 
cattle condition), human health, ecosystems and biodiversity, tourism, urban space, water use 
and water resources management, and economic activities.  

1079 The Luxembourg Government: Directorate of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, 2014, 
Environnement et changement climatique, URL: https://cooperation.gouvernement.lu/en/publications/brochure-
livre/minist-affaires-etrangeres-europeennes/dir-cooperation-action-humanitaire/strategies-et-
orientation/strategie-environnement-et-changement-climatique.html Date accessed: May 2018 
1080 Portail du Développement durable et des Infrastructures - Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, UR: 
http://www.developpement-durable-infrastructures.public.lu/fr/index.php, Date accessed: May 2018 
1081 UNFCCC (2018). Seventh National Communication of Luxembourg under the United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change. URL: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/39752148_Luxembourg-
NC7-1-LU_NC7_180212.pdf; https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/39752148_Luxembourg-NC7-1-
LU_NC7_180212.pdf Date accessed: May 2018 

439 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making.  

Yes / In progress / No 

While there are some local-level  initiatives on climate change and the Pacte Climat ensures 
governance at lower levels of administration (municipality), there is no evidence of a vertical 
coordination mechanism within the governance system for adaptation policy.  

Luxembourg  has  no  signatories  to  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  for  Climate  and  Energy  with 
regard to adaptation.  

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

There was no stakeholder consultation during the development of the 2011 NAS. However, a 
public  consultation  and  stakeholder  involvement  is  foreseen  during  the  ongoing  revision  of 
the NAS. In February 2018, Luxembourg’s 7th National Communication to the UNFCCC was 
published,  suggesting  that  the  new  NAS  would  be  finalised  in  2018.  In  April  2018,  the 
Luxembourgish  Council  of  Ministers  approved  the  draft  updated  NAS  and  announced  that 
stakeholders would be consulted1082. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Transboundary  cooperation  addresses  common  challenges  with  neighbouring  countries 
(Belgium, France and Germany). Cooperation is mainly in the framework of the international 
bodies  for  the  Rhine1083,  Moselle  and  Sarre1084  and  Meuse1085  river  basins.  As  an  example, 
Luxembourg  took  part  in  the  development  of  the  Adaptation  Strategy  for  the  Rhine  Basin. 
Moreover, within the framework of the BENELUX cooperation, working groups dedicated to 
climate  change  and  transboundary  impacts  take  place1086,  in  addition  to  the  exercises 
simulating different scenarios1087. 

1082 Personal communication with MS contact. 
1083 International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine, URL: http://www.iksr.org, Date accessed: May 
2018 
1084International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine, URL: http://iksms-cipms.org, Date accessed: May 
2018 
1085 La Commission Internationale de la Meuse, URL: http://www.cipm-icbm.be, Date accessed: May 2018 
1086 BENELUX, Adaptation au changement climatique au sein du Benelux, URL: 
http://www.benelux.int/fr/publications/publications/adaptation-au-changement-climatique-au-sein-du-benelux, 
Date accessed: May 2018 
1087 Personal communication with MS contact. 

440 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The 2011 NAS mentioned transboundary measures (e.g. monitoring of animal diseases due to 
transboundary  movement  of  animals,  management  of  transboundary  ecological  corridors). 
The  NAS  also  referred  to  the  transboundary  work  undertaken  by  the  international  river 
commissions  –  the  International  Commission  for  the  Protection  of  the  Rhine  (ICPR), 
Commission  Internationale  de  la  Meuse  (CIM)  and  Commissions  Internationales  pour  la 
Protection de la Moselle et de la Sarre (CIPMS).  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

MeteoLux,  the  national  weather  service  in  Luxembourg,  is  a  department  of  the  Aviation 
Administration  of  the  Ministry  of  Sustainable  Development  and  Infrastructures.  MeteoLux 
operates one meteorological synoptic station and one aeronautical meteorological station, both 
located  at  Luxembourg  airport.  Climate  data  is  recorded  by  MeteoLux  from  the 
Administration  de  la  Navigation  Aérienne  du  Luxembourg,  using  data  collection  from  the 
Findel/Airport  meteorological  station  (WMO  ID  =  06590).  The  station  has  collected  all 
relevant  meteorological  variables,  such  as  air  temperature,  relative  humidity,  precipitation, 
wind speed, wind direction and various radiation variables, since 1947. Further climate data is 
obtained  through  collaboration,  as  Luxembourg  is  a  member  of  the  European  National 
Meteorological Services Network and the European Space Agency.  

In  addition,  Luxembourg  has  its  own  hydro-climatic  monitoring  network,  with  stations 
maintained  by  the  Water  Agency,  the  Civil  Defence  Service  and  the  Agriculture  Technical 
Services Administration. This  monitoring is  used, for instance, to  help  inform  the design of 
flood protection measures.  

MeteoLux  publishes  monthly  summaries  of  the  weather,  using  as  a  reference  period  1981-
2010. Annual climate reports compare annual data to the 1961-1990 reference period and note 
“extremes  and  peculiarities”,  such  as  the  heat  wave  in  August  2016.  The  Climate  Data 
Management System (CLiSys) has been implemented by MeteoLux since 2011, allowing the 
import of historical data and time series.  

Extreme winter flooding has been recorded for January 1993, January 2003 and January 2011. 
The  Luxembourg  Institute  of  Science  and  Technology  (LIST)  has  also  been  active  in 
researching hydrological behaviour of waterways. Furthermore, according to the 7th National 
Communication  to  the  UNFCCC,  the  Water  Agency  provides  flood  forecasts  for  all 
Luxembourgish water courses and in cases of alert, the flood-risk website is updated every 15 
minutes (including a flood report where needed)1088. The Water Agency is responsible for all 
hydrometric monitoring in Luxembourg. 

1088 Flood prediction centre Luxembourg, 2018, URL: www.inondations.lu, Date accessed: May 2018 

441 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Impacts  of  extreme  climatic  events  are  not  systematically  monitored.  Information  on  the 
amount of material and financial loss is only partially collected by some authorities. During 
environmental  disasters,  the  Ministry  of  the  Family  sets  up  a  Social  Relief  Commission 
("Commission  de  secours  sociaux  demandés  à  la  suite  de  catastrophes  naturelles")  to  help 
victims. In the same way, the insurance commissioner has some information about the number 
of  people  compensated.  However,  not  all  affected  persons  make  use  of  the  Social  Relief 
Commission or the insurance companies. The information collected, therefore, only concerns 
the persons who contact these two different institutions. Consequently, as not all data is being 
kept (e.g., on casualties or financial losses), this indicator is assessed as being ‘in progress’.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are presented in the 7th National Communication to the UNFCCC 
using a combination of Global and Regional Climate Models. Impacts are analysed based on 
the  FP6  ENSEMBLES  project1089.  In  addition,  the  Luxembourg  Institute  of  Science  and 
Technology (LIST, previously the Centre de Recherche Public Gabriel Lippmann) is working 
on the detailed analysis of the high-resolution COSMO-CLM1090 projections for Luxembourg, 
including for rainfall and extreme flooding. It is also intended to include data provided by the 
CORDEX project1091 in the analyses.  

These scenarios and projections are only used to assess the environmental impacts of climate 
change  (see  Indicator  3c  for  references).  An  assessment  of  economic  and  social  impacts  of 
climate change remains to be done. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Luxembourg’s  6th  National  Communication  to  the  UNFCCC  (2014)  mentions  that  “a 
thorough vulnerability assessment has not been done yet”. The 7th Communication states that 
sector-based vulnerability assessments were completed through a water lens, with some cases 
(e.g. vegetation vulnerability) relying on models, such as used in the ENSEMBLES project. 
The  7th  Communication  also  includes  some  vulnerability  assessments  focusing  on  human 
health,  agriculture  and  forestry.  Preliminary  sectoral  vulnerability  analyses  were  completed 
for agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, drought, human health, infrastructure and economy on 
the  basis  of  expert  judgement.  The  vulnerability  analysis  for  water  and  floods  is  more 

1089 Ministère du Développement durable et des Infrastructures, 2018, 7th National Communication of 
Luxembourg under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, URL: 
https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/39752148_Luxembourg-NC7-1-LU_NC7_180212.pdf Date 
accessed: May 2018 
1090 Climate Limited-area Modelling Community (2018). URL: https://www.clm-community.eu 
https://www.clm-community.eu Date accessed: May 2018 
1091 Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment, URL: http://www.cordex.org/ Date accessed: May 
2018 

442 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
sophisticated  and  based  on  monitoring  data  and  projections  from  the  International 
Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) and the International Commission for the 
Protection of the Moselle and the Saar (ICPMS). A more robust climate risk and vulnerability 
assessment  is  expected  in  updating  the  NAS.  The  four  sectors  prioritised  in  the  2011  NAS 
received most attention in the vulnerability and impact assessments led at national level by the 
observatory  for  climate  and  environment  at  the  Luxembourg  Institute  for  Science  and 
Technology (LIST)1092.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Transboundary  risks  have  been  taken  into  account  in  the  water  and  floods  sector  (see 
Indicator 2b). Whether other sectors have considered transboundary risks remains unclear.  

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate adaptation is a relatively new topic for the environment and climate action discourse 
in Luxembourg. As such, there appears to be a lack of discourse between the key stakeholders 
(research/science,  administration,  private  sector)  on  the  research  priorities  with  regards  to 
adaptation. Nevertheless, the 7th Communication to the UNFCCC and the ongoing update of 
the  NAS  indicate  a  comprehensive  assessment  of  existing  knowledge  and  related  gaps  on 
climate change and climate adaptation is now underway.  

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Luxembourg  does  not  appear  to  have  a  source  of  information  dedicated  to  adaptation.  The 
Centre  for  Ecological  Learning  in  Luxembourg  (founded  in  2010),  in  collaboration  with 
Transition  Luxembourg  and  under  the  umbrella  of  the  Pacte  Climat,  promotes  citizen 
participation  in  climate  change  issues.  However,  the  focus  of  this  effort  is  on  raising 
awareness  and  education  to  achieve  reduced  emissions  through  encouraging  behavioural 
change rather than explicitly on adaptation1093. 

1092 LIST, 2015, Observatory for climate and environment, URL: https://www.list.lu/en/institute/rd-
infrastructures/environmental-research-and-technology/observatory-for-climate-and-environment/ Date 
accessed: May 2018  
1093 Transition Network, URL: https://transitionnetwork.org/transition-near-me/hubs/luxembourg/ Date accessed: 
May 2018  

443 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There is no evidence of regular dissemination of education and training materials specifically 
focused on adaptation. Nevertheless, the Centre for Ecological Learning Luxembourg (CELL) 
has  a  project  focused  on  resilience  research,  indicating  some  consideration  of  climate 
adaptation and resilience and awareness-raising on the topic.1094 However, systematic actions 
to build capacity are not carried out in a coordinated way. 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The 2011 NAS mentions some potential adaptation actions for the priority sectors identified: 
biodiversity,  water,  agriculture  and  forestry.  The  range  and  number  of  measures  identified 
under each of these four sectors varies markedly. Several measures are underdeveloped or too 
unspecific  (e.g.  "conservation  and  restoration  of  wetlands").  Furthermore,  it  is  unclear 
whether the measures result from risk assessments, as they appear to result from exchange of 
information among central administration bodies or expert groups. Nevertheless, the updated 
NAS expected in 2018 may improve consideration of adaptation options. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses,  stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

It is not evident that the adaptation options considered have been prioritised on the basis of a 
robust methodology.  The updated NAS  expected by the end of  2018, is  likely elaborate the 
selection of adaptation options. It is currently proposed that the new NAS will assign priority 
to  measures  according  to  an  evaluation  grid  taking  into  account  the  probability  of 
implementation as well as the degree of importance for Luxembourg1095. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

1094 Centre for Ecological Learning Luxembourg, URL: https://cell.lu/all-project-list/resilience-research/ 
https://cell.lu/all-project-list/resilience-research/, Date accessed: May 2018 
1095 Personal communication with Member State representative. 

444 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  High  Commissioner  for  the  National  Protection  (HCPN)  is  an  administration 
coordinating disaster risk management. It was created by a law that describes its missions1096. 
However,  no  evidence  could  be  found  of  an  institutional  mechanism  in  place  to  coordinate 
disaster risk management and climate adaptation, indicating a need for improved coherence.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The NAS is not backed by a specific funding allocation and commitment. No evidence could 
be  found  of  adaptation-related  funding  for  vulnerable  sectors  or  for  cross-cutting  measures. 
While some funding for the development of green infrastructure has been made available, that 
is insufficient to qualify a positive assessment in relation to this indicator1097. 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Climate  change  is  not  mentioned  in  Luxembourg’s  2008  law  on  environmental  impact 
assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA)1098.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Floods  present  the  most  significant  natural  disaster  risk  in  Luxembourg.  Early-warning 
systems are in place for flood hazards, with outreach to communities and a specific website as 
a  communication  platform1099.  The  Flood  Risk  Management  Plan  (2015-2021)  has  taken 
account of climate scenarios (e.g. the COSMO-CLM 4.8 simulation)1100. 

1096 Journal Officiel du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, 2016, Loi du 23 juillet 2016 portant création d'un Haut-
Commissariat à la Protection nationale, URL: http://data.legilux.public.lu/file/eli-etat-leg-memorial-2016-137-fr-
pdf.pdf Date accessed: May 2018 
1097 Biodiversity Information System for Europe, 2018, Green Infrastructure in Luxembourg, URL: 
https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/gi/luxembourg Date accessed: May 2018 
1098 Environmental legislation in Luxembourg, URL: http://data.legilux.public.lu/file/eli-etat-leg-memorial-2008-
82-fr-pdf.pdf http://data.legilux.public.lu/file/eli-etat-leg-memorial-2008-82-fr-pdf.pdf, Date accessed: May 
2018 
1099 URL: www.inondations.lu Date accessed: May 2018 
1100 Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, 2015, 
https://eau.public.lu/directive_cadre_eau/directive_inondation/1er-cycle/HWRML-PL_final/HWRM-
PL_2015_final_FR_1609201.pdf Date accessed: May 2018 

445 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Formal  consultations  between  the  various  government  sectors  take  place  on  a  regular  basis, 
both at the ministerial level and at the level of the agents working with the various ministries. 
For example, government or ministry officials participate in inter-ministerial working groups 
in the fields of land-use planning, spatial planning and economic development. The National 
Nature Protection Plan was also updated in 2017, including emphasis on the multiple benefits 
of  green  infrastructure,  for  example,  as  an  important  measure  for  climate  adaptation  (e.g. 
through  conservation  of  biodiversity  and  essential  ecological  and  landscape  elements  to 
restore  resilience)1101.  Furthermore,  in  2012  a  national  document  on  spatial  planning  was 
published, which took consideration of climate change1102. 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

Despite the ongoing update of the NAS, which addresses 13 different sectors1103, there is no 
indication  that  other  national  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level.  The 
Rural  Development  Programme 2014-2020 recognises the threats  of climate  change, mainly 
to  agriculture  and  proposes  several  measures  (e.g.  preserve  soil  quality,  protecting  animals 
against  heat,  use  resilient  crops,  intensification  of  land  use).  However,  adaptation  is  not 
specifically addressed. 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

No evidence could be found that adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative policy 
instruments to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention. However, insurance 
considerations are taken into account as part of the sector-based assessment in the draft 
updated NAS1104.  

1101 Biodiversity Information System for Europe, 2018, Green Infrastructure in Luxembourg, URL: 
https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/gi/luxembourg Date accessed: May 2018 
1102 ESPON, 2012, Adaptation to climate change – strategies for the spatial planning in Luxembourg, URL: 
http://www.espon-usespon.eu/library,adaptation-to-climate-change-strategies-for-the-spatial-planning-in-
luxembourg-c-change-changing-climate-changing-lives-2012 Date accessed: May 2018 
1103 Personal communication with MS contact. 
1104 Based on a preliminary check of the draft NAS, as yet unpublished. 

446 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  second  Climate  Action  Plan  has  been  in  place  since  2013  and  makes  reference  to  the 
NAS.  Furthermore,  the  third  Climate  Action  Plan  is  being  developed,  although  primarily 
illustrating  action  on  from  a  mitigation  perspective.  Similarly,  although  the  7th  National 
Communication  to  the  UNFCCC  presents  a  selection  of  climate  change  policy  actions  and 
plans at the sector level, these focus most prominently on climate mitigation. 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Systematic  cooperation  mechanisms  for  fostering  adaptation  at  a  sub-national  level  do  not 
seem to be yet in place. However, cooperation at the level of local stakeholders took place in 
2018  with  the  aim  of  collaboratively  influencing  the  third  Climate  Action  Plan,  which 
indicates  some  level  of  local  cooperation  on  climate  change  but  not  necessarily  on 
adaptation1105. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Although there  are policy  efforts to  promote resilience through  green infrastructure1106, it is 
unclear  whether  specific  procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  potential  climate 
impacts  on  the  resilience  of  infrastructure.  Nevertheless,  there  are  funds  available  for 
investments in green infrastructure (such as in urban planning) and earmarked for the period 
2017-2021, which indicate a degree of focus on its benefits for climate resilience. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

As  the  NAS  is  still  being  finalised,  it  is  unclear  to  what  extent  stakeholders  have  been 
involved in the implementation of adaptation policies and measures. However, there are plans 
to  involve  stakeholders  in  the  development  of  the  NAS.  Furthermore,  there  are  some  local-

1105 Elaboration du nouveau plan climat national: Climate Innovation Lab et "wake up" weekend le 3/4 février 
2018, URL : http://environnement.public.lu/fr/actualites/2018/01/11_wakeup.html, Date accessed: May 2018  
1106 Biodiversity Information System for Europe, 2018, Green Infrastructure in Luxembourg, URL: 
https://biodiversity.europa.eu/countries/gi/luxembourg Date accessed: May 2018 

447 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
level organisations involved in the implementation of climate mitigation measures that could 
be of relevance for adaptation, e.g. Klim-Buendnis.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Aside from the upcoming update of the NAS (see Indicator 11a), no other evidence could be 
found that previous NAS implementation was rigorously monitored and results disseminated.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  legal  framework  and  the  NAS  foresee  the  integration  of  climate  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies, but this is not done systematically and evidence of indicators and monitoring is not 
yet available.  

10c. Regional, sub-national or local action is monitored and the results of the monitoring 
are disseminated 

Yes / No 

No  evidence  could  be  found  of  vertical  cooperation  across  governance  levels  allowing  the 
collection of information for monitoring adaptation action at the subnational level. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The 2011 NAS was planned to be revised and updated for 2016 but the date was delayed until 
2018. A periodic review of the NAS and action plans has not yet been established. However, 
the  updated  NAS  is  expected  to  be  published  by  the  end  of  2018,  which  demonstrates  that 
periodic review does in fact take place. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

448 

 
 
 
 
While  stakeholders  have  not  yet  been  involved  in  the  assessment  of  the  NAS,  they  will  be 
consulted in finalising the updated NAS1107.  

1107 Personal communication with MS contact. 

449 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

450 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

451 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Met? 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

452 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Malta 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 454 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 455 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 455 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 455 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 455 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 456 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 456 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 456 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 456 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 456 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 456 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 456 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 458 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 460 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 460 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 461 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 463 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 464 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 464 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 465 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 466 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 466 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 469 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 470 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 470 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 471 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 472 

453 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

CCA 

CIP 

CRG 

EAI 

Climate Change Committee for Adaptation  

Critical Infrastructure Protection  

Climate Research Group  

Environmental impact assessment  

EDPA   

Environment and Development Planning Act  

ESD 

Education for Sustainable Development  

LCDS   

Low Carbon Development Strategy  

MIA 

Malta International Airport 

MWO   

Meteorological Watch Office  

NAS 

National adaptation strategy  

NBSAP 

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan  

RCM 

Regional climate models  

RDP 

SEA 

Rural Development Plan  

Strategic environmental assessment  

SPED   

Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development  

UNFCCC 

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  

454 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The current national adaptation strategy (NAS)1108 was adopted in 2012, under the authority 
of  the  Ministry  for  Resources  and  Rural  Affairs.  The  NAS  outlines  recommendations  for 
climate adaptation,  and indicates which  government  entity or authority is responsible for its 
implementation and the timeframes within which such policy actions should be implemented. 
The  NAS  prescribes 
legislative,  policy,  communication,  research  and 
development  measures,  in  addition  to  actions  related  to  water,  agriculture,  human  health, 
tourism, financing and insurance sectors.  

institutional, 

Malta has  initiated the process  of developing a national  Low Carbon Development  Strategy 
(LCDS)  in  accordance  with  requirements  under  the  United  Nations  Framework  Convention 
on  Climate  Change  (UNFCCC),  European  Union  legislation  and  the  Climate  Action  Act, 
2015 (CAP543)1109. Given, the particular specificities of the country and in  view of being a 
vulnerable island in the Mediterranean, Malta’s Low Carbon Development Strategy will also 
incorporate  the  NAS.  The  outcome  to  have  the  NAS  within  the  LCDS  was  concluded  in  a 
scoping exercise, which was one of the phases in the process of adopting a LCDS for Malta. 
This is regarded as an important step in enhancing the coherence of broad policy frameworks 
and  mainstreaming  adaptation  across  the  board.  A  consultation  document,  “Malta’s  Low 
Carbon Development Strategy: Our Vision” was published in May 2017 by the Ministry for 
Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change1110, which sets out a number 
of proposed broad principles for the NAS, and asks specific questions to stakeholders. While 
adaptation and climate resilience are mentioned in the document, they are not the focus of any 
of the consultation questions.  

Following  the  publication  of  the  vision  document  and  public  consultation  in  2017,  the 
Strategy is currently (June 2018) being developed, and to the Maltese Government anticipates 
that it will be finalised within two years.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

The development of adaptation strategies at subnational level is irrelevant in Malta’s case.  

1108 Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs (2012), National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, 
http://msdec.gov.mt/en/Document%20Repository/Malta%20Climate%20Change%20Adaptation%20Strategy/Na
tional%20Adaptation%20Strategy.pdf  
1109 Climate Change Act, Laws of Malta Chapter 543: 
http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lom&itemid=12336&l=1 
1110 MESDC (2017), Malta’s Low Carbon Development Strategy: Our Vision 
https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/MSDEC/Documents/MSDEC%20LCDS%20Vision.PDF 

455 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

At  the  time  of  the  development  of  the  NAS,  no  separate  action  plan  was  published. 
Nevertheless,  the  NAS  included  measures  and  actions  deriving  from  its  overarching 
objectives.  In  the  development  of  the  LCDS,  the  addition  of  a  specific  section  on  national 
adaptation action is being considered.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

Local  Councils  are  the  only  sub-national  level  of  governance.  While  there  are  24  Local 
Councils  from  Malta  shown  as  signatories  on  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  website,  adaptation 
planning at local level is not foreseen in the NAS,  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The following sector documents consider adaptation issues;  

  The 2nd Water Catchment Management Plan for the Maltese Islands (2016)1111 
  The Malta National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2012-20201112 
  The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan1113 
  The Malta’s National Transport Master Plan 20251114, adopted in 2016 
  The National Agricultural Policy for the Maltese Islands 2016-2025. 1115 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In Malta, the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development, and Climate Change is 
in charge of adaptation policy-making in  accordance with the Climate Action Act, 2015.1116 
The Act stipulates that it is a duty and obligation of the Government to: 

1111 Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Unit Environment and Resources Authority (2016), The 2nd 
Water Catchment Management Plan for the Malta Water Catchment District 2015–2021: 
https://energywateragency.gov.mt/en/Documents/2nd%20Water%20Catchment%20Management%20Plan%20-
%20Malta.pdf  
1112 Available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mt/mt-nbsap-01-en.pdf  
1113 Ministry of Energy (2014), MALTA’ s NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACTION PLAN (NEEAP), 
https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/2014_neeap_en_malta.pdf 
1114 Transport Malta (2016), Transport Master Plan, 2025, http://www.transport.gov.mt/transport-
strategies/strategies-policies-actions/national-transport-strategy-and-master-plan  
1115https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/MSDEC/Documents/National%20Agricultural%20Policy%20
for%20the%20Maltese%20Islands%202018%20-%202028.pdf  
1116 See website at: https://msdec.gov.mt/  

456 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Formulate,  implement,  publish  and  update  policies  regarding  measures  to  prevent, 
avoid,  and  reduce  vulnerability  and  enhance  resilience  to  the  adverse  impacts  of 
climate change 

  To facilitate climate adaptation 
  To promote research and observations of the climate system.  
  To promote public awareness of climate change.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

In  order  to  ensure  coordination  between  the  relevant  authorities  and  stakeholders  for  the 
development  of  the  NAS,  the  Climate  Change  Committee  on  adaptation  was  established  in 
2009. This committee provided the necessary consultations for the drafting of the NAS, which 
was  then  presented  to  the  former  Ministry  for  Resources  and  Rural  Development.  After 
approval and publication of the NAS, the coordination role was taken up by that Ministry. In 
2013, an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change was established to provide a forum 
for a cross-sectoral approach on climate change issues, including adaptation. This committee 
is also the responsible body for the current coordination of the development of the LCDS.  

Later  in  2015,  the  Climate  Action  Act  provided  for  the  establishment  of  a  Climate  Action 
Board,  composed  of  representatives  of  ministries  responsible  for  a  wide  range  of  affected 
sectors.  The  Climate  Action  Board’s  functions  are  related  mainly  to  the  supervision  of  the 
implementation of the Act together with any regulations that shall be eventually issued there, 
including  development  and  implementation  of  mitigation  and  adaptation  policies.  This 
provision  is  designed  to  strengthen  efficient  collaborative  action  involving  all  stakeholders. 
One of the functions of the Climate Action Board is also to consult with the Malta Council for 
Economic and Social Development on climate action, including adaption.  

Currently,  the  coordination  of  climate  change  policy  development  and  implementation  is 
under  the  responsibility  of  the  Ministry  for  the  Environment,  Sustainable  Development  and 
Climate 
The  implementation  of  climate  adaptation  measures  is  the  responsibility  of  the  relevant 
sectoral ministries.  

the  Climate  Action  Act, 

established 

change, 

by 

as 

2015.                                                                                                                                                                            

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

There is no regional level of subnational government in Malta. The process for development 
of  the  NAS  involved  effective  consultation  of  local  councils  and  other  stakeholders.  The 
Climate Change Consultative Council, which was proposed in the NAS as a forum for future 
coordination on adaptation and mitigation, has not been established. However, the role of the 
Climate  Change  Consultative  Council  was  taken  up  by  the  Climate  Action  Board,  as 
mandated in the Climate Action Act, 2015. 

457 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                              
Local government is engaged in the development of adaptation-relevant policies in different 
sectors, for example in water catchment management. Twenty-four local councils are shown 
as  signatories  of  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  on  its  website,  representing  26  %  of  Malta’s 
population.  

Local  government  is  part  of  the  target  audience  for  key  planning  tools  in  the  water  sector, 
particularly  the  National  River  Basin  Management  Plan1117,  which  incorporates  the  Flood 
Risk  Management  Plan1118;  which  was  backed  up  with  a  number  of  direct  meetings  with 
stakeholder  in  which  the  development  and  implementation  of  water  management  measures 
were discussed.  

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The 2012  NAS was  prepared by the  Climate Change Committee for  Adaptation  (CCCA), a 
body  constituted  by  the  former  Ministry  for  Resources  and  Rural  Affairs  in  2009.  The 
Committee  was  composed  of  representatives  of  the  relevant  government  departments  and 
agencies,  academics  and  other  experts,  the  private  sector,  and  NGOs.  The  national 
consultation process held between November 2010 and June 2011 and the exchange between 
the  Committee  and  the  Government  resulted  in  the  NAS1119.  The  2012  NAS  proposed  the 
establishment of the Climate Change Consultative Council, a body tasked to provide input to 
policy design, implementation and review of the NAS and the mitigation strategy. The role of 
the Climate Change Consultative Council was then taken up by the Climate Action Board, as 
established by the Climate Action Act in 2015. The chair and members of the Climate Action 
Board were announced in February 20161120 and the function of the  Board is in  accordance 
with Regulation 11 of the Climate Action Act, as follows:   

a)  “To supervise the implementation of this Act and, or any regulations made thereunder 
b)  To monitor that Malta is in fulfilment of its  obligations  under  the  UNFCCC  and  its 

c)  To 

advise 

obligations as a Member State of the European Union 
the  Minister 

this 
Act and, or any regulations made thereunder and, or  any 
international  obligations 
relating to climate action which the Government may be bound to observe and, or any 

implementation 

the 

on 

of 

1117 See “2nd Water Catchment Management Plan”, Environment and Resources Authority, 2016, downloaded at: 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a50ui5yuv7RJsN-GpKK3DMIlQdklnF0b/view  
1118 See: https://www.energywateragency.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Management-Plan-for-Extreme-
Events.pdf 
1119 CCCA (2010), National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy – Consultation Report, 
http://msdec.gov.mt/en/Document%20Repository/Malta%20Climate%20Change%20Adaptation%20Strategy/Na
tional%20Climate%20Change%20Adaptation%20Strategy%20(Consultation%20Report).pdf  
1120 Government Gazette No. 19,528 of 26 January 2016: 
https://gov.mt/en/Government/Government%20Gazette/Government%20Notices/Pages/2016/01/Gov-Notices-
2601.aspx?IsPrintPrev=1&IsPrintPrev=1&IsPrintPrev=1&IsPrintPrev=1  

458 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
obligation relating to climate action which the Government may be bound to observe 
as a Member State of the European Union 

d)  To 

facilitate 

Government’s 

low-
carbon development strategy, the national adaptation strategy and any other strategy or 
policy  which  the  Minister  may issue in terms  of  this  Act  or  any  regulations  made 
thereunder 

adherence 

national 

the 

to 

e)  To  make  recommendations  to  the  Minister  on  any  matter  relating  to  this  Act  or  any 

regulations made thereunder or on any matter relating to climate action 

f)  To  annually  report  to  the  Minister  on  the  progress  being  registered  in  the  field  of 

climate change 

g)  To  consult  with  the  Malta  Council  for  Economic  and  Social  Development  on  any 

matters relating to this Act or any regulations made hereunder 

h)  To carry out such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Minister.” 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

While  the  2012  NAS  does  not  address  transboundary  challenges,  Malta,  together  with 
neighbouring  countries,  participates 
the  main  fora  for  regional  cooperation  on 
environmental  and  climate-related  actions  in  the  context  of  implementing  the  Barcelona 
Convention (The Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the 
Coastal Region of the Mediterranean) and the work of the Union for the Mediterranean which 
includes a focus on climate adaptation issues.  

in 

In  April  2018,  climate  change,  vulnerability  and  natural  disasters  were  addressed  in  the 
Commonwealth1121 Heads of Government Meeting Communique “Towards a Common Future 
1122” with a view to adoption of a Blue Charter, which is meant to protect the oceans from the 
effects  of  climate  change,  pollution  and  over  fishing.  Malta  signalled  the  availability  of  the 
Commonwealth  Small  States  Centre  of  Excellence1123in  offering  opportunities  for  capacity 
building on ocean governance for small states of the Commonwealth.  

Moreover,  transnational  cooperation  with  other  Mediterranean  countries  and  international 
cooperation in the area of climate science is developed and led by the University of Malta1124. 

1121 See: http://thecommonwealth.org/media/press-release/commonwealth-leaders-statement-climate-action 
1122 See more at: http://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/leaders-applaud-commonwealth-blue-charter-ocean-
action 
1123 A Commonwealth centre based in Malta.  
1124 For instance, the Physical Oceanography Research Group participates in several pan European projects and 
networks, some of which relevant to climate adaption such as MedGLOSS (the Mediterranean regional 
subsystem of the Global Sea Level Observing System with a local station for real-time sea level, sea temperature 
and atmospheric pressure measurements in Portomaso), 
http://www.um.edu.mt/science/geosciences/physicaloceanography  

459 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Observations and forecasts on weather and climate conditions in Malta are conducted by the 
Malta International Airport (MIA) Meteorological Services Office1125 (Met Office).  

The  Met  Office  provides  meteorological  services  to  various  stakeholders. The  Met  Office 
maintains  a  continuous  observation  and  forecasting  service  with  the  function  of  a 
Meteorological  Watch  Office  (MWO).  Detailed  weather  information  is  also  issued  by  this 
service  provider,  within  the  airspace  covering  the  Maltese  territory.  Observations  are 
conducted  on  a  mandatory  basis  and  these  are  provided  by  the  automatic  weather  stations 
located across the islands.  

The University of Malta carries out academic research and climate observation. It feeds data 
to  the  Sea  Level  Station  Monitoring  Facility  that  aims  to  provide  (i)  information  about  the 
operational  status  of  global  and  regional  networks  of  real  time  sea-level  stations,  and  (ii)  a 
display service for quick inspection of the raw data stream  from  individual stations1126. The 
Climate Research Group (CRG) within the University of Malta, Department of Geosciences, 
has installed a numerical weather prediction model called WRF, which makes forecasts over 
the Maltese Islands, and two regional climate models (RCM) called PRECIS and RegCM4 on 
the super computer cluster, ALBERT, available at the University of Malta.  

Climate impacts on Maltese society are not monitored yet. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  notes  that  it  is  difficult  “to  model  climate  change  and  adaptation  scenarios  on  a 
geographical  terrain  as  small  as  Malta.”  The  NAS  relied  on  model  runs  used  for  the  2nd 
National  Communication  to  the  UNFCCC  (2010).  The  national  communication  to  the 
UNFCCC from 2014, continued to refer to these projections, while noting that there was then 
ongoing work at the University of Malta to adapt the modelling system to the needs of Malta 
with  regards to  projecting  climate impacts1127. The  7th National  Communication1128 presents 

1125 https://www.maltairport.com/weather/  
1126 See the Sea Level Station Monitoring Facility website: 
http://www.ioc-sealevelmonitoring.org/index.php  
1127 The Malta Resources Authority on behalf of the Ministry for Sustainable Development, Environment and 
Climate Change (2014), The Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth National Communication of Malta to the United 
National Framework Convention on Climate Change: 
https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/mlt_nc3,4,5,6.pdf  

460 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
results  based  on  a  higher  resolution  RCM,  although  it  notes  that  specific  problems  remain, 
including the lack of integrated sea-level rise projections. 

The “Our Vision” consultation document from 2017 (see Section A1 above) refers briefly to 
the  need  “to  create  the  appropriate  governance  framework  through  which  Malta  is  able  to 
react to anticipated climate change scenarios that are likely to test its resilience up to 2050”; 
but no information is available yet on the use of scenarios in the revised NAS currently under 
preparation.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The 2014  National  Communication to  the UNFCCC draws relevant sectoral  lessons  on risk 
from  the  data  available.  Sectors  addressed  in  the  7th  National  Communication  Plan  to  the 
UNFCCC (Pages 125- 161) include the following:  

Infrastructure and land use  

  Water 
 
  Natural ecosystems  
  Agriculture and fisheries  
  Health  
  Civil protection and vulnerable groups 
  Tourism  
  Migration 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

While Malta relies on projections which, because of the scale issues referred to above, cover a 
broader  Mediterranean  area,  there  is  no  evidence  from  either  the  NAS  or  the  National 
Communications  to  the  UNFCCC  that  this  has  led  to  a  more  in-depth  analysis  or  action 
regarding  transboundary  sectoral  impacts.  Malta’s  relative  geographic  isolation  is  likely  to 
mean that this is a low priority for early action.  

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

1128 7th National Communication of Malta under the UNFCCC, Malta Resources Authority, 2017: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/42967815_malta-nc7-
1-nc7_malta_2017_final.pdf  

461 

 
 
 
 
  
                                                                                                                                                                                     
The  NAS  prescribed  specific  measures  for  research  and  identifies  relevant  stakeholders  for 
addressing  them.  The  2014  National  Research  and  Innovation  Strategy  2020  reaffirms  the 
importance  of  research  on  climate  change  which  should  also  'valorise  the  findings  and 
recommendations contained in Malta’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of 2012'.  

The University of Malta has an important role in generating knowledge about climate change 
through local and international research projects.  

The  University  of  Malta  is  engaged  in  promoting  social  sustainability  and  conducting 
interdisciplinary  research  in  areas  related  to  sustainable  development  and  climate  change, 
including mitigation and adaptation through the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable 
Development. The Institute’s main focus is to conduct research that enhances Malta's quality 
of life.  

The  Climate  Change  Platform  was  established  by  the  Small  Island  States  Institute  of  the 
University of Malta. Its main objectives are to facilitate collaboration between University of 
Malta  entities  and  individual  University  of  Malta  academics  interested  in  climate  change 
issues and to promote research and teaching initiatives relating to climate change.1129 

The “Our Vision” consultation document from 2017 (see Section A1 above) contains several 
references to areas where further research is seen as a priority by the Government, including 
desalination of water supply, and building design.  

To  bridge  gaps  in  data  knowledge,  Malta  is  taking  part  in  several  projects,  such  as  the 
Horizon  2020  project  SOCLIMPACT1130.  The  SoClimPact  project  aims  at  modelling  and 
assessing  downscaled  climate  impacts  and  low  carbon  transition  pathways  in  European 
islands  and  archipelagos,  complementing  current  available  projections  for  Europe,  and 
nourishing actual economic models with non-market  assessment. The project will develop a 
thorough  understanding  of  potential  climate  impacts  on  the  EU  islands  located  in  different 
regions (Cyprus and Malta; Baltic Islands, Balearic Islands, Sicilia, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, 
Azores,  Madeira,  Canary  Islands  and  French  West  Indies).  The  project  is  focused  on  four 
Blue  Economy  sectors:  tourism,  marine  energy,  aquaculture  and  marine  transportation.  The 
project  is  divided  into  eight  work  packages.  Two  of  the  work  packages  take  into  account 
climate vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategies. Once the project is completed, the 
recommendations should help islands in the future to address knowledge gaps in policy areas 
related to tourism, marine energy, aquaculture and marine transportation.  

The  University  of  Malta  has  carried  out  a  LIFE  demonstration  project  on  Green  Roofs 
LIFEMEDGREENROOF  (LIFE12  ENV/MT/000732)1131.  It  provided  a  baseline  study  of 
green  roof  technology  in  a  Mediterranean  environment,  which  aimed  to  reduce  the  carbon 
footprint  of  buildings  through  insulation  and  to  use  such  rooves  to  mitigate  flooding.  It 
provided a baseline study with a set of recommendations for urban climate adaptation.  

1129 See the Climate Change Platform website: https://www.um.edu.mt/islands/climate  
1130 See: www.soclimpact.org 
1131 See: http://www.lifemedgreenroof.org/ 

462 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  brief  description  of  climate  change  policies  and  relevant  documents  can  be  found  on  the 
website  of  the  Ministry  for  the  Environment,  Sustainable  Development  and  Climate 
Change1132.  In  the  future,  a  specific  section  of  the  website  may  be  developed  to  serve  as  a 
platform and repository of information on climate adaptation and mitigation.   

The  University  of  Malta  disseminates  knowledge  through  online  media,  publications, 
seminars,  conferences  and  teaching  programmes  to  the  general  public  while  also  promoting 
best-practices  to  adapt  to  the  impacts  of  climate  change  on  business  operations  and 
markets1133.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

Capacity building on climate-related activities is an ongoing activity within the Ministry for 
the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change where a new Directorate on 
Environment  and  Climate  Change  was  established.  Currently  activities  related  to  capacity 
building  are  in  place  to  enhance  the  participation  in  relevant  courses  and  seminars  of 
department employees involved in climate policy making. Further activities may be supported 
in the future.  

Moreover,  the  Ministry  supports  development  of  studies  on  climate  change  at  University 
level, providing scholarships for students of the University of Malta. Seminars are organised 
by  the  Climate  Change  Platform  established  by  the  Small  Island  States  Institute  of  the 
University of Malta, in  order to  facilitate collaboration between University of Malta entities 
and individual University of Malta academics interested in climate change1134.  

An  emerging  trend  in  university-based  research  is  the  focus  on  Education  for  Sustainable 
Development (ESD), which includes themes related to climate change education. 

1132 See: https://msdec.gov.mt/en/Pages/Downloads.aspx 
1133 See the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development website: 
https://www.um.edu.mt/iccsd  
1134 Further information about upcoming seminars can be found at 
https://www.um.edu.mt/islands/climate/newsandevents  

463 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  identification  of  relevant  climate  adaptation  measures  in  the  NAS  was  based  on  expert 
judgement, informed by the consultative process used for the preparation of the NAS, and by 
sectoral  reports  which  were  drafted  by  designated  experts  specifically  for  the  NAS 
development.  The  further  analysis  included  in  the  2014  National  Communication  to  the 
UNFCCC1135 also identifies options for a number of sectors, as set out in relation to Indicator 
3c above, although the basis on which they have been identified is unclear.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The adaptation options identified in the current NAS were determined on the basis of expert 
judgement  reports  and  stakeholder  consultation.  Options  were  chosen  also  based  on  the 
requirement  for  “no  regret”  choices,  which  would  “deliver  tangible  environment  and 
sustainable  development  results  independently  of  climate  change  considerations”.  The 
Climate  Action  Act  lists  (Article  6)  a  number  of  considerations  and  criteria  that  the 
Government should take into account in its decision-making on climate policy, which would 
effectively equate to a multi-criteria decision-making process. These criteria provide direction 
for the development of climate change policies. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

While the NAS does not address disaster risk management,  the Malta Critical  Infrastructure 
Protection  (CIP)  Unit,  within  the  Cabinet  Office  at  the  Office  of  the  Prime  Minister,  is 
responsible  for  the  coordination  of  all  Critical  Infrastructure  Protection  and  Emergency  and 
Disaster Management issues on a national level. Another principal responsibility is to ensure 
that the necessary risk assessments and the drawing up of the security (contingency) plans are 
their  respective 
carried  out,  maintained  and  exercised  on  an  ongoing  basis  by 
owners/operators. In the context of the national disaster risk assessment exercise, an extensive 
consultation process has been undertaken by the CIP Unit involving all relevant stakeholders, 

1135 The Malta Resources Authority on behalf of the Ministry for Sustainable Development, Environment and 
Climate Change (2014), The Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth National Communication of Malta to the United 
National Framework Convention on Climate Change: 
https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/mlt_nc3,4,5,6.pdf  

464 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
including the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, as 
the responsible Ministry for climate change policy.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The 2012 NAS assesses in general terms (e.g. “low impact”, “medium impact”, “not known”, 
and “cost benefit impact required”) the financial impact of each measure identified, including 
cross-cutting  actions,  but  does  not  identify  funding  sources,  other  than  in  cases  where  the 
future use of European funds is considered. 

Malta supports several sectoral projects related to climate change through the use of EAFRD 
funds1136.  Funding  is  also  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in  water  management  and 
agriculture  sectors,  notably  in  the  water  management  sector  through  implementation  of 
Malta's River Basin Management Plan for 2009-2015, and the Water Catchment Management 
Plan from 20111137.  

The second phase of the water catchment management plan will be implemented through an 
integrated  LIFE  project  (IP  LIFE16  IPE/MT/000008)1138  with  a  total  budget  of  EUR  17 
million  and  an  EU  contribution  of  EUR  10  million.  This  integrated  project  started  on  the  1 
January 2018 and will finish on the 31t December 2025.1139  

Another project contributing to delivery of the second River Basin Management Plan, which 
complements IP LIFE16 IPE/MT/000008, is the project, ‘Enhancing National Monitoring and 
Public  Engagement  Capacity  for  improved  Water  Resources  Management’.  This  project  is 
funded by the Cohesion Fund and amounts to EUR 21.2million which is being implemented 
by  the  Energy  and  Water  Agency  within  the  Ministry  for  Energy  and  Water  Management. 
This investment aims to optimise management of water resources in the Maltese islands. The 
project’s actions seek to increase knowledge of the occurrence of natural water resources in 
the Maltese islands, and increase appreciation of the importance of water use by stakeholders. 
These  two  complementary  actions  will  contribute  to  increased  appreciation  of  the 
vulnerability  of  water  resources  in  the  Maltese  islands,  and  to  identification  of  the  optimal 
tools for protecting these resources. 

1136 Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/contracts_grants/pa/partnership-agreement-malta-summary_en.pdf  
1137 Available at: https://era.org.mt/en/Pages/Water-Catchment-Management-Plan.aspx  
1138 Available at: 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=6523#B
ENEF 
1139 The development process of the second River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) has confirmed that there are 
still significant challenges ahead of Malta for achieving the good status objectives of the Water Framework 
Directive (2000/60/EC). These challenges are mainly linked to severe water scarcity and drought conditions, 
high population density, high urbanisation rates, saline water intrusion, contamination, and vulnerability of 
coastal waters. 

465 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Malta  has  also  benefitted  from  EU  co-financing  (ERDF,  ESF)  for  an  extensive  flood 
management project1140. 

Several  projects  under  the  Operational  Programme  I  have  been  approved  and  implemented 
with the aim of developing sustainability and support actions in a number of sectors.1141  

The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 is focused on five main needs for the Maltese 
agriculture sector with a minimum of 30% of the total Rural Development Plan (RDP) budget 
earmarked  for  actions  that  will  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  EU-wide  climate  change 
targets.1142  The  competent  authority  has  launched  schemes  to  fund  interventions  aimed  at 
addressing non-productive investments linked to the achievement of agri-environment-climate 
objectives,  as  well  as  direct  interventions  aimed  at  the  re-use  of  secondary  water  for 
agricultural purposes.  

Sectoral projects and initiatives with adaptation co-benefits are also sustained by budget lines, 
which are not necessarily explicitly designated for climate adaptation action. For example, all 
of the projects that are tackling water scarcity and water waste reduction are developed by the 
Water  and  Energy  Ministry  and  related  authorities  and  agencies  with  different  funding 
sources. 

A Climate Action Fund was established under the 2015 Climate Change Act, to support inter 
alia  the  delivery  of  the  Act’s  objectives.  However,  no  information  is  available  on  the 
Ministry’s website on the operation of the fund, or of activities financed under it, so it is not 
possible to assess its contribution to the delivery of adaptation actions.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

One  of  the  measures  foreseen  in  the  2013  national  environmental  policy  was  to  integrate 
climate  change  assessment  into  environmental  impact  assessment  (EIA)  and  strategic 
environmental assessment (SEA) processes1143. The revised EIA Directive (2014/52/EU) has 
been  transposed  in  Malta  by  Legal  Notice  412  of  the  2017  Environmental  Impact 
Assessments Regulations, 20171144 published under the Environment Protection Act (Chapter 

1140Available at: https://investinginyourfuture.gov.mt/project/waste-management-and-risk-prevention/national-
flood-relief-project-nfrp-42041344  
1141 Available at: https://eufunds.gov.mt/en/Operational%20Programmes/Programming%20Period%202014%20-
%202020/Operational%20Programme%201/Documents/Approved%20Projects%202016/Online%20List%20of
%20Beneficiaries_OPI%20ERDF%20Malta_PPCD_November_2016%20updated.pdf  
1142 Available at: 
https://eufunds.gov.mt/en/EU%20Funds%20Programmes/European%20Agricultural%20Fund/Documents/RDP
%202014-2020/Malta%27s%20Rural%20Development%20Programme%202014-2020.pdf  
1143 Available at: https://era.org.mt/en/Pages/Strategic-Environmental-Assessment-.aspx 
1144 Available at: http://www.justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=28859&l=1  

466 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
549), which require EIAs to consider climate-related disaster risk impacts and the impact of 
projects on climate adaptation.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

In  2011,  the  Malta  Critical  Infrastructure  Protection  Unit1145  within  the  Office  of  the  Prime 
Minister was created.  

The  2nd  Water  Catchment  Management  Plan  was  adopted  in  April  2016.  It  provides  an 
integrated  water  management  framework  for  the  Malta  Water  Catchment  District,  and 
considers challenges emerging from extreme water management events, such as droughts and 
floods.  It covers the expected  climate impacts,  including those related to water scarcity and 
invasive alien species1146. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

The NAS refers to the need to mainstream adaptation measures in the “structure plan and the 
local plans”. The Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands, dating from 1990, was the key land-
use planning document for the country. It has now been replaced by the 2014 Strategic Plan 
for  the  Environment  and  Development,  adopted  under  the  Environment  and  Development 
Planning  Act  (EDPA)  2010.  While  its  planning  prescriptions  are  at  a  very  high  level,  it 
contains a statement of the risks to climate resilience of inappropriate development. However, 
the  plan  provides  little  detail  on  how  this  broad  approach  is  to  be  put  into  practice.  The 
individual  local  plans  still  in  force  predate  the  2010  Act  but  are  in  the  process  of  being 
updated.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  is  good  evidence  of  integration  in  high-level  policy-making  in  some  affected  sectors. 
For  example,  Malta’s  National  Transport  Master  Plan  20251147,  adopted  in  2016,  identifies 
climate impacts, such as increased rainfall intensity and sea-level rise, as key threats for the 
transport infrastructure. The transport strategy refers specifically to the University of Malta’s 
research  on  potential  impacts.  Responses  identified  include  increased  permeability,  and 

1145 See: http://opm.gov.mt/en/MCIP/Pages/About-Us.aspx  
1146 Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Unit Environment and Resources Authority (2016), The 2nd 
Water Catchment Management Plan for the Malta Water Catchment District 2015 – 2021: 
https://energywateragency.gov.mt/en/Documents/2nd%20Water%20Catchment%20Management%20Plan%20-
%20Malta.pdf  
1147 Transport Malta (2016), Transport Master Plan, 2025,  
http://www.transport.gov.mt/transport-strategies/strategies-policies-actions/national-transport-strategy-and-
master-plan  

467 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
improved  storm-water  management.  Incorporating  climate  impacts  at  the  design  stage  is 
included as a policy measure. Implementation of the Transport Master Plan commitments will 
be ongoing until 2025. 

The Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED), approved in 2015, sets the 
context for national and sectoral plans, such as, water and energy policies, guiding the solar 
farm  planning  policy,  and  ensuring  that  subsidiary  development  plans  are  climate  proofed. 
The  SPED  policy  framework  for  the  coastal  zone  and  marine  areas  recognises  that 
development proposals therein should be aimed to increase resilience to climate impacts.  

Another sector which addresses climate change as a key issue is agriculture1148. The National 
Agricultural Policy for the Maltese Islands 2016-2025 is currently at a post-consultation stage 
with  a  view  to  fostering    sustainability  of  farming  activities  by  adapting  to  the  local  geo-
climatic  conditions  through  the  implementation  of  a  set  of  measures  addressing  Malta’s 
specificities.1149 The measures aim to address research and innovation, training, best practices, 
water scarcity, green infrastructure (rubble walls) and the preservation of indigenous species. 

The  Rural  Development  Programme  (RDP)  for  Malta  2014-20201150  focuses  on  three  main 
cross-cutting  objectives,  namely  the  environment,  climate  and  innovation.  The  RDP    for 
Malta1151 was amended on 01/03/2018 and is divided into seven priority areas. Priority Areas 
4  and  5  address  climate  adaptation,  with  a  set  of  measures  covering  investments  in 
agricultural  holdings,  infrastructure  related  to  agriculture,  agri-  environmental  measures  and 
organic farming.   

Climate  adaptation  measures  are  also  addressed  in  the  National  Biodiversity  Strategy  and 
Action  Plan  (NBSAP),  which  defines  a  comprehensive  framework  for  safeguarding  Malta’s 
biodiversity  over  the  period  2012  to  2020,  as  required  by  the  National  Environmental 
Policy. The  NBSAP  aims  to  promote  sustainable  and  more  resource-efficient  choices  and 
actions  by  local  communities  and  relevant  sectors  in  order  to  contribute  to  a  significant 
improvement  in  the  status  of  Malta’s  biodiversity  and  associated  ecosystem  services. 
Ecologically-sensitive  afforestation  schemes,  strategically  located  within  the  landscape,  and 
measures  on  green  infrastructure,  are  strengthened  to  improve  the  ecological  coherence  of 
Natura  2000  via  integration  into  the  broader  landscape.  Hence,  such  schemes  curb  habitat 
fragmentation, improve climate adaptation and aid integrated flood management.1152  

1148 Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change (2016), National Agricultural 
Policy for the Maltese Islands 2016 – 2025: Issues Paper: 
https://socialdialogue.gov.mt/en/Public_Consultations/MSDEC/Pages/Consultations/NationalAgriculturalPolicyf
ortheMalteseIslands2016-2025IssuesPaper.aspx  
1149 Available at: https://agriculture.gov.mt/en/agric/Pages/nationalAgriPolicy.aspx 
1150Available at:  
https://eufunds.gov.mt/en/EU%20Funds%20Programmes/European%20Agricultural%20Fund/Pages/Rural%20
Development%20Programme%20for%20Malta%202007-2013/The-Rural-Development-Programme-for-Malta-
2014---2020.aspx 
1151Available at:  
https://eufunds.gov.mt/en/EU%20Funds%20Programmes/European%20Agricultural%20Fund/Documents/RDP
%202014-2020/Programme_2014MT06RDNP001_3_1_en.pdf 
1152 Available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mt/mt-nbsap-01-en.pdf  

468 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  Green  Economy  Action  Plan  (2015)1153  sets  out  the  Government’s  vision  for  the  green 
economy in Malta, focusing particularly on achieving sustainable growth, the effective use of 
resources,  ensuring  ecosystem  resilience.  Climate  adaptation  considerations  are  integrated 
throughout the document and a resilient economy to climate change is one of the six points of 
the Government’s vision.  

Other sectoral documents consider climate impacts with regard to different sectors’ needs. For 
example, climate change is a key issue identified in Malta's strategic plan for environment and 
development1154.  The  national  environmental  policy  (2012)  also  includes  adaptation 
objectives: its sixth objective tackles long-term sustainability issues, including enhancing the 
capacity of Malta to adapt to climate change.  

Climate adaptation was already a focus of the Water Catchment Management Plan from 2011 
for  the  Maltese  Islands.  Its  successor,  covering  the  period  2015-20211155,  also  addresses 
climate impacts on a range of outcomes. Implementation of these plans is possible through the 
Integrated Life Project LIFE16 IPE/MT/000008.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Although climate change insurance is at an early stage of development in Malta. As in other 
countries, discussion on this topic has taken place at national level, for example, with specific 
seminars organised by the University of Malta’s Climate Change Platform in November 2016 
with the support of the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate 
Change.  The  seminars  sought  to  address  linkages  with  the  disaster  risk  management  sector 
through the participation of insurance sector representatives among several other stakeholders.  

Consultations  in  relation  to  the  LCDS  will  consider  incentives  for  investments  in  risk 
prevention in order to provide the necessary tools for the insurance sector to address climate 
adaptation.   

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

The review of the NAS, as well as the definition of a new coordination and implementation 
structure, will be undertaken in the context of the development of the LCDS.  

In the meantime, there is evidence (see in particular Indicator 8d above) that, while detailed 
sectoral adaptation plans have not been published, climate adaptation issues are integrated in 

1153 Available at: https://www.gov.mt/en/Government/Press%20Releases/Documents/pr152171a.pdf 
1154 Malta Environmental & Planning Authority (2015) Strategic Plan for Environment and Development, 
http://www.mepa.org.mt/Documents/FinalVersion.pdf  
1155 Available at: https://era.org.mt/en/Pages/Water-Catchment-Management-Plan.aspx  

469 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
other policy areas, and that specific action is being undertaken. There is a systematic attempt 
to  ensure  that  the  full  list  of  specific  policies  and  measures  outlined  in  the  NAS  is  being 
pursued through the LCDS.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The Climate Change Consultative Council’s role was taken up by the Climate Action Board. 
However,  it  should  be  noted  that  vertical  coordination  is  not  a  significant  issue  for  Malta, 
given the national government’s responsibility for most aspects of policy and implementation, 
with a relatively limited role for local government.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

We have not identified any specific procedures or guidelines for assessing climate impacts on 
major  projects  or  programmes  and  for  facilitating  their  adaptation.  However,  the  Climate 
Action Act now includes an obligation on Government to ensure that “policies, programmes 
and  projects  are,  to  the  extent  possible,  designed  in  a  manner  that  ensures  resilience  to  the 
impacts of climate change”. In theory, this creates the possibility of government decisions that 
do not  integrate climate  adaptation  issues to  be challenged in  the courts. However, there do 
not  appear  to  be  any  “procedures  or  guidelines”  in  place  on  how  the  obligation  should  be 
implemented. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The  role  of  the  Climate  Change  Consultative  Council  is  currently  covered  by  the  Climate 
Action Board, which has the responsibility for ensuring consultation of relevant stakeholders 
in the implementation of the NAS and further policy actions.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

There  is  no  evidence  of  systematic  collection  and  dissemination  of  information  on 
implementation of the NAS.  

470 

 
 
 
 
10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

There  is  no  evidence  of  central  monitoring  of  the  integration  of  climate  adaptation  into 
sectoral policies.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Given  the  scale  of  Malta  as  a  country  and  the  nature  of  the  remit  of  local  government  in 
Malta, implementation of adaptation action by local councils is a relatively minor issue, and 
such implementation is generally centralised to the central government entities.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  Climate  Action  Act  2015  places  a  duty  on  the  Minister  to  “ensure  that  the  national 
adaptation  strategy is  reviewed and updated periodically and at  least  every four  years.” The 
NAS is currently under review in the context of the development of the LCDS. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

The Climate Action Board has been established under the Climate Action Act 2015 and has a 
duty  under  the  Act  to  consult  with  environmental  stakeholders.  In  principle,  this  should 
provide for stakeholder involvement in the Board’s role in assessing and reviewing national 
adaptation  policy;  however,  as  noted  above,  there  is  no  information  on  the  activities  of  the 
Board available on the Ministry’s website.  

471 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

472 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

473 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Met? 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes/ In progress 
/ No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

474 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

The Netherlands 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 476 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 478 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 478 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 478 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 479 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 479 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 479 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 480 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 481 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 481 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 481 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 481 

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development .................................................... 483 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 485 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 485 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 488 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 488 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 489 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 489 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 491 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 492 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 492 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 494 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 497 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 497 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 498 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 499 

475 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

CBS  

DAW  

EIA  

G32  

GGD  

ICT  

IenW  

IPCC  

IPO  

KNMI  

LIWO  

LTO  

MER  

MIRT  

NAS  

NEN  

Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Statistics Netherlands) 

 Deltaplan Agrarisch Waterbeheer (Deltaplan Agrarian Water Management) 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

The 32 largest municipalities in The Netherlands 

Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst (Municipal Health Service) 

Information and Communication Technology 

the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management 

International Panel on Climate Change 

InterProvinciaal Overleg (Association of Provinces of The Netherlands) 

Koninklijk  Nederlands  Meteorologisch 
Meteorological Institute) 

Instituut 

(Royal  Netherlands 

Landelijk 
Informatiesysteem  Water 
Information System Water and Floods)  

en  Overstromingen 

(National 

 Land-  en  Tuinbouw  Organisatie  (Dutch  Federation  of  Agriculture  and 
Horticulture) 

Milieu Effect Rapportage (Environmental Impact Assessment) 

Meerjarenprogramma  Infrastructuur,  Ruimte  en  Transport  (Multi-Annual 
Programme for Infrastructure and Transport Projects 

National Adaptation Strategy 

NEderlandse Norm (Netherlands Standards Institute) 

NGOs  

Non-Governmental Organisations 

NKWK  

PBL  

RIVM  

Nationaal  Kennis-  en  innovatieprogramma  Water  en  Klimaat  (National 
Water and Climate Knowledge and Innovation Programme) 

Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving (Netherlands Environmental Assessment 
Agency) 

Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (Dutch National Institute for 
Public Health and the Environment) 

476 

 
 
 
 
 
SMWO  

Stuurgroep  Management  Watercrises  en  Overstromingen  (Steering  Group 
Management Water Crises and Floods)  

TNO  

UvW  

VNG  

Nederlandse  Organisatie 
Onderzoek (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) 

voor  Toegepast  Natuurwetenschappelijk 

Unie van Waterschappen (Dutch Water Authorities) 

 Vereniging  Nederlandse  Gemeenten 
Municipalities) 

(Association  of  Netherlands 

WUR  

Wageningen University and Research  

477 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Dutch adaptation policy comprises two main elements: 

  The National Climate Adaptation Strategy 20161156 (NAS) “Adapting with Ambition”, 
which  sets  out  a  general  policy  for  tackling  the  effects  of  climate  change.  It  is  the 
second NAS, the first one dates from 2007.  

  The Delta Programme, which was initiated in 2010 and entered into force in January 

2012.  

The first NAS “Make Space for Climate” was published in 2007. The Netherlands Court of 
Audit  published  a  report  in  2012,  stating  that  the  Dutch  climate  adaptation  policy  did  not 
address  all  aspects  of  climate  change,  and  that  its  overall  coordination  could  be  improved.  
The Delta Programme covered a large part of climate adaptation, but not all aspects. In 2013 
the Netherlands Climate Agenda announced the development of a new NAS. The decision for 
a  revised  NAS  was  also  taken  in  response  to  the  EU  Adaptation  Strategy  in  2013,  which 
encouraged Member States to adopt adaptation strategies and plans, with a review of progress 
proposed for 2017.  

The NAS2016 aims at broad climate adaptation, and describes six climate impacts which are 
considered the most urgent to address in the Netherlands, next to water management which is 
covered  in  the  Delta  Programme.  These  six  climate  impacts  are:  heat  stress;  critical 
infrastructure,  such  as  energy  and  ICT;  agriculture  and  horticulture;  nature;  allergies  and 
infections; and cascading effects.  

The threat of sea-level rise combined with storm surges, coastal flooding and fluvial flooding 
events led to a long tradition of water management in The Netherlands. Since 1999, climate 
adaptation has been integral to flood resilience plans and projects in the Netherlands1157.  

The Dutch Delta Programme1158 re-evaluated Dutch water management policies, land use and 
spatial planning in the context of a changing climate, with the aim of fully integrating climate 
adaptation.  It  focuses  on  three  goals:  flood  protection,  fresh  water  supply  and  resilience  to 
heavy  rainfall,  drought  and  heat.  It  is  built  on  the  legal  framework  ‘the  Delta  Act  on  flood 
safety  and  freshwater  supply'  (hereafter  “the  Delta  Act”).  The  Delta  Act  anchors  the  Delta 
Programme,  the  Delta  Fund  and  the  role  of  the  Delta  Commissioner  into  legislation.  The 
Delta Act entered into force on 1 January 2012. 

1156 http://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/english/nas/ 
1157 Haasnoot M., H. Middelkoop (2012) A history of futures: A review of scenario use in water policy studies in 
the Netherlands Environmental Science & Policy Volumes 19–20, May–June 2012, Pages 108-120 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901112000391 
1158 Deltaprogramma http://english.deltacommissaris.nl/  

478 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

In  2009,  the  Dutch  provinces  signed  an  agreement  with  the  national  government  to 
mainstream  climate  adaptation  into  spatial  planning  by  2015.  Most  provinces  have  now 
developed  climate  adaptation  action  programmes1159.  Ten  out  of  the  twelve  provinces  have 
published  key  vulnerability  assessments;  nine  have  published  key  policy  or  planning 
documents aimed at adaptation. 

A  number  of  municipalities  started  to  develop  adaptation  policies  and  even  released  local 
adaptation  strategies,  for  example,  the  cities  of  Rotterdam  (the  Rotterdam  Climate 
Initiative1160)  and  Amsterdam  (Amsterdam  Rainproof1161).  Many  more  examples  exist,  as 
summarised in the Spatial Adaptation portal1162.  

The National Knowledge and Innovation Programme Water and Climate (NKWK1163) started 
in 2015 and is a cooperation of governments, scientific organisations and the private sector. 
The partners invest in pilots, operational projects and long-term developments with the aim of 
adapting to climate change. 

The  Delta  Programme,  including  the  recently  published  (September  2017)  Delta  Plan  on 
Spatial Adaptation, is a reflection of the close cooperation between the national government, 
provinces, regional water authorities and municipalities. The Association of Provinces of The 
Netherlands  (IPO),  the  Association  of  Netherlands  Municipalities  (VNG)  and  the  Dutch 
Water  Authorities  (UvW)  published  their  Investment-Agenda1164  on  10  March  2017.  This 
agenda  contains  goals,  concrete  objectives  and  actions  on  climate  adaptation.  A  common 
priority is the mainstreaming of climate adaptation into water management, spatial planning, 
nature policy, agriculture and economic policy.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The  implementation  of  the  NAS  is  governed  by  a  board  of  directors  from  all  relevant 
ministries  of  the  Dutch  Government.  They  supervise  a  programme  team.  This  programme 
team  has  delivered  an  implementation  programme  for  2018-20191165.  The  programme  team 
cooperates  in  networks  of  national,  regional  and  local  governments,  NGOs,  knowledge 
institutes and the private sector. The approach in  the NAS  is  to  provide  an overview of the 

1159 See for (an evaluation of 240) examples the 'quick scan climate adaptation', issued by the IPO 
(interprovincial assembly) on http://www.ipo.nl/publicaties/ipo-publiceert-quick-scan-klimaatadaptatie  
1160 Rotterdam Climate Initiative http://www.rotterdamclimateinitiative.nl/documents/2015-en-
ouder/Documenten/RCI-RAS-2013-NL-LR.pdf 
1161 Amsterdam Rainproof https://www.rainproof.nl/ 
1162 Kennisportaal Ruimtelijke Adaptatie https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/ 
1163 The National Water and Climate Knowledge and Innovation Programme https://waterenklimaat.nl/?lang=en 
1164 “Investeringsagenda naar een duurzaam Nederland’ https://vng.nl/onderwerpenindex/milieu-en-
mobiliteit/energie-en-klimaat/nieuws/decentrale-overheden-presenteren-duurzame-investeringsagenda 
1165 Uitvoeringsprogramma 2018-2019. Nationale klimaatadaptatiestrategie (NAS), 
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2018/04/04/uitvoeren-met-ambitie-uitvoeringsprogramma-
2018-2019-nationale-klimaatadaptatiestrategie-nas. An English translation will be available in June/July 2018. 

479 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
adaptation needs for different sectors. This approach leads to broad support from the sectors 
because they understand why they are expected to contribute to adaptation. 

The sub-programmes1166 of the Delta Programme resulted in a set of five Delta Decisions1167 
(adopted  in  September  2014).  In  autumn  2014,  the  Cabinet  discussed  the  Delta  Decisions 
further  with  the  House  of  Representatives  and  embedded  the  Decisions  in,  among  other 
things,  the  National  Water  Plan,  the  Water  Act  and  administrative  agreements  with  other 
governments.  

The  Delta  Programme  is  implemented  by  all  relevant  authorities:  the  central  government, 
provinces,  municipalities  and  regional  water  authorities.  The  business  community,  citizens, 
research  institutions  and  civil  society  organisations  also  contribute.  The  regional  water 
authorities  are  essential  for  the  implementation  of  (regional)  water  management  and  for  the 
management and maintenance of dikes and coastal dunes. Provincial and local authorities are 
responsible  for  spatial  planning,  nature  conservation  and  area  development.  Central 
government, provinces, regional water authorities and municipalities work together in the sub-
programmes of the Delta Programme. Regional steering groups provide advice on decisions, 
strategies and measures as well as on opportunities for using an integrated approach following 
the common Multi-Annual Programme for Infrastructure and Transport Projects (MIRT).1168 
Each year, the Delta Commissioner sends a Delta Programme to Parliament1169. This includes 
Delta  Plans  on  protection  against  flooding  and  water  scarcity  and  droughts.  In  September 
2017, the first “Delta Plan Spatial Adaptation” was sent to Parliament. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

As aforementioned, ten out of twelve provinces had published key studies and assessments of 
the climate impacts and vulnerabilities affecting their respective regions. The NAS2016 gave 
a new momentum to planning by provincial governments.1170 

About half of the municipalities have published plans on climate adaptation.  In many cases, 
groups of municipalities with similar problems work on regional (sub-provincial) adaptation 
plans. As a follow up to the Deltaplan Spatial Adaptation, provinces, Rijkswaterstaat, regional 
water  authorities  and  municipalities  will  carry  out  an  adaptation  stress  test  and  start  risk 
dialogues  in  order  to  identify  their  priorities  for  adaptation.  As  of  2018,  municipalities, 
regional water authorities and provinces are expected to cooperate in around forty regions to 
implement the Delta Programme Spatial Adaptation.  

1166 Regionale Deltaprogramma's http://english.deltacommissaris.nl/delta-programme/contents/regions-and-
generic-topics 
1167 Vijf Deltabeslissingen http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/deltaprogramma/vijf-deltabeslissingen 
1168 Meerjarenprogramma Infrastructuur, Ruimte en Transport https://www.mirtoverzicht.nl/mirt-overzicht-
2017/het-mirt-en/duurzaamheid 
1169 Deltaprogramma 2018 https://www.deltacommissaris.nl/deltaprogramma/deltaprogramma-2018 
1170 Deltaplan Ruimtelijke Adaptatie 2018: https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/deltaplan-ra/ 

480 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The NAS2016 incorporated the six main climate impact issues (see A1) in its implementation 
programme.  At  sectoral  level,  climate  adaptation  efforts  focus  on  protecting  vital  and 
vulnerable  functions  against  (future)  climate  impacts.  Within  the  framework  of  the  Delta 
Programme Spatial Adaptation, the programme "Vital and Vulnerable" was published and it is 
accompanied  by  a  yearly  progress  report1171.  This  programme  focuses  on  the  protection  of 
vital and vulnerable functions against the consequences of flooding.   

Rijkswaterstaat,  the  Ministry  of  Infrastructure  and  Water  Management’s  executive  arm 
responsible  for  transport  infrastructure  and  water  management,  is  developing  a  working 
programme for climate resilient networks: roads, waterways and water systems. As part of the 
programme,  research  to  investigate  the  vulnerability  of  the  highway  network  to  climate 
change has been initiated.  In the future, levels  of acceptable risk  will be established, taking 
into  account  required  service  levels  and  costs  and  benefits  of  possible  measures  for  climate 
adaptation.  

The  Delta  Plan  Agrarian  Water  Management1172  (DAW)  was  initiated  by  the  Dutch 
Federation of Agriculture and Horticulture (LTO) on request of the Dutch Government. The 
DAW  addresses  water  issues  to  support  economically  strong  and  sustainable  agriculture. 
DAW  provides  for  cooperation  between  the  agricultural  sector  and  the  regional  water 
authorities.  Water-related  issues  addressed  are:  water  quality,  salinisation,  water  deficit  and 
water surplus. 

The  Delta  Approach  Water  Quality  was  adopted  by  Dutch  governments,  NGOs  and 
knowledge  institutes  in  20161173.  It  aims  to  achieve  the  EU  Water  Framework  Directive’s 
goals, and reducing water pollution.  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In  the  Netherlands,  the  Ministry  of  Infrastructure  and  Water  Management  (IenW)  –  more 
specifically  the  Directorate  General  for  Water  and  Soil1174  -  is  responsible  for  climate 
adaptation policy-making, including the Delta Programme. The Ministry covers the following 

1171 Voortgangsrapportage Vitaal en Kwetsbaar 
https://www.deltacommissaris.nl/deltaprogramma/documenten/publicaties/2017/09/19/dp2018-d-derde-
voortgangsrapportage-aanpak-nationale-vitale-en-kwetsbare-functies 
1172 Deltaplan Agrarisch Waterbeheer http://agrarischwaterbeheer.nl/content/deltaplan-agrarisch-waterbeheer 
1173 Delta aanpak waterkwaliteit en zoetwater https://www.uvw.nl/publicatie/delta-aanpak-waterkwaliteit-en-
zoetwater/ 
1174 Climate-ADAPT country information: The Netherlands http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/netherlands 

481 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
sectors:  water  and  soil  management,  transport,  infrastructure  (air,  road,  water)  and 
environmental protection. Furthermore, it coordinates the climate adaptation programme and 
communicates to the Dutch public about climate adaptation. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

As  indicated  above,  adaptation  is  coordinated  by  the  Ministry  of  IenW.  Horizontal 
coordination  takes  place  by  a  board  of  directors,  representing  all  relevant  ministries.  This 
coordination was in place during the drafting of the NAS and is currently in place to support 
the  implementation  phase.  Six  other  ministries  were  involved  in  the  development  of  the 
NAS2016: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and Security, the Ministry 
of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, 
the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Safety and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and 
Sport.  To  support  the  implementation  of  the  NAS2016,  an  interdepartmental  support  group 
has  been  formed.  In  addition  to  the  various  ministries,  the  national  associations  of  regional 
and  local  authorities  and  the  main  research  institutions,  The  Netherlands  Environmental 
Assessment Agency (PBL) and The Netherlands Institute for Public Health and Environment 
(RIVM) are also part of the interdepartmental support group. 

National climate adaptation dialogues are an important element of the NAS. Such platforms 
have  already  started,  or  are  in  preparation,  on  the  following  issues:  health  and  heat  stress, 
nature,  insurance  and  climate  change,  built  environment,  and  agriculture.  The  relevant 
ministries are also participating in these dialogues.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Provincial governments, regional water authorities and municipalities were part of the process 
of formulating the NAS2016 by participating in working sessions and by commenting on draft 
versions of the NAS. Furthermore, representatives of the national associations of these three 
subnational  governments  IPO,  UvW  and  VNG  discussed  the  draft  versions  in  meeting  with 
the  ministry  and  asked  feedback  from  their  members  on  the  draft  versions.  The  NAS2016 
programme  team  supports  the  climate  adaptation  policy-making  activities  of  the  provinces. 
With  this  structure,  vertical  coordination  mechanisms  to  support  the  implementation  of  the 
NAS are in place. 

The  VNG  and  IPO  have  brought  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  to  the  attention  of  their 
members1175. So far 21 out of about 400 municipalities have signed up1176. A similar initiative 
in  The  Netherlands  is  the  Climate  Union  (Klimaatverbond)  for  which  163  municipalities 

1175 VNG info on Covenant of Mayors https://vng.nl/onderwerpenindex/europa/nieuws/covenant-of-mayors-
stedenbandenprogramma-klimaat 
1176 Netwerk Burgemeestersconvenant https://www.klimaatverbond.nl/projecten/netwerk-
burgemeestersconvenant 

482 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
signed  up1177;  this  network  focuses  mostly  on  mitigation  but  also  undertakes  adaptation 
activities. 

Municipalities  follow  additional  initiatives  to  enhance  climate  adaptation.  The  Alliance  of 
Climate  Active  Cities  is  a  cooperation  between  the  cities  most  actively  involved  in  climate 
adaptation  that  has  been  in  place  for  many  years.  This  alliance  shares  knowledge  and 
experiences regarding climate adaptation. The cooperation structure of the 50 largest cities of 
The Netherlands (G32) is active in the field of climate adaptation.1178  

The  Delta  Programme  has  clear  vertical  coordination  mechanisms.  Seven  regional 
programmes  are  involving  regional  and  local  governments  (Rhine  Estuary-Drechtsteden, 
Southwestern  Delta,  Lake  IJssel  region,  River  Rhine,  River  Meuse,  the  Coast,  and  the 
Wadden  Region)1179  in  flood  resilience,  freshwater  supply  and  climate-resilient  spatial 
planning.  Various  governance  structures  within  the  Delta  Programme  were  established  to 
implement the Delta Plans on Safety against Flooding, Water Supply and Spatial Adaptation. 

In addition, there is a structure called the Dutch Safety Regions. These are regional platforms 
organising cooperation of fire brigades, police, medical services and subnational governments 
to respond to disasters and crises.1180 The Safety Regions cooperate closely with the Ministry 
of Justice and Security.  

Finally, the National Knowledge network for Water and Climate change (NKWK) facilitates 
voluntarily  cooperation  between  the  national  government,  municipalities,  provinces  and 
research  institutes  to  develop  local  adaptive  research  projects  based  on  local  and  regional 
needs.1181  

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

In 2016, three national workshops were organised to support the development and adoption of 
the  new  NAS2016.  In  addition  to  the  relevant  ministries,  the  following  stakeholders  were 
closely  involved  in  the  development  of  the  NAS2016:  four  provincial  governments,  11 
municipalities,  four  regional  health  organisations,  four  regional  water  authorities,  the  three 
associations  of  provinces,  municipalities  and  regional  water  authorities  (IPO,  VNG  and 
UvW),  six  research  institutes  (KNMI,  PBL,  RIVM,  Deltares,  WUR),  15  engineering  and 
consultancy organisations, four NGO’s, two insurance organisations, one Safety Region, and 
ten miscellaneous organisations among which the Dutch National Bank, Rioned (the sewerage 
institute) and Prorail (Railway infrastructure).  

1177 Klimaatverbond leden https://www.klimaatverbond.nl/leden/ 
1178 G32 largest cities in The Netherlands https://www.g32.nl/themagroep/duurzaamheid 
1179 Regionale Deltaprogramma's https://english.deltacommissaris.nl/delta-programme/contents/regions-and-
generic-topics. http://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/english/nas/  
1180 Veiligheidsregio's https://www.government.nl/documents/decrees/2010/12/17/dutch-security-regions-act-
part-i. 
1181 NKWK programma http://waterenklimaat.nl/ 

483 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Furthermore,  the  national  climate  summit  in  October  2016  was  used  to  consult  different 
government levels, civil  society organisations and the private sector about the new NAS.  In 
2017, one workshop took place and progress was published on the website of the NAS. 

In the Delta Programme, stakeholders are closely involved in developing adaptation policies, 
both in the regional and thematic sub-programmes, as well as in the overall programme.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The Netherlands is part of two macro-regional approaches, in which climate adaptation inter 
alia is addressed: the Benelux and the Wadden Sea Trilateral Cooperation.  

The  Benelux  countries  (Belgium,  The  Netherlands  and  Luxembourg)  have  cooperated  on 
climate change issues since 20141182. In the period 2015-2016, the General Secretariat of the 
Benelux, in consultation with the Working Group on Climate Adaptation and other Benelux 
working  groups,  organised  four  exploratory  workshops  on  climate  adaptation  in  relation  to 
energy, transport and mobility, public health and urban policy, and risk management. In 2017, 
the  Benelux  countries  executed  a  joint  cross-border  risk  analysis  in  the  areas  of  transport, 
energy  supply  and/or  public  health.  In  2018,  the  Benelux  countries  will  organise  ‘table  top 
exercises’ on transboundary climate impacts. 

In  the  context  of  the  Trilateral  Wadden  Sea  cooperation,  Denmark,  Germany  and  The 
Netherlands  cooperate  to  protect  the  Wadden  Sea,  as  an  ecological  unity.  The  guiding 
principle of the trilateral Wadden Sea cooperation is to achieve, as far as possible, a natural 
and sustainable ecosystem  in  which natural  processes occur in  an undisturbed way. Climate 
change and rising sea levels may seriously impact the structure, functions and biodiversity of 
the Wadden Sea ecosystem, as well as the safety of its inhabitants. A Task Group on Climate 
drafted a trilateral strategy on increasing the climate resilience of the Wadden Sea. This was 
adopted by the 12th Wadden Sea Conference in 2014. 

Regarding  cross-border  nature  issues,  The  Netherlands  is  involved  in  five  Interreg  projects 
with a focus on nature-based adaptation1183. 

For the large rivers (Rhine, Meuse, Ems and Scheldt), international committees have existed 
for  several  decades.  In  these  river  basin  committees,  The  Netherlands  cooperates  with 
Germany,  France,  Belgium,  Luxemburg  and Switzerland. The  International  Commission  for 
the Protection of the Rhine published an adaptation strategy in 20151184. Climate adaptation is 
one of the topics in the other committees; however, this is not explicitly linked to the Dutch 
adaptation agenda. The International Meuse Commission specifically works on adaptation to 

1182 Benelux cooperation in climate change http://www.benelux.int/nl/nieuws/benelux-bereidt-zich-voor-op-
klimaatverandering 
1183 One of the Interreg projects https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/english/water-systems/interreg-vb-nsr-building-
with-nature/index.aspx 
1184 Adaptation strategy of the International Rhine Commission 
http://www.iksr.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Dokumente_en/Reports/219_en.pdf 

484 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
low  water  levels,  low  water  quality  and  high-water  temperatures1185.  For  the  River  Ems, 
Germany  and  The  Netherlands  cooperate  to  deliver  the  goals  of  the  Water  Framework 
Directive and the Floods Directive.1186  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Dutch  meteorological  institute,  KNMI  (Royal  Netherlands  Meteorological  Institute),  is 
legally obliged to provide observations on atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial indicators; this 
includes  data  on  expected  extreme  weather  conditions.  It  uses  red/orange/green  codes  to 
inform the general public about extreme weather events.1187  

The  national  agency  Rijkswaterstaat  provides  online  information  on  water  levels  along  the 
coast and in the main rivers and predicts these six hours before they occur1188.  

Monitoring extreme climate events is  a responsibility of the KNMI. This institute maintains 
long time series on, among other variables: temperature and precipitation extremes (including 
heatwaves and hail), and the frequency and intensity of windstorms. 

The  task  of  monitoring  impacts  of  extreme  climate  events  is  distributed  across  multiple 
stakeholders in  different sectors.  In principle, the indicators  can be  grouped into three main 
categories:  economic  damage,  damage  to  the  environment  (including  nature)  and  to  human 
society (including casualties). This corresponds with the PBL vulnerability assessments used 
in the NAS20161189.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The KNMI provided downscaled climate scenarios for The Netherlands in 2006 and updated 
2014 scenarios for the NAS20161190. Scenarios are available for the climatological (30-year) 
periods  centred  at  2030,  2050  and  2085.  The  scenarios  contain  a  broad  range  of  climate 
variables,  from  long-term  annual  average,  to  the  frequency  and  intensity  of  climate/weather 
extremes.  A  new  set  of  climate  scenarios  for  The  Netherlands  and  related  products  will  be 

1185 Meuse Commission annual report 2014, see: http://www.meuse-maas.be/Liens/Belgique.aspx 
1186 Ems Commission http://www.ems-eems.nl 
1187 KNMI http://www.knmi.nl/home 
1188 Rijkswaterstaat Waterinfo: water level http://waterinfo.rws.nl/#!/kaart/waterhoogte-t-o-v-nap/ 
1189 PBL report Adaptation to climate change in the Netherlands - Studying related risks and opportunities 
http://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/english/nas/ and http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/adaptation-to-climate-change-in-
the-netherlands 
1190 KNMI Klimaatscenario's http://www.climatescenarios.nl/ 

485 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
published  in  2021,  aligned  with  the  sixth  assessment  cycle  of  the  Intergovernmental 
Governmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change  (IPCC)  in  order  to  deliver  state-of-the-art  climate 
information.  Attention  will  be  paid  to  observed  trends,  projection  of  sea-level  rise,  extreme 
precipitation, future weather and urban climate information. 

The  KNMI  climate  models  are  quite  elaborate,  especially  from  a  geographical  point  of 
view1191.  In-depth  description  of  specifications  and  justification  of  the  construction  of  the 
latest scenarios can be found in the KNMI library.1192 

Climate  impacts  are  elaborated  in  the  Dutch  Climate  Effect  Atlas,  which  has  been  updated 
and published in September 20171193. Municipalities and other actors use the Atlas to make a 
first assessment of possible consequences of climate change through a stress test1194. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Vulnerability  assessments  are  generally  realised  through  national  studies  and  European 
research  projects.  The  most  important  national  efforts  include  reports  from  the  Delta 
Programme, The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) and the Knowledge 
for Climate programme.  

In  2011  a  report  was  published  on  the  vulnerability  of  vital  infrastructure  at  national  level. 
This resulted in a ‘dashboard’ table for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management 
to  initiate and monitor actions for the following  vulnerable infrastructures:  energy, telecom, 
drinking  water,  waste  water  treatment,  health  institutes,  transport,  chemical  and  nuclear 
facilities1195.  This  dashboard  resulted  in  the  programme  Vitaal  en  Kwetsbaar  (Vital  and 
Vulnerable)1196.  

PBL  published  a  broad  climate  impact  report  in  2012  (Dutch)/2013  (English)1197,  assessing 
the  observed  and  projected  change  in  climate  and  the  impacts  on  about  40  indicators.  This 
included  impacts  on  flood  safety,  freshwater  availability  and  quality,  nature,  agriculture, 
human  health  and  tourism  in  The  Netherlands.  In  2014,  PBL  and  its  partners  published  a 
report ‘Small chances, big consequences’ on the consequences of flooding in The Netherlands 

1191 Climate-ADAPT country information The Netherlands http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/netherlands 
1192 KNMI klimaatscenario's 2014 
http://www.klimaatscenarios.nl/brochures/images/KNMI14_Klimaatscenarios_folder_EN_2015.pdf 
1193 Kennisportaal Ruimtelijke Adaptatie http://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/english/ 
1194 Climate adaptation stress test: 
https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/handreiking/handreiking/weten/kwetsbaarheid/stresstest/ 
1195 Kennisportaal Ruimtelijke Adaptatie dashboards 
https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/bibliotheek/@158286/dashboards (2014) 
1196 Deltaprogramma voortgangsrapportage 2018 
https://www.deltacommissaris.nl/deltaprogramma/documenten/publicaties/2017/09/19/dp2018-d-derde-
voortgangsrapportage-aanpak-nationale-vitale-en-kwetsbare-functies 
1197 PBL rapport Klimaatverandering in Nederland 2012 http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/the-effects-of-
climate-change-in-the-netherlands-2012 

486 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
to  guide  investments  in  new  water  infrastructure1198.  In  2015  this  was  followed  by  a  PBL 
report  on  climate  impacts  other  than  flooding:  ‘Adaptation  to  climate  change  in  The 
Netherlands  -  Studying  related  risks  and  opportunities'1199.  The  vulnerability  of  The 
Netherlands was assessed in the PBL report and the most urgent issues were identified. The 
basis for this vulnerability assessment was sectoral vulnerability studies, prepared by multiple 
universities and institutes across The Netherlands1200. The sectors covered in the PBL report 
are transport and infrastructure, the power supply system, ICT networks, public health, nature, 
agriculture, and fishery. Prioritisation was achieved by comparing impacts and opportunities 
according to their probability of occurrence in the coming decades and their potential impact 
on economy, society and nature1201. These priority impacts were addressed in the NAS2016. 

Decisions in the Delta Programme are underpinned by a cost-benefit analysis.  

The  NAS2016  is  built  on  a  three-step  analysis:  an  effect  analysis;  a  risk  analysis;  and  an 
urgency  analysis1202.  Following  a  coordinated  bottom-up  process,  some  key  actors  in 
vulnerable sectors, such as Rijkswaterstaat (on transport infrastructure1203) and the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Nature and Food Safety are initiating action on assessing climate vulnerabilities 
and risks in cooperation with project groups involved in drafting and carrying out the NAS. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

In 2015, the PBL summarised the worldwide climate effects and their risks and opportunities 
for  The  Netherlands1204.  The  NAS2016  mentions  the  following  transboundary  risks: 
electricity infrastructure, ICT, financial systems, food production and natural ecosystems. The 
effects  of  climate  change  worldwide  are  also  covered  in  the  NAS2016.  Under  the  heading 
‘International  context’  (p7)  the  NAS  proposes  several  actions:  export  of  knowledge, 
contributing  to  a  European  nature  network,  and  climate-relevant  investments  in  developing 
countries. Cross-border effects on nature (moving climate zones) have been investigated but 
are not integrated in nature policy. An adaptation dialogue on nature issues started in 2017.  

The Delta Programme takes upstream effects for the River Rhine into account by assuming an 
expected  future  maximum  discharge  of  18,000  m3  per  second  at  the  entrance  point  to  The 
Netherlands.  However,  it  does  not  look  at  potential  measures  in  the  upstream  German  or 
Swiss  parts  of  the  river.  Transnational  cooperation  in  river  floods  has  been  taken  up  in  the 

1198 PBL rapport Kleine kansen grote gevolgen http://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/cms/PBL_2014_Kleine-
kansen-grote-gevolgen_1031.pdf 
1199 PBL rapport Adaptatie aan klimaatverandering in Nederland http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/adaptation-
to-climate-change-in-the-netherlands 
1200 Bouwstenen NAS http://kennisvoorklimaat.nl/bouwstenenNAS 
1201 PBL report Adaptatie aan klimaatverandering in Nederland http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/adaptation-to-
climate-change-in-the-netherlands 
1202 National Adaptation Strategy https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/nas/ 
1203 See ROADAPT project https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/guidances/roadapt-guidelines-for-
adaptation-of-road-infrastructure-to-climate-change  
1204 PBL report Worldwide climate effects - Risks and opportunities for the Netherlands 
http://www.pbl.nl/en/publications/worldwide-climate-effects-risks-and-opportunities-for-the-netherlands 

487 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
implementation  of  the  Floods  Directive,  establishing  hydraulic  boundary  conditions  for  the 
Rhine and sharing models in the Meuse and Scheldt. The international river commissions are 
closely involved in this issue. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

Two  large  knowledge  programmes  ran  between  2007  and  2014:  the  Adaptation  Programme 
‘Ruimte  voor  Klimaat’1205  and  'Knowledge  for  Climate'1206.  These  programmes  provided  a 
broad knowledge base for all later adaptation activities. In 2015, NKWK1207 started a network 
in  which  the  national  government,  municipalities,  regional  water  authorities,  provinces, 
consultancies and research institutes set up small-scale innovative projects. 

Many KNMI and PBL publications (see Indicator 3c), and sectoral studies that were the basis 
of some PBL studies, provide the scientific underpinning to the NAS2016.1208 In 2016, three 
national  workshops  on  adaptation  action,  including  identification  of  knowledge  gaps,  were 
attended by sectoral  stakeholders from: health, security, water quality and quantity, finance, 
urban planning and construction, nature, insurance, agriculture, transport, and fisheries (next 
to  many  local and regional  governments  and research organisations).  In  2017, an  additional 
workshop  was  held  in  preparation  of  the  NAS  Implementation  Plan  2018-2019.  Further 
knowledge development is coordinated between the NAS programme team, NKWK and the 
Delta programme. 

The  Delta  Programme  has  funding  for  research  on  flood  prevention  (1%  of  its  total 
contribution  of  EUR  1  billion  per  year).1209  The  Delta  Programme  Spatial  Adaptation 
continuously evaluates the existing knowledge gaps.  

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Since  2014,  the  Spatial  Adaptation  portal1210  has  provided  information  from  the  Climate 
Effect  Atlas  in  an  accessible  way  to  dedicated  experts  and  professionals.  Recently, 
information from the NAS and the Delta Programme Spatial Adaptation has been included in 
the portal. 

1205 Klimaat voor Ruimte publications http://www.klimaatvoorruimte.nl/dossiers/adaptatieprogramma-ruimte-en-
klimaat-(ARK) 
1206 Knowledge for Climate publications http://www.knowledgeforclimate.nl/ 
1207 NKWK website http://waterenklimaat.nl/ 
1208 Like for example http://kennisvoorklimaat.nl/bouwstenenNAS 
1209 Climate-ADAPT country information - The Netherlands http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/netherlands 
1210 Kennisportaal Ruimtelijke Adaptatie http://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/english/ 

488 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  results  of  the  research  programmes  Adaptation  Programme,  ‘Climate  changes  Spatial 
Planning1211’  and  Knowledge  for  Climate1212  are  available  from  their  website  libraries.  In 
addition,  the  Climate  NL  LinkedIn  group  (Knowledge  for  Climate  initiative)  is  still  active 
with over 1,000 members. 

In 2014, the overstroomik.nl website1213 and an application were developed to prepare citizens 
for flooding by informing them what water levels to expect. Since its launch up to February 
2018,  the  website  and  the  app  have  had  around  1,6  million  unique  visitors  and  more  than 
250,000 downloads. 

The KNMI established a webpage1214 to provide climate information to different users. RIVM 
has provided information on climate adaptation on its website for several years.1215 A future 
aim is to cooperate more in the information provision in order to create a better overview for 
knowledge users. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There are systematic capacity-building activities, some of which are coordinated through the 
NAS2016,  while  others  are  included  in  the  NAS  Implementation  Programme.  The  Climate 
Adaptation  Services  foundation,  assigned  by  the  Ministry  of  Infrastructure  and  Water 
Management,  provides  workshops  for  regional  water  authorities,  provincial  and  local 
governments  based  on  the  recently  updated  Climate  Effect  Atlas1216.  Sectors  like  transport 
(road, water, air), energy, nature protection, agriculture, cultural heritage are involved.  

One  example  of  capacity  building  can  be  found  within  the  Delta  Programme  Spatial 
Adaptation,  which  contributes  to  curriculum  development  together  with  the  universities  of 
applied sciences1217.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

1211 Klimaat voor Ruimte programma http://www.klimaatvoorruimte.nl/dossiers/adaptatieprogramma-ruimte-en-
klimaat-(ARK) 
1212 Kennis voor Klimaat programma http://www.knowledgeforclimate.nl/ 
1213 Overstroomik.nl (Will I flood.nl) http://overstroomik.nl/ 
1214 KNMI kennis en datacentrum http://www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum 
1215 RIVM klimaatverandering http://www.rivm.nl/Onderwerpen/K/Klimaatverandering 
1216 Klimaateffectatlas http://www.climateadaptationservices.com/en/klimaateffectatlas 
1217 HBO netwerk Ruimtelijke Adaptatie https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/actueel/actueel/nieuws/2017/teach-the-
teacher/ 

489 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The emphasis of the NAS2016 is  to  ‘build on ten  years of  adaptation  to  climate change’ in 
The Netherlands and to progress towards implementation of adaptation measures. In general, 
reports  from  the  past  are  consistently  used  in  policy  making.  The  NAS  aims  at  bottom  up 
input  so  that  all  adaptation  measures  will  be  tailor-made  for  specific  regional  and  local 
characteristics. 

The  Delta  programme  uses  the  following  method:  problem  analysis  >  range  of  solutions  > 
preferred  solutions  >  strategic  choices.  The  Delta  Programme  divided  The  Netherlands  into 
six  regions,  which  each  have  specific  geographic  characteristics:  the  Wadden  Sea  area;  the 
western  coast,  the  large  rivers,  the  south-western  delta  (mainly  the  Province  of  Zeeland), 
Rijnmond-Drechtsteden, the high sandy areas (southern and eastern part of The Netherlands) 
and IJssel Lake. Nowadays the River Rhine and the River Meuse are the subjects of separate 
programmes 1218. Solutions have been identified for the main priority hazards and sectors. 

Both  the  NAS2016  and  the  Delta  Programme  Spatial  Adaptation  address  examples  of 
adaptation options in additional priority sectors. The website on spatial adaptation offers good 
examples on a map1219. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g.  multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The Dutch NAS2016 explains the decision-making process in relation to adaptation policies. 
The method in the NAS was 1) Climate impact analysis, 2) Risk analysis 3) Urgency analysis 
(to decide which risks were to be addressed first). During stakeholder workshops with many 
parties  (including  institutes  like  KNMI,  RIVM,  TNO,  Wageningen  Research  and  PBL) 
multiple adaptation options were compared1220.  

For four years, the Delta programme used the following method: problem analysis > range of 
solutions  >  preferred  solutions  >  strategic  choices.  The  Delta  programme  has  its  own 
extensive  body  of  research  to  decide  on  priorities.  New  flood  resilience  norms  entered  into 
force on 1 January 2017, which are explicitly based on economic analysis of assets that need 
protection1221. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

The Dutch Safety Regions have a mandate to address disaster risk management on a regional 
level. They build their activities around organising regional platforms of fire brigades, police, 
medical  services  and  sub-national  governments  to  respond  to  disasters  and  crises.  Their 

1218 Regions addressed in the Delta program: see menu on https://www.deltacommissaris.nl/ 
1219 Good examples of spatial adaptation https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/voorbeelden/ 
1220 NAS2016 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2016/12/02/nationale-
klimaatadaptatiestrategie-2016-nas 
1221 Nieuwe Normering http://www.hoogwaterbeschermingsprogramma.nl/Nieuwe+normering/default.aspx 

490 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
mandate  is  laid  down  in  a  decree1222,  but  this  act  does  not  mention  climate  adaptation. 
Nevertheless,  structural  cooperation  between  the  Ministry  of  Infrastructure  and  Water 
Management  and  the  Ministry  of  Justice  and  Security  is  in  place.  The  Steering  Group 
National Security is the ex officio decision-making level on the approach of the Dutch central 
government  to  policies  on  vital  critical  infrastructure.  The  Ministry  of  Infrastructure  and 
Water Management participates in the Steering Group National Safety, as well as in different 
projects under this steering group.  

In  2015,  the  programme  ‘Water  and  Evacuation’  began  with  the  aim  to  improve  the 
preparedness  of  the  Dutch  Safety  Regions  to  the  consequences  of  floods  due  to  climate 
change.1223 Between 2015 and 2017, instruments were developed to assist the Safety Regions 
in  their  preparedness  for  water-related  disasters,  including  floods.  The  instruments  are  now 
available.1224 The programme is monitored by the Steering Group Management Water Crises 
and Floods (SMWO, Stuurgroep Management Watercrises en Overstromingen). The SMWO 
is part of the governance structure under the Steering Group National Security in which Dutch 
Safety Regions, the Ministry of Justice and Security, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water 
Management and the Dutch Water Authorities, KNMI and the Ministry of Defence take part. 
The  programme  links  to  other  programmes,  such  as  ‘National  Vital  and  Vulnerable  Critical 
Infrastructure’1225.  

In  addition  to  the  cooperation  described  above,  the  Ministry  of  Justice  and  Security 
participated in the formulation and implementation of the NAS2016. 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  NAS2016  does  not  have  an  implementation  budget.  The  NAS  states  that  funding  for 
adaptation must be found by all partners involved in practical adaptation projects from their 
own budgets.  

The  Ministry  of  IenW  provides  funding  for  the  KNMI  scenarios,  the  Climate  Adaptation 
Services foundation1226 and the Spatial Adaptation website1227 but it is undecided how much 
and for how long.  

The  Delta  Programme  is  funded  through  the  Delta  Act  which  has  made  a  reservation  of 
around  EUR  1  billion  per  year,  mainly  for  investments  and  maintenance  of  water 

1222 Dutch Safety Regions Act https://www.government.nl/documents/decrees/2010/12/17/dutch-security-
regions-act-part-i 
1223 Programma water en evacuatie http://www.strategische-agenda.nl/project/water-en-evacuatie/ See for the 
action plan: http://www.strategische-agenda.nl/wp-
content/uploads/2016/01/Samenvatting_projectplan_Water_en_Evacuatie.pdf  
1224 Flood preparedness tools http://onswater.ifv/ 
1225 Vitaal en kwetsbaar pilots See: https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/overheden/vitaal-kwetsbaar/pilots-vitaal/ and 
https://www.nctv.nl/organisatie/nationale_veiligheid/vitale_infrastructuur/index.aspx 
1226 Klimaateffectatlas http://www.climateadaptationservices.com/en/klimaateffectatlas 
1227 Knowledge portal Spatial Adaptation http://www.spatialadaptation.com/ 

491 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
infrastructure,  such  as  the  reinforcement  of  dikes  and  levees  and  freshwater  supply.1228  A 
budget for climate investments under the Delta Programme has been published1229, indicating 
the  estimated  costs  of  investments  in  adaptation  measures  in  the  identified  priority  fields. 
Recent publications shed more light on the expected expenditure of the fund, indicating that 
adaptation in water management related fields will cost in the order of EUR 26 billion (with a 
broad margin).1230  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The  Dutch  Commission  on  EIA  (Commission  MER)  indicates  that  consideration  of  climate 
change  is  advisable  while  working  on  an  EIA1231.  The  Commission  MER  website  refers  to 
different tests and tools with which a proper assessment can be linked to climate adaptation, 
such as the stress test and the Climate App, however, it is not an obligatory part of an EIA.  

SEA is formally integrated in Dutch legislation but is not used much in The Netherlands1232. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Between 2014 and 2016, a National Information System Water and Floods (LIWO, Landelijk 
Informatiesysteem  Water  en  Overstromingen)1233  was  developed,  which  provides  the  Dutch 
Safety Regions1234 and all other stakeholders with up-to-date information on flood risk. Data 
sources  are,  amongst  others,  the  database  on  floods  administered  by  the  Dutch  Provinces 
(IPO), in accordance with the European Floods Directive.  

The  Steering  Group  Management  Water  Crises  and  Floods  (Stuurgroep  Management 
Watercrises  en  Overstromingen:  SMWO)  fosters  a  coordinated  approach  between  Safety 

1228 Deltawet https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/deltaprogramma/inhoud/deltawet-deltacommissaris-en-
deltafonds. 
1229 https://deltaprogramma2018.deltacommissaris.nl/viewer/paragraph/1/2-deltaprogramma-/chapter/voortgang-
op-basis-van-meten-weten-handelen/paragraph/1-financiele-borging-van-het-deltaprogramma 
1230 Financiele borging van het Deltaprogramma 
https://deltaprogramma2018.deltacommissaris.nl/viewer/paragraph/1/2-deltaprogramma-/chapter/voortgang-op-
basis-van-meten-weten-handelen/paragraph/1-financiele-borging-van-het-deltaprogramma 
1231 Integrating climate into EIA http://www.commissiemer.nl/themas/klimaat/stand-van-zaken 
1232 EIA and SEA http://www.eia.nl/en/countries/eu/netherlands+(the)/sea 
1233 Landelijk Informatiesysteem Water en Overstromingen https://professional.basisinformatie-
overstromingen.nl/liwo/# and for background information: 
https://www.helpdeskwater.nl/onderwerpen/applicaties-modellen/applicaties-
per/watermanagement/watermanagement/liwo/ 
1234 Dutch Safety Regions are a cooperation of emergency services like fire brigade, police and ambulances, 
organized in regional teams. 

492 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Regions and regional water authorities. The Dutch Safety Regions base their plans on climate 
projections. 

Partners in the Delta Programme (national government, provinces, municipalities and regional 
water  authorities)  and  partners  in  the  structure  of  the  Steering  Group  for  National  Security 
base  their  plans  on  climate  projections.  Dutch  climate  projections  are  regularly  updated  by 
KNMI. 

In the framework of the Delta Programme a stress test was developed to assess the resilience 
of  municipalities  against  climate  risks  (flooding,  heavy  rainfall,  drought  and  heatwaves).  In 
2018, all municipalities are expected to conduct  the test for which they can use the Climate 
Effect Atlas that shows local climate projections. The result is a local risk profile that must be 
followed by a local adaptation policy (including safety and disaster plans)1235.  

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

At  the  beginning  of  2017,  the  first  part  of  the  ‘Nationale  Omgevingsvisie’  was  published, 
which  includes  the  issue  of  climate  change  and  more  specifically  climate  adaptation.  The 
Environment Act (Omgevingswet) is a recent law that regulates all physical activities in the 
environment,  including  economic  development,  transport,  nature,  and  protection  of  cultural 
heritage. Existing laws on environmental quality, water, and spatial planning will merge into 
the new Act. The implementation of the new law, including the new visions by the national, 
regional and local authorities, will be elaborated over the next few years.  

Part of the new Environment Act (and the old Spatial Planning Law) is the Water Assessment 
(Watertoets). In the Water Assessment, regional water authorities assess the impact of spatial 
plans and urban development on the water system and provide the planning authorities with 
advice on how to build while avoiding problems for the water system.1236  Climate adaptation 
and  long-term  development  issues  are  generally  discussed  in  this  Water  Assessment; 
however, it is not an obligation to follow the advice.  

There are no regulations regarding climate resilience for urban planning as yet (e.g. in relation 
to urban heat problems). Only pilots exist in which present ideas are implemented. However, 
according to  the Delta Programme,  Dutch municipalities are expected to  execute adaptation 
stress tests by 2019. 

There is no legal structure for maritime planning and no obligation to take climate change into 
account.  However, in  the development  of policy documents for the North  Sea, the expected 
climate impacts are taken into consideration. 

1235 De stresstest is aangekondigd in het Deltaplan RA. Zie https://ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl/deltaplan-ra/. Deltaplan 
RA is H7 van Deltaprogramma 2018, Doorwerken aan een duurzame en veilige delta 
1236 Watertoets https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2009/12/01/handreiking-watertoetsproces-3-
samenwerken-aan-water-in-ruimtelijke-plannen 

493 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate  change  is  an  important  consideration  in  water  legislation  through  the  Delta  Act, 
however, it is not mentioned yet in other Dutch legislation or policy. The NAS2016 states that 
legislative action will be discussed and prepared for 2020. Dialogues have been initiated with 
multiple sectors like insurance, health and nature and this may result in legislation that takes 
account of the need for adaptation.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

In  the  context  of  floods  and  dike  failure,  insurers  studied  the  effect  of  climate  change  in 
cooperation with KNMI1237, which led to the conclusion that premiums would become more 
expensive and insurers should aim at prevention measures among their clients. Although the 
government is bound by law to compensate damages caused by large-scale disastrous events, 
no evidence was found that this compensation is accompanied by incentives for adaptation on 
the local level.1238 

In  February  14,  2017  a  first  adaptation  dialogue  with  the  insurance  sector  took  place  with 
more than 50 participants. This dialogue was organised by the Union of Insurance Companies, 
the  Dutch  National  Bank  (De  Nederlandsche  Bank)  and  the  NAS2016  team.  Participants 
discussed  intense  rainfall,  flooding  from  rivers  or  the  sea,  hail  and  windstorms.  The  NAS 
Implementation Programme 2018-20191239 summarises the results of the adaptation dialogue 
with the insurance sector. Insurers and KNMI came to the conclusion that climate change may 
result in  additional damage  claims worth  EUR 0.25 billion per  year. Some of the follow-up 
actions  are new insurance products,  additional research, such as more precise monitoring of 
hail together with  KNMI, and a website with  climate  information  provided by the Union of 
Insurance Companies.  

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

1237 Klimaatverandering en schadelast https://www.verzekeraars.nl/media/1873/klimaatverandering-en-
schadelast.pdf 
1238 Wet tegemoetkoming schade bij rampen http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0009637/2016-01-01. 
1239 Uitvoeringsprogramma 2018-2019. Nationale klimaatadaptatiestrategie (NAS), page 28-29 
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2018/04/04/uitvoeren-met-ambitie-uitvoeringsprogramma-
2018-2019-nationale-klimaatadaptatiestrategie-nas 

494 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  previous  NAS  of  2007  focused  on  initiating  adaptation  research.  This  led  to  research 
programmes,  as  described  under  Indicator  4,  and  sometimes  to  small  pilot  projects,  such  as 
the Water Square in Rotterdam1240 and the spatial plan for Zuidplaspolder1241. 

The NAS2016 was followed by an implementation plan 2018-2019 in March 2018. Priorities 
in  the  plan  are:  heat  stress;  infrastructure;  agriculture;  nature;  and  the  built  environment. 
Furthermore,  the  national  government  aims  to  cooperate  with  provincial  and  municipal 
governments  towards  a  comprehensive  set  of  provincial  and  regional  adaptation  strategies. 
The provinces of Overijssel and Noord-Brabant drafted implementation plans and are active 
with implementation.  

Progress is reported in Annex 1 of the NAS implementation plan. Actions mostly  consist of 
organising  dialogues  with  sectors  and  lower  governments  (e.g.  the  insurance  sector, 
municipalities that have experienced a flooding, the health sector, railways, the energy sector, 
etc.). The dialogues aim at formulating solutions together, for example, new insurance options 
or reconstructing vulnerable parts of the railway infrastructure.  

In the health and wellbeing sector, a National Heat Plan of 2007 was updated in 20151242. This 
plan has  been used every  year since 2007 and informs  regional  health organisations  (GGDs 
and  the  Red  Cross)  when  and  how  to  put  preventive  measures  in  action  in  care  homes  and 
hospitals.  KNMI  and  RIVM  have  a  warning  system  in  place  with  threshold  values  that 
indicate  a  heatwave.  When  a  heatwave  is  expected  all  Dutch  care  institutions  receive  a 
warning1243. 

In  the  NKWK  programme  municipalities  and  regional  water  authorities  cooperate  with 
research institutes and consultancies in implementing innovative pilots for climate adaptation. 
The programme works on fourteen topics for innovation1244. These pilots could be regarded as 
autonomous  adaptation  because  they  are  initiated  in  a  bottom  up  process  by  actors  who  are 
interested in adaptation and who finance the implementation by themselves. 

In the water sector, identifying weak spots in the flood protection system and reconstructing 
these  is  an  ongoing  process.  Climate  scenarios  (e.g.,  for  2050)  have  played  a  role  in  that 
process  since 1999.  For  the Delta Programme, implementation formally  started in  2012 and 
updated Delta programmes are sent to Parliament every year1245.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

1240 Water Square Rotterdam http://www.urbanisten.nl/wp/?portfolio=waterplein-benthemplein 
1241 Spatial plan Zuidplaspolder http://www.climatechangesspatialplanning.nl/research-themes/adaptation/A14 
1242 RIVM Nationaal Hitteplan 2015 https://www.rivm.nl/dsresource?objectid=a3dd7434-836f-4d79-8a7d-
4741545171ad&type=org&disposition=inline 
1243 KNMI Nationaal Hitteplan https://www.knmi.nl/producten-en-diensten/verhalen/Nationaal-Hitteplan-als-
warm-weer-een-risico-is 
1244 NKWK programma onderzoekslijnen https://waterenklimaat.nl/onderzoekslijnen/ 
1245 Delta programma 2018 https://www.deltacommissaris.nl/deltaprogramma/deltaprogramma-2018 

495 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  NAS  programme  team  organises  national  adaptation  dialogues  on  the  following  issues: 
health  and  heat  stress,  nature,  insurance  and  climate  change,  built  environment,  and 
agriculture.  The  ministries,  other  governments  and  other  stakeholders  participate  in  these 
dialogues. 

The Delta Programme Spatial Adaptation organises municipalities into regions. The stress test 
for municipalities adds to the implementation of specific actions in a coordinated approach. 

The Delta Programme works with eight regional sub-programmes: the Wadden Sea area; the 
western coast, the south-western delta (mainly the Province of Zeeland), the high sandy areas 
(Eastern part of The Netherlands), IJssel Lake, the River Rhine and the River Meuse, and the 
region  Rijnmond-Drechtsteden (including Rotterdam). Regional partners, such  as provinces, 
regional water authorities and municipalities, are involved in those sub-programmes.   

The  NKWK  network  is  a  programme  where  national  government,  municipalities,  provinces 
and knowledge providers can voluntarily meet to develop local projects.1246  

Other network organisations have been established with regard to climate adaptation, such as 
the G32 working group on climate adaptation, the Klimaatbestendige Stad and the City Deal 
Climate Adaptation. They have links with national operating programmes, such as the Delta 
Programme. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Presently  the  number  of  guidelines  is  limited.  In  2013,  the  Manifest  Climate-Adaptive 
Construction  (Manifest  Klimaatbestendige  Stad)  was  published1247.  In  February  2017,  the 
Dutch  association  of  municipalities  VNG  published  a  position  paper  on  climate-resilient 
municipalities1248.  The  NAS2016  announced  that  Rijkswaterstaat  would  investigate  if 
guidelines for roads needed to be updated (page 26) and the same was said for RIVM about 
guidelines for new vectors of diseases (p28). The Dutch Standards Institute (NEN) has started 
to look at guidelines recently1249  

For the water infrastructure, new norms are under development, which not only take the water 
system into account but also the economic value that needs to be protected. The new norms 
were adopted by Parliament and senate in 20161250 and are now implemented in practice.  

1246 NKWK projects http://waterenklimaat.nl/ and http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/netherlands 
1247 Manifest Klimaatbestendige Stad http://bouwenmetgroen.nl/wp-content/uploads/manifest_kbs_DEF.pdf 
1248 VNG position paper Klimaatbestendige gemeenten https://vng.nl/files/vng/publicaties/2017/20170217-
klimaatbestendige-gemeenten.pdf 
1249 NEN institute is looking at climate adaptation https://www.nen.nl/Standardization/Adaptation-to-Climate-
Change.htm 
1250 Nieuwe normering in de Eerste Kamer 
https://www.eerstekamer.nl/wetsvoorstel/34436_nieuwe_normering_primaire 

496 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The  NAS2016  programme  team  organises  national  adaptation  dialogues  on  the  following 
issues:  health  and  heat  stress,  nature,  insurance  and  climate  change,  built  environment,  and 
agriculture.  The  ministries,  other  governments  and  other  stakeholders  participate  in  these 
dialogues. The dialogues are part of the NAS2016 and of the implementation plan 2018-2019. 
They are an important tool because the implementation budget has to be found through these 
dialogues. 

Stakeholder involvement has been a crucial aspect of the Delta Programme since it was first 
established in 2012. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

No monitoring reports have been published on the implementation of the NAS2016. In 2015 
PBL published a report on how to monitor climate adaptation1251. The plan is for the NAS to 
build upon this proposal. In 2017, a plan of action on monitoring was drafted. 

In  addition,  the  Delta  Programme  developed  a  monitoring  system  for  following  its  own 
progress1252. The system has been applied to the Delta Programme Spatial Adaptation1253. A 
more  comprehensive  system  is  currently  under  development  to  also  assess  the  progress  and 
effectiveness  of  the  programme.  Its  point  of  departure  was  a  2016  PBL  report  on  reflexive 
monitoring and evaluation1254. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

1251 PBL Ontwerp voor een nationale adaptatie monitor 
http://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/cms/publicaties/PBL-2015-Ontwerp-voor-een-nationale-adaptatiemonitor-
1640.pdf 
1252 Deltaprogramma Systematiek Meten-weten-handelen 
https://deltaprogramma2017.deltacommissaris.nl/viewer/paragraph/1/1-deltaprogramma-
/chapter/deltabeslissingen-en-voorkeursstrategieen/paragraph/-eerste-uitwerking-van-de-systematiek-meten-
weten-handelen 
1253 Deltaprogramma Ruimtelijke Adaptatie monitoring https://www.deltares.nl/app/uploads/2017/02/170131-
Eindrapport-Tussentijdse-Evaluatie-DBRA.pdf zie ook het Deltares rapport uit 2015 “Resultaten van de Monitor 
Ruimtelijke Adaptatie” op www.ruimtelijkeadaptatie.nl 
1254 PBL report Keeping track of adaptation in the Dutch Delta 
http://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/cms/publicaties/pbl-2016-keeping-track-of-adaptation-in-the-dutch-delta-
2557.pdf 

497 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The NAS2016 has announced a monitoring system but it has not materialised as yet. 

At the same time, progress reports on the implementation of the Delta Programme are being 
implemented, so progress on adaptation actions in the water sector is being reported.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

In 2015, PBL published a report on how to monitor climate adaptation1255. The plan is for the 
NAS to build upon this proposal. It is not clear how sub-national adaptation will be included. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

Progress reports on the implementation of the NAS2016 will be available as of 2019. It is not 
decided if and with what frequency revisions of the NAS will take place. 

At the same time, under the Delta Programme annual  programmes have  been offered to  the 
Parliament  since 2010.  Delta Programme 2018  has been published,  and  a Delta Programme 
2019 is foreseen.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Monitoring of the NAS2016 is not yet in place and it is unclear if involving stakeholders in 
the processes is foreseen.  

For the Delta Programme, monitoring is  still under development  and,  although a number of 
expert organisations is involved in the process (such as KNMI, Deltares and CBS), these are 
not a reflection of the wide range of stakeholders that are affected by the Delta Programme. 

1255 PBL Ontwerp voor een nationale adaptatie monitor 
http://www.pbl.nl/sites/default/files/cms/publicaties/PBL-2015-Ontwerp-voor-een-nationale-adaptatiemonitor-
1640.pdf 

498 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

499 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress 
/ No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

500 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Met? 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

501 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Poland 

Table of contents  

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 503 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 504 

Adaptation strategies .......................................................................................................... 504 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 504 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ................................................ 504 

Adaptation action plans ...................................................................................................... 505 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 505 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 505 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 506 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 506 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 506 

1. Coordination structure ................................................................................................ 506 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development ..................................................... 508 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 510 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 510 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 512 

5. Knowledge transfer ..................................................................................................... 513 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options............................................................................... 515 

6. Adaptation options' identification ............................................................................... 515 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 517 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ............................................................................ 518 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ....................................................... 518 

9. Implementing adaptation ............................................................................................ 520 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities ............................................... 523 

10. Monitoring and reporting .......................................................................................... 523 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 524 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 525 

502 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

CF 

Cohesion Fund  

EAFRD 

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development  

EEA  

European Economic Area 

EMFF   

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 

ERDF   

European Regional Development Fund  

ESF 

European Social Fund  

ESIF    

European Structural and Investment Funds 

HELCOM   Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission 

IMGW  

Institute of Meteorology and Water Management 

IOŚ-PIB  

Instytut Ochrony Środowiska – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy 

ISOK   

System of Protection Against Extreme Hazards 

MPA  

Miejskie Plany Adaptacji do Zmian Klimatu (urban climate adaptation plans)  

NAS    

National Adaptation Strategy  

OP 

Operational Programme 

503 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The “Polish National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change by 2020 with the perspective 
by 2030” (NAS 2020)1256 was adopted by the Polish Government in October 2013. Its main 
goal is to ensure the sustainable development of Poland in a changing climate. It links directly 
to the EU Adaptation Strategy. The NAS 2020 sets out strategic goals for adaptation action in 
several sectors considered to be particularly vulnerable to climate change in Poland, namely: 
water  management,  agriculture,  forestry,  biodiversity  and  protected  areas,  health,  energy, 
building  industry,  transport,  mountain  areas,  coastal  zone,  spatial  development  and  urban 
areas.  It  includes  legislative,  organisational  and  information  actions,  as  well  as  research 
programmes. 

The  NAS  2020,  provides  the  high-level  framework  that  is  referred  to  when  planning 
adaptation action at national, regional and local level.  

Many  other  strategic  documents,  at  national,  regional  and  local  levels,  highlight  the 
importance  of  climate  adaptation  in  Poland  (e.g.  the  Strategy  for  Responsible  Development 
for  the  period  up  to  2020,  including  the  perspective  up  to  20301257;  the  National 
Environmental  Policy  20301258,  and  the  Energy  Security  and  Environment  Strategy  – 
perspective up to 20201259). Many of these documents were created before the adoption of the 
NAS 2020 in 2013 (e.g. Strategy for “Sustainable development of the countryside, agriculture 
and fisheries in 2012-2020”1260, which explicitly mentions adaptation in rural areas as part of 
its five core objectives).  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

The  local  and  regional  (voivodeship)  authorities  are  free  to  shape  their  adaptation  policies. 
The Ministry of Environment has published a guidance document concerning the preparation 
of urban adaptation plans in 2014. Adaptation strategies at a local level are being developed in 
the  framework  of  a  project  conducted  by  the  Ministry  of  Environment:  “Development  of 
Urban  Adaptation  Plans  for  cities  with  more  than  100,000  inhabitants  in  Poland”  (MPA), 

1256 Ministry of Environment, 2013, Polish National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (NAS 2020), 
https://klimada.mos.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ENG_SPA2020_final.pdf  
1257 MIIR, 2017, Strategia na rzecz Odpowiedzialnego Rozwoju do roku 2020 (z perspektywą do 2030 r.) URL: 
https://www.miir.gov.pl/media/48672/SOR.pdf  
1258 Under preparation. Personal contact with MS contact.  
1259 According to the website of the Polish Ministry of Energy, this strategy is expected to remain in place until 
the end of 2018 when it will be replaced by two separate strategic documents covering Polish Energy Policy and 
the National Environmental Policy 2030. The new documents being prepared will be aligned with the The 
Strategy for Responsible Development, URL: 
http://www.me.gov.pl/Energetyka/Strategia+Bezpieczenstwo+Energetyczne+i+Srodowisko, Accessed: 
16/05/2018  
1260 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,2012, Strategia zrównoważonego rozwoju wsi, rolnictwa i 
rybactwa na lata 2012-2020, URL: http://www.minrol.gov.pl/Informacje-branzowe/Strategia-zrownowazonego-
rozwoju-wsi-rolnictwa-i-rybactwa-na-lata-2012-2020/Dokumenty-analizy The strategy is being updated. 

504 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
which  covers  44  major  Polish  cities,  mainly  over  100,000  residents.  Warsaw’s  Climate 
Change  Adaptation  Strategy  is  being  prepared  as  part  of  project  ADAPTCITY1261,  which is 
due to conclude in December 2018.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

Poland has neither developed nor is it planning to develop a National Adaptation Action Plan. 
While  working  on  the  NAS,  Poland  has  opted  for  a  "soft-coordination  model"  for 
implementation, which is based on support, incentives, guidance, and soft measures. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

In terms of climate adaptation action plans, the most prominent initiative is the “Development 
of Urban Adaptation Plans for cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in Poland” (Miejskie 
Plany Adaptacji – MPA) project1262, which was launched in January 2017. The project aims to 
conduct  a  vulnerability  assessment  and  relevant  adaptation  action  planning  for  Polish  cities 
(44 cities are currently covered by the project). It aims to assess the vulnerability and risks of 
each  city  to  climate  change,  and  to  plan  adaptation  solutions,  including  soft  and  hard 
measures with respect to the identified hazards. All urban adaptation plans will be developed 
in accordance with a single methodology. The project is expected to contribute to improving 
the  safety  and  quality  of  citizens’  lives,  and  to  support  the  local  authorities  in  accessing 
financial resources for the investments. Urban adaptation plans will have a dynamic and open 
character, so it is expected to be easy to update or reshape assumptions moving forward. The 
project  is  coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, delivered by  a  consortium including 
state and private entities, and co-funded from the Cohesion Fund under the Infrastructure and 
Environment Operational Programme (OP) 2014-2020. The project consortium is led by the 
governmental  research  body:  Institute  of  Environmental  Protection  –  the  National  Research 
Institute which was in charge of NAS 2020 preparation. The project is due to end in January 
2019.  

implementation  at  a  sub-national 

is 
Another  example  of  adaptation  policy 
CLIMCITIES1263 - “CLIMate change adaptation in small and medium size CITIES”1264. The 
project provides training to local authorities and local leaders from NGOs, media, universities 
and other interested stakeholders in Polish cities and towns (with population from 50,000 to 
99,000  inhabitants).  The  training  sessions  are  complemented  by  e-learning  platform  and  an 
on-line library. The project started in 2017 and is supported by the European Economic Area 
(EEA)  Grants,  with  a  contribution  from  Poland’s  state  budget.  It  complements  the  MPA 
project, which is dedicated to preparation of climate adaptation strategies for larger cities. 

level 

1261 ADAPTCITY, URL: http://adaptcity.pl/english/about/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1262 MPA, URL: http://44mpa.pl/, Accessed: 16/05/2018  
1263 CLIMCITIES, URL: http://climcities.ios.gov.pl/ , Accessed 16/05/2018 
1264 Contact with MS contact 

505 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

In  2015,  the  Polish  Government  amended  the  2003  law  on  the  Coastal  Protection 
Programme1265. The amendment reflected the NAS 2020 vulnerability assessment with regard 
to  Polish coastal zones, and amplified protection of Polish coast  against, among other risks, 
floods,  erosion,  and  cliff  degradation.  Programme  implementation  is  coordinated  by  the 
Ministry of Marine Economy.  

The  “Development  of  drought  impacts  prevention  plans  for  the  river  basins”  project1266  is 
carried  out  under  the  Infrastructure  and  Environment  OP  2014-2020  (Priority  Axis  2.2: 
Environmental  protection  including  adaptation  to  climate  change)  and  co-founded  by  the 
Cohesion Fund (PLN 13,600,000 out of the total project budget of PLN 16,000,000, ca. EUR 
4,000,000). The project is coordinated by the National Water Management Authority and will 
run between 2016 and 2020. The drought impacts prevention plans are developed by regional 
water management authorities. Flood  risk management  plans were adopted in  October 2016 
for  three  river  basin  districts  in  Poland  (i.e.  Odra  River  Basin,  Vistula  River  Basin  and 
Pregola River Basin1267).  

to  prepare  a  climate  adaptation  plan  for 

PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A., a company with majority stock held by the State Treasury, 
commissioned  a  study 
the  Polish  rail 
infrastructure1268.  The  document  will  identify  possible  actions  needed  for  good  line 
maintenance,  efficient  running  of  trains  and  areas  for  future  investment.  It  will  cover  the 
planning, execution, operation and maintenance of the railway lines. Impacts to be analysed 
will  include:  heavy  rains  and  storms,  strong  winds,  high  and  low  temperatures,  floods  and 
landslides.  The  work  will  analyse:  satellite  imagery,  meteorological  and  climatic  data, 
existing climate scenarios up to a minimum of 2070, including IPCC scenarios. The project is 
expected to end in 2018. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

1265 ISAP, Ustawa z dnia 25 września 2015 r. o zmianie ustawy o ustanowieniu programu wieloletniego 
"Program ochrony brzegów morskich", URL: 
http://prawo.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU20150001700 , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1266 KZGW, URL: http://www.kzgw.gov.pl/index.php/pl/materialy-informacyjne/opracowanie-planow-
przeciwdzialania-skutkom-suszy-na-obszarach-dorzeczy, and dedicated project website: 
http://stopsuszy.pl/en/http://stopsuszy.pl/en/, Accessed: 16/05/2018  
1267 KZGW, URL: http://www.kzgw.gov.pl/index.php/pl/materialy-informacyjne/plany-zarzadzania-ryzykiem-
powodziowym Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1268Polskie Linie Kolejowe, URL: , Accessed: 16/05/2018 Polskie Linie Kolejowe, URL: https://www.plk-
sa.pl/biuro-prasowe/informacje-prasowe/przygotowanie-sieci-kolejowej-do-zmian-klimatu-
3472/https://www.plk-sa.pl/biuro-prasowe/informacje-prasowe/przygotowanie-sieci-kolejowej-do-zmian-
klimatu-3472/ , Accessed: 16/05/2018 

506 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The Ministry of Environment1269 has prepared the NAS (that was subsequently adopted by the 
Polish Government) and is a de facto coordinator of adaptation action in Poland. Its role arises 
from  its  competencies  in  environmental  protection.  The  Ministry  of  Environment  prepares 
adaptation  strategies,  feeds  into  the  Climate-ADAPT  website,  reports  to  the  EC  and 
UNFCCC,  and  supports  adaptation  initiatives,  such  as  CLIMCITIES1270,  building  capacity 
among  regional  and  local  policy  makers.  The  Ministry  fulfils  most  of  its  adaptation  action 
through  a  state  research  institute:  IOŚ-PIB  (in  Polish  Instytut  Ochrony  Środowiska  – 
Państwowy Instytut Badawczy). 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 

system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  2020  states  that  in  line  with  the  multi-level  governance  rule  and,  given  the 
horizontal  character  of  adaptation  measures,  the  creation  of  new  institutions  dedicated  to 
coordination  of  the  implementation  of  the  NAS  is  not  envisaged.  No  evidence  has  been 
identified of horizontal coordination within the governance system during the drafting of the 
NAS 2020.  

Since June 2015, multi-level and cross-sectoral governance has been supported by a Working 
Group on Climate Change Adaptation1271. The group aims to:  

  Support  the  implementation  of  the  NAS  2020  and  mainstreaming  of  adaptation  at 
regional  level  by  indicating  directions  of  adaptation  action  to  be  included  in  the 
regional strategic documents that will further be reflected in the local adaptation plans 

  Facilitate knowledge sharing between the levels of governance, 
  Support monitoring and reporting of adaptation action at regional and local levels 
  Create  a  cooperation  and  experience  exchange  platform  between  national,  regional, 

and local stakeholders and an international cooperation platform, and 

  Support implementation of the MPA project, which is dedicated to adaptation action in 

Polish cities (greater than 100 thousand inhabitants). 

The  Working  Group  has  been  created  as  part  of  a  project  supporting  the  activities  of  the 
“Partnership:  Environment  for  growth”  network,  which  brings  together  the  environmental 
protection  institutions  and  the  EU  fund-managing  authorities1272.  The  Working  Group 
received support under the Technical Assistance OP 2007-2013 (co-funded from the Cohesion 
Fund), which continues in the current programming period (2014-2020).  

1269 MOS, URL: https://www.mos.gov.pl/en/ , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1270 CLIMCITIES, URL: http://climcities.ios.gov.pl/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1271 Partnerstwo Środowisko dla Rozwoju, URL: http://sdr.gdos.gov.pl/SitePages/ZmianyKlimatu.aspx, 
Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1272 GDOS, URL: http://www.gdos.gov.pl/ruszyla-grupa-robocza-ds-adaptacji-do-zmian-klimatu, Accessed: 
16/05/2018 

507 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
During  the  preparation  of  strategic  documents  in  other  policy  areas,  the  Ministry  of 
Environment is consulted upon the potential interactions with climate adaptation policies and 
actions1273.  

While  progress  is  being  made  on  horizontal  coordination  the  lack  of  clarity  regarding 
systematic  coordination  and  division  of  responsibilities  means  that  a  ‘yes’  score  is  not  yet 
justified.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the governance system, enabling lower levels of administration to influence policy 
making.  

Yes / In progress / No 

No evidence has been identified of vertical coordination within the governance system during 
drafting  of  the  NAS  2020.  One  of  the  aims  of  the  Working  Group  on  Climate  Change 
Adaptation  (see  Indicator  1b)  is  to  support  coordination  between  different  levels  of 
governance. The local and regional (voivodeship) authorities are free to shape their adaptation 
policies, so long as they are in line with national legislation. The Ministry of Environment has 
published a guidance document on the preparation of urban adaptation plans in 20141274 and is 
supporting local administration and government by coordinating preparation of adaption plans 
in 44 cities through the MPA project1275.  

No  evidence  has  been  found  of  national  or  regional  coordination  of  cities  under  the 
framework of the Covenant of Mayors.  

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 

preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

No  evidence  of  significant  and  systematic  stakeholder  involvement  could  be  found  with 
respect to the preparation of the NAS 2020. As a result of the state-run project KLIMADA, 
the  NAS  2020  was  created  by  staff  members  of  the  IOŚ-PIB,  a  governmental  research 
institute working on environmental protection issues, and affiliated experts. The KLIMADA 
project  website  was  created  only  after  the  NAS  2020  was  adopted.  The  website’s  “public 
dialogue” feature calls for stakeholder contributions including sharing of best practices.  

Some ad-hoc stakeholder involvement is in place in the preparation of adaptation policies (see 
below).  

1273 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1274 Minstry of Environment (2014), Podręcznik adaptacji dla miast - wytyczne do przygotowania Miejskiego 
Planu Adaptacji do zmian klimatu. https://www.mos.gov.pl/fileadmin/user_upload/Podrecznik-adaptacji-dla-
miast.pdf  
1275 MPA, URL: http://44mpa.pl/miejskie-plany-adaptacji/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 

508 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  abovementioned  Working  Group  on  Climate  Change  Adaptation  can  be  seen  as  a 
stakeholder  involvement  platform  even  if  limited  in  scope.  The  Working  Group’s  meetings 
are, in  principle, open to participants  who  are not  registered in  the network. However, their 
participation  has  to  be  approved  beforehand  by  the  chair  of  the  Working  Group.  External 
participants  join  the  sessions  “very  rarely”.  By  the  end  of  April  2017,  six  sessions  of  the 
Working  Group  had  taken  place,  with  only  three  formal  interventions  from  non-public 
authorities: the floor was open to one university, one private company (presenting experience 
from  an  urban  adaptation  project  in  Radom),  and  a  foundation  dedicated  to  sustainable 
development1276.  

There  are  sporadic  cases  of  structured  stakeholder  engagement,  such  as  the  ongoing  public 
consultation of the Warsaw’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy1277. The city encourages a 
wide  range  of  inputs,  including  voices  on  possible  individual  actions,  under  the  headline  of 
“IDEAS for CLIMATE” and organises dozens of consultation meetings. The consultation is a 
part  of  a  wider  ADAPTCITY  project,  co-founded  by  LIFE+  and  the  National  Fund  for 
Environmental Protection and Water Management1278. 

At  the  local  level,  as  part  of  the  project  CLIMICITIES,  training  has  been  provided  to  local 
authorities covering current knowledge on climate change and adaptation, preparation of city 
adaptation  plans  and  how  to  involve  inhabitants  in  the  climate  adaptation  actions1279. 
Guidance on the preparation of urban adaptation plans, issued by the Ministry of Environment 
alongside  the  NAS,  highlights  the  importance  of  involvement  of  all  relevant  stakeholders 
during preparation and implementation of the urban adaptation plans1280.  

Since 2015, under the actions of the ENEA network working group on Environmental Impact 
Assessment  (EIA)  and  Strategic  Environmental  Assessment  (SEA),  a  series  of  training 
courses  has  taken  place  for  stakeholders  on  considering  climate  change  in  investment 
projects1281.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 

countries 

Yes / No 

There is no apparent cross-border cooperation on climate adaptation in Poland and the NAS 
includes  only  national  components.  However,  in  the  area  of  flood  protection  Poland 

1276 GDOS, URL: http://sdr.gdos.gov.pl/SitePages/ZmianyKlimatu.aspx, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1277 UM Warszawa, URL: http://konsultacje.um.warszawa.pl/konsultacja/pomysl-na-klimat-strategia-adaptacji-
do-zmian-klimatu-dla-mst-warszawy, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1278 ADAPTCITY, URL: http://adaptcity.pl/ , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1279 ZIELONA INFRASTRUKTURA, URL: http://zielonainfrastruktura.pl/projekt-adaptacji-do-zmian-klimatu-
w-malych-i-srednich-miastach/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1280 MOS, https://www.mos.gov.pl/fileadmin/user_upload/Podrecznik-adaptacji-dla-miast.pdf , Accessed: 
16/05/2018 
1281 Personal communication with MS contact, 

509 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
cooperates  on  a  regular  basis  with  its  neighbours:  Slovakia,  Czech  Republic,  Germany, 
Lithuania, and Ukraine1282. 

Notably, Poland is not a partner in the Baltadapt project, which aims to exchange knowledge 
and “develop a climate change adaptation strategy and a framework for its implementation” in 
the Baltic Sea region1283. It is, however, a member of HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment 
Protection Commission - Helsinki Commission) for which “adaptation to climate change is a 
central  question”.  HELCOM  defines  adaptation  as  “adjustment  and  development  of  the 
necessary new measures to protect the Baltic Sea marine environment to allow for reaching 
the vision of a healthy Baltic Sea even in a changing climate.”1284. Poland is involved in the 
EU  Strategy  for  the  Baltic  Sea  Region1285  that  includes  “climate  change  adaptation,  risk 
prevention and management” among its objectives1286.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 

and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW, a national  research institute) 
oversees  climate  change  monitoring  and  maintains  a  log  of  extreme  climate  events.  A 
dedicated unit within the IMGW in charge of collecting data on the state of the atmosphere 
and  the  hydrosphere  uses  a  complex  technical  infrastructure,  including  systems  for  a) 
observing-measurement,  b)  Tele-information  and  communication,  and  c)  data  processing, 
forecasting and warning. Additionally, monitoring of selected climate variables is carried out 
by  a  number  of  research  institutes  and  universities  in  Poland.  Apart  from  monitoring,  the 
IMGW  oversees  preparation  and  dissemination  of  forecasts  and  warnings  for  the  general 
public, as well as for state defence. 

Ensuring  an  effective  system  for  protecting  the  country  against  extraordinary  threats  is 
particularly important due to the growing number of such events and the increasing scale of 
their economic  and social  impacts.  As it is  becoming increasingly important to  improve the 
effectiveness of flood risk management, an IT system has been  developed for the Country’s 
Protection Against Extreme Hazards (ISOK). It contains the widest collection of expertise and 
information about water management in Poland1287.  

1282 National Water Management Authority, URL: http://www.kzgw.gov.pl/pl/Wspolpraca-z-Republika-
Federalna-Niemiec.html , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1283 BALTADAPT, URL: http://www.baltadapt.eu/index.php, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1284 HELCOM (2013), Climate change in the Baltic Sea Area HELCOM thematic assessment in 2013, 
http://www.helcom.fi/Lists/Publications/BSEP137.pdf  
1285 EUSBSR (2009), URL: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/cooperate/baltic/pdf/2010_baltic.pdf 
1286 EC (2017), European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region ACTION PLAN, COM(2009) 248 
1287 Personal communication with MS contact 

510 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
There  is  no  open  database  for  data  on  whirlwinds,  hurricanes,  droughts,  heat  waves  or 
precipitation.  Data  on  extreme  events  are  available  at  the  Ministry  of  the  Interior  and 
Administration and The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research 
Institute (IMGW-PIB).  

The  impacts  of  extreme  weather  events,  such  as  financial  losses,  are  not  assessed  in  the 
context of adaptation policies1288. However, such assessments may be prepared for emergency 
response  and  risk  management  activities1289.  In  such  cases,  these  are  prepared  by  regional 
authorities.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts of climate change, taking into account geographical specificities and best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

In  the  projects  KLIMADA  and  KLIMAT  (assessing  “Impact  of  the  climate  change  on 
environment,  economy  and  society”)1290,  a  series  of  scenarios  and  projections  have  been 
produced.  The  KLIMADA  website  refers  to  simulations  undertaken  for  the  EU  project 
ENSEMBLES, which used the SRES A1B emission scenario from IPCC 20001291. Scenarios 
and projections in the KLIMAT project were prepared for the years 2011-2030 using a model 
supporting calculations for the IPCC’s Fourth Assessment Report (the reference scenario used 
experiment  20C3M and projections used scenarios SRES  A2, A1B and  B1)1292. Geographic 
specificities were considered in the modelling work.  

Between 2011 and 2015, the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (a state research 
institute)  developed  an  information  system  on  climate  change  impacts  for  agriculture  and 
adaptation methods1293. The project outcome fine-tuned the available climate change models 
to the Polish agricultural sector’s needs. 

1288 Personal communication with MS contact 
1289 Example of financial loss assessment following a severe weather event in Poland in 2017 can be found here: 
https://pomorskie.eu/documents/39036/1691913/Raport+straty+po+nawa%C5%82nicy/2bca1fc0-a68d-44fd-
8eea-b14294de6144  
1290 KLIMAT project website: http://klimat.imgw.pl/  
1291 IPCC, URL: http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/sres/emission/index.php?idp=0 , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1292 KLIMAT, 2012, Warunki klimatyczne i oceanograficzne w Polsce i na bałtyku południowym, URL: 
http://klimat.imgw.pl/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/tom1.pdf?edmc=  
1293 IUNG “System informacji o wpływie zmian klimatycznych  
na rolnictwo oraz metodach adaptacji” official website, http://www.klimat.iung.pulawy.pl/o-systemie 

511 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 

undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  for  selected  sectors  were  completed  by  the 
KLIMADA1294 project (delivered between 2011 and 2013), which led to adoption of the NAS 
2020.  

The  following  sectors  have  been  covered  in  the  risk  assessments:  agriculture,  forestry, 
biodiversity,  human  health,  water,  coastal  areas,  mountain  areas,  transport,  energy,  built 
environment,  spatial  planning/urban  planning.  The  ministries  responsible  for  a  given  sector 
coordinated the risk assessment for their sector. Moreover, the KLIMAT project developed by 
the  IMGW  has  assessed  the  long-term  climatic  pressures  on  agriculture  and  forestry,  water 
management, energy security, as well as broader socio-economic conditions. The assessment 
is based on different datasets that will soon become outdated as the most recent only provide 
data to 2010. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 

relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Transboundary risks are taken into account  in  the collaborative effort  undertaken by Poland 
and  its  neighbouring  countries  with  regards  to  flood  prevention  and  flood-related  damage 
mitigation1295  (see  Indicator  2b).  The  NAS  2020  explicitly  mentions  that  legislative  and 
organisational  adaptation  actions  should  “take  into  account  the  cross-border  aspects”.  There 
are relatively few signs, however, of transboundary risks being systematically considered. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The NAS 2020 notes that reinforcement of research in the area of adaptation is important and 
there is a need to create programmes and finance adaptation research in: energy, construction, 
geology,  transport,  agriculture  and  forestry  management,  water  and  maritime  management. 
The  NAS  states  that  research  in  the  area  of  climate  change  and  adaptation  aligns  with  the 
national  research  programme,  which  was  published  in  2011.  No  more  recent  publications 
regarding  priorities  for  research  in  Poland  were  identified.  The  NAS  does  neither  mentions 
any  processes  to  tackle  knowledge  gaps  periodically  nor  suggests  how  such  gaps  should  be 
identified. It includes a recommendation, however, that research should cover: 

  Setting  up  an  information  exchange  and  securing  funding  for  research  and 

implementation of techniques facilitating adaptation 

1294 KILMADA, URL: http://klimada.mos.gov.pl/en/about-project/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1295 National Water Management Authority, URL:: http://www.kzgw.gov.pl/index.php/pl/wspolpraca-
miedzynarodowa/wspolpraca-z-republika-federalna-niemiec, Accessed: 16/05/2018  

512 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Establishment of research programmes in  the areas of energy, construction, geology, 

transport, agriculture and forestry and water management 

  Assessment  of  environmental  valuation  techniques  including  valuation  of  ecosystem 

services 

  Assessment and implementation of new quality standards for equipment which could 

prevent or limit negative impacts of extreme weather conditions.  

The OP Infrastructure and Environment 2014-2020 provides funding for climate change and 
adaptation  initiatives,  including  activities  related  to  improving  the  knowledge  base  and 
increasing competency in climate mitigation and adaptation (Action 9)1296. Among others, the 
OP is financing a new project aimed at providing improved knowledge about climate change 
and climate adaptation, which will be launched by the Institute of Environmental Protection - 
National Research Institute in June 20181297. It will establish a "Knowledge base on climate 
change  and  adaptation  to  their  effects  and  channels  of  its  dissemination  in  the  context  of 
increasing  resilience  of  the  economy,  environment  and  society  to  climate  change  and 
counteracting and minimizing the effects of extraordinary threats". The study is  co-financed 
by the OP Infrastructure and Environment 2014-2020 and aims to provide:  

  Updated climate scenarios – projections of change of temperature and precipitation up 

to 2100, with special focus on year 2050 

  An  interactive  tool  providing  information  about  climate  risks  and  adaptation  actions 

for decision makers at various governance levels 

  A website dedicated to the knowledge of climate change, collecting information about 

the consequences of extreme weather events.  

While progress  in  being  made, a ‘yes’ score would  require the knowledge gaps in  the NAS 
and  the  research  priorities  pursued  (e.g.  through  KLIMADA2)  to  be  aligned  either  by  the 
revision of the NAS or the revision of the research programmes. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The KLIMADA website, created when the NAS 2020 was prepared, is regularly updated with 
information about adaptation activities in Poland and the EU. As a source of information on 
climate  adaptation,  it  is  far  from  comprehensive.  It  provides  some  data  and  updates  about 
climate change and adaptation  activities but  the information presented lacks detail  and does 
not  identify  the  sources  from  which  it  was  taken.  Another  source  of  information  is  the 

1296 MIIR, 2018, Szczegółowy opis osi priorytetowych Programu Operacyjnego Infrastruktura i Środowisko 
2014-2020, URL: https://www.pois.gov.pl/media/55204/SzOOP_POIS_6.pdf 
1297 Instytut Ochrony Srodowiska, URL: http://ios.edu.pl/brak-kategorii/konferencja-baza-wiedzy-o-zmianach-
klimatu-i-adaptacji-do-ich-skutkow/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 

513 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
IMGW1298  KLIMAT  website,  which  includes  publications  prepared  as  part  of  the  research 
study “Impacts of climate change on economy, environment and society”.  

The website created for the project “Development of Urban Adaptation Plans for cities with 
more  than  100,000  inhabitants  in  Poland”1299  is  another  official  source  of  information 
available  to  all  stakeholders.  More  detailed  information  on  the  adaptation  of  cities  will  be 
published on the website, as the project progresses1300.  

The  new  project  led  by  the  Institute  of  Environmental  Protection  –  National  Research 
Institute, concerning the "Knowledge base on climate change and adaptation to their effects" 
(see Indicator 4a) aims to provide the necessary knowledge, in the field of climate change and 
its impact, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of adaptation activities in sectors and 
areas  vulnerable to  climate change1301. The project  is  nationwide and is  directed at  decision 
makers  in  the  central  administration  who  should  take  actions  related  to  the  selection  and 
implementation of climate adaptation activities and measures.  

Every document or tool developed by the Ministry of the Environment is published and has an 
open-source character1302.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There are some actions on capacity building for urban areas that are not driven by the NAS. A 
promising  attempt  to  share  adaptation  knowledge  among  stakeholders  is  the  CLIMCITIES 
(“CLIMate change adaptation in small and medium size CITIES”)1303 project, which provides 
training to local authorities and local leaders from NGOs, media, universities, as well as other 
interested  stakeholders  in  Polish  cities  and  towns  (with  populations  from  50,000  to  99,000 
inhabitants). The training sessions are complemented by an e-learning platform and an online 
library. The project started in 2017 and is supported by EEA Grants, with a contribution from 
Poland’s  state  budget.  It  complements  the  MPA  and  ADAPTCITY  projects  dedicated  to 
preparation of climate adaptation  strategies for larger cities. The  “Knowledge base” project, 
KLIMADA2,  soon  to  be  launched  by  the  Institute  of  Environmental  Protection  -  National 
Research Institute, will further contribute to capacity building.  

The Ministry of Environment also published two guidance documents relevant to adaptation: 
“Guidance on preparing  investment  that considers climate change mitigation  and adaptation 
including resilience to natural disasters”1304, and the “City Adaptation Handbook – guidance 

1298 IMGW, URL:: http://klimat.imgw.pl/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1299 MPA, URL: http://44mpa.pl/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1300 Personal communication with MS contact  
1301 Personal communication with MS contact  
1302 Personal communication with MS contact  
1303 CLIMCITIES, URL: http://climcities.ios.gov.pl/rekrutacja, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1304 Ministry of Environment, 2015, Pordadnik przygotowania inwestycji z uwzględnieniem zmian klimatu, ich 
łagodzenia i przystosowania do tych zmian oraz odporności na klęski żywiołowe, URL: 
http://klimada.mos.gov.pl/blog/2015/10/30/poradnik_przygotowania_inwestycj/  

514 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
on  preparation  of  Urban  Adaptation  Plans”1305.  It  has  also  released  a  “Guide  to  investment 
preparation  respecting  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation  as  well  as  resilience  to 
natural  disasters”1306, which describes  how to  take climate change into consideration during 
the process of EIA. Since 2015, under the actions of the ENEA network and the Ministry of 
the  Environment,  a  series  of  training  courses  have  taken  place  on  consideration  of  climate 
change in investment projects1307.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 

specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  2020  identifies  adaptation  options  based  on  a  climate  risk  and  vulnerability 
assessment  completed  by  the  KLIMADA  project  for  selected  sectors  (water  management, 
agriculture,  forestry,  biodiversity  and  protected  areas,  health,  energy,  building  industry, 
transport, mountain areas, coastal zone, spatial development and urban areas), which take into 
account geographical specificities. The assessment was based on climate scenarios developed 
at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling of the Warsaw 
University.  The  scenarios  cover  the  period  2001-2030  divided  into  two-time  slices:  2001-
2010 and 2021-2030. The KLIMADA project methodologies include modelling (atmosphere 
and hydrodynamics), expert judgment, and desk research1308. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses,  stakeholders'  consultation,  etc.)  and  consistent  with  existing 
decision-making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  2020  identifies  climate  risks  and  a  range  of  relevant  adaptation  options.  Three 
general principles established by the NAS 2020 were that adaptation options selected should: 

  Reduce  vulnerability  to  climate  risk  by  taking  it  into  account  at  the  investment 

planning stage 

  Provide rapid  response plans in  the event  of climate disasters (floods, droughts,  heat 

waves) 

1305 Ministry of Environment, 2014, Podrecznik Adaptacji dla Miast, URL: 
https://www.mos.gov.pl/fileadmin/user_upload/Podrecznik-adaptacji-dla-miast.pdf  
1306 GDOS, no date, URL: 
https://www.gdos.gov.pl/files/artykuly/5437/Lagodzenie_zmian_klimatu_i_adaptacja_do_zmian_klimatu_w_oce
nie_oddzialywania_na_srodowisko.pdf Accessed: 16/05/2018 

1307 Personal communication with MS contact 
1308 Ministry of Environment, 2015, Pordadnik przygotowania inwestycji z uwzględnieniem zmian klimatu, ich 
łagodzenia i przystosowania do tych zmian oraz odporności na klęski żywiołowe,  

515 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Be prioritised based on their cost-effectiveness in addressing threats to human health 

and lives and permanent loss and damage. 

The adaptation options are divided into four categories: legislation, organisation, information, 
and research. They are formulated to match the overarching NAS 2020 objectives:  

  Objective 1: Ensuring the energy security and good environmental status 
  Objective 2: Efficient adaptation to climate change in rural areas 
  Objective 3: Development of transport in the conditions of climate change 
  Objective  4:  Ensuring 

the  sustainable  regional  and 

local  development  with 

consideration to climate change 

  Objective 5: Stimulating innovations conducive to adaptation to climate change 
  Objective  6:  Development  of  social  behaviour  conducive  to  adaptation  to  climate 

change. 

Preparing the list of adaptation option and matching them to the NAS 2020 objectives was a 
multi-stage  process  based  on  expert  assessments.  The  preliminary  list  of  adaptation  options 
was assessed and complemented by the relevant ministries. The outcome was compared with 
the  directions  set  out  in  the  Government’s  strategies  and  submitted  to  experts  for 
reassessment.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 

adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

No  evidence  was  found  of  an  established  mechanism  for  coordinating  disaster  risk 
management and climate adaptation, or of methods to include climate projections in disaster 
risk management and vice versa.  

NAS  2020  does  not  list  improvements  to  disaster  risk  management  as  one  of  its  goals  or 
priority actions. It recognises, however, that the Polish strategy for growth, which was valid 
when  the  NAS  2020  was  prepared,  already  included  adaptation  measures  regarding  disaster 
risk management.  

The Ministry of the Environment cooperates with the institutions responsible for the disaster 
risk  management  but  does  not  have  a  coordination  function  for  this  process1309.  The 
Government  Centre  for  Security  is  responsible  for  the  coordination  of  activities  related  to 
monitoring, prevention and counteracting threats, as well as launching procedures related to 
crisis management.  

The  National  Plan  for  Crisis  Management1310  does  not  state  whether  climate  impacts  and 
projections have been considered when planning disaster risk management.  

1309 Personal communication with MS contact  
1310 RCB, 2017, Krajowy Plan Zarządzania Kryzysowego, URL: http://rcb.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/RCB-
KPZK-cz%C4%99%C5%9B%C4%87-A.pdf 

516 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-

cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The NAS 2020 provides an overview of funds available for climate adaptation  in  the 2014-
2020  period,  including  domestic,  EU  and  international  sources  of  finance.  Domestic  funds 
include  the  National  and  Regional  Funds  for  Environmental  Protection  and  Water 
Management, which comprise funds from the Green Investment Scheme (income from sale of 
Annual Allocation Units under the Kyoto Protocol), local and regional governments’ budgets, 
and the state budget.  

While  EU  funds,  particularly  European  Structural  and  Investment  Funds  (ESIF),  play  an 
important role in financing adaptation actions in Poland, the overview in the NAS 2020 of EU 
funds  available  for  climate  adaptation  is  very  limited  and  general  (referring  broadly  to 
“national and regional operational programmes”). The NAS 2020 mentions LIFE but fails to 
name the main sources of funds, namely the European Fund for Regional Development, the 
Cohesion  Fund, and the  European Social  Fund.  Among international  sources of  funding the 
NAS 2020 lists the World  Bank and  the  International Monetary  Fund. The NAS 2020 does 
not provide any details of any of the sources of funding that it mentions or any evidence of 
disbursements under those funds. An attempt to provide an overview of  EU funds available 
for adaptation has been published on the KLIMADA website1311 but it is an incomplete list of 
possible sources.  

In 2014 a Partnership Agreement1312 was signed by the European Commission and Poland to 
set out plans on the use of ESIF in Poland over the 2014-2020 period. The agreement refers to 
the  NAS  2020  in  several  instances,  and  includes  an  estimate  that  EUR  1.2  billion  will  be 
dedicated to all of the adaptation actions listed in the NAS 2020, including around 35% of the 
adaptation  investment  needs  in  the  water  sector.  Furthermore,  the  Partnership  Agreement 
includes a commitment to take a horizontal approach to adaptation action framed by the NAS 
2020 by considering it in relation to each sector and thematic objective that is co-funded by 
ESIF.  While  this  was  decided  after  the  adoption  of  the  NAS  2020,  no  update  was  made  to 
reflect  the  role  of  ESIF  in  implementing  the  NAS  2020,  and  little  relevant  information  is 
available on the KLIMADA website. The availability of EU funds is, however, a major factor 
encouraging adaptation action in Poland.  

As  of  January  2018,  the  Infrastructure  and  Environment  OP  2014-2020  has  financed  47 
projects under Priority Measure 2.1. “Adaptation to climate change including with protection 

1311 GDOS, no date, URL: 
https://www.gdos.gov.pl/files/artykuly/5437/Lagodzenie_zmian_klimatu_i_adaptacja_do_zmian_klimatu_w_oce
nie_oddzialywania_na_srodowisko.pdf, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1312 Minstry of Infrastructure and Development, 2014, Programowaniie perspektywy fiinansowej 2014 -2020 - 
Umowa Partnerstwa, URL: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/partnership-agreement-poland-
may2014_pl.pdf Accessed: 16/05/2018 

517 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
and  increase  of  resilience  to  disasters,  in  particular  natural  disasters  and  environmental 
monitoring”.  The  total  amount  of  EU  co-financing  for  these  projects  is  over  EUR  620 
million1313.  

The  funding  allocated  to  date  has  been  directed  to  projects  in  vulnerable  sectors,  primarily 
water  management  and  flood  risk  management  (e.g.  review  and  update  of  flood  risk  maps, 
flood risk assessment, drought management plans). There are also examples of cross-cutting 
actions,  such  as  the  development  of  the  urban  adaptation  plans  (the  MPA  project)  and  the 
project aimed at the development of the knowledge base on climate adaptation (see Indicator 
4b).  

While  adaptation  actions  are  being  financed,  particularly  by  ESIF,  not  all  priority  sectors 
receive consistent funding for implementation and the link between the actions included in the 
NAS 2020 and funding disbursed is unclear. Hence, this indicator is scored as ‘in progress’ 
score.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 

frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

In 2015, the Law on EIA and SEA was updated to reflect climate adaptation needs1314. The 
law transposes the EU EIA and SEA Directives into Polish law.  

In terms of EIA, the risk that a project poses in terms of major accidents or natural disasters is 
assessed taking into account climate change (Article 63). The EIA must include information 
about  the  risk  of  climate  change  as  well  as  its  potential  contribution  to  climate  adaptation 
(Article  66).  The  provisions  regarding  SEA  have  not  been  specifically  amended  to  reflect 
climate  adaptation  needs;  only  general  requirements  related  to  environmental  protection  are 
included in Article 51.  

The Directorate General for Environmental Protection, in charge of EIA and SEA in Poland, 
has issued a brochure: “Climate change mitigation and adaptation in the environmental impact 
assessment”1315.  The  brochure  broadly  explains  the  modalities  of  EIA  in  terms  of  climate 
adaptation. 

1313 Based on the list on financed projects updated on 4 January 2018 available on the website of the Operational 
Programme for Infrastructure and Environment 2014-2020, URL: http://www.pois.gov.pl/strony/o-
programie/projekty/lista-beneficjentow/ , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1314 Ustawa z dnia 3 października 2008 r. o udostępnianiu informacji o środowisku i jego ochronie, udziale 
społeczeństwa w ochronie środowiska oraz o ocenach oddziaływania na środowisko, URL: 
http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/Download;jsessionid=FB3ECA4E089934F164109A10995E20A5?id=WDU20081991227
&type=3 , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1315 GDOS, no date, 
https://www.gdos.gov.pl/files/artykuly/5437/Lagodzenie_zmian_klimatu_i_adaptacja_do_zmian_klimatu_w_oce
nie_oddzialywania_na_srodowisko.pdf  

518 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
In 2015 the Ministry of Environment published “Guidance on preparing investment that takes 
into  account  climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation  including  resilience  to  natural 
disasters”1316.  The  guidance  supports  potential  beneficiaries  of  EU  co-funding  in  the  2014-
2020 programming period.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

Yes / No 

Projections  of  future  climate  impacts,  and  the  extent  to  which  climate  change  is  currently 
affecting climate risks, are not incorporated in the Polish National Risk Management Plan1317. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 

policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

According  to  the  National  Spatial  Development  Concept  20301318  (NSDC)adopted  in  2015, 
Polish spatial policy should be “striving to increase space capacity to adapt to climate change 
impacts”.  This  is  a  national  level  document,  covering  spatial,  urban  and  maritime  areas.  It 
notes  that  “expected  climate  change  until  2030  will  have  only  moderate  impact  on  spatial 
planning in Poland”. The impacts are foreseen in settlement networks, agriculture, and several 
other sectors in the coastal areas, river valleys and mountain areas. According to  the NSDC, 
indirect  impacts  of  climate  change  are  expected  to  arise  from  legislative  and  regulatory 
changes, including increased spending on water management infrastructure and recovery from 
extreme  climatic  events.  Implementation  of  the  NSDC  is  coordinated  by  the  Ministry  of 
Development1319  but  the  progress  of  implementation  is  unclear  with  regard  to  adaptation  to 
climate change.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

NAS  2020  recognises  the  need  to  mainstream  climate  adaptation  into  national  policies  as 
specified in the EU White Paper. NAS 2020 includes specific objectives for sectors such as 
water  management,  coastal  zone  management,  energy,  biodiversity  and  forest  management, 
spatial development and construction, health protection and rural areas. These objectives have 

1316 Ministry of Environment, 2015, Pordadnik przygotowania inwestycji z uwzględnieniem zmian klimatu, ich 
łagodzenia i przystosowania do tych zmian oraz odporności na klęski żywiołowe, URL: 
http://klimada.mos.gov.pl/blog/2015/10/30/poradnik_przygotowania_inwestycj/  
1317 RCB, 2017, Krajowy Plan Zarządzania Kryzysowego, URL: http://rcb.gov.pl/wp-content/uploads/RCB-
KPZK-cz%C4%99%C5%9B%C4%87-A.pdf 
1318 Ministry of Development (2011), Koncepcja przestrzennego Zagospodarowania Kraju, Uchwała Nr 239 
Rady Ministrów z dnia 13 grudnia 2011 r. w sprawie przyjęcia Koncepcji Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania 
Kraju 203, URL: http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id=WMP20120000252&min=1 
http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id=WMP20120000252&min=1  
1319 BIP, URL: http://mr.bip.gov.pl/strategie-rozwoj-regionalny/17847_strategie.html, Accessed: 16/05/2018 

519 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
been  defined  in  line  with  the  national  development  strategy  and  relevant  integrated 
development strategies.  

At sectoral level adaptation is promoted by one central instrument: the Partnership Agreement 
between the EU and Poland for the period 2014-20201320 adopted in May 2014. Most recently, 
integration  of  adaptation  into  sectoral  policy  making  has  further  been  confirmed  in  a 
horizontal strategy (“Strategy for Responsible Growth”1321) adopted by the Polish government 
in February 2017.  

The  Partnership  Agreement  for  Poland  covers  the  European  Regional  Development  Fund 
(ERDF),  the  Cohesion  Fund  (CF),  the  European  Social  Fund  (ESF),  the  European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries 
Fund (EMFF). This was a key driver of climate adaptation inclusion in the sectoral policies in 
Poland; as most of them are delivered through or significantly affected by the OPs disbursing 
EU  funds.  The  partnership  priorities  focus  on  business  environment,  entrepreneurship  and 
innovation,  social  cohesion,  active  labour  market  participation,  network  infrastructure, 
environment  and  resource  efficiency.  Adaptation  action  is  promoted  mainly  through 
environment  and  resource  efficiency  priority  action  but  it  is  mainstreamed  to  some  extent 
through all of them. According to some experts, it is the regional OPs that play the key role in 
NAS 2020 implementation1322. 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 

relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Priority  Action  6.2.1.  of  the  NAS  2020  aims  to  increase  uptake  of  insurance  policies  in 
territories  at  high  risk  of  national  disasters.  No  evidence  was  found  of  adaptation  being 
mainstreamed in insurance or alternative policy instruments in Poland.  

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 

sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  2020  is  the  national  level  document.  In  addition,  the  local  and  regional 
(voivodeship) authorities are free to  shape their adaptation  policies in  line with  the national 
policy.  There  is  no  national  adaptation  plan  in  Poland  in  addition  to  the  NAS  2020  and  no 
dedicated sectoral plans have been identified. Sixteen regional OPs (2014-2020) developed at 
voivodship  level  may  include  measures  aimed  at  climate  adaptation,  however  no  dedicated 

1320 EC, 2014, Partnership agreement with Poland, URL: https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/partnership-
agreement-poland-2014-20_en  
1321Ministry of Development, 2017, Strategia na rzecz Odpowiedzialnego Rozwoju, URL: 
https://www.mr.gov.pl/media/35716/SOR_2017_maly_internet03_2017.pdf 
1322 Wisniewska, M , 2014, Adaptacja do zmian klimatu, URL: 
http://www.reo.pl/assets/dokumenty/wiadomosci/lipsiewrz14/raport-
adaptacja.pdfhttp://www.reo.pl/assets/dokumenty/wiadomosci/lipsiewrz14/raport-adaptacja.pdf  

520 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
regional  climate  adaptation  plans  have  been  identified.  NAS  2020  includes  an  indicator  for 
monitoring the implementation of the Strategy, concerning urban adaptation plans developed 
for cities above 100,000 inhabitants. This is now being realised through the MPA project.  

Both  horizontal  and  sector  specific  actions  are  being  implemented  however  at  the  time  of 
preparation  of  the  scoreboard  there  were  no  published  reports  summarising  progress  in 
implementation  of  the  NAS  20201323  (this  data  was  being  collected  from  the  regional 
authorities by the Ministry of Environment). 

Polish authorities engage in a range of adaptation actions that are in line with the NAS 2020, 
mainly through European Structural and Investment Funds. A non-comprehensive list of on-
going adaptation measures in Poland includes: 

  Developing  and  adopting  flood  and  drought  prevention  plans  for  the  river  basins  by 

the national and regional water management authorities 

  Capacity building  

o  “Good climate for Counties” project, supported by LIFE + financial instrument 
was  running  between  2010  and  2015  engaging  local  actors  in  a  series  of 
climate  adaptation  actions  including  creating  of  County  Network  for  Climate 
and Network of Local Civil Society Initiators, signing declarations, organising 
debates and conferences1324 

o  CLIMCITIES project1325 

  Guidelines for Urban Adaptation Plans preparation 
  Developing adaptation action plans for cities (MPA project1326) 
  Fostering research and innovation e.g. PREPARED project in the area of waste water 

management1327, projects supported by the National Science Centre1328 

  Changes in legislation relative to EIA, coastal management, rain water collection 
  "Guide to investment preparation respecting climate change mitigation and adaptation 
as well as resilience to natural disasters" developed by the Ministry of Environment in 
2015 (see Indicator 8a.) 

  Creating  of  an  information  system  on  climate  change  impacts  for  agriculture  and 

adaptation methods1329 by the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 

(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

1323 Personal communication with MS contact  
1324Project official website, URL: 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3773, 
Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1325 CLIMCITIES, URL:http://climcities.ios.gov.pl/, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1326 KLIMADA, URL: http://klimada.mos.gov.pl/projekt-mpa/ Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1327 PWIK Gliwice, URL: http://pwik.gliwice.pl/7-program-ramowy-prepared.html, Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1328 For example: NCN, URL: https://www.ncn.gov.pl/finansowanie-nauki/przyklady-projektow/oleksyn , 
Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1329 IUNG, URL: http://www.klimat.iung.pulawy.pl/o-systemie , Accessed: 16/05/2018 

521 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
In  terms  of  supporting  adaptation  at  subnational  level,  the  most  prominent  initiative  is  the 
MPA  project,  launched  in  January  2017.  It  aims  at  vulnerability  assessment  and  relevant 
adaptation  action  planning  for  Polish  cities  (around  44  cities  are  currently  covered  by  the 
project).  The  project  is  coordinated  by  the  Ministry  of  Environment,  delivered  by  a 
consortium including state and private entities, and co-funded from the Cohesion Fund under 
the  Infrastructure  and  Environment  OP  2014-2020.  The  project  consortium  is  led  by  the 
governmental  research  body:  Institute  of  Environmental  Protection  –  National  Research 
Institute that oversaw preparation of the  NAS 2020. The estimated duration of the project is 
20 months for each of the 44 cities.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change on major projects or programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  2020  does  not  include  a  specific  action  on  publication  or  application  of  such 
guidelines  or  procedures.  However,  guidelines  assessing  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  projects  are  included  in  "Guide  to  investment  preparation  respecting  climate 
change  mitigation  and  adaptation  as  well  as  resilience  to  natural  disasters".  It  describes, 
analyses  and  gives  instructions,  including  methodologies,  on  how  to  take  into  consideration 
climate  adaptation  and  mitigation  during  project  preparation  and  development,  including  in 
EIA and SEA analysis and procedures. 

The  aim  of  the  guide  is  to  provide  methodologies  and  hints  concerning  the  way  in  which 
climate issues should be integrated into the process of developing investments and projects at 
the stage of: 

  SEA  and  EIA  in  relation  to:  climate  mitigation,  climate  adaptation  and  resilience, 

including ecosystem-based approaches 

  Cost  -  benefit  analysis,  including  calculation  of  shadow  costs  and  external  costs  of 
GHG  emissions,  carbon  footprint  analysis,  sensitivity  and  vulnerability  analysis  of 
projects in relation to climate changes and natural disasters 

  Risk analysis, including climate-related risks 
  Climate  options  analysis  and  assessment,  including  climate  impact  on  projects  and 

projects impacts on climate. 

 The guide addresses: 

  EU funds beneficiaries under 2014-2020 financial perspective 
  Managing, intermediary and implementing authorities (responsible for appraisal of the 

applications and projects submitted under EU funding) 

  State and local budget beneficiaries 
  Relevant government authorities issuing or consulting decisions and consents 

522 

 
 
 
 
It is a requirement to follow the guide when preparing applications for funding in the 2014-
2020 financial period, thus, the guide is applied in practice 1330.  

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 

adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

No evidence has been identified on the involvement of non-public administration stakeholders 
in  the  implementation  of  adaptation  actions.  However,  the  public  consultation  preceding 
adoption  of  the  Warsaw’s  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Strategy1331  is  an  encouraging  signal 
that  the  civil  society  and  wide  range  of  non-public  administration  stakeholders  gets  to  be 
engaged in adaptation action planning and delivery.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 

disseminated 

Yes / No 

Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the NAS 2020 started in December 2017 
and is  coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment.  Information  collected about  climate 
issues and extreme weather events will include actions at national, regional and local levels. 
Different  sectoral  ministries,  marshal  offices  and  provincial  governors  received  a  request  to 
summarize the effects of implementing the NAS 2020 in a dedicated questionnaire. Individual 
parts of the questionnaire relate to  specific measures identified in  the NAS  2020 document. 
The evaluation will be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2018, so progress reports 
have not yet been published.  

At the same time, a comprehensive monitoring system for adaptation policy is currently being 
developed  relating  to  the  work  on  National  Environment  Policy  2030  and  will  be 
implemented with the adoption of the document at the turn of 2018/2019. The document will 
contain adaptation and mitigation components and it will be implemented and coordinated in 
line with the NAS 2020. 

The  NAS  2020,  alongside  the  strategic  objectives,  sets  out  several  relevant  monitoring 
indicators. Some adaptation-relevant monitoring data can be found on the STRATEG website 
managed by the Polish Statistical Office1332.  

1330 Personal communication with MS contact  
1331 UM Warszawa, URL: http://konsultacje.um.warszawa.pl/konsultacja/pomysl-na-klimat-strategia-adaptacji-
do-zmian-klimatu-dla-mst-warszawy , Accessed: 16/05/2018 
1332 STRATEG, URL: http://strateg.stat.gov.pl/ Accessed: 16/05/2018  

523 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 

the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Monitoring and evaluation of sectoral policies is the responsibility of the associated ministries 
and  institutions.  As  noted  under  Indicator  10a,  at  the  end  of  2017,  the  Ministry  of  the 
Environment  had  prepared  and  forwarded  to  other  sectoral  ministries  a  questionnaire  about 
implementation of the NAS 2020 in accordance with the commitments and thematic scope of 
actions and measures from the NAS 20201333. As indicated above, the evaluation process will 
be carried out by the end of the first half of 2018, so progress reports have not been published 
yet.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 

monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As  noted  under  Indicator  10a,  monitoring  of  the  implementation  of  the  NAS  2020  by  the 
Ministry  of  the  Environment  started  at  the  end  of  2017  and  is  conducted  at  the  level  of 
marshals  and  provincial  governors.  Information  and  data  on  the  tasks  carried  out  in  the 
regions  consider  the  climate  adaptation  and  resilience  to  natural  disasters1334.  However,  no 
reports have been published yet.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

Only one review of the NAS 2020 is planned; data collection supporting the review started in 
2017.  Further  adaptation  measures  and  actions  will  be  included  in  the  document  “National 
Environmental  Policy  2030”,  which  is  currently  being  prepared  by  the  Ministry  of  the 
Environment. The new policy document will include a separate implementation system1335. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 

adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

As noted under Indicator 10a, the Ministry of Environment has circulated a questionnaire to 
the  sectoral  ministries  and  sub-national  authorities  to  feed  into  the  assessment  of  the  NAS 
2020 but there has been no further active stakeholder involvement.1336 

1333 Personal communication with MS contact 
1334 Personal communication with MS contact  
1335 Personal communication with MS contact 
1336 Personal communication with MS contact 

524 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

Coordination structure 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in 
charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

(i.e. 

Horizontal 
mechanisms  exist  within 
system, with division of responsibilities 

coordination 
the  governance 

sectoral) 

Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration) 
coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the 
governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of 
administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress / No 

Yes / In progress / No 

2 
development 

Stakeholders’ 

involvement 

in 

policy 

2a 

2b 

A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate 
stakeholders' involvement in the preparation of 
adaptation policies 

Transboundary  cooperation 
to 
address  common  challenges  with  relevant 
countries 

is  planned 

Step  B:  Assessing  risks  and  vulnerabilities  to  climate 
change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor 
climate  change,  extreme  climate  events  and 
their impacts 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of 
climate 
account 
geographical  specificities  and  best  available 
science  (e.g.  in  response  to  revised  IPCC 
assessments) 

change, 

taking 

into 

Yes / In progress / No 

Yes / In progress / No 

Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments 
for priority vulnerable sectors are undertaken to 
support adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress / No 

525 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

3d 

4 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Met? 

Climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise 
and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is 
available  to  all  stakeholders,  including  policy 
makers  (e.g.  through  a  dedicated  website  or 
other comparable means). 

activities 

Capacity  building 
take  place; 
education  and  training  materials  on  climate 
change  adaptation  concepts  and  practices  are 
available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

Yes / In progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks 
identified  in  3c,  the  geographical  specificities 
identified  in  3b  and  follow  best  practices  in 
similar contexts  

The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is 
based  on  robust  methods  (e.g.  multi-criteria 
analyses,  stakeholders'  consultation,  etc.)  and 
consistent  with 
existing  decision-making 
frameworks 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster 
risk  management 
change 
and 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the 
two policies 

climate 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

is  available 

Funding 
increase  climate 
resilience  in  vulnerable  sectors  and  for  cross-
cutting adaptation action 

to 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

526 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes/In progress /No 

Yes / In progress /No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

8 
processes 

Mainstreaming 

adaptation 

in 

planning 

8a 

8b 

8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has 
been  included  in  the  national  frameworks  for 
environmental impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
in  place 
under  national  disaster  risk  management  plans 
take  into  account  climate  change  impacts  and 
projections  

Key land use, spatial  planning, urban planning 
and maritime spatial planning policies take into 
account the impacts of climate change 

National policy instruments promote adaptation 
at sectoral level, in line with national priorities 
and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed 
in EU policies 

Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or 
alternative  policy  instruments,  where  relevant, 
to  provide  incentives  for  investments  in  risk 
prevention 

Implementing adaptation 

policies 

Adaptation 
are 
implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

and  measures 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and 
support adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, 
subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess 
the potential impact of climate change on major 
projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the 
choice  of  alternative  options,  e.g.  green 
infrastructure  

There 
are 
processes 
in 
involvement 
adaptation policies and measures. 

the 

for 

stakeholders' 
of 

implementation 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step  E:  Monitoring  and  evaluation  of  adaptation 
activities 

527 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Indicator 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in 
sectoral policies is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

Regional-,  sub-national  or 
is 
monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

local  action 

Evaluation 

A  periodic  review  of  the  national  adaptation 
strategy and action plans is planned 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment, 
evaluation  and  review  of  national  adaptation 
policy 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

528 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Portugal 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 530 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 533 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 533 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 533 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 533 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 535 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 535 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at subnational level ........................................................ 535 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 536 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 537 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 537 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 537 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 540 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 542 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 542 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 547 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 548 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 549 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 549 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 551 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 552 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 552 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 557 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 559 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 559 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 560 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 562 

529 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ANACOM 

Autoridade  Nacional  de  Comunicações 
Communications) 

(National  Authority 

for 

ANMP 

ANPC 

ANQIP 

APA 

APS 

Associação  Nacional  De  Municípios  Portugueses  (National  Association 
of Portuguese Municipalities) 

Autoridade  Nacional  de  Proteção  Civil  (National  Authority  for  Civil 
Protection) 

Associação Nacional para a Qualidade nas Instalações Prediais (National 
Association for Quality in Building Services) 

Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (Portuguese Environment Agency) 

Associação  Portuguesa  de  Seguradores  (Portuguese  Association  of 
Insurers) 

CFD 

Critical factor for decision-making 

CIAAC 

CIRAC 

Comissão  Interministerial  do  Ar  e  das  Alterações  Climáticas  (Inter-
Ministerial Commission on Air and Climate Change) 

Risco de Inundações em Cenários de Alterações Climáticas (Flood Maps 
and Risk in Climate Change Scenarios) 

CLIMAAT 

Clima  e  Meteorología  dos  Arquipélagos  Atlânticos  (Climate  and 
Meteorology of the Atlantic Archipelagos) 

DGADR 

Direção-Geral  de  Agricultura  e  Desenvolvimento  Rural  (Directorate 
General for Agriculture and Rural Development) 

DGAE 

DGEG 

DGPM 

DGS 

DGT 

EEA 

EIA 

Direção-Geral  das  Atividades  Económicas  (General  Directorate  of 
Economic Activities) 

Direção-Geral  da  Energia  e  Geologia  (Directorate  General  for  Energy 
and Geology) 

Direção-Geral  de  Política  do  Mar  (Directorate  General  for  Maritime 
Policy) 

Direção-Geral da Saúde (General Directorate of Health) 

Direção-Geral do Território (Directorate General for Spatial Planning) 

European Economic Area  

Environmental Impact Assessment 

530 

 
 
 
 
 
ENAAC 

ERAAC 

EUAS 

FCT 

FFCUL 

GPP 

Estratégia  Nacional  de  Adaptação  à  Alterações  Climáticas  (National 
Adaptation Strategy) 

Estratégia  Regional  de  Adaptação  às  Alterações  Climáticas  (Regional 
Strategy for Climate Change) 

EU's Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change 

Foundation for Science and Technology 

Fundação  da  Faculdade  de  Ciências  da  Universidade  de  Lisboa 
(Foundation of the Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon 

Gabinete  de  Planeamento,  Políticas  e  Administração  Geral  (Directorate 
of Planning and Policies)  

HadCM3 

Hadley Centre Coupled Model, version 3 

HFA 

ICNF 

IMTT 

IPCC 

IPMA 

MS 

NAP 

NAS 

PALOP 

PAPVL 

PNAC 

PNPOT 

Hyogo Framework for Action 

Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (Institute for Nature 
Conservation and Forests) 

Instituto  da  Mobilidade  e  dos  Transportes  (Institute  of  Mobility  and 
Transports) 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

Instituto  Português  do  Mar  e  da  Atmosfera  (Portuguese  Institute  of  Sea 
and Atmosphere) 

Member State 

National Adaptation Plan  

National Adaptation Strategy 

Portuguese  Speaking  African  Countries  (Países  Africanos  de  Língua 
Oficial Portuguesa) 

Plano de Ação de Proteção e Valorização do Litoral (Action Plan for the 
Protection and Enhancement of the Shore) 

Programa  Nacional  para  as  Alterações  Climáticas  (National  Programme 
for Climate Change) 

Programa  Nacional  da  Politica  de  Ordenamento  do  Território  (National 
Spatial Planning Policy) 

PO SEUR 

Programa Operacional Sustentabilidade e Eficiência no Uso de Recursos 
(Operational  Programme  for  Sustainability  and  Efficient  Use  of 

531 

 
 
 
 
QEPiC 

RCM 

SEA 

SIAM 

Resources) 

Quadro  Estratégico  para  a  Política  Climática  (Strategic  Framework  for 
Climate Policy) 

Resolution of the Council of Ministers 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

Climate  Change  in  Portugal:  Scenarios,  Impacts,  and  Adaptation 
Measures 

SNIAmb 

Sistema  Nacional  de  Informação  de  Ambiente  (National  System  of 
Environmental Information) 

UNCCD 

UN Convention to Combat Desertification 

532 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

A  Strategic  Framework  for  Climate  Policy  (Quadro  Estratégico  para  a  Política  Climática  - 
QEPiC)  was  adopted  by  the  Portuguese  Government  on  30th  July  20151337.  The  QEPiC 
includes the National Programme for Climate Change 2020/2030 (Programa Nacional para as 
Alterações Climáticas 2020/2030 - PNAC)1338, addressing mitigation goals and action, and the 
follow-up  of  the  National  Adaptation  Strategy  (Estratégia  Nacional  de  Adaptação  às 
Alterações Climáticas 2020 - ENAAC 2020, which revises the earlier ENAAC 2010). It sets 
out  the  vision  and  objectives  of  national  climate  policy,  reinforcing  the  commitment  to 
develop a competitive, resilient and low-carbon economy, contributing to a new development 
paradigm for Portugal.  

The  ENAAC  2020  has  as  its  vision  for  2020:  “A  country  adapted  to  the  effects  of  climate 
change,  through  the  continuous  implementation  of  solutions  based  on  technical-scientific 
knowledge and good practice.” The three main goals that guide ENAAC 2020 are to: 

1.  Improve the level of knowledge about climate change. Update, develop and promote 
knowledge  on  climate  change  and  potential  impacts,  risks  and  consequences, 
including those related to extreme weather events 

2.  Implement adaptation measures. Evaluate the current capacity to adapt and prioritize 
the implementation of options and adaptation measures that moderate future negative 
impacts and/or help to take advantage of opportunities arising from climate change 
3.  Promote  mainstreaming  of  adaptation  into  sectoral  policies.  Promote  integration  and 
monitoring of adaptation to climate change in priority public and sectoral policies and 
in the main instruments of spatial planning at national, regional and local level. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

The National Adaptation Strategy (NAS - ENAAC 2020) is the main instrument of adaptation 
policy  at  a  national  scale,  and  sets  out  the  guidelines  for  the  development  of  subnational 
(municipal and inter-municipal) strategies and plans.1339 In addition, as Autonomous Regions 
have  autonomy  to  define  their  own  adaptation  policy1340,  Madeira1341  and  Azores1342  have 
developed Regional Adaptation Strategies.  

1337 Conselho de Ministros, (2015). Resolução do Conselho de Ministros n.º 56/2015. URL: 
https://dre.pt/web/guest/pesquisa/-/search/69905665/details/normal?l=1, Date accessed 18/04/18 

1338 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente. (2018). Programa Nacional para as Alterações Climáticas 2020/2030 
(PNAC 2020/2030). URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=16&subref=81&sub2ref=117&sub3ref=1376, Date accessed 18/04/18  
1339 Personal communication with MS contact 
1340 Personal communication with MS contact 
1341 Observatorio do Clima Madeira, (2018). Adaptação, URL: http://clima-madeira.pt/pt/sectores/adaptacao, 
Date accessed 18/04/18  

533 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
Three municipalities stand out with their early adoption of local climate adaptation strategic 
plans: Almada, Cascais and Sintra.  

Two  programmes,  in  particular,  have  supported  the  development  of  adaptation  strategies. 
First,  the  project  ClimAdaPT.Local1343,  under  the  European  Economic  Area  (EEA)  Grants 
Programme  AdaPT1344,  where  local  officers  were  trained  on  vulnerability  assessment,  and 
development of adaptation options. The project led to the development of 27 local adaptation 
strategies1345  and  to  mainstreaming  adaptation  into  local  planning.  The  second  is  the 
Operational  Programme  for  Sustainability  and  Efficient  Use  of  Resources  (Programa 
Operacional  Sustentabilidade  e  Eficiência  no  Uso  de  Recursos  -  PO  SEUR),  using  EU 
Cohesion  Fund  funding.  This  drew  on  the  capacity  built  by  the  ClimAdaPT.Local  project 
which  produced  guiding  manuals  to  standardise  the  further  development  of  strategies  at  the 
subnational level.  

Other  municipalities  are  developing  their  adaptation  plans  within  the  scope  of  international 
networks, such as the UN campaign: ‘Making Cities Resilient: My City is getting ready’1346 
and the ‘Covenant  of Mayors for Energy  and Climate’1347. More than 126 Portuguese cities 
have signed up to the Covenant of Mayors on Energy and Climate so far (although only 22 
with adaptation commitments). 

The Autonomous Region of the Azores has developed a targeted approach to their particular 
vulnerabilities  through  their  Regional  Strategy  for  Climate  Change  (Estratégia  Regional  de 
Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas  - ERAAC), which was approved by the Government of 
Azores  in  October  2011.1348  The  Strategy  of  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  of  the 

1342 Conselho do Governo dos Açores, (2011). Resolução do Conselho do Governo n.º 123/2011, de 19 de 
Outubro, URL: http://servicos-sraa.azores.gov.pt/grastore/SRAM/Resolu%C3%A7ao%20-
%20estrat%C=3%A9gia%20para%20as%20altera%C3%A7%C3%B5es%20clim%C3%A1ticas.pdf, Date 
accessed on 18/04/18 

1345 http://climadapt-local.pt/en/municipal-strategies/  
1346 Throughout 2010-2020 and beyond, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) 
Making Cities Resilient Campaign (MCRC), together with partners, aim to support sustainable urban 
development by promoting resilience activities and increasing local level understanding of disaster risk.  
See more on the campaign here: UNISDR, (2018). Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready. URL: 
http://www.unisdr.org/campaign/resilientcities/home, Date accessed on 18/04/18 and details on Portugal’s 
participation here: Autoridade Nacional de Proteção Civil, Cidades Resilientes em Portugal Resilient Cities In 
Portugal 2016. URL: 
http://www.prociv.pt/bk/RISCOSPREV/REDRISCOCATASTROFE/Documents/Cidades_Resilientes_em_Portu
gal_2016_PNRRC.pdf, Date accessed on 18/04/18 
1347 Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy URL: https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org/, Date 
accessed on 19/04/2018.  
1348 Conselho do Governo dos Açores, (2011). Resolução do Conselho do Governo n.º 123/2011, de 19 de 
Outubro, URL: http://servicos-sraa.azores.gov.pt/grastore/SRAM/Resolu%C3%A7ao%20-
%20estrat%C=3%A9gia%20para%20as%20altera%C3%A7%C3%B5es%20clim%C3%A1ticas.pdf, Date 
accessed on 18/04/18 

534 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
 
 
Autonomous  Region  of  Madeira  was  adopted  through  a  Resolution  of  the  Regional 
Government of Madeira1349, after being published in September 20151350.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The  National  Programme  for  Action  on  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  (P-3AC),  which 
corresponds  to  the  National  Adaptation  Plan  (NAP),  is  under  development.  It  is  currently 
undergoing internal consultation, and is expected to be submitted shortly for policy validation 
and public consultation.1351  

The priority measures identified in subnational adaptation plans as well as the work at sectoral 
level are being taken into account in the development of the NAP. In addition, they informed 
the  preparation  of  a  EUR  1,000,000  funding  programme  under  the  national  Environmental 
Fund launched in February 2018 and dedicated to the implementation of these measures. 1352  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at subnational level 

As mentioned above, the adaptation plans at municipal and inter-municipal levels have been 
developed using NAS (ENAAC 2020) guidance, which defined the work developed under the 
ClimAdaPT.Local  and  PO  SEUR  programmes.  At  the  regional  level,  plans  have  been 
developed with greater autonomy. At present, plans at the subnational level, covering around 
80% of the national territory, are under development using PO SEUR funding.1353  

Most municipalities with adaptation policy instruments have either an adaptation strategy or a 
plan,  and  the  majority  of  plans  are  still  under  development,  principally  using  PO  SEUR 
funding. Almost  all of the inter-municipal regions  in  Portugal  received  PO SEUR financing 
for  designing  adaptation  plans,  these  were:  Alto  Minho,  Cávado,  Ave,  Alto  Tâmega,  Área 
Metropolitana do Porto, Tâmega e Sousa, Douro, Viseu Dão Lafões, Beiras e Serra da Estrela, 
Região  de  Coimbra,  Médio  Tejo,  Oeste,  Lezíria  do  Tejo,  Área  Metropolitana  de  Lisboa, 
Alentejo Central, Baixo Alentejo, Algarve.  Furthermore, two of the six regions of the inter-
municipal  communities  not  included  on  this  list  are  also  developing  adaptation  policy 
instruments under PO SEUR financing but with a different geographical scope. These are: the 
two  municipalities  associations  Terra  Quente  Transmontana  and  Terra  Fria  do  Nordeste 
Transmontano (which together cover the inter-municipal region of Terras de Trás-os-Montes), 
and the Regional Coordination and Development Commission of Alentejo (which covers the 

1349 Governo Região Autonoma da Madeira, (2015). Resolução n.º 1062/2015. URL: 
http://joram.madeira.gov.pt/joram/1serie/Ano%20de%202015/ISerie-188-2015-12-02.pdf [Date accessed 
18/04/18  
1350 Governo Região Autonoma da Madeira, (2015). Estratégia Clima- Madeira – Estrategia de Adaptação às 
Alterações Climáticas da Região Autonomoma da Madeira. URL: http://clima-
madeira.pt/uploads/public/estr_clima_web.pdf, Date accessed 18/04/18  
1351 Personal communication with MS contact 
1352 Personal communication with MS contact 
1353 Personal communication with MS contact 

535 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
inter-municipal  regions  of  Alto  Alentejo,  Alentejo  Central,  Alentejo  Litoral  and  Baixo 
Alentejo)1354. 

In addition, the ClimAdaPT.Local project has created a network of municipalities working on 
adaptation planning (Rede de Municípios para a Adaptação Local às Alterações Climáticas). 
Some  municipalities  are  ahead  and  have  already  finalised  their  plans  (e.g.  Cascais,  Leiria, 
Ílhavo). 1355 

The  Azores  strategy  will  be  operationalized  through  a  Regional  Plan  for  Climate  Change, 
which will integrate the measures and actions considered relevant to each sector, particularly 
those  that  are  already  underway.  The  plan  was  finalised  in  November  20171356.  It  has  been 
subject to public consultation and is awaiting approval and publication at this time1357. 

No regional action plan is currently being prepared for Madeira.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The  ENAAC  2020  governance  is  structured  in  nine  sectoral  working  groups  and  six  cross-
cutting  “thematic  area”  working  groups.  1358  Regarding  the  sectoral  work,  by  2013  initial 
plans had been developed for the agriculture and forestry; biodiversity; energy and industry; 
city  and  territory  management;  health;  insurance  of  people  and  goods;  water  resources  and 
coastal zones.1359  

Since then, as the interim update report on the implementation of the ENAAC 2020 explains, 
the  working  groups  have  been  undertaking  a  number  of  actions  to  meet  the  specified 
objectives  of  the  NAS.  Among  these  is  the  objective  of  implementing  adaptation  measures, 
which  entails  identifying  and  implementing  adaptation  actions  within  the  working  group’s 
remit.1360 These measures are being taken into consideration in the development of the NAP.  

1354 Calls: POSEUR-08-2016-46; POSEUR-08-2016-57; POSEUR-08-2016-74; 
https://poseur.portugal2020.pt/pt/candidaturas/avisos/?v=all&s=Expired&ai=84&an=AxisII) 
1355 Personal communication with MS contact 
1356 Governo dos Açores, (2017). Plano Regional para as Alterações Climáticas em conferência final a 16 de 
novembro, URL: 
http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/novidades/Plano+Regional+para+as+Altera%C3%A7%C3%B5es+Clim%C3
%A1ticas+em+confer%C3%AAncia+final+a+16+de+novembro.htm?lang=pt&area=ct , Date accessed on 
23/04/18 
1357 Personal communication with MS contact 
1358 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2013). Relatório de Progresso Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às 
Alterações Climáticas  
1359 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2013). Relatório de Progresso Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às 
Alterações Climáticas  
1360 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2016). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - 
RELATÓRIO INTERCALAR #1 - 2015-2016 

536 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In Portugal, the Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente - APA) is in charge 
of  national  adaptation  policy  coordination,  under  the  political  approval  of  the  Ministry  of 
Environment  and  with  the  decision-making  process  submitted  to  the  Inter-ministerial 
Commission for Air and Climate Change1361 , created under QEPiC.1362.  

The implementation of the ENAAC 2020 is supported by a coordination group chaired by the 
APA  and  composed  of  the  coordinators  of  the  thematic  areas  and  of  the  sectoral  working 
groups, as well as the representatives of the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira and 
of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities. In this way, the coordination group 
brings  together  the  central  administration  bodies,  which  in  turn  engage  their  specific 
stakeholders.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The development of the first NAS (ENAAC) between 2007 and 2010 was coordinated by the 
Climate Change Commission and was the result of a process of inter-ministerial consultation 
and analysis, including preliminary studies by the former Environment Institute. In 2009, an 
inter-ministerial working group was formed, composed of representatives of about 30 public 
bodies. Bases  for the ENAAC proposal  were presented to  the Forum on Climate Change in 
2009  and  a  Strategy  proposal,  approved  by  the  Commission,  was  the  subject  of  a  Public 
Consultation.  The  ENAAC  was  adopted  as  Resolution  of  the  Council  of  Ministers  no. 
24/2010 on 1 April 2010.1363 

Since the first ENAAC, sectoral working groups have been defined. Presently, each working 
group  is  coordinated  or  chaired  by  the  relevant  central  body  (or  bodies)  of  the  central 
administration, which ensures the involvement of the various sectoral agents: 

  Agriculture - Directorate of Planning and Policies (Gabinete de Planeamento, Políticas e 
Administração Geral- GPP); Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development 
(Direção-Geral de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural - DGADR) 

1361 Presently also including Circular Economy. 
1362 See http://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=16&subref=81&sub2ref=118&sub3ref=955  
1363 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - Fase 1, 
URL: https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=16&subref=81&sub2ref=118&sub3ref=391, Date accessed on 
15/05/18 

537 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Biodiversity - Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (Instituto da Conservação da 

Natureza e das Florestas - ICNF) 

  Economy  -  General  Directorate  of  Economic  Activities  (Direção-Geral  das  Atividades 

Económicas - DGAE) 

  Energy  -  Directorate  General  for  Energy  and  Geology  (Direção-Geral  da  Energia  e 

Geologia - DGEG) 

  Forests - ICNF 
  Health - General Directorate of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde - DGS) 
  Safety  of  people  and  assets  –  National  Authority  for  Civil  Protection  (Autoridade 

Nacional de Proteção Civil - ANPC) 

  Transports  and  communications  –  Institute  of  Mobility  and  Transports  (Instituto  da 
Mobilidade  e  dos  Transportes  -  IMTT);  National  Authority  for  Communications 
(Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações - ANACOM) 

  Coastal areas and sea - APA; Directorate General for Maritime Policy (Direção-Geral de 

Política do Mar -DGPM) 

Lessons  from  the  implementation  of  the  first  NAS  were  taken  into  consideration  in 
developing the second NAS, the ENAAC 2020. The ENAAC 2020 was adopted as Resolution 
of  the  Council  of  Ministers  no.  56/2015  on  30  July.1364  In  addition  to  the  sectoral  working 
groups  defined  above,  six  cross-cutting  “thematic  area”  working  groups  were  created  (all 
coordinated by the APA and the competent authority in the area, where applicable):  

1.  Research and innovation (co-coordination by Foundation for Science and Technology 

- FCT) 

2.  Financing adaptation 
3.  International cooperation (co-coordination by Camões – Institute for Cooperation and 

Portuguese Language)  

4.  Communication and promotion (co-coordination by Portuguese Met Office – IPMA) 
5.  Integrating  adaptation  into  spatial  planning  policy  (co-coordination  by  Directorate 

General for Spatial Planning and Portuguese Municipalities Association)  

6.  Integrating adaptation in water management 

Taking into account the ENAAC 2020's vision, objectives and thematic areas, each working 
group has the following competencies: 

a.  Identify impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation measures 
b.  Integrate adaptation into sectoral policies 
c.  Identify knowledge needs and failures 
d.  Promote sectoral studies, identify funding sources and monitoring mechanisms 
e.  Prepare plan and activity report 
f.  Contribute to the work of the thematic areas 

1364 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, A Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas 2020, URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=16&subref=81&sub2ref=118&sub3ref=955, Date accessed on 
15/05/18 

538 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
g.  Articulate, when necessary, with other working groups. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Vertical  coordination  mechanisms  were/are  present  within  the  governance  systems  for  the 
drafting and implementation of the first and second NAS.  

The governance structures include the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira, and the 
National  Association  of  Portuguese  Municipalities  (Associação  Nacional  De  Municípios 
Portugueses  -  ANMP)  under  the  Coordination  Group.  During  the  drafting  of  the  first  NAS, 
vertical  coordination was assured through the Climate Change Commission, which included 
representatives  of  the  Autonomous  Regions  of  Azores  and  Madeira1365.The  Coordination 
Group of the first NAS (ENAAC) supported the revision of the Strategy that led to the second 
NAS (ENAAC 2020).  

Vertical  coordination is  currently also  assured in NAS implementation  focused on the work 
programme of Thematic Area 5 (“Integrating adaptation into spatial planning policy), which 
identifies  relevant  work  for  mainstreaming  adaptation  into  all  territorial  scales  and 
instruments (see more information in Indicator 8c.).  

Under  the  Regional  Strategy  for  Climate  Change,  the  Autonomous  region  of  Azores  has 
created  a  specific  governance  structure  related  to  climate  change,  the  Climate  Change 
Commission for the Autonomous Region of the Azores1366, gathering entities responsible for 
health,  agriculture,  forestry,  civil  protection,  transport,  spatial  planning,  coastal  protection, 
and climate experts.  

For the purposes of implementing the regional strategy, Madeira has established an adaptation 
community,  which  includes  a  coordination  structure  and  a  stakeholders  panel;  the  latter 
includes private as well as public entities.  

The ANMP promotes Covenant of Mayors for Energy and Climate initiatives at national level 
and also articulation between municipalities, enhancing their participation in this framework, 
as established in a partnership agreement between ANMP and the Commission.1367 As of May 
2018, over 126 Portuguese cities are signatories, the largest of which are: Almada, Barcelos, 
Braga,  Cascais,  Funchal,  Guimarães,  Leiria,  Lisboa,  Loures,  Matosinhos,  Oeiras,  Porto, 
Setúbal,  Sintra,  Vila  Nova  de  Famalicão,  Vila  Nova  de  Gaia,  Viseu.1368  The  ENAAC  2020 

1365 As stated in the Council of Ministers resolution no. 72/1998, of 29th June 
1366Governo dos Açores, Azores will have commission for climate change 
http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/en/entidades/sraf/noticias/Azores+will+have+commission+for+climate+change.
htm?WBCMODE=ybtaemgtvxscpta Date accessed: 05/06/2018 
1367 Associação Nacional Municipios Portuguese, URL: http://www.anmp.pt/index.php/a-anmp/117 Date 
accessed: 05/06/2018 
1368 See: Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy URL: https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org/, 
Date accessed on 19/04/2018. 

539 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
also promoted the ClimAdaPT.Local project, which led to the development of 27 municipal 
adaptation strategies and to mainstreaming adaptation into local planning. 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The  consultative  process  during  the  first  stage  of  the  ENAAC  (2010-2013)  involved 
stakeholders and experts in defining and working on research priorities for each of the sectors. 
This  often  resulted  in  an  exhaustive  collection  of  key  action  areas  and  adaptation  measures 
published in sectoral reports.  

The  revision  of  the  strategy  (ENAAC  2020)  was  submitted  to  public  consultation  during 
2015. The process for revising the Strategy followed the principle of stakeholder involvement 
in  policy  development  and  was  widely  discussed  within  its  coordination  group,  and  by  the 
respective coordinators and chairs of the sectoral working groups.  

The ENAAC 2020 reiterates the importance of engaging a large number of stakeholders in the 
definition  of  adaptation  policies  and  planning.  The  organisational  structure  consists  of  nine 
sectoral  working  groups  and  six  cross-cutting  “thematic  area”  working  groups,  as  shown  in 
Table 1. 1369 

Table 1 – Working groups in the ENAAC 2020 

Thematic  areas  (cross-cutting)  working 
groups 

1.  Research and innovation 
2.  Financing adaptation 
3.  International cooperation 
4.  Communication and promotion 
5.  Integrating  adaptation  into  spatial 

planning policy 

6.  Integrating  adaptation 

in  water 

management 

Sectoral working groups 

1.  Agriculture 
2.  Biodiversity  
3.  Economy  
4.  Energy  
5.  Forest 
6.  Health 
7.  Safety of people and assets  
8.  Transport and Communications 
9.  Coastal zones 

Each of these groups has responsibility for involving and consulting with stakeholders, who 
provided  important  contributions  for  the  sectoral  strategies  and  reports.  Universities, 
academics, NGOs, relevant associations, the private sector and social partners were actively 
involved in the review and planning process at the sector level. 

1369 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2013). Relatório de Progresso Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às 
Alterações Climáticas  

540 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Stakeholder consultation is supported by two other structures: a scientific panel and the Inter-
Ministerial Commission on Air and Climate Change (Comissão Interministerial do Ar e das 
Alterações  Climáticas  -  CIAAC).  The  scientific  panel  guarantees  the  engagement  of  the 
scientific community and can provide knowledge-based support to the ENAAC's coordination 
group. The CIAAC1370 guarantees political support. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

One  of  the  cross-cutting  thematic  areas  of  the  ENAAC  2020  is  ‘International  Cooperation’. 
The  objectives  of  the  thematic  area  are  to  enable  collaboration  with  other  countries,  where 
necessary, to implement the ENAAC 20201371. The main responsibilities include to:  

 

Identify  priority  areas  for  international  collaboration,  and  ensuring  coherence  with 
Portugal’s wider foreign affair priorities 

  Establish  an  Iberian  cooperation  system  for  adaptation  to  support  implementation  of 
strategies,  an  integrated  intervention  in  border  regions,  and  to  streamline  the  current 
mechanisms for water resources management of river basins shared by both countries 
  Participate  in  international  networks  with  a  focus  on  climate  adaptation,  promoting 

knowledge exchange and the establishment of project development partnerships. 

According  to  the  2015-2016  interim  progress  report  on  the  implementation  of  the  ENAAC 
20201372, particular progress has been made with the establishment of an Iberian cooperation 
system.  This  was  due  to  the  launch  of  the  LIFE  SHARA  project  (Sharing  Awareness  and 
Governance of Adaptation to Climate Change in Spain), which is co-financed by the EU and 
aims to strengthen climate adaptation governance in Spain and Portugal, and thereby increase 
resilience to climate impacts. It includes an action dedicated to establishing a framework for 
Iberian  cooperation  to  identify  common  risks,  vulnerabilities,  priorities  and  actions.  Other 
specific  objectives  include  holding  an  Iberian  conference  on  adaptation.  The  LIFE  SHARA 
project began in September 2016 and will last until February 2021. A number of information-
exchange workshops are being organised on a routine basis.  

Historically, Spain has been Portugal’s key partner for transboundary cooperation. Spain and 
Portugal share five important river basins, with two-thirds of their borders delineated by these 
rivers  or  their  tributaries,  the  Miño/Minho,  Lima/Lima,  Duero/Douro,  Tajo/Tejo,  and 
Guadiana.  Cooperation  with  Spain  is  longstanding,  including  an  agreement  on  water 
management.  In  1998,  the  Albufeira  Convention  on  Cooperation  for  the  Protection  and 
Sustainable Use of the Waters of the Portuguese-Spanish River Basins was signed.  

1370 CIAAC was created for the monitoring of climate policy and sectoral policies impacting on national air 
quality and climate goals and presently includes also Circular Economy. 
1371 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2015). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas 
(ENAAC 2020) 
1372 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2016). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - 
RELATÓRIO INTERCALAR #1 - 2015-2016 

541 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Moreover, the interim progress report also states the intention of the International Cooperation 
Thematic  Area  to  continue  supporting  traditional  partners  of  Portuguese  cooperation 
(Portuguese-speaking African countries) on matters of climate adaptation in the period 2017-
2020.  

Further  global  transboundary  cooperation  takes  place  under  the  UN  Convention  to  Combat 
Desertification (UNCCD). Portugal participates in joint actions with several countries of the 
Mediterranean  basin  (including  non-European  ones),  contributing  to  knowledge  sharing  and 
knowledge  transfer  on  climate  adaptation.  Finally,  under  the  UNFCCC  commitments, 
Portugal  has  also  supported  several  adaptation  projects  meeting  priority  targets  of  the 
Portuguese Cooperation Policy, i.e. Portuguese Speaking African Countries (Países Africanos 
de  Língua  Oficial  Portuguesa  -  PALOP)  and  East  Timor.  Annual  reporting  of  these  actions 
take place under Article 16 of the EU's Mechanism for Monitoring and Reporting (MMR).  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

There are observation systems in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events and 
their  impacts  in  Portugal.  The  Portuguese  Institute  of  Sea  and  Atmosphere  (Instituto 
Português  do  Mar  e  da  Atmosfera  -  IPMA1373)  is  the  body  responsible  for  carrying  out 
observations for meteorological and climatological purposes. These activities mainly concern 
availability and quality of long-term climate data series. These data are essential for studies of 
climate change, particularly in terms of trends and extreme temperatures. Furthermore, IPMA 
is  managing  the  project  “MeteoGlobal”1374  that  allows  any  citizen  to  report,  in  almost  real-
time, the occurrence of severe weather events. 

IPMA is also responsible for monitoring extreme events, such as droughts, heatwaves, heavy 
rainfall  and  strong  winds.  It  has  established  several  indicators  for  climate  modelling,  which 
are  available  at  Portugal's  Climate  Portal1375,  including  aridity,  drought,  fire  risk, 
evapotranspiration and heatwave duration. 

Apart  from  the  Climate  Portal,  there  are  two  other  related  national  databases  focusing  on 
extreme weather-related events:  

1373 Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, URL: http://www.ipma.pt/pt/index.html Date accessed: 
05/06/2018 
1374 MetoGlobal, URL: http://meteoglobal.ipma.pt/ Date accessed: 05/06/2018 
1375 Portal do Clima, URL: http://portaldoclima.pt/en/ Date accessed: 05/06/2018 

542 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Since  2006,  the  National  Authority  of  Civil  Protection  (ANPC)1376  has  maintained a 
national database on disaster response and losses and publishes this information in the 
yearbooks of civil protection events 

  The  APA  keeps  the  records  of  the  historical  marks  of  floods  and  of  its  network  of 
meteorological  and hydrological  monitoring stations. These data are available on the 
National  System  of  Environmental  Information  (Sistema  Nacional  de  Informação  de 
Ambiente - SNIAmb)1377.  

Finally,  Portugal  participates  in  several  European  and  international  weather  monitoring 
projects.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The "Climate Change in Portugal: Scenarios, Impacts, and Adaptation Measures" (SIAM)1378 
projects  are  the  most  comprehensive  and  integrated  assessments  on  the  impacts  and 
vulnerabilities associated with  climate on mainland Portugal,  Azores and Madeira.  The first 
report  was  published  in  2001  (SIAM  I)  for  mainland  Portugal,  and  was  updated  with 
information  on  Azores  and  Madeira  in  2006  (SIAM  II).  The  studies  were  based  on  future 
climate  scenarios  and  associated  effects  on  a  number  of  socio-economic  sectors  and 
biophysical  systems,  including  hydrological  resources,  coastal  areas,  energy,  forests  and 
biodiversity,  fishing,  agriculture  and  health.  A  sociological  analysis  of  climate  change  in 
Portugal was also performed. Although there is no overall assessment of climate impacts on 
the economy, annual costs associated with forest fires (not counting  the recent huge fires of 
2017) are estimated at EUR 60-140 million. The estimated costs of droughts are around EUR 
290  million  for  2005,  more  than  EUR  200  million  for  2012,  mainly  due  impacts  on 
agricultural production, and a similar figure for the most recent drought in 2017-18. 

The ‘Strategic Plans in the face of Climate Change’ of Sintra1379 and Cascais1380 drew upon 
two multi-sectoral studies aimed at characterizing impacts and opportunities at the municipal 
level  in  an  integrated  way.  Socio-economic  and  climate  scenarios  were  published  for  those 
municipalities in 2009 and 2010 using the Temez climate model and Hadley Centre Coupled 
Model – Version 3 (HadCM3) respectively. Despite these projects not being very recent, they 
remain  as  reference  points  for  climate  scenarios  and  impacts  in  Portugal  and  are  still 
consistently used to support adaptation projects. In order to improve the quality and access to 

1376 Autoridade Nacional de Proteção Civil, http://www.prociv.pt/en-us/Pages/default.aspx Date accessed: 
05/06/2018 
1377 Sistema Nacional de Informação de Ambiente, URL: http://sniamb.apambiente.pt Date accessed: 05/06/2018 
1378 In the SIAM project, phase 1 (2003) and phase 2 (2006), a series of scenarios and models were considered, 
including the IPCC 2002 SRES Scenarios, Global Climate Models and Hadley Centre regional climate models. 
1379 Camara Municipal Sintra, Planos Municipais Adaptação Climatica, URL http://www.cm-
sintra.pt/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&download=500:plano-estrategico-do-csnt-
face-as-alteracoes-climaticas&id=74:planos-municipais, Date accessed: 05/06/2018 
1380 Plano Estrategico de Cascaise Face às Alterações Climaticas, URL: http://cciam.fc.ul.pt/prj/pecac/, Date 
accessed: 05/06/2018 

543 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
this  kind  of  information,  the  Climate  Portal  was  developed  by  IPMA  under  the  Programme 
AdaPT.  It  has  become  an  easy  access  platform1381  with  data  from  the  historical  time  series, 
climate projections and sectoral climatic indicators for mainland Portugal.  

Furthermore,  within  ClimAdaPT.Local,  27  local  adaptation  strategies  were  developed  and 
published  in  2016,  with  the  involvement  of  municipalities.  These  strategies  used  scenarios 
and climate projections to  identify  current  and future geographical  vulnerabilities as well as 
adaptation  options,  including  their  evaluation  and  integration  in  territorial  management 
instruments. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The main impacts and risks identified in the SIAM projects (see Indicator 3b above) include:  
  Changes  in  flood  and  drought  regimes,  as  well  as  changes  in  the  quality  and 

availability of water 

  Loss of land in coastal areas 
  A significant increase in the risk of fire hazards 
  A considerable increase in air pollution levels and ecological disturbances, which may 
lead to significant changes in the dynamics of infectious disease transmission, as well 
as regional variations in agricultural productivity 

  An increase in erosion processes and consequently of flooded areas 
  An increase in irrigation water requirements and in water stress in dryland crops. 

The SIAM and Climate and Meteorology of the Atlantic Archipelagos (Clima e Meteorología 
dos  Arquipélagos  Atlânticos  –  CLIMAAT,  see  Indicator  3d  below)  projects  constitute  an 
initial  light  pre-screening  that  identified  priority  sectors  and  some  potential  adaptation 
measures.  

Sound  climate  risk  and  vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  have  been 
produced  as  part  of  the  Sectoral  Strategies  under  Phase  1  of  the  ENAAC1382,  covering  the 
sectors  under  all  of  the  ENAAC’s  sectoral  working  groups,  except  economy  and  transport. 
These activities were coordinated under the ENAAC coordination group led by the executive 
committee for climate change. There was also a progress report produced by the Environment 
Agency  in  September  20131383,  which  included  key  outcomes  of  each  of  the  studies  below. 
Furthermore,  it  included  an  Annex,  prepared  by  the  Directorate  General  of  Territories  and 
Urban  Areas,  with  a  number  of  international  case  studies  covering  climate  change  risks, 
governance of adaptation, financing and adaptation measures identified.1384 

1381 Portal do Clima, URL: http://portaldoclima.pt/en/ Date accessed: 05/06/2018  
1382 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - Fase 1, 
URL: https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=16&subref=81&sub2ref=118&sub3ref=391, Date accessed on 
15/05/18 
1383 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2013). Relatório de Progresso Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às 
Alterações Climáticas  
1384 Direcção Geral do Ordenamento do Território e Desenvolvimento Urbano, (2013). Análise de Estratégias 
Internacionais no âmbito das Alterações Climáticas, URL: 

544 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
Table 2 - Details of risks/vulnerability assessments studies produced by each working 
group 

Sectoral  working 
groups  
Agriculture  

Forestry 

Biodiversity  

Energy  

Water  resources  and 
coastal areas 

Details of risk and vulnerability assessments 

in 

covers 

climate, 

evolution 

A  study  on  adaptation  in  agriculture  and  forests  was  produced  by 
the Ministry of Agriculture. Another report was published in April 
2013,1385  which 
sectoral 
characterisation,  potential  impacts  and  adaptive  capacity,  and 
proposed adaptive measures. 
In January 2013, a study was produced by the ICNF on adaptation 
in  forests,1386  which  covers  characterisation  of  the  forestry  sector, 
future  scenarios,  impacts  and  potential  response  capacity,  forest 
fires, and a synthesis. 
In February 2013, a study was produced by the ICNF on adaptation 
in  forests,1387  which  covers  the  legal  framework  for  biodiversity, 
conservation  of  biodiversity 
sector 
characterisation,  future  scenarios,  impacts  of  climate  change  on 
biodiversity, adaptation measures, and financing mechanisms.  
A  study  was  produced  by  the  Portuguese  Directorate  General  for 
Energy  and  Geology  on  adaptation  in  the  energy  sector  in 
December  20121388  covering  the  vulnerabilities  of  the  energy 
to 
sector, 
adaptation.  
In  August  2012,  a  study  was  produced  by  the  APA1389  covering 
climate  impacts  and  associated  adaptation  strategies,  including  in 
water  management  and  usage.  Relevant  sectors  include  those 
included in this table plus tourism and coastal zones. 

recommended  adaptation  measures  and  barriers 

in  Portugal, 

forestry 

https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relat_Se
tor_ENAAC_Ordenamento_do_Territorio.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1385 Ministerio da Agriculture, do Mar, do Ambiente e do Ordenamento do Território, (2013). Estratégia De 
Adaptação Da Agricultura E Das Florestas Às Alterações Climáticas. URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relat_Se
tor_ENAAC_Agricultura.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1386 Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, (2013), Adaptação Das Florestas às Alterações 
Climáticas, URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relat_Se
tor_ENAAC_Florestas.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1387 Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, (2013), Estratégia Nacional De Adaptação às 
Alterações Climáticas - Sector Da Biodiversidade -URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relat_Se
tor_ENAAC_Biodiversidade.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1388 Direção-Geral de Energia e Geologia (2012), Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas 
Medidas e Ações de Adaptação do Setor Energético, URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relat_Se
tor_ENAAC_Energia.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1389 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2013), Estratégia Setorial De Adaptação Aos Impactos Das Alterações 
Climáticas Relacionados Com Os Recursos Hídricos. URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relt_Set
or_ENAAC_Recursos_Hidricos.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 

545 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
Health  

Safety of people and 
assets 

In July 2011, a study1390 was produced by the Directorate General 
of  Health  on  the  implications  for  health  of  climate  impacts  on 
extreme  thermal  events,  water,  air,  disease  transmission  vectors, 
food, and extreme hydrological events. 
In  December  2012,  a  study  was  produced  by  the  Ministry  of 
Internal Administration on climate impacts on the safety of people 
and assets1391, covering key vulnerabilities, forest-fire and flooding 
scenarios, and adaptation measures. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate  impacts  on  the  coastal  area  of  Spain  bordering  Portugal  are  briefly  mentioned  in 
SIAM  I  (2003)  and  then  examined  in  SIAM  II  (2006).  The  need  for  cooperation  to  avoid 
increased damage is underlined as an outcome of the project. 

In  the  2003  CLIMAAT  project1392,  a  consortium  of  several  institutions  of  the  Azores  and 
Canary  Islands,  which  included  Madeira  in  2006  (under  the  CLIMAAT  II  Interreg  IIIB 
Project)  sought  to  improve  methodologies  and  knowledge  in  the  field  of  meteorology  and 
climatology, including climate change, with a focus on those islands' environments. From this 
initiative  some  significant  common  climate  impacts  on  the  Atlantic  Archipelagos  were 
identified.  

Ongoing revisions to river basin management plans are making use of climate scenarios that 
include data from the common river basins shared between Spain and Portugal. The data was 
collected by IPMA through the EURO-CORDEX programme1393. 

The Transnational Operational Programme for Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands (MAC 2014-
2020)1394  is  a  further  example  of  transboundary  cooperation  involving  regional  authorities 
from Madeira, Azores and the Canary Islands: (Portugal and Spain).  

Moreover,  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  NAS  (ENAAC  2020)  ‘International  Cooperation’ 
Thematic Area to take such transboundary risks into consideration, as described in Indicator 
2b.  

1390 Direção Geral da Saude, (2011), Alterações Climáticas E Saúde Humana ‘Estado Da Arte’. URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relat_Se
tor_ENAAC_Saude.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1391 Ministerio da Admninstraçao Interna, (2012). Alteraçoes Climáticas. URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/_zdata/Politicas/AlteracoesClimaticas/Adaptacao/ENAAC/RelatDetalhados/Relat_Se
tor_ENAAC_Saude.pdf, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1392 Centro do Clima, meteorologia, e mudanças globais da universidade dos Açores, Projectos CLIMAAT e 
CLIMARCOST, URL: http://www.climaat.angra.uac.pt/ , Date accessed: 15/06/2018 
1393 EURO-CORDEX - Coordinated Downscaling Experiment - European Domain, URL: http://www.euro-
cordex.net/, Date accessed: 15/06/2018 
1394 Governo dos Açores, Açores 2020, URL: http://poacores2020.azores.gov.pt/en/noticias/azores-and-the-
european-territorial-cooperation-2020-new-challenges-and-opportunity/ Date accessed: 15/06/2018 

546 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

In  the  2013  ENAAC’s  Progress  Report,  specific  knowledge  gaps  were  identified  at  sector 
level,  particularly  for  the  agriculture,  water  and  spatial  planning  sectors.  Furthermore,  the 
report  highlighted  the  need  for  a  dedicated  research  programme  on  climate  change  for 
Portugal.  This  gap  was  first  addressed  through  adaptation-focused  research  programmes 
within  CIRCLE-2,  under  the  EU's  Seventh  Framework  Programme  for  research  (FP7). 
CIRCLE-2  is  a  European  network  of  34  institutions  from  23  countries  that  funds  research, 
shares knowledge on climate adaptation, and promotes long-term cooperation among national 
and regional climate change programmes. 

The second NAS (ENAAC 2020) has a specific overarching objective to “Improve the level 
of knowledge about climate change” and has created a dedicated cross-cutting thematic area 
on “Research and Innovation”. As a part of the implementation of the NAS, the Research and 
Innovation  Working  Group  and  sectoral  working  groups  must  report  progress  against  the 
aforementioned  objective.  The  first  such  progress  report  covers  the  period  2015-2016,  with 
further iterations in 2018 and 2020. In the first report, each sectoral working group reported 
extensively  on  the  actions  taken  against  the  objective,  such  as  the  creation  of  dedicated 
research programmes within relevant ministries (e.g. the Energy Working Group reported on 
the  research  being  carried  out  within  the  Directorate  General  of  Energy  and  Geology  to 
update the vulnerabilities identified in the first NAS). In addition, the working groups had to 
identify knowledge gaps, and list the actions being taken to resolve these (e.g. the Agriculture 
Working  Group  has  put  forward  a  proposal  to  develop  a  prioritised  national  agenda  on 
adaptation research)1395. 

Meanwhile, the cross-cutting Working Group on Research and Innovation focused principally 
on creating opportunities for Portuguese scientists to participate in national and international 
research  projects  on  adaptation.  This  was  achieved  principally  by  disseminating  knowledge 
about  funding  opportunities  to  the  scientific  community,  particularly  EU-level  funding 
(H2020, LIFE, INTERREG, ERA4CS, etc.), and Portuguese institutions already participate in 
several  relevant  EU-funded  research  projects.1396  In  addition,  the  Working  Group  aimed  to 

1395 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2016). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - 
RELATÓRIO INTERCALAR #1 - 2015-2016 
1396 a) BRIGAID - BRIdges the GAp for Innovations in Disaster resilience (ongoing project); b) CERES 
(ongoing project) - Climate change and European aquatic RESources; c) HYDRALAB+ (ongoing project) 
Adapting to climate change; d) PLACARD (ongoing project) - PLAtform for Climate Adaptation and Risk 
reduction; e) RESCCUE (ongoing project) - RESilience to cope with Climate Change in Urban arEas - a 
multisectorial approach focusing on water; f) BINGO (ongoing project) - Bringing INnovation to onGOing water 
management – A better future under climate change; g) KNOWHOW (closed project) - Knowledge production, 
communication and negotiation for coastal governance under climate change; h) ERA4CS (ongoing project) - 
European Research Area for Climate Services; i) MATRIX (closed project) - New Multi-HAzard and MulTi-
RIsK Assessment MethodS for Europe; j) CIRCLE-2 (closed project) - Climate Impact Research & Response 
Coordination for a Larger Europe - 2nd Generation ERA-Net -Science meets Policy; k) BASE (closed project) - 
Bottom-up Climate Adaptation Strategies towards a Sustainable Europe; l) BRIDGE SMS (ongoing project) - 

547 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
map research activities and to improve their financing. Furthermore, the scientific panel that 
integrates  the  governance  of  the  ENAAC  2020  is  presently  developing  a  research  agenda 
dedicated  to  climate  change  that  will  serve  as  a  framework  for  research  priorities.  It  is 
coordinated  by  the  Foundation  for  Science  and  Technology  (FCT),  the  Portuguese  public 
agency  that  supports  science,  technology  and  innovation  in  all  scientific  domains,  and 
receives support from the APA.  

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Information  about  adaptation  policy  is  currently  available  within  the  APA's  website.1397 
IPMA’s project (mentioned above) has also created an easy access platform1398 with data from 
historical time series, climate projections and sectoral climatic indicators for the geographical 
coverage  of  mainland  Portugal.  A  project  financed  by  Programme  AdaPT  consisted  of  a 
collaborative  platform  for  the  adoption  of  climate  adaptation  measures  in  industry  and 
services.  This  platform,  adaptIS1399,  is  now  a  reference  platform  that  collects  adaptation 
measures, tools and case studies. 

In addition, an ESIF application is being prepared in relation to the ENAAC 2020 to develop 
a  national  adaptation  portal  where  all  relevant  information  will  be  made  available  to  all 
stakeholders, including the general public. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

Capacity  building  is  a  specific  objective  that  has  been  formulated  in  the  ENAAC.  Capacity 
building  mainly  takes  place  through  delivery  of  project’s  climate  adaptation  objectives. 
Several  national  and  regional  projects  and  activities  have  taken  place  in  Portugal  to  raise 
awareness and understanding of adaptation and to promote information sharing, including:  

 

INTERREG  IVC  project  Facts!  (Forms  for  Adapting  to  Climate  Change  through 
Territorial  Strategies)1400.  The  project  exchanges  good  practices,  and  transfer 
knowledge about climate adaptation. Key outcomes: 

o  A  handbook  that  provides  a  framework  to  define  and  implement  territorial 
integrated strategies in the context of climate adaptation in risk-prone areas. 

Intelligent Bridge Assessment Maintenance and Management System; m) IMPRESSIONS (ongoing project) - 
Impacts and risks from higher-end scenarios: Strategies for innovative solutions; n) EnviCOP (closed project) - 
Environmentally Friendly Coastal Protection in a Changing Climate. 
1397 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Adaptação, URL: 
http://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=16&subref=81&sub2ref=118, Date accessed on 15/05/18  
1398 Portal do Clima, URL: http://portaldoclima.pt/en/ Date accessed: 05/06/2018  
1399 Adaptis, URL: http://www.adaptis.uc.pt/, Date Accessed: 05/06/2018 
1400 Interreg IVC, F:ACTS, URL: http://www.interreg4c.eu/projects/project-details/index-project=66-forms-for-
adapting-to-climate-change-through-territorial-strategies&.html, Date accessed: 05/06/2018 

548 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
o  A pilot study on the Landscape Multi-functionality of Baixo Vouga Lagunar, 

which is directed to climate adaptation in a specific coastal area. 

  Several events about climate adaptation through territorial strategies, including study 
visits,  workshops  to  promote  involvement  of  local  stakeholders,  and  coaching  visits 
from foreign partners to increase the adaptive capacity of local stakeholders. 

  CLIMAAT  I  and  II,  which  developed  specific  methodologies  for  studying  the 
meteorology  and  climate  regions  of  the  Atlantic  islands  and  their  surroundings.  The 
projects produced and disseminated information that spurred scientific cooperation. 
  Programme AdaPT, which developed under the EEA Grants 2009-2014 programming. 

AdaPT focused on two main areas of activity:  

o  Increasing  capacity  to  assess  vulnerability  to  climate  change.  The  project 
ClimAdaPT.Local mentioned in Indicator 9b was a key initiative for building 
the capacities of municipalities on adaptation issues. The project provided local 
adaptation strategies for 27 participating municipalities (out of a total of 308 in 
Portugal) and guidelines for mainstreaming adaptation into planning for use by 
other  municipalities  in  the  country.  Several  other  sectoral  pilot  projects  were 
developed  under 
the  programme  ClimAdaPT.Local,  namely  on  water 
resources, forestry, tourism and biodiversity1401. 

o  Raising awareness and education on climate change. The University of Oporto 
developed  a  project  with  30  schools  all  over  the  country,  with  the  overall 
objective  to  communicate  with,  train  and  raise  the  awareness  of  the  school 
community  on  how  to  prevent  climate  impacts  and  implement  adaptation 
measures1402. 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Adaptation  options  considered  are  consistent  with  the  results  of  sectoral  risk  assessments, 
albeit  the  latter  are  sometimes  based  on  a  light  screening  (e.g.  SIAM  projects,  the  ENAAC 
sectoral  reports).  Geographical  issues  are  included,  especially  within  the  scope  of  local 
adaptation strategies and of sectors, such as biodiversity and coastal areas. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

1401 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Sectoral Projects, URL: http://apambiente.wixsite.com/adapt/sectorial-
projects, Date accessed: 05/06/2018 
1402 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Education and Climate Change, URL: 
http://apambiente.wixsite.com/adapt/education-and-award-climate-change, Date accessed: 05/06/2018  

549 

 
 
 
 
  
                                                           
For the first phase of the ENAAC, the methods and detail for prioritising adaptation options 
varied from sector to sector. Actions were discussed with a large number of stakeholders (see 
Indicator  2a),  but  clear  priorities  were  not  set  in  most  cases.  For  each  sector  a  long  list  of 
measures was listed without indication of their importance, possible outputs and impacts.  

Building  upon  the  knowledge  and  involvement  of  stakeholders,  a  prioritised  list  of  sectoral 
groups was selected that was intended to maintain the overall coherence of the ENAAC and 
the ENAAC 2020. 

Measures  are  already  being  developed  in  some  sectors,  which  either  directly  or  indirectly 
contribute  to  the  objectives  of  the  ENAAC  2020. Similarly,  regional  and  local  level 
assessments  of  climate  impacts  were  considered  in  the  development  of  the  ENAAC  2020. 
More  work  is  ongoing  under  the  ENAAC  2020  to  further  streamline  and  develop  these 
measures,  including  clearer  implementation,  monitoring  and  financing.  Moreover,  more 
effective  sector  cooperation  has  been  established  under  the  thematic  areas  and  through  the 
coordination  group  to  foster  synergies  and  avoid  inconsistencies.  The  Action  Plan  in 
development is a step in this direction. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / No 

The establishment of the Portuguese National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, in May 
2010,  was  a  key  measure  towards  better  coordination  of  prevention,  preparedness  and 
response activities. The Platform is chaired by the Minister for Internal Affairs and composed 
of  delegates  from  other  ministries  and  other  national  entities1403.  A  consultative  sub-
committee of the Platform was created to promote disaster risk reduction activities. This sub-
committee  includes  representatives  from  ministries  and  from  the  private  sector,  academic 
institutions,  cities  and  professional  associations  (e.g.  engineers,  architects).  The  national 
authority  for  civil  protection  (ANPC)  is  liaising  with  the  Platform  about  climate  adaptation 
and is  coordinating one  of the sectoral  working groups of the ENAAC 2020.  In this way, a 
close cooperation and articulation between disaster risk management and climate adaptation is 
assured.  

Under the first phase of the ENAAC, the sector working group “safety of people and assets” 
developed several initiatives such as: 

1403 Delegates of the Ministries responsible for the areas of: Defence; Justice; Economy, Transports and 
Communications; Public Works; Agriculture and Forests, Environment; Social Security; Health; Education and 
Scientific Research; The President of the National Authority for Civil Protection; Representatives of the National 
Association of Portuguese Municipalities, National Association of Portuguese Parishes, General Staff of the 
Armed Forces, National Guard, Public Security Police, Association of Professional Fire-fighters, League of 
Portuguese Fire-fighters (organisation representing the associations of Volunteer Fire-fighters), Judiciary Police, 
Security Coordination Office, Maritime and Aeronautical Authorities, National Institute for Medical Emergency, 
Madeira and the Azores Regional Governments. 

550 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
  A  Report  on  National  Risks  Assessment,  including  in  relation  to  climate  change, 

published in 20141404. 

  Acts  to  support disaster  reduction policy  at  the sectoral  level,  namely in  forest  fires, 

floods, climate adaptation and critical infrastructure protection. 

  Good  practices,  including  early  warning  systems,  under  adverse  weather  conditions, 

monitoring of water resources (droughts and floods), heat waves, etc. 

Since then, the working group on safety of people and assets has contributed to the delivery of 
the ENAAC 2020 with the publication of two manuals on best practices in relation to: 

  Flood risk management; and 

  Risk prevention and management – resilient cities in Portugal 2016.  

Another manual is being prepared about best practices for resilience within the private sector. 

Portugal adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) in 2005 and the Sendai Framework 
in 2015. 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

The development of funding mechanisms and of selection criteria for applications are some of 
the issues that are addressed under the thematic area “Funding and implementing adaptation” 
of the ENAAC 2020. 

The Programme AdaPT  was  implemented under  the EEA Grants 2009-20141405 with  a total 
budget of EUR 3,529,412 (EUR 3,000,000 from EEA plus EUR 529,412 from the Portuguese 
Carbon Fund  –  FPC). AdaPT built  upon the needs identified by the 2013 ENAAC progress 
report. 

Further  adaptation  finance  is  secured  by  the  ESIF  Common  Strategic  Framework  2014  – 
2020,  as  well  as  programmes,  such  as  Horizon  2020,  the  Interreg  IV-C  and  LIFE.  Some 
significant  programmes  that  implement  the  Common  Strategic  Framework  at  national  level 
include: 

  Several national Programmes (e.g. Portugal 20201406). 
  The Operational Programme on Sustainability and Resource Use Efficiency (referred 
to  as  PO  SEUR  above),  which  is  the  most  important  programme  for  adaptation 
purposes in this context. It foresees funding for awareness and implementing action in 

1404 : Autoridade Nacional de Proteção Civil, Avaliação Nacional de Risco, 2014. URL: 
http://www.prociv.pt/bk/RISCOSPREV/AVALIACAONACIONALRISCO/Documents/2016_Avaliacao_Nacio
nal_Riscos.pdf , Date accessed: 05/06/2018 
1405 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Sectoral Projects, URL: http://apambiente.wixsite.com/adapt, Date 
accessed: 05/06/2018  
1406 Portugal 2020, URL: https://www.portugal2020.pt/Portal2020/FAQs-Tema1#3, Date accessed 05/06/2018 

551 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
adaptation – Under Axis II – "Promote climate change adaptation and risk prevention 
and  management".  Several  planning  instruments  and  tools  are  financed,  along  with 
specific  actions,  such  as  coastline  protection  and  reinforcement  of  risk  resilience, 
namely flood protection and forest fire risk.1407 This funding is mainly being used to 
develop adaptation plans at the municipal, intermunicipal and regional level covering 
approximately 80% of the country.1408  

  The  Rural  Development  Programme  20201409,  which  under  Heading  3  – 
"Environment, Resource Efficiency Use and Climate" supports several actions on soil 
conservation, water efficient use in agriculture, local breeds and plant varieties, forest 
management and forest fire preventions, among others. 

  The Transnational Operational Programme for Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands (MAC 

2014-2020). 

Grants from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and from the Environmental 
Fund (which replaced the Portuguese Carbon Fund, Decree law No.42-A/2016) are also worth 
mentioning as finance sources at the national level. The Environmental Fund particularly aims 
to support environmental policies, including climate adaptation with a special focus on actions 
on coastal areas and on water resources. In February 2018, the Environment Fund launched a 
call  for  funding  for  applications  dedicated  to  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures 
identified in strategies and plans at the municipal or intermunicipal level, and a total of EUR 
1,000,000 is being made available.1410  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The  current  legal  framework  for  environmental  impact  assessment  (EIA)  in  Portugal  is 
established by Decree-Law No. 151-B/2013, amended by Decree-Law no. 152-B/2017, which 
transposes  the  EIA  Directive  2014/52/EU  on  the  assessment  of  the  effects  of  certain  public 
and private projects on the environment.1411  

The Environment Agency provides an overview of the steps for compliance with Decree-Law 
no.  151-B/2013.  In  addition,  templates  and  guidance  documents,  as  well  as  methodological 

1407 PO SEUR, Axis II, Promote climate changes adaptation and risk prevention and management, URL: 
https://poseur.portugal2020.pt/en/investment-axes/axis-ii/, Date accessed 05/06/2018 
1408 https://poseur.portugal2020.pt/en/applications/calls-for-applications/ 
1409 Programa de Desenvolvimento Rural 2013-2020, URL: http://www.pdr-2020.pt/site/O-
PDR2020/Arquitetura, Date assessed 05/06/2018 
1410 Fundo Ambiental Portugal, Apoiar a Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas, URL: 
http://www.fundoambiental.pt/avisos-2018/apoiar-a-adaptacao-as-alteracoes-climaticas.aspx, Date accessed: 
17/05/2018 
1411 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Avaliação de Impacte Ambiental > Legislação Aplicável. URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=17&subref=146&sub2ref=477, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 

552 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
guides  on  the  development  of  EIA,  are  easily  available  on  the  Environment  Agency 
website.1412  

Climate Change is considered in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) at the screening 
stage and is frequently identified as a critical factor for decision-making (CFD) in the scoping 
phase.  When  considered  a  CFD,  adaptation  is  addressed  (e.g.  flood  risk  plans/maps  in  the 
context of different land uses) at an early stage of the decision-making process.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

A  National  Risk  Assessment  was  carried  out  by  the  National  Authority  for  Civil  Protection 
(ANPC)  in  January  20141413.  This  identifies  and  characterizes  likely  natural,  technological 
and  hybrid  risks  and,  where  relevant,  take  account  of  how  they  may  be  accentuated  or 
attenuated by the impact of climate change.  

For each risk, the study describes the assessment methodology and data used, a prioritisation 
(on  the  basis  of  probability  and  extent  of  damages),  and  measures  to  reduce  the  risks, 
including climate adaptation. The report describes the different types of adaptation measures 
(autonomous,  planned  and  anticipative)  and  indicates  the  need  for  a  systematic  analysis  of 
past  weather  events,  the  development  of  an  early  warning  system  and  the  importance  of 
building capacity to respond to climate extremes. In addition, it presents other risk reduction 
measures being taken within the framework of the NAS (ENAAC 2020). 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

One  of  the  cross  cutting  thematic  areas  for  ENAAC  2020  is  dedicated  to  “Integrating 
adaptation  into  spatial  planning  policy.”  Apart  from  coordinating  with  sectoral  working 
groups  covering  Coastal  Zones  (which  includes  maritime  planning)  and  Transport  and 
Communications (which has some on spatial and urban planning), the  specific objectives of 
this thematic area include: 1414 

  Promote  the  dissemination  of  information  and  other  resources  to  guide  the 

management of climate adaptation at local and regional levels 

  Promote  the  integration  of  analysis  and  mapping  of  vulnerabilities  and  adaptation 

measures in territorial policy planning tools 

1412 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Modelos e Documentos de Orientação. URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=17&subref=146&sub2ref=672, and Guias Metodológicos para a 
Elaboração de Estudos de Impacte Ambiental URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=17&subref=146&sub2ref=673, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1413 Autoridade Nacional de Proteção Civil, Avaliação Nacional de Risco, 2014. URL: 
http://www.prociv.pt/bk/RISCOSPREV/AVALIACAONACIONALRISCO/Documents/2016_Avaliacao_Nacio
nal_Riscos.pdf , Date accessed: 05/06/2018 
1414 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2015). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas 
(ENAAC 2020) 

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  Promote  the  development  of  technical  guidelines  to  ensure  the  integration  of  the 

adaptation to climate change in territorial management instruments 

  Promote integration of adaptation into the National Spatial Planning Policy (Programa 

Nacional da Politica de Ordenamento do Território- PNPOT)1415 

  Promote  the  integration  of  adaptation  to  climate  change  in  the  Sustainable  Urban 

Development; 

Of particular importance has been the integration of the outputs of adaptation plans at national 
and  subnational  levels  (municipal,  inter-municipal  and  regional)  into  the  revision  of  the 
national spatial planning strategic policy documents and action plan (PNPOT) which was in 
public  consultation  until  15th  June  2018.1416  The  proposed  strategic  document  highlights 
climate change as a critical trend the spatial planning policy must take into consideration1417 
when  designing  territorial  planning  policies.  The  action  plan  identifies  measures  in  the 
following domains and scope: 1418  

  Natural  domain  –  includes  specific  measures  for  protecting  coastal  and  urban  areas, 

therefore covering maritime and urban planning 

  Territorial governance domain – proposes specific measures to improve territorial and 
multi-governmental collaboration, including geographical scope – local (rural, urban, 
inter-municipal) regional and transboundary.  

As for coastal management, the Action Plan for the Protection and Enhancement of the Shore 
(Plano  de  Ação  de  Proteção  e  Valorização  do  Litoral  -  PAPVL)  2012-2015  highlights  the 
risks  and  impacts  connected  to  climate  change  and  population  development  for  the  coastal 
areas of Portugal. Adaptation measures are identified for all the zones at risk. The main aim is 
to  carry  out  interventions  protecting  people  and  assets  and  reducing  the  risk  of  damage. 
Rehabilitation interventions are also envisaged. The new Programmes for Coastal Areas take 
into consideration the findings of a Specific Working Group that focused on coastal dynamics 
and  climate  change  impacts1419,  and  are  progressively  including  climate  change  impacts  for 
future interventions1420. 

1415 Direcção Geral do Ordenamento do Território e Desenvolvimento Urbano, Alteração Do PNPOT – 
Documentos Para Discussão Pública Disponíveis, URL: http://pnpot.dgterritorio.pt/node/275, Date accessed on 
16/05/2018. 
1416 Personal communication with MS contact 
1417 Direcção Geral do Ordenamento do Território e Desenvolvimento Urbano, (2018). PNPOT – Alteração 
Estratégia E Modelo Territorial Versão para Discussão Pública, URL: http://pnpot.dgterritorio.pt/node/275, Date 
accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1418 Direcção Geral do Ordenamento do Território e Desenvolvimento Urbano, (2018). PNPOT | Alteração 
Agenda para o Território (Programa de Ação) Versão para Discussão Pública, URL: 
http://pnpot.dgterritorio.pt/node/275, Date accessed on 16/05/2018. 
1419 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente , Relatório do Grupo de Trabalho do Litoral- Gestão da Zona Costeira 
O Desafio da Mudança, (2014). URL: 
http://sniamb.apambiente.pt/infos/geoportaldocs/docs/Relatorio_Final_GTL2015.pdf, Date accessed: 05/06/2018  
1420 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Progamas de Orla Costeira, URL: 
https://www.apambiente.pt/index.php?ref=16&subref=7&sub2ref=10&sub3ref=1193 Date accessed: 05/06/2018 

554 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  main  driver  for  mainstreaming  policy  at  the  sectoral  level  is  the  NAS's  organisational 
structure,  which  provides  a  clear  indication  of  the  willingness  to  promote  adaptation  at 
sectoral level. The sectoral working groups below form part of the coordination group for the 
NAS’s implementation.  

While a comprehensive list of the policy instruments promoting adaptation in each sector has 
not been found, the table below provides an overview of the work that each sectoral working 
group  has  undertaken  to  promote  mainstreaming  of  adaptation  into  sectoral  policies.  The 
information  is  taken  from  the  first  interim  progress  report  on  implementation  of  ENAAC 
2020,  reporting  against  the  third  objective  of  “promote  mainstreaming  of  adaptation  into 
sectoral policies.” 1421 

Sectoral  working 
groups 
Agriculture  

Biodiversity 

Energy  

Forest 

Existing and future policy which will mainstream adaptation in 
sectoral policy (identified in 2015-2016) 
Adaptation measures identified in the ENAAC 2020 will inform the 
sector level policy strategy document “AGRI-ADAPT 2020” which 
is under development. 
The first  NAS (ENAAC 2010) is being used as a starting point to 
integrate  adaptation  in  a  wide  range  of  future  policies  for  nature 
conservation  and  biodiversity,  and  related  policy  documents 
including financing.  
Existing  policy  around  security  of  energy  supply  and  climate 
change  mitigation  are  broadly  in  line  with  adaptation  objectives, 
including  policies  to  increase  networks,  adopt  smart  grids  and 
promoted  distributed  production.  An  area  identified  for  further 
policy development is climate proofing of energy assets.  
The  climate  adaptation  component  in  territorial  management 
instruments has been strengthened, particularly the Regional Plans 
of Forest Management (PROF). 

Safety of people and 
assets 

Water Resources and 
coastal areas 

The legislative framework for civil protection at the municipal level 
has  been  amended  to  integrate  vulnerability  to  climatic  risks  and 
climate adaptation measures. In addition, the National Strategy for 
Preventive Civil Protection has incorporated climate adaptation1422. 
As part the “Integrated Management of Coastal Zones” policy, data 
is  being  collected  for  a  section  on  the  `Coastal  Adaptation 

1421 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2016). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - 
RELATÓRIO INTERCALAR #1 - 2015-2016 
1422 Conselho de Ministros, (2017). Resolução do Conselho de Ministros n.º 160/2017. URL: 
https://dre.pt/pesquisa/-
/search/114123460/details/normal?q=Estrat%C3%A9gia+Nacional+para+uma+Prote%C3%A7%C3%A3o+Civil
+Preventiva, Date accessed 20/06/18 

555 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Strategy’.  In  addition,  existing  and  future  coastal  action  plans 
(Plano  de  Ação  para  o  Litoral  –  Litoral  XXI)  will  integrate 
adaptation, as the National Maritime Strategy (Estratégia Nacional 
para o Mar 2013-2020) and action plan (Plano Mar-Portugal). 
Interim  reports  of  the  regional  health  administrations  and  the 
Directorate General of Health integrate adaptation priorities. Future 
policy documents include the regional strategies for the adaptation 
in  the  health  sector  in  Lisbon  and  Tejo  Valley  (Estratégias 
Regionais  de  Adaptação  às  Alterações  Climáticas  -  Sector  Saúde 
por  duas  Administrações  Regionais  de  Saúde  (Centro  e  Lisboa  e 
Vale do Tejo).  
2017  regional  plan  for  climate  change  (Plano  Regional  para  as 
Alterações Climáticas) integrated adaptation. 
Climate adaptation is gradually being integrated in sectoral plans. 

Health  

Azores  

Madeira 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The Portuguese Association  of  Insurers (Associação Portuguesa de Seguradores  -  APS) and 
the  Foundation  of  the  Faculty  of  Science,  University  of  Lisbon  (Fundação  da  Faculdade  de 
Ciências  da  Universidade  de  Lisboa  -  FFCUL)  developed  Flood  Maps  and  Risk  in  Climate 
Change  Scenarios  (Risco  em  Cenários  de  Alterações  Climáticas  -  CIRAC).  CIRAC  enables 
the  assessment  of  risk  by  providing  benchmark  indices  that  allow  for  different  types  of 
vulnerability and assist stakeholders to make strategic decisions. It defines flooding, the links 
with climate change mitigation and adaptation, and maps climate vulnerabilities and risks in 
Portugal.  

However,  there  is  no  clear  evidence  that  adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or 
alternative policy instruments. The topic is not covered in the ENAAC 2020 policy document 
or the interim update report1423. In a joint statement, the APS and FFCUL stated in 2017 that it 
was their hope that the CIRAC project  could  become a tool to  assess hazards.1424  Insurance 
companies responded to the publication of the CIRAC report, by stating that premiums will be 
adapted according to the degree of flood risk linked to climate change in each of the country’s 
zones. 

1423 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2015). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas 
(ENAAC 2020) and (2016). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - RELATÓRIO 
INTERCALAR #1 - 2015-2016  
1424 Associação Portuguesa de Seguradores, (2017). Projeto CIRAC - Sessão Técnica no Ministério do 
Ambiente, URL: 
https://www.apseguradores.pt/Portal/Content_Show.aspx?ContentId=2743&PageId=51&MicrositeId=1&Catego
ryId=37, Date accessed: 17/05/2018 

556 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

At the national level, the ENAAC and ENAAC 2020 are high-level strategies which promote 
mainstreaming  to  encourage  the  sectoral  groups  to  develop  and  adopt  their  own  adaptation 
action plans. P-3AC, which is the equivalent of a NAP, is under-development at the national 
level and has not yet been implemented. It is currently the subject of internal consultation and 
is  expected  to  be  submitted  shortly  for  political  validation  and  public  consultation.  It  takes 
into consideration the prioritised adaptation measures for sectors and thematic areas identified 
in the NAS, as well as the subnational action plans (municipal, inter-municipal and to some 
extent regional).  

At the subnational level, adaptation strategies and plans covering about 80% of the national 
territory  have  either  been  developed  or  are  under  development  at  present.  As  described  in 
Section A2, ClimAdaPT.Local led to the development of 27 local adaptation strategies. The 
remainder  of  activities  have  been  started  under  the  PO  SEUR  programmes,  as  described  in 
Section  B2.  At  present  very  few  plans  at  subnational  level  have  been  finalised  or 
implemented, but exceptions include the municipalities of Cascais,  Leiria, and Ílhavo.1425 In 
February 2018, the Environment Fund launched a call for funding for applications dedicated 
to  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures  identified  in  strategies  and  plans  at  the 
subnational level, and a total of EUR 1,000,000 is being made available.1426  

At the regional level, Azores finalised their action plan in November 2017, while Madeira has 
not yet developed an action plan. 

During the first NAS (ENAAC 2010), nine sectoral strategies were prepared by the sectoral 
working groups, and became actions to be implemented in the second NAS (ENAAC 2020). 
The ENAAC 2020 interim progress report indicates the progress made  with implementation 
by each sectoral and cross-cutting thematic area working group. These are measured against 
the three objectives of the NAS (identified in Section A1) and the actions identified in sectoral 
strategies.  An  example  of  a  measure  under  implementation  includes  actions  by  the 
Biodiversity  Working  Group  aimed  at  “improving  the  level  of  knowledge  about  climate 
change” by making available to  society  and decision makers the latest scientific knowledge 
about  biodiversity  and  climate  adaptation.  Hundreds  of  other  actions  are  identified,  which 
range from being at the proposal stage to under implementation.  

In addition, one of the cross-cutting thematic area working groups (Integrating adaptation into 
spatial  planning  policy)  has  a  crucial  role  to  play  in  supporting  the  implementation  of 
adaptation  plans at  subnational  level.  One of its primary objectives is  to  produce  guidelines 

1425 Personal communication with MS contact 
1426 Fundo Ambiental Portugal, Apoiar a Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas, URL: 
http://www.fundoambiental.pt/avisos-2018/apoiar-a-adaptacao-as-alteracoes-climaticas.aspx, Date accessed: 
17/05/2018 

557 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
for  transposing  the  adaptation  measures  identified  in  subnational  plans  into  subnational 
special  planning  policy  instruments,  such  as  municipal  master  plans,  thereby  enshrining  the 
plans in the relevant legal framework.1427 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

As  mentioned  in  Section  B2  and  in  relation  to  Indicator  1c,  the  relevant  scales  at  which  to 
foster and support adaptation include the municipal, inter-municipal and regional levels. The 
implementation  of  the  ENAAC  2020  is  supported  by  a  coordination  group  chaired  by  the 
APA and composed of the representatives of the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira 
and of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities, as well as the coordinators of 
the thematic areas and of the sectoral working groups. This group formalises cooperation in 
adaptation planning and implementation at the national level (sectoral and cross-cutting) and 
subnational level.  

In  addition,  adaptation  plans  at  municipal  and  inter-municipal  levels  have  been  developed 
using  NAS  (ENAAC  2020)  guidance,  which  defined  the  work  developed  under  the 
ClimAdaPT.Local and PO SEUR programmes described for the previous indicator. While the 
autonomous regions have greater flexibility in this respect, they may nonetheless benefit from 
the  guidance  on  collaboration.  The  NAP  will  draw  explicitly  on  the  measures  identified  at 
subnational levels. 

Finally,  one  of  the  cross-cutting  thematic  area  working  groups  (Integrating  adaptation  into 
spatial  planning  policy)  will  be  playing  a  crucial  role  in  supporting  the  transposition  of 
subnational  plans  into  spatial  planning  legislation.  As  such,  the  collaboration  between  the 
national  level  cross-cutting  and  sectoral  working  groups  with  the  subnational  levels  is 
considered to be strongly active and integral to the implementation of the action plans at all 
levels.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Climate  change  is  one  of  the  factors  to  be  assessed,  formally  specified  under  the  national 
legislation  that  transposes  SEA  Directive  and  reflected  in  the  published  guidance.  Also 
specific national guidance on the integration of climate change under EIA procedure is being 
developed by APA.  

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

1427 Personal communication with MS contact 

558 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Stakeholders (NGOs in particular) are encouraged to actively engage in implementing actions. 
As stated in the law, the composition of the sectoral groups of the ENAAC includes relevant 
stakeholders,  such  as  major  associations,  NGOs  and  the  biggest  companies.  They  take  an 
active  part  in  the  development  of  all  planning  and  action  related  to  sectoral  and  horizontal 
work. Climadapt.local was developed through a consortium that included a major NGO, other 
NGOs are involved in Programme AdaPT and in LIFE projects.  

The  involvement  of  the  private  sector  has  been  motivated  by  self-interest.  For  example, 
EPAL, the largest production, transport and water distribution company in Portugal, is aware 
of the vulnerability of its activities under a likely climate scenario and has completed a study 
to  define its  medium  and long-term adaptation  strategy.  In the water sector, the ANQIP, an 
NGO  that  promotes  quality  and  efficiency  in  the  water  cycle  in  buildings,  has  recently 
decided to develop a technical specification on reuse and recycling of grey water.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

A  progress  report  for  the  first  phase  of  the  NAS  (ENAAC)  was  published  by  the  APA  in 
2013.  It  identified the vulnerable sectors, the strengths and  weaknesses  observed during the 
implementation  of the ENAAC and proposed measures.1428 The report highlighted the main 
difficulties and gaps that should be addressed in the ENAAC 2020. Furthermore, during the 
first phase of the NAS, nine sectoral strategies were prepared by the sectoral working groups, 
identifying actions to be implemented in the second NAS (ENAAC 2020). 

As  part  of  the  implementation  of  the  NAS  (ENAAC  2020),  the  coordination  group  has  a 
responsibility to contribute to three interim progress reports planned for 2016, 2018, and the 
final report and evaluation in 2020. This group will monitor the progress of work undertaken 
by  the  different  sectoral  and  thematic  areas,  namely  in  terms  of  the  three  objectives  of  the 
Strategy.  

The  first  interim  report,  regarding  2015-2016,  has  been  published.1429  The  report  contains a 
description  of  the  events  and  activities  that  were  undertaken  by  the  working  groups  during 
that  year,  and  a  list  of  the  key  actions  for  each  sectoral  working  group  against  the  NAS 
objectives.  For  each  action  it  is  indicated  whether  the  action  is  at  “proposal”  stage,  or 
“initiated/underway”.  

A more formal procedure is addressed in the ENAAC 2020 under the ‘Financing Adaptation’ 
Thematic Area, in order to establish a monitoring and review system for the overall adaptation 

1428 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2013). Relatório de Progresso Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às 
Alterações Climáticas  
1429 Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, (2016). Estratégia Nacional de Adaptação às Alterações Climáticas - 
RELATÓRIO INTERCALAR #1 - 2015-2016 

559 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
process.  The  first  interim  progress  report  states  that  the  working  group  is  still  developing  a 
methodology and indicators to track the level of implementation of the measures established 
in  adaptation  plans  and  strategies.  No  evidence  has  been  found  of  a  mechanism  to  track 
allocated budgets and costs of actions.  

The current NAP proposal establishes a monitoring, reporting and evaluation system to track 
allocated budgets, costs and implementation of the actions identified. 

Furthermore,  PO  SEUR  has  an  outcome  indicator  on  adaptation  investment  to  measure  the 
“level of implementation of adaptation measures identified in strategies or plans” (R511). The 
APA  was  responsible  for  the  indicator’s  development.  For  this  purpose,  the  scoreboard 
methodology was established, and all relevant central, regional and local entities were asked 
to  provide  feedback  on  implementation  of  adaptation  actions.  Quantitative  results  were 
supplied under the reporting mechanisms for ESIF funding1430. Qualitative results  are being 
analysed and are an important source of information on adaptation action in Portugal.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The  first  interim  report  of  the  ENAAC's  coordination  group  (see  Indicator  10a)  lists  the 
progress  made  towards  integration  of  adaptation  in  prioritised  policy  sectors  (which  also 
indicates  the  difficulties  of  limited  available  knowledge  about  climate  impacts  on  many  of 
these sectors). 

10c. Regional, subnational or local action is monitored and the results of the monitoring 
are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As stated in Indicator 10a, a Common Adaptation Indicator under PO SEUR is in place, after 
the establishment of a methodology to determine the “Level of implementation of adaptation 
measures identified in strategies and plans”. This indicator is used to measure implementation 
of  adaptation  at  national,  regional  and  local  level,  and  all  organisations  responsible  for 
implementation are addressed by means of a questionnaire/scorecard.  

Aggregate results were reported under the ESIF reporting mechanism in May 2018. 

The ENAAC interim report, which is available currently, is not a mechanism for subnational 
or local monitoring and reporting. However, a report is expected by the end of 2018, which 
will reflect the detailed results of the PO SEUR indicator.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

1430 Reported to European Commission on May 2018: Implementation+report_2014PT16CFOP001_2017_0_pt  

560 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Three  evaluations  of  the  Strategy  have  been  foreseen  by  Resolutions  of  the  Council  of 
Ministers in 2016, 2018 and 2020. As stated under Indicator 10a, the 1st interim report, which 
corresponds to the first evaluation in 2016, is already available. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

As  mentioned  under  Indicator  1a,  a  coordination  group  chaired  by  the  APA  supported  the 
revision of the first ENAAC. The group is composed of the coordinators of the thematic areas 
and of the sectoral working groups, as well as the representatives of the Autonomous Regions 
of Azores and Madeira and of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities.  

The analysis that led to the progress report was based on the contributions from the working 
groups,  which,  in  turn,  involved  their  sectoral  stakeholders.  As  such,  stakeholders  are 
involved  in  monitoring  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures.  The  review  undertaken 
since then is a further follow up to the Strategy and a definition of the actions and measures 
that  could  be  implemented  at  sectoral  level,  which  build  on  the  current  involvement  of 
stakeholders. 

Stakeholder  consultation  is  further  supported  by  two  other  structures:  a  scientific  panel  and 
the Inter-Ministerial Commission on Air and Climate Change (CIAAC). The scientific panel 
guarantees  the  engagement  of  the  scientific  community  and  can  provide  knowledge-based 
support to the ENAAC's coordination group. The CIAAC1431 guarantees political support. 

1431 CIAAC was created for the monitoring of climate policy and sectoral policies impacting on national air 
quality and climate goals. 

561 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms 
exist within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) 
coordination mechanisms exist within the governance 
system, enabling lower levels of administration to 
influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress /No 

Yes /In progress /No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate 
stakeholders' involvement in the preparation of 
adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes /In progress/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of 
climate change, taking into account geographical 
specificities and best available science (e.g. in 
response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes /In progress/ 
No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for 
priority vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support 
adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Knowledge gaps 

562 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Met? 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes /In progress /No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available 
to all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. 
through a dedicated website or other comparable 
means). 

Yes /In progress / No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation 
concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks 
identified in 3c, the geographical specificities 
identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar 
contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based 
on robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, 
stakeholders' consultation, etc.) and consistent with 
existing decision-making frameworks 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to 
ensure coherence between the two policies 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes/ In Progress / No 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation 
action 

Yes / In progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for 
environmental impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into 

563 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 
account climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account 
the impacts of climate change 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in 
areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU 
policies 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or 
alternative policy instruments, where relevant, to 
provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Implementing adaptation 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Yes / No 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, 
e.g. as defined in action plans or sectoral policy 
documents 

Yes /In progress / 
No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and 
support adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, 
subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects 
or programmes, and facilitate the choice of 
alternative options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in 
the implementation of adaptation policies and 
measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the 
results of the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in 
sectoral policies is monitored and the results of the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Regional-, subnational or local action is monitored 
and the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

564 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

11a 

11b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy 
and action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, 
evaluation and review of national adaptation policy 

Met? 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

565 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Romania 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 567 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 568 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 568 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 568 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 569 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 570 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 570 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 570 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 570 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 571 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 571 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 571 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 573 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 574 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 574 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 578 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 579 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 580 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 580 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 582 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 583 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 583 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 586 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 587 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 587 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 587 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 589 

566 

 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

ANAR 

National Administration Romanian Waters  

ANM 

EEA 

EIA 

ESIF 

National Meteorological Administration 

European Economic Area 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

European Structural and Investment Funds 

EUSDR 

EU Strategy for the Danube Region 

GIES 

General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations 

MEWF 

Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests 

NAP 

NAS 

National Adaptation Plan 

National Adaptation Strategy 

NCCC 

National Commission for Climate Change 

SEA 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

567 

 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Romania  adopted  its  National  Climate  Change  Strategy  (NAS)  2013-20201432  in  July  2013. 
The  Strategy  is  divided  in  two  parts,  the  first  describes  the  mitigation-related  aspects,  the 
second  addresses  climate  adaptation  to  climate  change,  so  is  hereafter  referred  to  as  the 
National Adaptation Strategy (NAS). The aim of the NAS is to provide an overall framework 
for  action,  as  well  as  guidelines  that  would  enable  each  of  the  priority  sectors  identified  to 
develop  their  own  action  plans  and  align  them  with  national  strategic  principles.  The  13 
priority sectors identified in the NAS are: industry; agriculture and fisheries; tourism; public 
health;  buildings  and infrastructure;  transport;  water resources;  forests;  energy;  biodiversity; 
insurance; recreation activities; and education. 

The NAS identifies two major sets of adaptation actions to be undertaken – specific actions at 
the national level, and indicative categories of sectoral adaptation actions. A very preliminary 
vulnerability  and  impact  analysis  is  sketched  out  for  the  13  priority  sectors,  and  potential 
adaptation actions are recommended for most sectors. The NAS provides a brief outline of the 
existing and necessary resources dedicated to adaptation (touching in general terms on human 
resources,  funding  and  information/knowledge).  It  also  presents  the  proposed  overall 
institutional framework for coordinating and implementing future adaptation actions. 

A two-year programme to operationalise the National Climate Change Strategy1433 resulted in 
the  development  of  a  National  Climate  Change  and  Low  Carbon  Green  Growth  Strategy 
(2016-2030)1434  and an associated Action Plan on Climate Change (2016-2020)1435, adopted 
through  Government  Decision  739/2016.  The  new  Strategy  and  Action  Plan  cover  both 
mitigation  and  adaptation.  The  priority  sectors  identified  in  the  NAS  2013-2020  were 
maintained in the new NAS. 

1432 Ministerul Mediului şi Schimbărilor Climatice, 2013, Strategia naţională a României privind schimbările 
climatice 2013 – 2020. Available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/beta/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013-10-
01_SNSC.pdf 
1433 World Bank, 2015, Romania: Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Program, project website 
available at: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/romania/brief/romania-climate-change-and-low-carbon-
green-growth-program  
1434 Strategia națională privind schimbările climatice și creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse                                   
de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2030 [National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-
2020], Annex 1 to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-
nationala-privind-schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  
1435 Planul național de acțiune pentru implementarea Strategiei naționale privind schimbările climatice și 
creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2030 [National action plan for the 
implementation of the National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-2020], Annex 2 
to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-nationala-privind-
schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  

568 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

For the time being, there is no centralised information or evidence about adaptation strategies 
being  developed  at  regional,  sub-regional  or  local  levels.  However,  there  are  some  projects 
that aim to develop strategies, measures and local guidelines for adapting to climate change. 

The  project  “Danube  Delta  Integrated  Sustainable  Development  Strategy  (2030)”1436 
(completed  in  2015)  identified  a  series  of  priority  areas  for  intervention  and  key  projects 
within  each  sector  based  on  a  number  of  criteria:  expected  impact  towards  the  strategic 
objectives,  geographical  breadth,  level  of  preparedness,  and  financial  and  administrative 
sustainability. Among the actions proposed was a reference to develop clear and easy to use 
local guidelines for climate change and energy efficiency programmes.  

The Environmental Protection Agency Sibiu, the monitoring and coordination environmental 
body for the Region 7 Centre, implemented a project aiming to develop a set of good practices 
on adaptation to climate change, “Greenways for Sustainable Development” in February 2015 
–  April  2016.  The  project  was  part  of  the  RO  07  programme,  financed  via  the  Financial 
Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA Grants).1437 This project was also intended 
to provide a valuable model of good practices that could be replicated in other regions and to 
support  the  capacity  building  on  climate  data  and  climate  experts  in  the  field.  The  project 
promoted concerted and coordinated action to adapt to climate change in the Central Region 
of Romania and contributed to a better understanding of climate impacts and variability in all 
vulnerable  sectors.  The  project  supported  local  public  authorities  in  three  municipalities  - 
Braşov1438,  Sibiu1439  and  Târgu  Mureş1440  –  to  develop  local  strategies  and  action  plans  on 
climate  adaptation.  These  three  municipalities  represent  about  3%  of  the  population  of 
Romania.1441 

1436 The project was developed by the Government of Romania through the Ministry of Regional Development 
and Public Administration (MRDPA) with the support of the World Bank. More information available at: 
http://www.mdrap.ro/userfiles/delta_dunarii/draft_Danube_Delta_Strategy.pdf 

1437 Calea Verde, Project website, URL: https://caleaverde.ro/?lang=en, date accessed: 16/05/2018. 
1438 Cristea, M. and Varvari, S., 2016, Strategie privind adaptarea la schimbarile climatice in Municipiul Brasov, 
available at: http://caleaverde.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Plan-de-actiune-privind-adaptarea-la-schimbarile-
climatice-in-Municipiul-Brasov.pdf 
1439 Cristea, M. and Varvari, S., 2016, Strategie privind adaptarea la schimbarile climatice in Municipiul Sibiu, 
available at: http://caleaverde.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Strategia-privind-adaptarea-la-schimbarile-
climatice-in-Municipiul-Sibiu.pdf  
1440 Cristea, M., 2016, Strategie privind adaptarea la schimbarile climatice in Municipiul Târgu Mureș, available 
at: 
http://tirgumures.ro/pdf/caleaverde/Strategia%20privind%20adaptarea%20la%20schimbarile%20climatice.pdf 
1441 Based on 2016 data from the National Statistics Institute, URL: 
http://www.insse.ro/cms/ro/content/populaţia-româniei-pe-localitati-la-1-ianuarie-2016  

569 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

A  National  Climate  Change  Action  Plan1442  with  a  distinct  adaptation  component  (hence, 
hereafter referred to as the National Adaptation Plan – NAP) was developed within the project 
Romania: Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Programme1443 undertaken by the 
Government of Romania, through the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MEWF) 
with  the  World  Bank.  The  NAP,  adopted  in  2016,  includes  actions  and  timelines,  identifies 
institutions responsible for each action, and recommends criteria and indicators to assess how 
the objectives can be/have been meet.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

There  is  currently  no  centralised  information  or  evidence  about  adaptation  action  plans 
developed at subnational levels.  

As  mentioned  in  Section  A2,  climate  adaptation  plans  for  three  municipalities  –  Sibiu1444, 
Târgu  Mureș1445  and  Brașov1446  –  were  developed  in  the  framework  of  the  project  “Green 
Path towards Sustainable Development”. It is unclear whether any other adaptation plans exist 
at sub-national level. 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The  NAS  20131447  outlined  a  set  of  national  adaptation  actions  to  be  developed  and 
implemented  (including  mainstreaming  adaptation  into  various  policy  areas).  The  NAS  was 
also  intended  to  enable  the  priority  sectors  to  start  developing  and  implementing  their  own 
sectoral  adaptation  plans.  These  sectors  were:  industry;  agriculture  and  fisheries;  tourism; 
public  health;  constructions  and  infrastructure;  transport;  water  resources;  forestry;  energy; 

1442 Planul național de acțiune pentru implementarea Strategiei naționale privind schimbările climatice și 
creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2030 [National action plan for the 
implementation of the National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-2020], Annex 2 
to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-nationala-privind-
schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171 
1443 World Bank, 2015, Romania: Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Program, project website 
available at: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/romania/brief/romania-climate-change-and-low-carbon-
green-growth-program, date accessed: 16/05/2018  
1444 Cristea, M. and Varvari, S., 2016, Plan de acţiune privind adaptarea la schimbarile climatice in Municipiul 
Sibiu, URL: http://caleaverde.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Plan-de-actiune-privind-adaptarea-la-schimbarile-
climatice-in-Municipiul-Sibiu.pdf  
1445 Cristea, M. and Varvari, S., 2016, Plan de acţiune privind adaptarea la schimbarile climatice in Municipiul 
Târgu Mureș, URL: http://caleaverde.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Plan-de-actiune-privind-adaptarea-la-
schimbarile-climatice-in-Municipiul-Targu-Mures.pdf  
1446 Cristea, M. and Varvari, S., 2016, Plan de acţiune privind adaptarea la schimbarile climatice in Municipiul 
Brasov, URL: http://caleaverde.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Plan-de-actiune-privind-adaptarea-la-
schimbarile-climatice-in-Municipiul-Brasov.pdf  
1447 National strategy on tackling climate change 2013-2020, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/beta/wp-
content/uploads/2013/10/2013-10-01_SNSC.pdf  

570 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
biodiversity;  insurance;  recreational  activities;  education.  We  could  not  find  information  on 
the  existence  of  separate  sectoral  adaptation  plans.  However,  the  NAS  2016-2030  and  the 
NAP  2016-20201448  provide  a  series  of  proposed  adaptation  actions  at  sectoral  level 
addressing the priority sectors identified in the previous NAS 2013-2020: industry; agriculture 
and rural development; tourism and recreational activities; public health; human environment, 
infrastructure and urbanism; transport; drinking water and water resources; forestry;  energy; 
biodiversity;  insurance;  education.  Furthermore,  some  adaptation  measures  are  already 
included in the existing sectoral strategies and plans, notably for agriculture1449 and flood risk 
management1450.  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In Romania, the MEWF1451 is the central body designated to coordinate the adaptation policy-
making process,  NAS  and NAP. The ministry  co-ordinates the integration of environmental 
protection requirements  into national  legislation and sectoral  policies, including the creation 
of legal,  institutional,  administrative and financial  instruments  for promoting the integration 
of climate change in sectoral policies.1452 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

1448 Planul național de acțiune pentru implementarea Strategiei naționale privind schimbările climatice și 
creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2030 [National action plan for the 
implementation of the National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-2020], Annex 2 
to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-nationala-privind-
schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  
1449 Ministerul Agriculturii şi Dezvoltării Rurale, 2015, Strategia pentru dezvoltarea sectorului agroalimentar pe 
termen mediu și lung orizont 2020-2030, URL: http://www.madr.ro/strategia-pentru-dezvoltarea-sectorului-
agroalimentar-pe-termen-mediu-si-lung-orizont-2020-2030.html  
1450 Government of Romania, 2010, Strategia Naţională de Management al Riscului la Inundaţii pe termen mediu 
şi lung (perioada 2010 – 2035), URL: http://www.mmediu.ro/app/webroot/uploads/files/2012-01-
10_risc_inundatii_hg846din2010aprobaresnmri.pdf 
1451 See: http://www.mmediu.ro/  
1452 Strategia națională privind schimbările climatice și creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse                                   
de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2030 [National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-
2020], Annex 1 to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-
nationala-privind-schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  

571 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
During the development of the NAS 2013-2020, a horizontal coordination mechanism was in 
place. The MEWF consulted a number of line ministries and government agencies, as well as 
research  institutes,  an  NGO  and  an  umbrella  association  of  the  Romanian  municipalities.  A 
working  group  was  established  to  carry  out  the  environmental  assessment  of  the  NAS  and 
NAP, comprising representatives from all relevant ministries.1453 

In  November  2014,  Government  Decision  no.  1026/2014  led  to  the  reorganisation  of  the 
National  Commission  for  Climate  Change  (NCCC)  as  a  framework  that  enhances  inter-
ministerial  coordination  towards  meeting  Romania’s  climate  objectives.  According  to  this 
regulatory  document,  the  proposed  structure  of  the  NCCC  includes  representatives  from  16 
ministries  or  agencies  with  competencies  in  the  climate  change  area  and  also  contains  a 
technical working group of the representatives of 34 institutions at the operational level. The 
Government Decision no. 1026/2014, enables the NCCC to modify and update the NAS and 
NAP. Thus, the NCCC is designated as the principal operational structure ensuring a proper 
governance system for adaptation. 

The  new  NAS  was  adopted  in  2016.  A  working  group,  composed  of  representatives  from 
ministries involved in activities regarding the NAP, was established at ministerial level, with 
the  participation  of  the  NCCC.  The  working  group  has  held  several  meetings  with  the  line 
ministries, agencies, municipalities and organisations with responsibilities for implementation 
of the NAP in order to prioritise or reconsider the implementation of actions included in the 
Plan.  To  date,  consultations  have  been  held  with  the  Ministry  of  Transport,  National 
Regulatory Agency for  Energy, Ministry of  Labour, Ministry of Regional  Development  and 
Public Administration, Bucharest City Hall, Environmental Fund Administration, Ministry of 
European Funds and Chamber of Commerce and Industry.1454 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Although no regional organisations or county administrations (i.e. NUTS-2 or NUTS-3 levels 
respectively)  were  directly  involved  in  the  development  of  the  NAS  2013-2020,  the  active 
participation  of  the  Association  of  the  Romanian  Municipalities  (an  umbrella  organisation) 
provided satisfactory vertical coordination across various levels of administration.  

As  noted  under  Indicator  1b,  a  working  group  composed  of  representatives  of  ministries 
involved in the implementation of the NAP held meetings and consultations which included 
municipalities. 

1453 Raport de Mediu la Strategia națională privind schimbările climatice şi creșterea economică bazată pe emisii 
reduse de carbon (CRESC) şi Planul Naţional de Acţiune 2016-2020 privind schimbările climatice, available at: 
http://www.mmediu.ro/app/webroot/uploads/files/2015-09-24_Raport_Mediu_CRESC_final.pdf  
1454 Personal communication with MS contact.  

572 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

Stakeholders that were actively involved in the development of the NAS 2013-2020 included 
the research sector (represented by several research institutes) and an NGO active in tackling 
climate change. Furthermore, during a self-assessment  exercise carried  out  by the European 
Environment  Agency  (EEA)  in  2013,  the  Romanian  authorities  reported  that  the  private 
sector, various interest groups and the wider public were duly informed and consulted during 
the process.  

A stakeholder consultation process also  took place during the development  of the NAS  and 
NAP  2016-2030,  as  part  of  the  Strategic  Environmental  Assessment  (SEA)  procedure.  The 
first version of the NAS 2016-2030 was subject to a public consultation. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

While  transboundary  cooperation  is  not  mentioned  in  the  NAS  (2013  or  2016),  Romania  is 
part of various transnational initiatives focusing on adaptation.  

Transnational  and  cross-border  cooperation  comprises  research  components,  policy-making 
activities and some implementation measures (mainly related to flood risk management). As 
such, teams of climate researchers, hydrologists, experts in environmental protection, experts 
in  disaster  management,  and  stakeholders  from  the  forestry  and  agriculture  sectors  have 
participated in a number of transnational projects dealing with vulnerability assessments and 
adaptation measures.  

With regard to policy-making processes, Romania contributed to the development of the EU 
Strategy  for  the  Danube  Region  (EUSDR).  This  macro-regional  strategy  includes,  among 
others,  measures  and  actions  for  tackling  the  flood  risk  along  the  Danube.  From  an 
implementation point of view, relevant activities include joint planning, sharing best practices 
and joint capacity building facilitated by the EUSDR, as well as the proposed joint actions for 
tackling flood risks, desertification and heat waves to be implemented with the support of the 
Romania-Bulgaria Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2014-20201455. 

1455 Interreg V-A - Romania-Bulgaria, URL: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/atlas/programmes/2014-
2020/Territorial%20co-operation/2014tc16rfcb021, date accessed: 15/05/2018 

573 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Romania  is  an  active  party  to  the  Commission  on  the  Protection  of  the  Black  Sea  Against 
Pollution1456.  Within  this  framework,  the  Strategic  Action  Plan  for  the  Environmental 
Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea adopted on 17 April 2009 in Sofia, Bulgaria 
considered,  among  other  objectives,  the  assessment  of  climate  impacts  on  the  Black  Sea 
ecosystem and sustainable development of the coastal population. 

Romania  was  a  partner  in  the  transnational  project  "Joint  Disaster  Management  risk 
assessment and preparedness in the Danube macro-region" (SEERISK) and contributed to the 
elaboration and testing of a common risk assessment methodology for the Danube region. The 
project  partners  (including  Romania)  also  elaborated  a  guideline  on  climate  adaptation  and 
risk assessment in the Danube macro-region in 2014.1457  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Romanian  National  Meteorological  Administration  (ANM  in  Romanian)  is  monitoring 
climate change and extreme weather events and has its own department for research. Thus, it 
plays a key role in providing data and research for climate adaptation. The ANM is also  an 
active partner in a number of EU-funded transnational research projects that produced climate 
models  and  projections,  such  as  the  FP7  project  European  Reanalysis  and  Observations  for 
Monitoring  (EURO4M)1458.  The  ANM  website  provides  information  about  the  current  and 
future climate. The ANM is responsible for monitoring meteorological parameters  – such as 
air  temperature  and  pressure,  precipitation,  humidity,  wind  speed  and  direction  –  while  the 
National  Administration  Romanian  Waters  (ANAR  in  Romanian)  is  responsible  for 
monitoring  surface  water,  groundwater  and  water  quality.  The  ANM  is  also  performing 
research  regarding  variability  and  change  in  climate-related  hazards,  predictability  and 
regional numerical modelling.  

The  General  Inspectorate  for  Emergency  Situations  (GIES),  part  of  the  Ministry  of  Internal 
Affairs  is  responsible  for  the  coordination,  prevention  and  management  of  emergency 
situations.  GIES  relies  largely  on  information  from  ANM  and  ANAR  to  forecast  climate-

1456 More information can be found at: http://www.blacksea-commission.org/_bssap2009.asp, date accessed: 
15/05/2018 
1457 SEERISK, 2014, Guideline on Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Assessment in the Danube Macro-
Region, URL: http://www.rsoe.hu/projectfiles/seeriskOther/download/climate_change_adaptation.pdf  
1458 EURO4M project website, URL: http://www.euro4m.eu/projectinfo.html, date accessed: 16/05/2018 

574 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
related  emergency  situations  (e.g.  floods).1459  Records  of  historical  extreme  events  exist, 
including floods, forest fires and droughts. 

As  regards  the  observation  and  monitoring  of  impacts  (e.g.  casualties,  financial  losses),  the 
World  Bank  study  underpinning  the  development  of  the  NAS  2016-2030  mentions  that 
several assessments of past impacts have been conducted by various organisations, but notes 
the  lack  (in  2014)  of  a  standard  evaluation  methodology  and  national  database  containing 
information  on  damages.1460  As  we  could  not  find  evidence  that  the  observation  systems  in 
place include systematic records on impacts, this indicator is assessed as being ‘in progress’. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate projections from the ANM are available for Romania.1461 Climate scenarios to 2001-
2030 (compared to 1961-1990) were elaborated through a project which commenced in 2008, 
funded  by  the  MEWF.1462  Climate  projections  for  Romania  were  obtained  through  both 
statistical and dynamic downscaling methods, applied to global and regional climate models, 
based on the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) emissions scenario A1B. 

Results from numerical experiments with ensembles of EURO-CORDEX models under new 
representative concentration scenarios RCP 4.5 and 8.5 (IPCC AR5) have also been analysed 
to document climate change over the Romanian territory.1463  

Several  modelling  exercises  based  on  different  scenarios  were  carried  out  to  support  the 
development of the NAS 2016-2020, including: 

  Agricultural  sector:  modelling  the  effects  by  2040  of  three  climate  scenarios  (low, 
medium,  high)  on  the  productivity  of  different  crop  types  and  on  water  demand  for 

1459 World Bank, 2014, Monitorizarea efectelor schimbărilor climatice și a riscurilor în România: Evaluarea 
situației și a necesităților, http://www.fonduri-ue.ro/images/files/studii-
analize/48145/Raport%20A.2.2.%20Monitorizare%20efecte%20si%20riscuri%20climatice_RO.pdf  
1460 Ibid.  
1461 Website of the National Administration of Meteorology, http://www.meteoromania.ro/anm2/clima/  
1462 Busuioc, A., Caian, M., Bojariu, R., Boroneant, C., Cheval, S., Baciu, M. and Dumitrescu, A., undated, 
Scenarii de schimbare a regimului climatic in Romania pe perioada 2001-2030, available at: 
http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/link-uri-utile/103  
1463 Bojariu R, Bîrsan MV, Cică R, Velea L, Burcea S, Dumitrescu A, Dascălu SI, Gothard M, Dobrinescu A, 
Cărbunaru F, Marin L,, 2015, Climate change – from physical basis to risks and adaptation (in Romanian with 
abstract in English), Editor Printech, Bucharest, 200 p, ISBN: 978606-23-0363-1, DOI: 
10.13140/RG.2.1.1341.0729, URL: http://www.meteoromania.ro/anm/images/clima/Schimbariclimatice2014.pdf 

575 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
irrigation, in 12 hydrographical regions of Romania; the effect of different adaptation 
measures was also assessed.1464 

  Water  sector:  climate  impacts  on  mean  annual  flow  were  quantified  for  four  river 
basins of Romania: Buzau, Ialomita, Arges, and Mures.1465 Recently, in another study, 
the  Arges,  Mures,  Prut,  Siret  and  Somes  basins  have  been  analysed  from  the 
standpoint of variability and change in their monthly potential run-off under scenarios 
RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5.1466 

  Energy sector: modelling climate impacts on hydropower under different scenarios.1467 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

A number of studies are available regarding climate impacts on water supply, water scarcity 
and  drought  impacts  on  agriculture,  and  comprehensive  flood  risk  assessments  have  been 
completed for the major river basins. Furthermore, the NAS 2013-2020 involved a very rough 
and  preliminary  impact  assessment  at  sectoral  level.  However,  the  NAS  also  acknowledged 
that a more detailed impact assessment should be run at sectoral level for identifying the main 
climate threats (or opportunities) and identifying appropriate adaptation measures.  

Through the project developed by MEWF and World Bank1468, rapid assessment reports were 
delivered  in  2014,  including  climate  impacts  and  vulnerabilities  for  six  sectors:  water, 
agriculture, forestry, energy, urban, and transport. The analytical work carried out within the 

1464 Strategia națională privind schimbările climatice și creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse                                   
de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2030 [National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-
2020], Annex 1 to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-
nationala-privind-schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  
1465 Pahuja, S., Bica, I., Niculescu, C., Ionita, G., Fagarasan, A., Stanciu, P., Davy, T., Talbi, A., Paul, T., and 
Liden, R., 2014, Romania - Climate change and low carbon green growth program: component B sector report - 
integrated water resources rapid assessment, Washington DC; World Bank Group, available at: 
http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/675851468094456585/Romania-Climate-change-and-low-carbon-
green-growth-program-component-B-sector-report-integrated-water-resources-rapid-assessment  
1466Bojariu, R, S I Dascălu, M Gothard, A Dumitrescu, R Cică, S Burcea, L Velea, M-V Bîrsan, V 
Craciunescu, A Irimescu, M Matreata, V Chendeș, B Boincean, Valeriu Cazac, V Potopová and A 
Nita, 2018, Variability and Change in Water Cycle at the Catchment Level, in Engineering and 
Mathematical Topics in Rainfall, T V Hromadka II (Ed.), IntechOpen. ISBN: 978-1-78923-019-2, URL: 
https://www.intechopen.com/books/engineering-and-mathematical-topics-in-rainfall/variability-and-change-in-
water-cycle-at-the-catchment-level 
1467 Strategia națională privind schimbările climatice și creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse                                   
de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2030 [National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-
2020], Annex 1 to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-
nationala-privind-schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  
1468 World Bank, 2015, Romania: Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Program, project website 
available at: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/romania/brief/romania-climate-change-and-low-carbon-
green-growth-program 

576 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
project  developed by the MEWF and the World Bank expanded upon and replaced existing 
work  from  several  completed  EU-supported,  multi-country/multi-year  assessments,  in 
particular,  Climate  Change  and  Variability:  Impact  on  Central  and  Eastern  Europe 
(CLAVIER), completed in 2009, and Central and Eastern Europe Climate Change Impact and 
Vulnerability Assessment (CECILIA), completed in 2010 (see below).  

Case  studies  about  heat  waves  risk  assessment  in  Western  Romania’s  urban  areas  were 
developed by the SEERISK project.1469  

An overarching methodology was developed through the project RO-RISK – support for the 
fulfilment  of  ex-ante  Conditionality  5.1.  –  risk  assessment  at  national  level.1470  The  project 
was completed in 2016. 

Additionally,  a  risk  analysis  and  screening  approach  for  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation 
options was  delivered to  the MEWF as a milestone within the project  ‘Climate Change  and 
Low  Carbon  Green  Growth’  (see  above)  –  “Report  on  the  analysis  and  risk  assessment 
mitigation and adaptation actions and options in key policies”. 1471 

Other recently completed international projects which provide information on climate impacts 
and vulnerability in Romania include:  

  CECILIA:  Central  and  Eastern  Europe  Climate  Change  Impact  and  Vulnerability 
Assessment1472 - provides studies on air quality in urban areas, water management and 
water  quality,  hydrology,  agriculture  and  forestry.  The  National  Meteorological 
Administration was involved in the study "Climate change impacts on Agriculture and 
Forestry sectors.” 

  CLAVIER: Climate Change and Variability: Impact on Central and Eastern Europe1473 
-  the  main  objective  of  this  project  was  to  investigate  climate  impacts  on  weather 
patterns,  air  pollution,  extreme  events  and  water  resources  in  Central  and  Eastern 
Europe.  Romania  was  involved  in  the  projects  "Impact  on  the  hydrological  and 
agricultural  regime"  and  "Economic  Vulnerability  of  CEE  Societies  and  Economic 
Impact Assessment." 

1469 Papathoma-Koehle M, Promper C, Bojariu R, Cica R, Sik A, Perge K, Laszlo P, Czikora EB, Dumitrescu A, 
Turcus C, Birsan MV, Velea L, Glade T., 2016, A common methodology for risk assessment and mapping for 
south-east Europe: an application for heat wave risk in Romania, Nat Hazards, 82, pp. 89-109, doi 
10.1007/s11069-016-2291-3; SEERISK project website, URL: http://www.seeriskproject.eu/seerisk/#main, date 
accessed: 16/05/2018 
1470 Country report 5.1 Conditionality Romania 2016, deliverable of the ”National Risk Assessment – RO 
RISK”, available at: https://www.igsu.ro/documente/RO-RISK/Raport_Final_de_tara.pdf; Metodologia de 
evaluare a riscurilor și de integrare a evaluărilor de risc sectoriale, https://www.igsu.ro/documente/RO-
RISK/Metodologia%20de%20evaluare%20unitara%20a%20riscurilor%20-%20versiune%20finala.pdf  
1471 World Bank (2015) Romania: Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Program, project website 
available at: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/romania/brief/romania-climate-change-and-low-carbon-
green-growth-program  
1472 CECILIA project website, URL: http://www.cecilia-eu.org/, date accessed: 16/05/2018 
1473 CLAVIER project website, URL: http://www.clavier-eu.org/, date accessed: 16/05/2018 

577 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  WATERCoRe:  Water  scarcity  and  droughts  -  Co-ordinated  activities  in  European 
Regions1474 - provides a platform for information exchange on water deficit, drought 
and climate change problems, as well as a manual of good practices and technological 
measures. 

  CCWaters - Climate Change and Impacts on Water Supply1475: the main objective of 
this project was to identify and evaluate climate impacts on availability and safety of 
public drinking water supply for several decades into the future, and resulting land-use 
changes. 

  Climate  adaptation  measures  in  Romanian  agriculture1476  -  pilot  project  (within  the 

OrientGate project) providing adaptation options in agriculture.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

At  transnational  level,  a  hazard  map  for  flood  risk  in  the  Danube  river  basin  is  available 
(developed in the framework of the Danube FloodRisk Project).1477 However, there is not yet 
evidence that transboundary risks are systematically taken into account in other sectors.  

The  Environmental  Impact  assessment  (EIA)  that  accompanied  the  NAP  2016-2020 
ascertained that there were no measures and actions included in the plan that could generate 
significant cross-border effects.  

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  2013-2020  includes  as  the  first  two  priority  actions  with  regard  to  adaptation: 
updating  climate scenarios;  and supporting  research  activities in  the field of  climate change 
and  creating  a  national  climate  change  database.  The  NAS  2016-2030  also  identifies 
knowledge  gaps  regarding climate impacts  on  the water sector,  flood risk management, and 
the  energy  sector.  However,  information  could  not  be  found  on  the  progress  in  research 
efforts to date, or on the processes employed for periodically tackling knowledge gaps. It is 

1474 WATERCoRe project website, URL: http://www.watercore.eu/, date accessed: 16/05/2018 
1475 CC-WaterS project website, URL: http://ccwaters.eu/, date accessed: 16/05/2018 
1476 ORIENTGATE project website, URL: http://www.orientgateproject.org/. See also: http://climate-
adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/publications/climate-change-adaptation-measures-in-romanian-agriculture, date 
accessed: 16/05/2018 
1477 Danube FloodRisk Project, URL: http://www.icpdr.org/main/activities-projects/danube-floodrisk-project, 
date accessed: 4/05/2018 

578 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
also  unclear  how  priority  knowledge  gaps  are  used  to  direct  funding  to  climate  adaptation 
research. 

The  National  Administration  for  Meteorology  develops  projects  and  studies  based  on  the 
strategic  documents  and  guidelines.  Studies  falling  under  its  remit  include  SEERISK  - 
Changing risks in changing climate, and OrientGate – a structured network for integration of 
climate knowledge into policy and territorial planning. The project results are available on the 
respective project websites (see footnotes 38 and 45 under Indicator 3c). 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate-related information (including some projections and brief information on adaptation-
related policies and legislation) is available on the ANM website.1478 The ANM website has a 
specific section on climate adaptation.1479 The MEWF website1480 also contains a section on 
climate  change,  with  a  sub-section  dedicated  to  adaptation.  It  includes  brief  information  on 
the  international,  EU,  and  national  policy  framework  and  links  to  the  NAS  and  NAP. 
Vulnerability and risk assessments and adaptation tools are not the subject of specific sections 
on the ANM or MEWF websites. The visibility and breadth of information on these webpages 
could be improved.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  2013-2020  and  NAS  2016-2030  do  not  explicitly  foresee  capacity  building 
measures,  however,  they  do  refer  to  actions  on  information  and  awareness-raising, 
particularly among citizens. It is unclear whether capacity building activities are carried out in 
a coordinated way, driven by the NAS/NAP. 

However, a number of projects with capacity building components have recently been carried 
out in the country, for example:  

1478 Website of the National Administration of Meteorology, URL: http://www.meteoromania.ro/anm2/clima/, 
date accessed: 16/05/2018  
1479 Adaptarea la Schimbarile Climatice, URL: http://www.meteoromania.ro/anm2/clima/adaptarea-la-
schimbarile-climatice/, date accessed: 15/05/2018. 
1480 Website of the Ministry of Environment, URL: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/adaptarea-asc/101, date 
accessed: 16/05/2018  

579 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 

‘Making operational the National Strategy on Climate Change and the Development of 
the  Climate  Component  of  the  Operational  Programmes  2014-2020’  (a  World  Bank 
technical assistance project building the capacity of the MEWF with regard to climate 
action, including adaptation)  

  OrientGate  (implemented  in  2012-2015,  a  project  covering  13  Southern  and  Eastern 
European countries, included communication of up-to-date climate knowledge for the 
benefit  of  policy  makers,  such  as  urban  planners,  nature  protection  authorities, 
regional and local development agencies, and territorial and public works authorities), 
see footnote 45  

 

‘A Green Way to  Sustainable Development’ (implemented in  2015-2017;  one of the 
project’s  objectives  was  to  educate,  inform  and  develop  knowledge  through  training 
programmes focused on climate adaptation and effects of vulnerable sectors).1481 

One of the strategic objectives of the RO 007 Programme (see Section A2) was “enhancing 
capacity,  knowledge  and  awareness  on  assessing  and  reducing  the  vulnerability  to  climate 
change of institutions, organizations and the public in Region 7". Promotional materials were 
developed to disseminate project results, to inform and raise awareness of climate adaptation 
among  stakeholders  (brochures,  flyers,  press  releases,  publications)  and  were  used  in 
workshops  and  conferences.  At  the  same  time,  the  project  website,  Facebook  page  and 
knowledge base were created. An awareness and information campaign on climate adaptation 
at local and regional level was conducted, including through press releases, press conferences, 
a TV advertising campaign, street campaigns, exhibitions, etc.1482 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The NAS 2013-2020 mentions some preliminary potential adaptation actions for many of the 
13 priority sectors. The NAS 2016-2030, extending the previous one, was complemented with 
a NAP with identifiable actions, timelines and indicators.1483 The actions proposed in the NAP 

1481 ClimateADAPT Country Information: Romania, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/romania, date accessed: 16/05/2018  
1482 Personal communication from Member State contact. 
1483 Planul național de acțiune pentru implementarea Strategiei naționale privind schimbările climatice și 
creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2020 2030 [National action plan for 
the implementation of the National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-2020], Annex 
2 to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-nationala-privind-
schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  

580 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
cover  all  the  sectors  prioritised  in  the  NAS.  The  proposed  actions  address  geographical 
specificities where applicable. For six sectors, the selection of the actions was underpinned by 
rapid  risk  assessments  (as  described  with  respect  to  Indicator  3c).  For  the  remainder,  the 
methodology used for the identification of adaptation options is unclear.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

The selection of actions  in  the NAP  was done through stakeholder  consultation, taking into 
consideration  primarily  the  sectoral  priorities,  the  availability  of  additional  financing  apart 
from the national budget sources and the climate relevance of the actions. Expert judgement 
prevailed  (also  during  the  stakeholder  consultations),  although  more  complex  tools  were  at 
times  employed,  especially  in  relation  to  climate  change  measures  and  actions  proposed  in 
sectors with a higher co-financing rate from European Structural and Investment Funds. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

It  is  not  clear  how  climate  change  considerations  are  integrated  into  disaster  risk  reduction 
planning.  A  National  Platform  for  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  was  established  in  October 
20161484  and  rendered  operational  in  December  2017,1485  but  it  is  unclear  to  what  extent 
climate change considerations will be integrated in its work. 

Disaster risk reduction does not feature prominently in the NAS 2013-2020, however, the it 
mentions that “the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations should be more involved in 
the  process  of  climate  adaptation,  given  that  climate  change  represents  a  matter  of  national 
security.” In the updated NAS 2016-20301486 and associated NAP1487, the emergency response 

1484 Government of Romania, 2016, Organizarea şi funcționarea Platformei naţionale pentru reducerea riscurilor 
la dezastre, reglementată de Guvern, http://gov.ro/ro/guvernul/sedinte-guvern/organizarea-si-functionarea-
platformei-nationale-pentru-reducerea-riscurilor-la-dezastre-reglementata-de-guvern  
1485 MAI: Platforma naţională pentru reducerea riscurilor la dezastre a devenit operaţională, URL: 
https://www.agerpres.ro/social/2017/12/19/mai-platforma-nationala-pentru-reducerea-riscurilor-la-dezastre-a-
devenit-operationala--25086 , date accessed: 15/05/2018. 
1486 Strategia națională privind schimbările climatice și creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse                                   
de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2020 2030 [National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 
2016-2020], Annex 1 to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: 
http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-nationala-privind-schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  
1487 Planul național de acțiune pentru implementarea Strategiei naționale privind schimbările climatice și 
creșterea economică bazată pe emisii reduse de carbon pentru perioada 2016-2020 2030 [National action plan for 
the implementation of the National Climate Change and Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy 2016-2020], Annex 
2 to Government Decision 739/2016, available at: http://www.mmediu.ro/categorie/strategia-nationala-privind-
schimbarile-climatice-rezumat/171  

581 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
services  are discussed in connection with public health. The NAS 2016-2030 also considers 
flood  risks.  It  foresees  that  “knowledge  regarding  flood  risk  management  will  be  improved 
taking into account the expected effects of climate change” and that investments in the water 
sector will be prioritised on the basis of hazard and flood risk maps, taking into account, as far 
as possible, the climate impacts.  

Regarding  institutionalised  cooperation  and  procedures,  the  institutional  mandate  for  the 
coordination,  prevention  and  management  of  emergency  situations  lies  with  the  General 
Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES), part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.1488 The 
2015  version  of  this  fact  sheet  noted  that  “a  cross-institutional  consultation  group  operates 
under  the  coordination  of  the  GIES  to  facilitate  a  uniform  approach  towards  climate  risk-
related  drivers.  However,  this  group  does  not  carry  regular  meetings  with  an  agenda 
established  well  in  advance  and  encompassing  preventive  and  analytic  adaptation  features.” 
Information on this group and whether it has been established could not be found.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Funding  is  available  for  increasing  climate  resilience  in  a  number  of  sectors  (with  an 
important contribution expected from the European Structural and Investment Funds  - ESIF, 
which  will  also  bring  in  national  co-financing).  Under  Romania’s  Partnership  Agreement 
2014-2020,  EUR  2  billion  is  allocated  to  the  thematic  objective  “promoting  climate 
adaptation, risk prevention and management” (EUR 0.5 billion from the Cohesion Fund and 
EUR 1.5 billion from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development).1489 The NAP – 
which identifies funding sources for each proposed action (including for cross-cutting actions, 
such as capacity-building and climate research) – indicates that some adaptation actions will 
also be funded through other ESIF funds, such as the European Regional Development Fund 
and  the  European  Social  Fund.  By  2017,  EUR  639  million  was  disbursed  to  ESIF-funded 
projects linked to this thematic objective.1490 

Other funding sources identified in the NAP include the national budget (however, a budget 
line  is  not  always  specified),  local  budgets  (without  further  specification),  Horizon  2020, 
LIFE, SEE/INTERREG.  

1488 ClimateADAPT Country Information: Romania: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/romania  
1489 Summary of the Partnership Agreement with Romania, 2014-2020, available at: 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/partnership-agreement-romania-2014-20_en  
1490 ESIF 2014-2020: Fin. Implementation by Theme for a Member State (2017; filter by fund and MS), URL: 
https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/EU-Level/ESIF-2014-2020-Fin-Implementation-by-Theme-for-a-M/k79g-
g6rq, date accessed: 7/05/2018. 

582 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Given that funding sources are identified for all actions within the NAS and evidence shows 
that fund are being disbursed a positive score is justified.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The revision of the national framework for EIA is underway in order to align it with the new 
EIA Directive. The new legislative act has been approved by the Romanian Government and 
has  been  submitted  to  the  Romanian  Parliament  for  final  endorsement.  All  relevant  climate 
adaptation aspects are considered in the new legislation.1491 

The  Strategic  Environmental  Assessment  (SEA)  Directive  was  transposed  in  Romania 
through  Government  Decision  1076  of  8  July  2004.  With  respect  to  climate  change,  the 
Decision  requires  that  the  assessment  takes  into  account  potential  impacts  of  the  plan  or 
programme  on  climate  factors,  but  does  not  mention  adaptation  or  consideration  of  the 
climate impacts on the plan or programme. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

The  General  Inspectorate  for  Emergency  Situations  (GIES)  implemented  the  RO-RISK 
“Support to fulfil the ex-ante conditionality 5.1.  – risk assessment at national level” project, 
whose aim was to develop a common risk assessment methodology.1492  

The  methodology  aims  to  develop  an  integrated  approach  to  risk  assessment  (natural, 
biological,  technological).  Its  objective  is  to  assure  a  common  framework  for  sectoral  risk 
assessment that provides information regarding the types of national risks. On the basis of this 
methodology, risk assessments were carried out for 10 risks, including floods, drought, forest 
fires  and  landslides.  Climate  projections  were  taken  into  consideration  for  the  assessments 

1491 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1492 Country report 5.1 Conditionality Romania 2016, deliverable of the ”National Risk Assessment – RO 
RISK”, available at: https://www.igsu.ro/documente/RO-RISK/Raport_Final_de_tara.pdf; Metodologia de 
evaluare a riscurilor și de integrare a evaluărilor de risc sectoriale, https://www.igsu.ro/documente/RO-
RISK/Metodologia%20de%20evaluare%20unitara%20a%20riscurilor%20-%20versiune%20finala.pdf  

583 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
regarding  drought  and  forest  fires.1493  The  risk  assessments  will  be  followed  by  the 
preparation of risk management plans at sectoral level. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

The  NAS  2016-2030  mentions  the  need  to  update  current  building  and  infrastructure  codes 
and norms in view of climate change and extreme events. The NAP also sets out a series of 
actions  with  respect  to  the  human  environment,  infrastructure  and  urbanism,  such  as: 
improving  the  integration  of  climate  change  considerations  in  sectoral  planning  processes; 
providing  capacity-building  to  local  authorities  regarding  the  integration  of  climate  change 
considerations  in  spatial  planning  documents  and  processes;  investing  in  climate  resilient 
infrastructure;  and  modifying  building  codes  and  norms.  However,  information  regarding 
progress in the implementation of these actions could not be found. 

The  Territorial  Development  Strategy  of  Romania1494  adopted  in  2016  mentions  measures 
related to  climate  adaptation, for example, protecting cities, rural  areas, and natural  habitats 
from climate risks, preventing natural disasters, and developing urban green space and green 
belts surrounding urban areas.  

In  terms  of  individual  projects  contributing  to  the  integration  of  climate  adaptation  in  these 
sectors,  the  pilot  project  RO  007  -  Greenways  for  Sustainable  Development  contributed  to 
increasing the resilience of transport and communications infrastructure to extreme weather, 
storms,  and  floods.  A  pilot  project  on  the  creation  of  underground  infrastructure  of 
electricity/communication  cables 
the  electricity  and 
communication systems against storms and floods. The project also involved tree planting in 
bus stations to increase thermal comfort of public transport users.1495 

in  Sibiu  aimed  at  protecting 

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

It  is  unclear  whether  there  are  coordinated  actions  to  mainstream  adaptation  into  national 
policies and policy instruments. However, one of the actions included in the NAS 2013-2020 
foresaw that adaptation would be mainstreamed at the national level. 

1493 Country report 5.1 Conditionality Romania 2016, deliverable of the ”National Risk Assessment – RO 
RISK”, available at: https://www.igsu.ro/documente/RO-RISK/Raport_Final_de_tara.pdf  
1494 Strategia de Dezvoltare Teritorială a României, URL: http://www.fonduri-
structurale.ro/Document_Files/Stiri/00017493/7hctm_Anexe.pdf, date accessed: 16/05/2018. 
1495 Personal communication with MS contact.  

584 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The sectors for which evidence of the integration of adaptation considerations could be found 
are  agriculture,  flood  risk  management  and  territorial  development.  The  policy  instruments 
promoting adaptation in these sectors are: 

  The  National  Strategy  for  Rural  Development  and  the  National  Rural  Development 
Programme 2014-2020: mention climate adaptation as a priority and set out a number 
of related actions. Actions related to climate adaptation were implemented as part of 
Rural Development Programmes. The integration of adaptation considerations in these 
documents  appears  to  be  driven  mainly  by  the  requirements  of  the  Common 
Agricultural  Policy,  particularly  those  concerning  funds,  rather  than  the  national 
adaptation strategy. 

  The ‘National medium and long term strategy for flood risk management’1496: one of 
its objectives is to mitigate or avoid climate impacts on the occurrence of floods; the 
strategy also mentions that flood prevention and protection measures should take into 
account current and future climate conditions as well as climate change. This strategy 
predates the NAS. 

  The  Territorial  Development  Strategy  of  Romania1497  (see  Indicator  8c  above).  It  is 
unclear  whether  the  NAS  was  a  driver  for  the  inclusion  of  climate  considerations  in 
this instrument. 

In  addition,  the  National  Sustainable  Development  Strategy  Romania  2013-2020-2030 
(adopted  in  2008)  includes  among  its  objectives  a  reference  to  the  ability  to  anticipate  the 
climate impacts, to prepare solutions for adaptation in the long run and to develop cross-sector 
contingency plans comprising portfolios of alternative crisis-management solutions in case of 
natural or man-made disasters. 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The NAS 2016-2030 mentions  the need to  mainstream  climate adaptation in  this sector and 
the NAP sets out a list of measures in this regard, but so far, no evidence could be found that 
adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance policies or alternative policy instruments to provide 
incentives for investments in risk prevention. 

1496 Government of Romania, 2010, Strategia Naţională de Management al Riscului la Inundaţii pe termen mediu 
şi lung (perioada 2010 – 2035), URL: http://www.mmediu.ro/app/webroot/uploads/files/2012-01-
10_risc_inundatii_hg846din2010aprobaresnmri.pdf  
1497 Strategia de Dezvoltare Teritorială a României, URL: http://www.fonduri-
structurale.ro/Document_Files/Stiri/00017493/7hctm_Anexe.pdf, date accessed: 16/05/2018. 

585 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

As described in Section B1, a NAP was adopted in October 2016. Since it is relatively recent, 
no progress report on its implementation has been issued so far.  

Some  autonomous  adaptation  actions  are  being  undertaken,  e.g.  at  a  sectoral  level  for 
agriculture and water management, and flood risk management, or at a local level regarding 
coastal  erosion,  flood  protection  or  analysis  of  climate  impacts.  However,  it  is  unclear 
whether these actions are coordinated with the NAS, and sectoral adaptation action plans are 
not yet in place. The ‘Large Infrastructure Operational Programme 2014-2020’ includes as a 
priority axis the promotion of climate adaptation, prevention and risk management that will be 
applied to projects financed through EU funds. The National Rural Development Plan 2014 – 
2020 provides certain  areas  targeting  climate adaptation  actions  (M01  -  Knowledge transfer 
and information actions (art 14); M02 - Advisory services, farm management and farm relief 
services (art 15); M11 - Organic farming (art 29).  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

We could  not  find any information  regarding specific cooperation mechanisms with  regions 
and  cities  for  implementation.  The  implementation  of  the  project  RO  007  -  Greenways  for 
Sustainable Development (see above) supported the increase of institutional capacity and the 
more active involvement of municipalities in reducing vulnerability to the climate impacts.1498  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Apart  from  various  guidelines  issued  by  the  European  Commission,  specific  procedures  or 
guidelines issued or used by the Romanian authorities for assessing climate impacts on major 
projects or programmes and for facilitating their adaptation were not identified. 

1498 Personal communication with MS contact. 

586 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

It  is  unclear  whether  specific  mechanisms  for  ensuring  the  involvement  of  stakeholders  in 
implementation have been put in place. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

Reports on the implementation of the NAS/NAP have so far not been published.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Currently,  there  appears  to  be  no  system  in  place  for  monitoring  the  integration  of  climate 
adaptation  in  sectoral  policies.  Sectoral  reports  including  information  on  adaptation  aspects 
could not be found.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

No evidence of information on reporting by sub-national administrations is available.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

A  schedule  for  periodic  review  of  adaptation  action  was  included  in  the  NAS  2013-2020. 
Specifically, the NAS was to be reviewed and its objectives updated during the first half of 
2015. The World Bank technical assistance project mentioned above and the development of 
the NAS 2016-2030 responded to this requirement. The new NAS 2016-2030 does not specify 
when it will be reviewed. 

587 

 
 
 
 
The NAS does not foresee periodic review of the NAP. The latter contains actions planned for 
the period 2016-2020, which are intended to be evaluated post-2020. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Information  could  not  be  found  on  the  involvement  of  stakeholders  in  monitoring  and 
evaluation  of  national  adaptation  policy.  Additionally,  the  new  NAS  and  NAP  adopted  in 
2016 are not explicit on this point. 

588 

 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

589 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / 
No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

8d 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 

Yes / In progress / 

590 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Met? 
No 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / 
No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

591 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Slovakia 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 593 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 594 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 594 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 594 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 595 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 596 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 596 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 597 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 597 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 597 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 597 

1.   Coordination structure ............................................................................................ 597 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 599 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 601 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 601 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 603 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 604 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 605 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 605 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 606 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 607 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 607 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 609 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 611 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 611 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 612 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 614 

592 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

DRR 

EIA 

MZP 

NAP 

NAS 

OP 

Disaster risk reduction 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic 

National Adaptation Plan 

National Adaptation Strategy 

Operational Programme 

RBMP 

River Basin Management Plans 

SEA 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

SEE Risk 

Joint  Disaster  Management  Risk  Assessment  and  Preparedness  in  the 
Danube macro-region 

SHMU 

ZMOS 

Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute 

Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia 

593 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Slovakia adopted its National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) – "The strategy of adaptation of the 
Slovak Republic to the adverse impacts of climate change" – by Government Resolution No 
148/2014  in  March  2014.1499  The  main  objective  of  the  NAS  is  to  provide  information  on 
current  adaptation  measures  and  actions  in  Slovakia,  and,  based  on  these,  to  propose  a 
coordination framework for their implementation, as well as to increase awareness about this 
thematic  area.  The  current  NAS  examines  the  climate  impacts  and  proposes  adaptation 
options  in  a  number  of  areas,  such  as:  environment,  biodiversity,  built  environment,  public 
health, agriculture, forestry, water management and transport. It proposes priority actions and 
identifies  potential  funding  sources.  It  also  presents  the  proposed  overall  institutional 
framework for coordinating and implementing future adaptation actions, as well as a proposal 
for monitoring and evaluation arrangements. 

In  2016,  the  government  adopted  a  progress  report  “Information  on  the  progress  made  in 
implementing adaptation measures in the Slovak Republic”,1500 which analyses the process of 
adaptation  in  Slovakia  between  April  2014  and  April  2016.  The  short  timeframe  for 
evaluation  (approximately  1.5  years)  made  it  difficult  to  quantify  the  progress  made  on 
implementing adaptation measures. The report deals mainly with qualitative characteristics of 
adaptation efforts in Slovakia and has the following structure: information on NAS, priority 
areas,  monitoring  of  the  environment,  adaptation  in  the  area  of  health,  adaptation  at  local 
level, conclusion. 

In  the  beginning  of  2017,  the  Ministry  of  Environment  (MZP)  launched  the  revision  and 
update  of  the  NAS.1501  In  March  2017,  the  members  of  the  expert  group  on  adaptation 
evaluated the NAS and proposed new texts. In June 2017, the first draft of the updated NAS 
was discussed. The high-level commission on climate change policy also considered the draft 
in June. In September 2017, the process of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the 
NAS  was  launched.  Within  this  process,  there  was  also  public  consultation  on  a  further 
revision of the NAS1502 that took account of the published results of the SEA assessment.1503 

1499 Uznesenie Vlády Slovenskej Republiky c. 148 z 26. marca 2014 k Stratégii adaptácie SR na nepriaznivé 
dôsledky zmeny klímy (Government Resolution No 148/2014),  
URL: http://www.rokovania.sk/File.aspx/ViewDocumentHtml/Uznesenie-14024?prefixFile=u, Date accessed: 4 
May 2018  
1500 Informácia o dosiahnutom pokroku pri realizácii adaptačných opatrení v SR (2016),  
URL: http://www.rokovania.sk/Rokovanie.aspx/BodRokovaniaDetail?idMaterial=25576  
1501 Enviroportal website,  
URL: http://enviroportal.sk/sk/eia/detail/strategia-adaptacie-slovenskej-republiky-na-nepriaznive-dosledky-
zmeny, Date accessed : 17/5/2018 
1502 The consulted draft of the revised adaptation strategy can be found here:  
URL: http://www.minzp.sk/files/odbor-politiky-zmeny-klimy/strategia-adaptacie-sr-nepriaznive-dosledky-
zmeny-klimy-aktualizacia.pdf, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 

594 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The final result was published in June2018 and its results were incorporated to the annex of 
the NAS1504. It is anticipated that the updated NAS will be submitted to the Government for 
approval  by 31 October  2018.  It was postponed  from  30 April 2018 because of the lengthy 
strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process.1505  

In addition to the NAS, the Ministry of Environment (MZP) is preparing the Slovak National 
Strategy  for  the  Environment  to  2030  –  Zelenšie  Slovensko  (“Greener  Slovakia”,  approval 
foreseen  in  2018,  currently  under  the  SEA  process)1506.  It  includes  a  chapter  on  climate 
mitigation and adaptation. However, chapters on the protection of the environment and water 
management are also relevant to adaptation.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

According  to  the  current  NAS,  there  is  currently  no  systematic  approach  to  adaptation  at 
regional or sub-regional level, as climate change and its impacts are not part of the standard 
planning  processes  at  regional  and  local  levels.  The  revised  NAS  (to  be  adopted)  seeks 
improvements in vertical integration of adaptation processes at regional and current levels and 
proposes several measures to do so. 

Currently,  vulnerability  assessments  and  planning  documents  have  not  been  systematically 
developed at “kraje” level (the highest-level of administrative units in the country), although 
some examples exist. The first sub-regional adaptation strategy was adopted for region Horná 
Ondava in March 2015. It has three main parts: a strategy, an action plan, and a catalogue of 
adaptation measures (Regionálna adaptačná stratégia Hornej Ondavy)1507. 

Bratislava Self-Governing Region adopted a catalogue of adaptation measures for towns and 
villages  in  April  2017  (Katalóg  adaptačných  opatrení  miest  a  obcí  BSK  na  nepriaznivé 
dôsledky zmeny klímy)1508. This also includes the assessment of the climate in the Bratislava 
region, a strategy and action plan and a catalogue of adaptation measures. 

1503 The announcement on the beginning of the strategic environmental assessment and the draft of the NAS is 
available in Slovak at  
URL: http://www.minzp.sk/aktualne/oznamenie-vypracovani-strategickeho-dokumentu-strategia-adaptacie-
slovenskej-republiky-nepriaznive-dosledky-zmeny-klimy.html, Date accessed: 17/5/2018; Personal 
communication with MS contact.  
1504 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1505 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1506 Personal communication with MS contact; Zelenšie Slovensko stratégia, URL: 
http://www.minzp.sk/iep/strategicke-materialy/envirostrategia-2030/; 
http://enviroportal.sk/sk/eia/detail/zelensie-slovensko-strategia-environmentalnej-politiky-slovenskej-repu, Date 
accessed: 17/5/2018 
1507 Regionálna adaptačná stratégia Hornej Ondavy, 2015, URL:  
http://www.ondavaprezivot.sk/download/RASHO%20WEB/16_P1_Katalog_opatreni_f15.pdf, Date accessed: 
17/5/2018 
1508 Katalóg adaptačných opatrení miest a obcí BSK na nepriaznivé dôsledky zmeny klímy, 2017, URL: 
http://www.region-bsk.sk/clanok/aktualne-spravy-kraj-znizuje-negativne-d%C3%B4sledky-klimatickych-
zmien.aspx; http://www.region-bsk.sk/koncepcne-materialy.aspx, Date accessed : 17/5/2018 

595 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
The population coverage of these two regions is around 638 400 inhabitants in the Bratislava 
region and around 8 400 in Horná Ondava, corresponding to around 12% of the total Slovak 
population. 

At the local level, various initiatives have been launched. Slovakia has to date 10 signatories 
to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy with respect to adaptation.1509 The capital 
city of Bratislava acceded to the Mayors Adapt initiative in April 2012, other cities only did 
so in 2016-2017.  

The current adaptation strategies at city level are: 

  The Adaptation Strategy of Bratislava, which was adopted in September 2014.1510 
  The  proposal  for  an  adaptation  strategy  of  Spišská  Nová  Ves  and  its  surroundings 

(2012)1511 

  The Adaptation Strategy of Košice - Západ districts on heat waves (2014)1512 
  The Adaptation Strategy of Trnava on heat waves (2015)1513 
  The Adaptation Strategy of Zvolen on rainwater utilisation (2015)1514 
  The Adaptation Strategy of Kežmarok on heavy rainfall (2015).1515 
  A pilot study on adaptation measures in Čierny Balog (2016)1516 

These cities and towns cover approximately 20% of the population of Slovakia. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The MZP in  cooperation with  the Slovak Academy of Sciences launched the preparation of 
the national adaptation action plan (NAP) in April 2018. The outputs of a preparatory project 

1509 Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, Adaptation, Slovakia, URL: 
https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-community/signatories.html  (accessed on 24 April 2018) 
1510 Adaptation Strategy of Bratislava (2015), Shorter version, the City of Bratislava, URL:  
http://www.bratislava.sk/VismoOnline_ActionScripts/File.ashx?id_org=700000&id_dokumenty=11051660, 
Date accessed: 17/5/2018  
1511 Stratégia adaptácie na dopady zmeny klímy v meste Spišská Nová Ves a okolí (2012), URL:  
http://www.spisskanovaves.eu/fileadmin/snv/user_upload/editor/editor1/dokumenty/projekty/strategicke_dokum
enty/Strategia_adaptacie_navrh_3-2012.pdf, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1512 Adaptation Strategy of Kosice on heat waves – Zapad districts (2014), the City of Kosice, URL: 
http://www.kri.sk/web_object/435.pdf  
1513 Adaptation Strategy of Trnava on heat waves (2015), the City of Trnava, available at URL: 
http://www.trnava.sk/userfiles/download/attachment/Strategia_adaptacie_Trnava%20schv%C3%A1len%C3%A
1.pdf, Date accessed : 17/5/2018 
1514 Adaptačná stratégia na zmenu klímy –využitie dažďovej vody (2015), available in Slovak at URL: 
http://www.zvolen.sk/download_file_f.php?id=603216, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1515 Stratégia adaptácie mesta Kežmarok na zmenu klímy so zameraním na rast častosti intenzívnych zrážok 
(2015), available in Slovak at URL: https://www.kezmarok.sk/download_file_f.php?id=806813, Date accessed: 
17/5/2018 
1516 Adaptačné opatrenia na zmenu klímy – projektová štúdia pre Čierny Balog (2016), available in Slovak at 
URL: 
 http://www.obnovadediny.sk/Upload/POD/priklady/dokumentacia/2016_%C4%8Cierny%20Balog.pdf, Date 
accessed: 17/5/2018 

596 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
conducted together with the Slovak Academy of Sciences in the form of a final report will be 
used to formulate the NAP.  

On  14  March  2018,  the  Government  approved  the  first  NAP  addressing  drought  and  water 
scarcity, called “H2ODNOTA JE VODA” (Water is value), prepared by the MZP, as a follow 
up to  the Water Management Plan of Slovakia and the current  NAS.1517 The NAP proposes 
measures in the area of water management, agriculture and forestry management, urban areas, 
and  science  and  research  (for  identifying  vulnerabilities).  It  also  proposes  measures  on 
monitoring and early warning systems for drought and disaster risk management.1518 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

There is no specific regional adaptation action plan adopted, as yet. 

At the city level, the Adaptation Action Plan of Bratislava 2017-2020 was adopted in March 
20171519.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

In Slovakia, there are no sectoral adaptation plans. Where relevant,  adaptation measures are 
integrated in sectoral strategies and action plans.1520 Several examples are given in relation to 
Indicator 8d (below). 

As noted in Section B1, there is an action plan addressing drought and water scarcity, which 
was  adopted  in  March  2018.  Some  adaptation  actions  are  included  in  the  existing  sectoral 
strategies and plans for water management (flood risk management), agriculture, forestry and 
disaster risk management. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1.  

Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

1517 The Action Plan HODNOTA JE VODA (2018), URL: http://www.minzp.sk/files/sekcia-vod/hodnota-je-
voda/h2odnota-je-voda-akcny-plan-riesenie-dosledkov-sucha-nedostatku-vody.pdf; Announcement can be found 
here in Slovak, http://www.minzp.sk/tlacovy-servis/tlacove-spravy/tlacove-spravy-2018/tlacove-spravy-marec-
2018/svetovy-den-vody-si-envirorezort-pripomenie-pracou-lepsej-ochrane-vodnych-zdrojov.html; 
http://www.rokovania.sk/Rokovanie.aspx/NezaradenyMaterialDetail?idMaterial=27274, Date accessed: 
17/5/2018 
1518 Ministry of Environment news item, URL: http://www.minzp.sk/tlacovy-servis/tlacove-spravy/tlacove-
spravy-2018/tlacove-spravy-marec-2018/solymos-investicie-do-opatreni-proti-suchu-nedostatku-vody-pomozu-
zlepsit-zivotne-prostredie-aj-kvalitu-zivota-ludi.html, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
1519 Akčný plán adaptácie na nepriaznivé dôsledky zmeny klímy na území hlavného mesta Slovenskej republiky 
Bratislavy na roky 2017-2020 (2017), URL: https://zastupitelstvo.bratislava.sk/data/att/14595.pdf   
1520 Personal communication with MS contact.  

597 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  MZP1521,  Directorate  for  Climate  Change  and  Air  Protection,  Department  of  Climate 
Change  Policy  is  the  central  body  designated  to  coordinate  the  adaptation  policy-making 
process.1522  It  is  responsible  for  the  development  and  implementation  of  climate  change 
policy, including climate adaptation. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

Before the adoption of the current NAS in 2014, a High-Level Committee for Coordination of 
the Climate Change Policy was established on 15 January 2012. A special working group on 
adaptation was created under this committee designated to focus on the NAS and to continue 
the work on adaptation. This  working  group meets  at  least  once  a  year, the next  meeting is 
scheduled  in  the  second  half  of  2018.1523  The  members  include  representatives  from  other 
ministries  (the  Ministry  of  Education,  Science,  Research  and  Sport,  the  Ministry  of  Health, 
the  Ministry  of  the  Economy,  the  Ministry  of  the  Interior,  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture  and 
Rural Development, the Ministry of Transport and Construction), and other institutions, such 
as  the  Public  Health  Authority  of  the  Slovak  Republic,  the  Slovak  Hydrometeorological 
Institute  (SHMU),  the  Slovak  Academy  of  Science  and  other  professional  institutions, 
research  and  non-governmental  organisations  as  the  Carpathian  Development  Institute,  the 
Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia or the Union of Slovak Cities. The 2014 
NAS  identified  clear  tasks  for  ministries  and  municipalities  to  achieve  the  objectives  of  the 
NAS. 

Regarding  the  draft  of  the  revised  NAS  (to  be  adopted  in  2018),  the  working  group  on 
adaptation  commented  on  the  progress  report  “Information  on  the  progress  made  in 
implementing adaptation measures in the Slovak Republic” and facilitated the development of 
the updated version of the NAS. There was coordination with the Ministry of the Interior with 
regard  to  the  management  of  security  risks,  which  include  natural  hazards  and  disaster  risk 
management.  

Besides  the  regular  meetings  of  the  adaptation  working  group,  there  are  further  bilateral  or 
multilateral meetings arranged on an ad hoc basis. These meetings are aimed to address any 
issues that have arisen throughout the process.  

1521 Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic website, URL: http://www.minzp.sk/, Date accessed: 
1/6/2018 
1522 Climate Adapt website, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/slovakia, Date 
accessed: 4 May 2018. 
1523 Personal communication with MS contact.  

598 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  NAS  Resolution  No  148/2014  recommends  that  municipalities  and  cities  take  on  the 
responsibilities  in  implementing  the  NAS.1524  The  Association  of  Towns  and  Municipalities 
of Slovakia and the Union of Slovak Cities are part of the adaptation working group.   

Moreover, MZP communicates with the Association of Towns and Municipalities of Slovakia 
(ZMOS)  and  the  Union  of  Slovak  Cities  (consultations,  meetings,  gathering  of  ideas, 
disseminating of current information). ZMOS and the Union of Cities are a link in the process 
of  translating  national  content  and  providing  information  to/from  lower  levels.  During  the 
SEA process of the updated NAS, all self-governing regions were approached and involved in 
the process of assessing impacts and commenting on the NAS. The national project1525 of the 
Slovak Environmental Agency also plans to organise meetings at the level of municipalities, 
starting from fall 2018/spring 2019.1526 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The  Working  Group  on  Adaptation  has  involved  multiple  government  stakeholders,  other 
institutions  and  public  bodies,  research  organisations  and  NGOs  in  the  preparation  of  the 
current  NAS,  as  well  as  the  revised  version  (still  to  be  adopted).  The  list  of  consulted 
representatives has been recently extended.  

The National Contact Point on Adaptation (MZP) provides communication with international 
and  European  organisations  and  coordinates  national  activities  in  collaboration  with  the 
Working Group on Adaptation.1527 Furthermore, the Slovak authorities have reported that the 
private sector and the wider public were duly informed during the process. For example, the 
revised  draft  of  the  NAS  was  made  available  for  public  consultation1528  and  due  to  the 

1524 The NAS Resolution No 148/2014 http://www.rokovania.sk/File.aspx/ViewDocumentHtml/Uznesenie-
14024?prefixFile=u_, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1525 Information on the national project, URL: http://www.sazp.sk/projekty/narodne-projekty/, Date accessed: 
17/5/2018 
1526 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1527 Climate Adapt website, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/slovakia, Date 
accessed: 4 May 2018 
1528 See the announcement, Oznámenie o vypracovaní strategického dokumentu „Stratégia adaptácie Slovenskej 
republiky na nepriaznivé dôsledky zmeny klímy - aktualizácia„,  
URL: http://www.minzp.sk/aktualne/oznamenie-vypracovani-strategickeho-dokumentu-strategia-adaptacie-
slovenskej-republiky-nepriaznive-dosledky-zmeny-klimy.html, Date accessed: 4 May 2018 

599 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
involvement of stakeholders in the revision process, the deadline to submit the revised NAS to 
the Government was prolonged.1529 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The current  NAS discusses  transnational and/or  cross-border cooperation (see NAS Chapter 
6.6) and this issue will be also part of the new NAS to be adopted later in 2018. Slovakia is 
also part of various transnational initiatives focusing on adaptation. Transnational cooperation 
is currently ongoing with the other European countries crossed by the Carpathians under the 
Carpathian Convention. In 2014, the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the 
Carpathian Convention adopted the Strategic Agenda on Adaptation to Climate Change in the 
Carpathian Region, which is being implemented mainly through the activities of the Working 
Group  on  Adaptation  to  Climate  Change  under  the  Convention.1530  In  October  2017,  a  new 
Article 12 on “Climate  Change” was adopted  at  the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the 
Parties.1531 

Transnational cooperation is currently ongoing with the other European countries crossed by 
the  Danube  river  for  tackling  flood  risks,  preparing  anti-flooding  action  plans,  and  building 
flood  defences.  In  the  framework  of  the  International  Commission  for  the  Protection  of  the 
Danube, a climate adaptation strategy was adopted in 2012.1532  

Slovakia has been involved in other cross-border cooperation through Interreg/ERDF funded 
projects,  such  as  "Green  and  blue  space  adaptation  for  urban  areas"1533,  and  "Regio 
Clima"1534. Regional and cross-border cooperation is also implemented through other regional 

1529 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1530 Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on the Protection and 
Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, URL: 
http://www.carpathianconvention.org/tl_files/carpathiancon/Downloads/03%20Meetings%20and%20Events/CO
P/2014_COP4_Mikulov/Follow%20Up/DOC5_Joint%20AplineCarpathianStatement_FINAL.pdf, Date 
accessed: 15/5/2018 
1531 Carpathian Convention website, URL: 
http://www.carpathianconvention.org/tl_files/carpathiancon/Downloads/03%20Meetings%20and%20Events/CO
P/2017_COP5_Lillafuered/outcomes_documents/Article%20on%20Climate%20Change_FINAL_ADOPTED.pd
f, Date accessed:  
1532 Strategy and background study available on the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube 
River website, URL: www.icpdr.org/main/activities-projects/climate-change-adaptation, Date accessed: 4 May 
2018 
1533 GRaBS: Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns, URL: http://climate-
adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/projects/green-and-blue-space-adaptation-for-urban-areas-and-eco-towns, Date 
accessed: 1/6/2018  
1534 Regioclima, URL: http://www.interreg4c.eu/projects/project-details/index-project=19-regional-cooperation-
towards-adaptation-to-climate-change&.html, Date accessed: 1/6/2018  

600 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
conventions, such as the Carpathian Convention1535, where specific adaptation projects have 
received EU funding (e.g. CARPIVIA), or the Ramsar Convention.1536  

Moreover, some Slovak institutions are participating in several international research projects, 
for  example,  the  Comenius  University  participates  in  the  CC-TAME  Project  (Terrestrial 
Adaptation  &  Mitigation  in  Europe)  and  RESIN  project  (Bratislava  Municipality  and 
Comenius  University  are  partners  from  the  Slovak  side).  The  SHMU  participates  in  the 
project Joint Disaster Management Risk Assessment and Preparedness in the Danube macro-
region (SEE Risk), which is focused on risk assessment and which seeks to foster awareness 
and effectiveness of the measures in emergency situations caused by climate change.1537 The 
SHMU  also  participates  in  the  project  DriDanube  focusing  on  drought  in  the  Danube 
region.1538  Slovak  institutions  also  participated  in  the  international  project  ‘Modelling  the 
impact of climate change on heat load increase in Central European cities’1539.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Slovak  Hydro-meteorological  Institute  (SHMU)  monitors  climate  change  and  extreme 
weather  events  on  an  ongoing  basis  and  has  its  own  research  capacity.  Thus,  it  plays  a  key 
role  in  providing  data  and  research  for  climate  adaptation  and  indeed  was  a  source  of 
expertise and knowledge for drafting the current  NAS. The website of the institute provides 
potential warnings for floods, wind, drought and heatwaves in the summer period. There is a 
section on climate impacts in Slovakia.1540  

SHMU  also  provides  information  on  drought  monitoring,  climate  change,  Slovak  climate, 
station infrastructure etc. In 2015, the Climate Atlas of the Slovak Republic was published by 
the  SHMU1541.  SHMU  operates  the  Climatological  Information  System  of  the  Slovak 
Republic  and  is  involved  in  the  National  Climate  Program  of  the  Slovak  Republic,  under 
which various tasks related to monitoring of climate change are taking place.  

The  framework  for  complex  environmental  monitoring  in  Slovakia  is  determined  by  the 
resolutions  of  the  Slovak  Government  No.  623/1990  Coll.,  No.  449/1992  Coll.  and  No. 

1535 Carpathian Convention, URL : http://www.carpathianconvention.org/, Date accessed: 1/6/2018  
1536 Ramsar Convention, URL: http://www.ramsar.org/, Date accessed: 1/6/2018  
1537 Climate Adapt website, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/slovakia, Date 
accessed: 4 May 2018 
1538 DRIDANUBE project, URL: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/dridanube, Date accessed: 
1/6/2018  
1539 See at: http://www.meteo.fr/icuc9/LongAbstracts/ccma2-5-3151332_a.pdf, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1540 Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, URL: http://www.shmu.sk/sk/?page=1, Date accessed: 4/May/2018  
1541 Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, URL: http://klimat.shmu.sk/kas/, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 

601 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
620/1993 Coll. The Monitoring Subsystem "Meteorology and Climatology" is one of the most 
important ones, which includes the observing networks of monitoring stations, remote sensing 
measurements  and  observations  of  some  biological  subjects  (phenology).  Other  subsystems 
are focused on air, water and radioactivity monitoring.  

Within  the  framework  of  the  national  environmental  monitoring  system  of  the  Slovak 
Republic  there  are  different  sub-systems:  air,  water  (including  mineral  and  mining  waters), 
land,  biota  (fauna,  flora),  forests,  geological  factors,  waste,  foreign  substances  in  food  and 
feed,  meteorology  and  climatology  and  radioactivity  in  the  environment.  The  SHMU  is 
responsible for: air, water, meteorology and climatology and radioactivity in the environment. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

Climate  projections  are  available  from  the  Climate  Change  and  Adaptation  Report  of  the 
SHMU project1542 for eight selected sectors from 2011, mainly from downscaling the outputs 
of  GCM  and  RCM  models.  These  climate  projections  were  used  in  assessing  the  economic 
and environmental impacts of climate change in the priority sectors considered by the current 
NAS.  

The  climate  change  studies  in  Slovakia  use  the  outputs  from  several  Global  General 
Circulation  Models  and  Regional  General  Circulation  Models.  These  outputs  enable 
development of sub-regional and national climate change scenarios by statistical and dynamic 
downscaling with the use of measured data from Slovak meteorological stations gathered in 
the  period  1951-2010.  From  2010  to  2014  the  GCMs  CGCM3.1  (Canada)  and  ECHAM5 
(Germany), Regional  General  Circulation  Models KNMI (Netherlands) and MPI (Germany) 
outputs were applied.1543 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  SHMU  2011  report1544  describes  in  detail  the  analyses,  mentioned  under  Indicator  3b 
(above),  for  eight  sectors,  which  were  covered  by  the  NAS  as  well:  agriculture,  forestry, 
biodiversity,  energy,  water  management,  transport,  tourism,  and  health.  The  SHMU  report 
feeds  into  decision  making  via  the  NAS,  because  the  adaptation  measures  were  selected  on 

1542 Climate Change and Adaptation Report of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) Project, 2011 
(EFRA, Dôsledkz klimatickej zmeny a možné adaptačné opatrenia v jednotlivých sektoroch) 
1543 Climate Adapt website, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/slovakia, Date 
accessed 4 May 2018 
1544 Climate Change and Adaptation Report of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) Project, 2011 
(EFRA, Dôsledkz klimatickej zmeny a možné adaptačné opatrenia v jednotlivých sektoroch) 

602 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
the  basis  of  a  vulnerability  assessment,  which  comes  from  the  SHMU  report.  The  current 
NAS  particularly  uses  this  study  to  briefly  describe  the  impacts  and  vulnerabilities  in  the 
sectors covered.1545 The NAS does not refer to any specific sources that were used to provide 
these assessments (besides the SHMU study).1546   

The  updated  NAS  includes  additional  areas/sectors  and  additional  adaptation  measures  for 
sectors not covered in the current NAS: soil, industry, energy and private sector, and tourism. 
The impacts and vulnerability assessments in the revised NAS are still based on the SHMU 
2011 report. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Slovakia is involved in the Danube Region Strategy and the Carpathian Convention with all 
relevant countries, which addresses a wide range of issues, including environmental risks.1547 
The  SEERISK  project  is  a  transnational  project  for  disaster  risk  management  and 
preparedness  in  the  Danube  macro-region,  which  developed  and  tested  a  Common  Risk 
Assessment  Methodology  for  the  region.1548  Hence,  transboundary  risks  are  taken  into 
account in climate risk/ vulnerability assessments for this sector. 

However, there is not yet evidence of systematic consideration (e.g. as part of the NAS) of the 
cross-border climate risks when carrying out vulnerability and risks assessments. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

A  science-policy  adaptation  working  group  was  established  to  prepare  the  NAS  (both  the 
current  version  and  forthcoming  revision).  Various  research  institutes  and  the  national 
meteorological administration provided valuable feedback in that process. 

The current NAS does not provide information on identified knowledge gaps, nor is there a 
process outlined on how to address potential knowledge gaps.  

Main  objectives  of  the  updated  NAS  from  2018  are  raising  public  awareness  about  climate 
impacts and developing a knowledge base to address adaptation more effectively. Chapter 6.3 
of  this  revised  NAS  provides  information  on  the  planned  national  project  of  the  Slovak 
Environmental  Agency  to  address  the  knowledge  gaps.  However,  this  has  not  been 

1545 The National Adaptation Strategy of the Slovak Republic, January 2014 
1546 Climate Change and Adaptation Report of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) Project, 2011 
(EFRA, Dôsledkz klimatickej zmeny a možné adaptačné opatrenia v jednotlivých sektoroch) 
1547 Danube Region Strategy, URL: http://www.danube-region.eu/ , Date accessed: 4 May 2018 
1548 SEERISK project, URL: http://www.seeriskproject.eu/seerisk/index.zul#main, Date accessed: 4 May 2018 

603 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
implemented yet, as the revised NAS will be submitted to the Government only at the end of 
October 2018. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  MZP  website  hosts  a  section  dedicated  to  climate  change,  including  adaptation 
information.  The  adaptation  sub-section1549  presents  some  general  information,  documents 
(the Resolution1550, the NAS1551 and the SHMU 2011 study1552), and links that are relevant for 
adaptation (including links to Climate-ADAPT and DG Climate Action of the EU). This sub-
section  only  provides  basic  information.  There  are  no  data  or  projections  presented,  only  a 
link to the documents mentioned above. There is no section on planned activities or follow up. 
It  is  not  clear from  the website what  has been done to  implement the current  NAS since its 
adoption in 2014.  

After  the  updated  NAS  has  been  approved  by  the  Government,  the  first  results  from  the 
elaboration of the NAP will be available, and the first materials from the national project of 
the Slovak Environmental Agency will be prepared and published. An update of the website 
information is scheduled for 2019.1553  

Some additional relevant information can be found on the website of the Slovak Environment 
Agency.1554 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There is little evidence on any capacity building activities or education and training activities 
in the field of climate adaptation since the adoption of the current NAS in 2014. The current 
NAS  itself  acknowledges  that  information  campaigns  and  training  on  adaptation  are  not 
implemented systematically and based on a specific concept, but rather ad hoc and irregularly, 

1549 Ministry of Environment website, adaptation related information URL: http://www.minzp.sk/sekcie/temy-
oblasti/ovzdusie/politika-zmeny-klimy/aktualne-temy/adaptacia.html, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
1550 The NAS Resolution No 148/2014 http://www.rokovania.sk/File.aspx/ViewDocumentHtml/Uznesenie-
14024?prefixFile=u_, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1551 The National Adaptation Strategy of the Slovak Republic, January 2014 
1552 Climate Change and Adaptation Report of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) Project, 2011 
(EFRA, Dôsledkz klimatickej zmeny a možné adaptačné opatrenia v jednotlivých sektoroch) 
1553 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1554 Slovak Environment Agency, URL: http://www.sazp.sk/zivotne-prostredie/starostlivost-o-zivotne-prostredie-
3976/zmena-klimy/zmena-klimy.html, Date Accessed: 17/5/2018 

604 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
through  conferences,  lectures  and  articles  in  professional  journals.  Other  sources  of 
information  include  the  results  of  scientific  tasks  and  projects  that  are  published  on  the 
internet portals of professional bodies.  

In  2018,  the  preparation  for  the  implementation  of  a  national  project  by  the  Slovak 
Environmental  Agency  called  "Improvement  of  information  and  advice  on  improving  the 
quality of the environment in Slovakia" has started. This national project is funded under the 
Operational  Programme  Quality  of  the  Environment  2014-2020  and  has  six  main  activities. 
Key Activity 6 focuses on climate adaptation and risk management. The aim of the project is 
to  improve  the  awareness  on  climate  change  and  adaptation  among  experts  as  well  as  the 
public,  regions  and  schools.  Key  Activity  6  includes  a  number  of  tasks  to  improve 
communication  and  raise  awareness,  such  as  organising  conferences  on  climate  change, 
seminars for regions,  thematic and informational  days  for the public, festivals,  competitions 
for  schools,  publishing  publications  as  well  as  for  example  making  a  documentary  film  on 
climate change and adaptation processes in the Slovak Republic.1555 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The current NAS presents adaptation options and measures for almost all sectors analysed in 
the NAS. The revised NAS also proposes adaptation options and measures for those sectors 
not  included  in  the  current  NAS  (soil,  energy  and  industry,  tourism).  Adaptation  options 
proposed  in  the  current  NAS  for  the  priority  sectors  are  based  on  expert  judgement,  after 
considering  the  sectoral  climate  impacts.  The  measures  seem  to  build  on  good  practices 
identified elsewhere for similar contexts, with some stronger sectors leading and capitalising 
on  more  detailed  expertise  on  adaptation  (e.g.  agriculture,  forestry,  water  management). 
However, the use of sectoral  risk assessments in the process  is  not  totally  clear. Adaptation 
options also do not address regional specificities. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Chapter 9 of the current NAS describes the criteria for prioritisation of adaptation options and 
measures. The adaptation options described in the current NAS have been reported as being 
based on objective methods (e.g. expert judgement, consultations among organisations or with 

1555 Personal communication with MS contact.  

605 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
stakeholders, using guidelines). More detailed prioritisation will be carried out as part of the 
NAP preparation. Some measures have already been prioritised (e.g. on drought).  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

The  current  and  revised  NAS  describe  the  synergies  between  adaptation  and  disaster  risk 
management. A mechanism  in the form  of working  groups is  in  place to coordinate climate 
adaptation and disaster risk management strategies and actions.  

The  Ministry  of  Interior  of  the  Slovak  Republic is  the  national  contact  point  for  the  Sendai 
framework for disaster risk reduction 2015  - 2030 and the responsible body for the national 
Strategy  on  the  Management  of  Security  Risks.  MZP  cooperates  with  a  representative  from 
the Ministry of  Interior  of the Slovak Republic responsible for these issues, while the same 
representative  is  also  a  member  of  the  Working  Group  on  Adaptation.  Concurrently,  the 
representative of the MZP is a member of a working group under the Ministry of Interior, and 
is  engaged  in  the  process  of  updating  the  national  Strategy  on  the  Management  of  Security 
Risks.  Based  on  these  facts,  active  communication  takes  place  in  the  preparation  of 
documents in each of the aforementioned areas.1556 

Moreover,  there  is  the  Joint  Disaster  Management  Risk  assessment  project  in  the  Danube 
macro-region1557, where stakeholders for the two communities are well integrated. 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

Chapter 10 of the current NAS discusses the financial instruments that can be used to finance 
adaptation  measures  in  Slovakia  from  2014.1558  The  chapter  explains  the  different  funding 
programmes (national and EU) that are available for financing adaptation projects. In Annex 2 
of the current NAS, there is an overview of all projects with an adaptation element financed 
through these programmes (one table per programme) after 2013.  

The funding programmes include: 

  National revitalisation and integrated management of floods programme 
  EU Operational Programme (OP) for Environment (2007-2013), and EU Operational 
Programme (OP) for the Quality of Environment (2014-2020) European programming 
cycle will include over EUR 730 million from the European Structural and Investment 

1556 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1557 SEERISK project, URL: http://www.seeriskproject.eu/seerisk/#main, Date accessed: 1/6/2018  
1558 The National Adaptation Strategy of the Slovak Republic, January 2014 

606 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Funds  (ESIF)  for  adaptation  projects  (which  will  tackle  flood  risks  and  address 
specific  issues  in  agriculture,  forestry  and  biodiversity).  National  funding  supported 
adaptation measures in agriculture, forestry and water management. Annual reports of 
the  OP  Environment  include  a  list  of  financed  projects,  some  of  which  tackle  these 
sectors.1559 

  The European Economic Area grants and Norway grants.  
  The LIFE programme (3rd phase) and LIFE+ 
  Transnational cooperation programmes. 

The current NAS mentions that one of its mid-term and long-term goals is to map the use of 
financial  instruments  for  planned  and  pro-active  adaptation  and,  if  possible,  to  monitor  the 
link  between  the  costs  and  benefits  of  such  investments.  Similar  information  on  funding 
mechanisms for adaptation can be found in the revised NAS. 

There  is  no  dedicated  budget  available  for  financing  cross-cutting/coordinated  adaptation 
action. 

The  progress  report  on  the  implementation  of  adaptation  measures  in  the  Slovak  Republic 
mentions  that  cities  are  not  motivated  to  develop  local  or  regional  adaptation  strategies,  as 
financing of adaptation strategies does not fall under the activities of operation programmes. 
The local adaptation strategies that do exist are usually funded by international projects.1560 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

Slovakia has transposed the revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive. The 
amendment transposing the new EIA Directive, Act (142/2017) (amending Act (24/2006), has 
been in force since 15th June 2017 and considers climate change, including adaptation. The 
amendment  requires  the  assessment  of  project  impacts  related  to  climate  change  and 
vulnerabilities,  including  natural  hazards.  The  EU  SEA  Directive  is  transposed  into  the 
Slovak  legislation  by  the  same  Act  (24/2006)  and  its  amendments,  hence  climate  change, 
including adaptation, is considered in the same way as EIA. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No   

1559 Operačný program Životné prostredie, URL: http://www.opzp.sk/, Date accessed: 1/6/2018 
1560 Informácia o dosiahnutom pokroku pri realizácii adaptačných opatrení v SR, 2016, URL: 
http://www.rokovania.sk/Rokovanie.aspx/BodRokovaniaDetail?idMaterial=25576, Date accessed: 17/5/2018  

607 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
A  national  framework  for  single  and  multi-hazard  risk  assessment  is  in  place  and  considers 
some current climate-related risks (notably floods). Strategies are in place for tackling those 
risks, i.e. the Management of Flood Risks plan from 20121561, Strategy of Floods protection 
until 2020 from 20131562. The first flood management plans from the end of 20151563 consider 
climate impacts and adaptation.1564  

The  current  NAS  quotes  several  civil  protection  legislative  provisions,  and  calls  for 
consideration of  climate  adaptation  within complex risk assessment activities linked to  civil 
protection. As mentioned in relation to Indicator 6c, there is a close cooperation between the 
national  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk  management  policies.  Similarly,  the  national 
Strategy on the Management of Security Risks considers future climate impacts and risks. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Chapter  11  of  the  current  NAS  advocates  mainstreaming  adaptation  into  the  national 
legislation on land-use planning, for instance, when it comes to investments with a long life-
cycle, such  as industry or energy infrastructure.  The Urban  Development Framework of the 
Slovak Republic until 20301565 mentions the need to consider adverse climate impacts in city 
and spatial planning.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

Mainstreaming  of  adaptation  into  sectoral  policies  is  driven  by  the  NAS.  Adaptation  to  the 
adverse effects of climate change is included, for example, in the following sectoral strategies 
and plans: 

  Updated National Biodiversity Strategy for 2020 
  Orientation, principles and priorities of the Slovak water policy until 2027, Water Plan 

of Slovakia, Plans for Flood Risk Management of the Slovak Republic  

  Strategy of Urban Development of the Slovak Republic 
  Action Plan for the Environment and Health of the Slovak Republic IV, 

1561 MZP SR, ČASOVÝ AVECNÝ HARMONOGRAM PRÍPRAVY NÁVRHU PRVÝCH PLÁNOV 
MANAŽMENTU POVODŇOVÉHO RIZIKA, URL: http://www.minzp.sk/files/sekcia-vod/casovy-a-vecny-
harmonogram-navrhu-prvych-planov-mananazmentu-povovodnoveho-rizika.pdf, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1562 Stratégia protipovodňovej ochrany do roku 2020, URL: http://www.minzp.sk/sekcie/temy-
oblasti/voda/ochrana-pred-povodnami/strategia-protipovodnovej-ochrany-sr-do-roku-2020/  
1563 Spravne uzemie povodia Dunaja a Visly, URL: http://www.minzp.sk/mpr/, Date accessed: 1/6/2018  
1564 Ministry of Environment website, floods protection related information, URL: 
http://www.minzp.sk/sekcie/temy-oblasti/voda/ochrana-pred-povodnami/povoden-uvod.html, Date accessed: 
1/6/2018 
1565 https://www.mindop.sk/ministerstvo-1/mestsky-rozvoj-6/mestsky-rozvoj/dokumenty/koncepcia-mestskeho-
rozvoja-slovenskej-republiky-do-roku-2030, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 

608 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Strategy of agricultural development of the Slovak Republic for 2013 - 2020, 
  National Forestry Program (NLP) 
  National Strategy for Risk Management of the Slovak Republic. 

The interest in adaptation is growing in other sectors and the extent of inclusion of adaptation 
concerns in sectoral policies is improving.1566  
Currently,  the  Ministry  of  Economy  is  preparing  a  new  Economic  Policy  Strategy  2030, 
which  should  integrate  climate  adaptation  concerns.  Currently,  the  Strategy  is  in  the  SEA 
process.1567 

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

The current  and updated NAS includes an extensive section on  Insurance, which recognises 
the  relevance  of  this  instrument  in  adaptation,  and  the  need  to  take  into  account  climate 
impacts. However, no evidence could be found that adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance 
policies  or  alternative  policy  instruments  to  provide  incentives  for  investments  in  risk 
prevention. 

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

As mentioned in Section A1, in 2016, the government adopted a progress report “Information 
on  the  progress  made  in  implementing  adaptation  measures  in  the  Slovak  Republic”,1568 
which analyses the process of adaptation in Slovakia between April 2014 and April 2016. The 
report deals mainly with qualitative characteristics of the adaptation efforts in Slovakia. The 
progress  report  shows  that  adaptation  concerns  were  included  in  several  sectoral  strategies 
and  plans,  and  that  the  situation  in  this  respect  has  improved.  Adaptation  concerns  are 
included already at the concept phase of developing sectoral strategies and plans, or added at 
later stages (during the SEA process or inter-ministerial consultations of the documents).1569  

1566 Further information can be found in the draft of the updated adaptation strategy (Chapter 3, Conceptual and 
Legislative Framework, and Annex 3, 4), URL: https://www.enviroportal.sk/sk/eia/detail/strategia-adaptacie-
slovenskej-republiky-na-nepriaznive-dosledky-zmeny, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1567 STRATÉGIA HOSPODÁRSKEJ POLITIKY SLOVENSKEJ REPUBLIKY DO ROKU 2030, URL: 
http://www.enviroportal.sk/de/eia/detail/strategia-hospodarskej-politiky-slovenskej-republiky-do-roku-2030, 
Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1568 Informácia o dosiahnutom pokroku pri realizácii adaptačných opatrení v SR, URL: 
http://www.rokovania.sk/Rokovanie.aspx/BodRokovaniaDetail?idMaterial=25576, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1569 Personal communication with MS contact.  

609 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
As  mentioned  in  Section  B,  the  national  action  plan,  H2ODNOTA  JE  VODA,  addresses 
drought and water scarcity, and the Adaptation Action Plan of Bratislava for years 2017-2020. 

There are no specific sectoral action plans proposed, as adaptation concerns are directly 
included in their own strategies and plans (as explained above).1570  

Implementing  adaptation  measures  are  also  included  in  the  Operational  Programme  for  the 
Environment,  2014-2020.1571  With  regard  to  floods  protection,  there  is  further  action  under 
the  Rural  Development  Programme  of  the  Slovak  Republic  2014-2020,  the  Integrated 
Regional  Operational  Programme  2014-2020.  In  addition,  there  are  several  local  initiatives 
launched since 2014, as specified in Section A2, which is relatively recent.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The Ministry of Transport and Construction developed and published a guideline in 2015 on 
how to  help  implement adaptation  options included in  the current  NAS  within land-use and 
spatial plans at a local level.1572 The guideline was provided to all municipalities and  will be 
updated after the adoption of the revised NAS.1573 

In January 2018, the Urban Development Framework of the Slovak Republic until 2030 was 
approved. It mentions the need for climate adaptation, as one of the main future challenges for 
cities  and  municipalities.1574  One  of  the  measures  in  this  framework  is  to  support  cities  in 
implementing local adaptation options.  

The Ministry of Transport and Construction, as well as regional and local authorities, intend 
to  focus  more  on  implementing  adaptation  measures.1575  Several  cities  as  mentioned  in 
Section  A2  have  already  begun  implementation.  Moreover,  there  are  several  funding 
mechanisms, which can provide financial support to regional and local authorities. 

1570 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1571 Climate Adapt website, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/slovakia, Date 
accessed: 1/6/2018 
1572 Metodické usmernenie MDVRR SR odboru územného plánovania k zabezpečeniu plnenia uznesenia vlády 
SR č.148/2014 z 26.3.2014 k Stratégii adaptácie SR na nepriaznivé dôsledky zmeny klímy, URL: 
https://www.mindop.sk/ministerstvo-1/vystavba-5/uzemne-planovanie/metodicke-usmernenia-oznamenia-
stanoviska-pokyny, Date accessed: 18/5/2018 
1573 Personal communication with MS contact. 
1574 Koncepcia mestského rozvoja Slovenskej republiky do roku 2030, URL: 
http://www.rokovania.sk/Rokovanie.aspx/BodRokovaniaDetail?idMaterial=27130, Date accessed: 18/5/2018 
1575 Personal communication with MS contact.  

610 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                           
9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic in  cooperation with  the 
Transport  Research  Institute  issued  a  manual  entitled:  “Climate  Change  Assessment  – 
Creation  of  methodology  and  incorporation  of  climate  impact  assessments  on  infrastructure 
plans/projects  into  existing  processes  at  national  level”.1576  This  manual  is  being  further 
developed.  Additionally,  an  accompanying  report  “Methodological  guidebook  for  climate 
impact assessment on large projects in the transport sector” is currently being discussed by the 
working group established under the Ministry of Transport.   

The revised NAS mentions the preparation of this manual, and is expected to be updated to 
reflect the development of the latest manual. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

Non-governmental  organisations  are  actively  participating  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation  measures,  especially  at  the local  level. They provide help  on the development  of 
local  adaptation  strategies,  apply  for  projects  in  cooperation  with  municipalities  and  also 
realise  awareness-raising  activities.  The  most  active  NGO  is  the  Carpathian  Development 
Institute. 

The  energy  sector  and  industry  stakeholders  can  be  involved  through  the  SEA  and  EIA 
consultation  processes.  They  can  then  choose  whether  they  consider  the  impacts  of  climate 
change in their business activities and implement adaptation measures.1577 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

The schedule of the periodic review of the NAS is determined in Resolution No 148/2014 of 
the Government of the Slovak Republic. The deadline to publish information on the progress 

1576 Ministerstvo dopravy a výstavby SR v spolupráci s Výskumným ústavom dopravným vydalo príručku s 
názvom: Posúdenie klimatických zmien – tvorba metodiky a zakomponovanie posudzovaní dopadov na zmeny 
klímy infraštruktúrnych plánov/projektov do existujúcich procesov na národnej úrovni. 
1577 Personal communication with MS contact.  

611 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
of implementation of adaptation measures was 31 May 2016. In line with the Resolution, in 
2016,  the  Government  adopted  a  progress  report  “Information  on  the  progress  made  in 
implementing  adaptation  measures  in  the  Slovak  Republic”,  which  analysed  the  process  of 
adaptation  in  Slovakia  between  April  2014  and  April  2016.  The  short  timeframe  for 
evaluation  (approximately  1.5  years)  made 
to  quantify  progress  with 
implementation.  The  report  dealt  mainly  with  qualitative  characteristics  of  the  adaptation 
efforts  in  Slovakia  and  has  the  following  structure:  information  on  the  NAS,  priority  areas, 
monitoring  of  the  environment,  adaptation  in  the  area  of  health,  adaptation  at  local  level, 
conclusion.1578 This report provides information on possible funding mechanisms that can be 
used to finance adaptation related measures and projects. However, no information is given on 
the amount of funding. 

it  difficult 

As  indicated  above,  the  NAS  is  currently  being  revised.  Furthermore,  as  part  of  the 
preparation  of  the  NAP  in  2019,  a  monitoring,  reporting  and  evaluation  framework  will  be 
elaborated.1579 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

A short chapter on adaptation actions in key sectors is available in the report mentioned under 
Indicator 10a. 

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

A short chapter on adaptation actions on the local level is available in the report mentioned 
under Indicator 10a. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The schedule of the periodic review of the NAS is determined by the Resolution No 148/2014 
of  the  Government  of  the  Slovak  Republic  and  includes  information  on  the  progress  made 
with implementation (deadline: 31 May 2016), and the NAS update in view of new scientific 
knowledge on climate change (deadline: 30 April 2018, postponed to 31 October 2018). This 
information is available in the draft revised NAS, but not on the main adaptation page of the 
MZP website. 

1578 Informácia o dosiahnutom pokroku pri realizácii adaptačných opatrení v SR, URL:  
 http://www.rokovania.sk/Rokovanie.aspx/BodRokovaniaDetail?idMaterial=25576, Date accessed: 17/5/2018 
1579 Personal communication with MS.  

612 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The results of the review are briefly described in the draft version of the updated NAS.1580  

The evaluation of the updated version of the NAS is planned to be carried out in 2023.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Current mechanisms will stay in place. During the process of updating the NAS, the working 
group  on  adaptation  was  revitalised  and  new  representatives  were  invited  and  involved 
(around  40  members).  This  working  group  is  involved  in  all  issues  related  to  adaptation. 
Under the SEA, general public and NGOs were invited to provide their opinions and remarks 
on the draft revised NAS, as previously mentioned. 

1580 At the time of the final update (June 2018) of this Country Fiche, in the process of interdepartmental 
consultation.. 

613 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

Coordination structure 

Met? 

1a 

1b 

1c 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

2 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a 

2b 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

Current and projected climate change 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

614 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

4 

Indicator 

Knowledge gaps 

Met? 

4a 

5 

5a 

5b 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

615 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

8c 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Indicator 

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Met? 

Yes / No 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

616 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Slovenia 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations ........................................................................................................ 618 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 619 

Adaptation strategies ............................................................................................... 619 
A1. National adaptation strategy ................................................................... 619 
A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels ............................... 619 
Adaptation action plans ........................................................................................... 620 
B1. National adaptation plan ......................................................................... 620 
B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ...................................... 620 
B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ........................................................................ 621 

SCOREBOARD .............................................................................................................. 622 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ........................................................... 622 
1. Coordination structure ............................................................................... 622 
2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development ................................... 623 
Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change................................ 625 
3. Current and projected climate change ....................................................... 625 
4. Knowledge gaps ........................................................................................ 627 
5. Knowledge transfer ................................................................................... 628 
Step C: Identifying adaptation options .................................................................... 629 
6. Adaptation options’ identification ............................................................. 629 
7. Funding resources identified and allocated ............................................... 630 
Step D: Implementing adaptation action ................................................................. 631 
8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................... 631 
9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................... 633 
Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .................................... 635 
10. Monitoring and reporting ........................................................................ 635 
11. Evaluation ................................................................................................ 636 

SUMMARY TABLE ...................................................................................................... 638 

617 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ARSO  

Slovenian Environment Agency  

CLISP 

‘Climate Change Adaptation by Spatial Planning in the Alpine Space‘ project 

DMCSEE 

Disaster Management Centre for South-eastern Europe  

EEA 

EIA 

EU 

European Economic Area 

Environmental impact assessment  

European Union  

EUSAIR 

EU Strategy for Adriatic-Ionian Region  

EUSALP 

EU Strategy for Alpine Region 

EUSDR 

EU Strategy for Danube Region 

ICPDR  

International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River  

ISRBC  

International Sava River Basin Commission  

MESP   

Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia  

MFAF  

Ministry of Forestry, Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Slovenia 

NAP 

National Action Plan for adaptation  

NDRA  

National Disaster Risk Assessment  

RCP 

RDP 

SEA 

TRP 

Representative Concentration Pathways  

Rural Development Programme  

Strategic environmental assessment  

Target Research Programme  

618 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Slovenia  has  a  Strategic  Framework  for  Climate  Change  Adaptation.  The  Ministry  of 
Environment  and  Spatial  Planning  (MESP)  developed  the  Strategic  Framework1581,  which 
was approved at the end of 2016. It provides a long-term vision and strategic guidelines for 
adaptation-related  activities.  The  ambition  is  for  Slovenia  to  be  fully  adapted  to  climate 
impacts  by  2050  and  to  develop  into  a  climate  resilient  and  sustainable  society  with  a  high 
quality of life. The Strategic Framework includes four separate annexes:  

1. A guide to Terminology1582; 
2. Assessment plan for analysing climate impacts until the end of the 21st century1583; 

3. Comparisons of good adaptation processes in other European Union (EU) member 
states1584;  

4. Methodology for determining current and future vulnerability levels for Slovenian 
regions1585.  

The Framework Programme for Transition to a Green Economy1586, adopted in October 2015 
together  with  Plan  of  Governmental  Activities  for  2015-2016,  refers  to  the  need  for 
integration in sectoral strategies. It links climate adaptation particularly with the objectives of 
biodiversity  conservation,  green  jobs  creation,  sustainable  urban  development,  and  green 
agricultural practices.  

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

In Slovenia, municipalities are the only level of self-government; they have an extensive role 
regarding  spatial  and  urban  planning,  housing,  water  management,  economic  development, 
tourism and environmental protection.  

Climate  adaptation  initiatives  at  the  local  and/or  regional  levels  are  so  far  mostly  based  on 
one-off  participation  in  various  projects  (e.g.  pilot  research,  transnational  cooperation, 

1581 MESP; 2016; Strategic Framework for Climate Change 
Adaptation;http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_an
g.pdf  
1582 MESP; 2016; Annex 1 to Strategic Framework; 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_priloga1.pdf  
1583 MESP; 2016; Annex 2 to Strategic Framework; 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_priloga2.pdf  
1584 MESP; 2016; Annex 3 to Strategic Framework; 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_priloga3.pdf  
1585 MESP; 2016; Annex 4 to Strategic Framework; 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_priloga4.pdf  
1586 MESP, 2015, Okvirni program za prehod v zeleno gospodarstvo – OPZG z Akcijskim načrtom izvajanja 
OPZG (ANi OPZG) in Načrtom aktivnosti ministrstev in vladnih služb (NAMVS) 2015–2016; URL: 
http://www.vlada.si/fileadmin/dokumenti/si/projekti/2016/zeleno/opzg_akcijski_nacrt_in_nacrt_aktivnosti.pdf  

619 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
LIFE)1587. Some of the frontrunners include the municipality of Ajdovščina, which developed 
its local draft adaptation strategy1588 on the basis of the regional ‘Strategy of agriculture sector 
adaptation  to  climate  change  in  the  Vipava  Valley  2017-2021’.  The  latter  is  one  of  the  key 
documents  in  the  framework  of  the  LIFE  project  ViVaCCAdapt1589  developed  by  the 
Ajdovščina Development Agency.  

In  the  new  Spatial  Planning  Law1590,  which  comes  into  effect  on  1  June  2018,  climate 
adaptation  considerations are expected to  form an integral  part of development processes  at 
the local and the regional level. 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

Slovenia's  Strategic  Framework  is  intended  to  be  followed  up  by  National  Adaptation  Plan 
(NAP), which will take account of the national risk assessments and a comprehensive national 
climate  vulnerability  assessment1591.  The  NAP  drafting  process  has  not  yet  started,  as 
vulnerability assessments for the sectors and municipalities are still ongoing1592. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

that  should 

The Strategic Framework encourages the mainstreaming of adaptation at all regional and local 
levels1593. According to  the  new umbrella Spatial  Planning  Law1594 (see Section A2 above), 
the regions are required by 2023 to develop regional development plans and regional spatial 
plans 
include  climate  vulnerability  assessments.  Climate  adaptation 
considerations,  including  green  infrastructure,  should  now  form  an  integral  part  of  spatial, 
urban  and  land-use  planning  processes  at  all  levels.  This  is  in  line  with  a  new  strategic 
approach  under  development1595  that  would  integrate  development  planning  and  spatial 
planning at regional level, instead of relying only on municipal-level spatial planning.  

1587 MESP; 2016; Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_ang.pdf  
1588 Ajdovščina municipality; 2017; Predlog strategije prilagajanja kmetijstva občine Ajdovščina na podnebne 
spremembe v Vipavski dolini za obdobje 2018-2021; URL: https://www.ajdovscina.si/mma/strategija-
kmetijstvo.pdf/2017121813180177/?m=1513599475 
1589 Project web VivaCCadapt; URL: http://www.life-vivaccadapt.si/en/; accessed 15.05.2018 
1590 Government of the Republic of Slovenia, 2018, Zakon o urejanju prostora, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/zakonodaja/prostorsko_nacrtovanje/ZUREP.pdf  
1591 MESP climate adaptation activities; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/prilagajanje_podnebnim_spremembam/; 
accessed 03.05.2018  
1592 Personal communication with MS contact 
1593 MESP; 2016; Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_ang.pdf  
1594 Government of the Republic of Slovenia, 2018, Zakon o urejanju prostora, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/zakonodaja/prostorsko_nacrtovanje/ZUREP.pdf  
1595 dr. Janez Nared et al.; 2018; Projekt V6-1652: Model povezovanja prostorskega in razvojnega načrtovanja na 
regionalni ravni v okviru ciljnega raziskovalnega programa »CRP 2016« v letu 2016; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/ragionalno_prostorsko_nacrtovanje/model_p
ovezovanja_prostorsega_nacrtovanja.pdf  

620 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
In practice, consideration of climate impacts is dependent upon the availability of studies and 
impact  assessments,  so  the  extent  and  depth  of  consideration  varies1596  (e.g.  floods  and 
landslides are often included in local spatial plans; regional development programmes 2014-
2020  include  climate  adaptation  goals  and  measures  in  line  with  the  overarching  national 
cohesion policy1597).  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

There are sectoral plans that include adaptation. In 2008, the Government of the Republic of 
Slovenia  adopted  the  Strategy  for  the  Adaptation  of  Slovenian  Agriculture  and  Forestry  to 
Climate  Change1598.  The  Strategy  was  followed  by  an  action  plan  for  2010  and  20111599, 
which the Government adopted in October 2010 and amended in March 2011. The plan was 
not  updated  in  2012  due  to  lack  of  funding.  However,  many  adaptation  measures  are 
implemented  in  the  framework  of  the  Common  Agricultural  Policy’s  Pillar  1  and  2.  For 
example, the Rural Development Programme (RDP)1600 encourages adaptation measures (e.g. 
in relation to hops and maize production on light soils1601), supported by a number of applied 
research projects. 

The River Basin Management Plans for the Danube1602 and Adriatic Sea Basins for the 2016–
20211603  period  define  a  range  of  measures  that  can  contribute  to  climate  adaptation.  A 

1596 Personal communication with MS contact 
1597 Slovenian cohesion policy web portal, URL: http://www.eu-skladi.si/; accessed 30.05.2018  
1598 MFAF, 2008, Strategija prilagajanja slovenskega kmetijstva in gozdarstva podnebnim spremembam, URL: 
http://agromet.mkgp.gov.si/Publikacije/STRATEGIJA%20prilagajanja.pdfhttp://agromet.mkgp.gov.si/Publikacij
e/STRATEGIJA%20prilagajanja.pdf , accessed on 04.05.2018.  
1599 MFAF, 2010, Akcijski načrt strategije prilagajanja slovenskega kmetijstva in gozdarstva podnebnim 
spremembam za leti 2010 in 2011 – prečiščeno besedilo, URL: 
http://www.mko.gov.si/fileadmin/mko.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/Kmetijstvo/Naravne_nesrece/Akcijski_nacrt
__precisceno_besedilo__.pdfhttp://www.mko.gov.si/fileadmin/mko.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/Kmetijstvo/Nar
avne_nesrece/Akcijski_nacrt__precisceno_besedilo__.pdfhttp://www.mko.gov.si/fileadmin/mko.gov.si/pageuplo
ads/podrocja/Kmetijstvo/Naravne_nesrece/Akcijski_nacrt__precisceno_besedilo__.pdf, 
1600 European Environment Agency, National adaptation policy processes in European countries — 2014, URL: 
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/national-adaptation-policy-
processeshttp://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/national-adaptation-policy-processes, European Climate 
Adaptation Platform – self-assessment Slovenia, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-
regions/countries/sloveniahttp://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/slovenia, accessed on 
03.05.2018 , and Program razvoja podeželja – Okvirni terminski načrt objave javnih razpisov za ukrepe PRP 
2014.2020 do konca leta 2017., 2017, URL: 
http://www.mkgp.gov.si/fileadmin/mkgp.gov.si/pageuploads/Medijsko_sredisce/2017/06_junij/13_PRP/S2J-SP-
KMC417061315311.pdfhttp://www.mkgp.gov.si/fileadmin/mkgp.gov.si/pageuploads/Medijsko_sredisce/2017/0
6_junij/13_PRP/S2J-SP-KMC417061315311.pdf  
1601 Barbara Čeh, 2011, Zaključno poročilo o rezultatih opravljenega raziskovalnega dela na projektu v okviru 
ciljnega raziskovalnega programa (CRP) »Konkurenčnost Slovenije 2006 – 2013«, URL: 
http://www.dlib.si/stream/URN:NBN:SI:DOC-IG27NYOZ/78fc0a7b-76ef-458c-b85c-869db7f009a9/PDF, 
accessed on  
1602 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2016, Načrt upravljanja voda na vodnem območju Donave za obdobje 2016–
2021, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOD.pdfhttp://www.mo
p.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOD.pdf 
1603 1603 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2016, Načrt upravljanja voda na vodnem območju Jadranskega morja za 
obdobje 2016–2021, URL: 

621 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
specific  fundamental  measure  included  in  the  programme  of  measures1604  under  the  climate 
change  heading  is  the  preparation  of  a  set  of  indicators  of  drought.  However,  all  measures 
related  to  improving  water  status  and  management  could  be  considered  as  contributing  to 
climate adaptation. 

The  Flood  Risk  Mitigation  Plan  2017-20211605  defines  a  wide  range  of  flood  protection 
measures, such as regular hydrological and meteorological monitoring, as well as adaptation 
measures  for energy  and transport infrastructure. However, the plan is  not  based on a flood 
risk  assessment  that  considers  climate  impacts  and  projections.  The  flood  risk  assessment 
expected at the end of 2018 will take these into account.  

The  new  Spatial  Planning  Law  has  been  adopted  and  enters  into  force  on  1  June  2018.  It 
provides for land use, regional spatial plans, urban and maritime spatial plans. In the process 
of environmental impact assessment (EIA), climate impacts are also considered. 

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure  

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In Slovenia, the MESP is responsible for adaptation policy-making. Technical support for the 
MESP’s  work  is  provided  by  several  public  agencies,  such  as  the  Environmental  Agency, 
Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial Planning, Slovenian 
Water  Agency,  Slovenian  Nuclear  Safety  Administration  and  Surveying  and  Mapping 
Authority of the Republic of Slovenia. The MESP, supported by the Slovenian Environment 
Agency  (ARSO),  also  serves  also  as  the  technical  coordination  unit  of  the  Inter-Ministerial 
Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Climate Change Adaptation, with members from all 
concerned ministries, agencies and government offices, held informal meetings during 2014. 
It  was  officially  nominated  by  the  Government  in  September  20161606  to  coordinate  inter-

http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOJM.pdf 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOJM.pdf  
1604 MESP; Načrt upravljanja voda, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/voda/nacrt_upravljanja_voda/#c18222, accessed on 04.05.2018.  
1605 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2017, Načrt zmanjševanja poplavne ogroženosti 2017–2021, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nzpo_2017_2021.pdf  
1606 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2016, SKLEP o ustanovitvi Medresorske delovne skupine za prilagajanje 
podnebnim spremembam, URL: 

622 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
 
sectoral adaptation-related activities in Slovenia. The Group serves as a main reference point 
during  the  process  of  adaptation  policy  development,  led  by  the  MESP  with  the  help  of 
external  experts and the ARSO. The Group provides horizontal and vertical  coordination of 
adaptation policy-making. The Group participated in drafting and implementing the Strategic 
Framework  and  implementation  documents  (including  the  NAP),  inter-  and  intra-sectoral 
harmonisation  of specific content, contributing to  involving the public, providing support in 
international, regional and local adaptation processes, identifying needs for additional funding 
to  support  expert  research  required  for  implementation,  and  evaluation  of  adaptation 
measures.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making.  

Yes / In progress / No 

There is no active vertical coordination mechanism specifically for adaptation policy-making, 
however,  there  are  mechanisms  in  place  that  provide  vertical  coordination  between  local, 
regional  and  national  level  in  development,  spatial  planning  and  strategic  environmental 
assessment (SEA) procedures, as well as in standard legislation and policy making structures.  

The  Strategic  Framework  indicates  that  municipalities  will  be  supported  in  the  future  by 
relevant  groundwork,  guidelines  and  funds  for  developing  adaptation  plans.  A  national 
contact point needs to be established to coordinate and promote implementation of measures 
at the local level.  

2. Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes/ No 

A  dedicated  process  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  formed  an  integral  part  of 
developing  the  national  Climate  Change  Risk  Assessment  (CCRA)1607.  In  cooperation  with 
external  experts:  a  plan  was  prepared  on  how  to  involve  stakeholders;  a  public  event  was 
organised  with  more  than  100  participants  to  prepare  the  risk  assessment;  and  sectoral 
associations and experts were consulted separately.  

http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/medresorska_delovn
a_skupina_sklep.pdf   
1607 Biotechnical Faculty, 2014, The expert groundwork for preparing the assessment of the risks and 
opportunities that climate change presents for Slovenia", final report, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/pr 
ipr_podl_prip_ocene_tveganj.pdf  

623 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
A  standard  public  consultation  process  was  used  for  the  Strategic  Framework  document 
preparation1608.  The  document  was  drafted  by  the  MESP,  the  ARSO  and  external  experts, 
based  on  consultations  within  the  Inter-Ministerial  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Working 
Group.  Public  consultation  on  the  draft  document  took  one  month,  and  included:  a 
presentation  of  the  document  in  a  session  of  the  national  Council  for  Sustainable 
Development and Environmental Protection; a public hearing; a conference-workshop with 25 
representatives of NGOs, sectoral associations, research and public sector institutions; and an 
invitation to provide written comments directly to the MESP.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Transboundary cooperation to address common challenges with relevant countries exists but 
is  limited.  It  does  not  yet  result  in  specific  adaptation  on  the  ground.  In  the  Strategic 
Framework,  the  ambition  for  better  transboundary  cooperation  is  mentioned1609.  Some 
cooperation has been conducted bilaterally in cross-border cooperation programmes based on 
an  assessment  of  common  priority  sectors  and  risks,  such  as  floods1610.  Recent  natural 
disasters (e.g. floods, hailstorms and sleet) have drawn more attention to transboundary issues 
in terms of preventive and relief actions. The 2014 floods in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
and Serbia intensified cooperation in the region on adaptation, and sharing of information and 
best practice (e.g. on flood prevention measures, flood control).  

Slovenia  participates  in  the  work  of  two  international  river  commissions:  the  International 
Sava River Basin Commission (ISRBC) and the International Commission for the Protection 
of the Danube River (ICPDR). The ISRBC developed the Water and Climate Adaptation Plan 
for  the  Sava  River  Basin1611  (covering  five  countries)  in  2015,  as  a  guidance  document  to 
governments  for  climate  adaptation  measures  in  navigation,  hydropower,  agriculture,  flood 
protection  and  economic  evaluation  of  climate  impacts.  The  Plan  includes  hydrological 
modelling, and suggests a methodology to examine climate impacts on water-related sectors. 
However,  the  integrated  effects  of  other  types  of  changes  (demography,  land  use  etc.)  have 
not  been  considered  due  to  lack  of  data.  Furthermore,  in  2018  an  outline  of  the  Climate 
Adaptation  Strategy  and  basin-wide  priority  measures  for  the  Sava  River  Basin  was 
published.1612 ICPDR developed a climate adaptation strategy1613 in 2012, as one of the first 
major transboundary river basin strategies worldwide, based on a scientific study on climate 
change in the basin. 

1608 MESP - Climate adaptation activities, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/prilagajanje_podnebnim_spremembam/, 
accessed on 04.05.2018. 
1609 MESP; 2016; Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation, 2016, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_ang.pdf  
1610 ICPDR website; URL: http://www.icpdr.org/main/danube-basin; accessed on 15.05.2018  
1611 Project “Water and Climate Adaptation Plan for the Sava River Basin”; URL: 
https://www.savacommission.org/project_detail/18/1; accessed on 04.05.2018  
1612 See at: 
http://www.savacommission.org/dms/docs/dokumenti/peg_rbm/ad.3.1_wm_issues_doc_8__outline_of_the_clim
ate_adaptation_strategy_for_the_sava_rb.pdf 
1613 ICPDR Climate adaptation, URL: https://www.icpdr.org/main/activities-projects/climate-change-adaptation, 
accessed on 11.05.2018. 

624 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Slovenia  also  takes  part  in  the  implementation  of  the  three  EU-level  macro-regional 
strategies:  the  EU  Strategy  for  the  Alpine  Region  (EUSALP)1614,  the  EU  Strategy  for  the 
Adriatic-Ionian  Region  (EUSAIR)1615  and  the  EU  Strategy  for  the  Danube  Region 
(EUSDR)1616. It does so by participating in regional cooperation projects that address various 
climate-related challenges shared in the region through research, knowledge transfer, capacity 
building and awareness-raising activities. Slovenia also participates in the work of the Alpine 
Convention, which adopted the action plan on climate change in the Alps in 2009. The action 
plan aims to make the Alps an exemplary territory for climate adaptation with regard to water 
resources  and  biodiversity,  mountain  forests  and  farming,  tourism,  settlements  and 
infrastructure. ‘Mitigation and adaptation  to  climate change in  the Alpine space’1617 and the 
‘Alpine strategy for adaptation to climate change in the field of natural hazards’1618 are among 
the guidance documents produced. Recently, a new Climate Board has been established and 
tasked with preparing a new system of targets.  

Furthermore,  sub-national  research  and  activities  focused  on  the  Alpine  region  have  been 
carried out as part of EU-funded projects CLISP1619 and C3-Alps1620. These address climate 
adaptation  by  spatial  planning,  and  by  capitalising  on  climate  change  knowledge  from 
previous EU projects to integrate adaptation into sectoral and regional policies, respectively.  

Slovenia  is  also  involved  in  climate  adaptation  activities  with  regard  to  transport  in  the 
context  of  the  international  United  Nations  Economic  Commission  for  Europe1621. 
International collaboration is one of the guiding principles to stimulate climate adaptation in 
Slovenia.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

1614 EU-Strategy for the Alpine Region, URL: https://www.alpine-region.eu/, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1615 EU-Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region, URL: http://www.adriatic-ionian.eu/, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1616 EU-Strategy for the Danube Region, URL: http://www.danube-region.eu/, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1617 Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention, Alpine signals 5: Mitigation and adaptation to climate 
change in the Alpine space, 2007, URL: 
http://www.alpconv.org/en/publications/alpine/Documents/Alpsig5_en.pdf  
1618 Platform on Natural Hazards of the Alpine Convention, Alpine strategy for adaptation to climate change in 
the field of natural hazards, 2012, URL: 
http://www.planat.ch/fileadmin/PLANALP/planalp_pdf/2012_PLANALP_Alpine_Strategy.pdf  
1619 CLISP project website, URL: http://www.alpine-space.org/2007-
2013/projects/projects/detail/CLISP/show/index.html, accessed on 04.15.2018  
1620 C3-Alps project website, URL: http://www.alpine-space.org/2007-2013/projects/projects/detail/C3-
Alps/show/index.html, accessed on 04.05.2018  
1621 Group of Experts on Climate Change impacts and adaptation for transport networks and nodes (WP.5/GE.3), 
URL: https://www.unece.org/trans/areas-of-work/trends-and-economics/activities/group-of-experts-on-climate-
change-impacts-and-adaptation-for-transport-networks-and-nodes-wp5ge3.html, accessed on 15.05.2018  

625 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  meteorological  portal  of  the  ARSO  provides  scientific  data  and  information  on  current 
climate  change,  extreme  climate  events  and  their  impacts1622.  These  indicators  include  air 
temperature, precipitation, snow, wind, solar radiation, phenology and heating. Environmental 
indicators also provide data on extreme weather events and glaciers. Data on extreme weather 
events and their impacts (including damage to infrastructure and property) are collected and 
made available to the public by the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief. A 
specific indicator on the climate vulnerability of Slovenia is currently being developed. 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

In 2016 and 2017, a project ‘Assessments of Climate Change Impacts in the 21st Century’ was 
carried  out  at  the  ARSO1623.  Based  on  the  Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate  Change 
(IPCC)  Fifth  Assessment  Report  (AR5)  Representative  Concentration  Pathways  (RCP) 
emissions scenarios, ensembles of six models from EURO-CORDEX for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 
were used to assess the long-term changes in climate variables for Slovenia (average climate 
conditions  and  extreme  weather  events  until  2100).  Impact  assessments  were  carried  out 
(including  for  agricultural  drought,  heat  waves,  frost,  and  soil  conditions)  using  these 
scenarios.  

Tailored  climate  services1624  are  in  high  demand  from  different  users.  Climate  services  are 
currently used for upgrades of  risk assessments,  vulnerability  assessments of major projects 
and other activities, such as long-term planning in different areas. For example, in preparing 
the National  Disaster Risk  Assessment  (NDRA) and Report, climate scenarios were used to 
evaluate  the  impact  and  probability  of  future  risks.1625  Based  on  three  emissions  scenarios 
(RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5), projections of the following climate variables were prepared: 
air  temperature,  soil  temperature,  surface  water  temperature,  temperature  of  the  sea, 
groundwater temperature, water content in the soil, amount of precipitation, the quantitative 
status  of  watercourses,  water  supply  of  aquifers,  and  phenological  development  of  selected 
plant  species.  On  the  basis  of  the  knowledge  of  past  trends,  changes  in  the  frequency  of 
occurrence,  duration  and  severity  were  also  estimated  for  heatwaves,  agricultural  droughts, 
surface  water  droughts,  groundwater  droughts,  high-water  conditions  and  frost.  All  this 
information will be used in drafting the NAP.  

Extensive databases have been prepared to assess the impacts mentioned above, which will be 
useful for further research into climate impacts.  

1622 Meteorological portal of ARSO, URL: http://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/en/climate/ and 
http://kazalci.arso.gov.si/?data=group&group_id=8, accessed 15.05.2018  
1623 Project "Assessments of Climate Change Impacts in the 21st Century", URL: 
http://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/climate/pss-project/, accessed 15.05.2018  
1624 Slovenian Environment Agency, URL: http://www.arso.gov.si/, accessed 15.05.2018  
1625 National Coordination Body for Disaster Risk Assessment, 2016, Report on disaster risk assessment in the 
Republic of Slovenia for the period 2014–2016, URL: 
http://www.sos112.si/slo/tdocs/porocilo_izdelava_ocen_ang.pdf  

626 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making. 

Yes / In progress / No 

To support adaptation policy and decision making, a comprehensive national CCRA together 
with  a  wide  public  and  inter-ministerial  consultation  process  was  carried  out  in  2014.  It 
included all sectors, while indirect and transboundary risks were taken into account to some 
extent. It formed a basis for further work in this area.  

The agriculture and forestry sectors analysed climate vulnerabilities in 20041626, resulting in 
an  adaptation  strategy  for  the  agriculture  and  forestry  sectors,  which  was  adopted  in  2008. 
These strategies have not since been reviewed.  

The water sector also carried out preliminary risk assessments in the framework of river basin 
management planning and flood risk management.  

Slovenia adopted the first NDRA1627 in 2015. Selected separate risk assessments for climate-
related  disasters  (particularly  floods,  drought  and  forest  fires),  as  well  as  the  NDRA,  were 
updated with available climate impact assessments in 20161628. Certain individual disaster risk 
assessments  already  incorporated  available  climate  risk  data  in  their  assessments.  The 
Ministry of Health, for example, prepared a ‘Risk Assessment for the Dangers of Biological, 
Chemical, Environmental and Unknown Origin to Human Health’ and complemented it with 
consideration of climate impacts on the occurrence of infectious diseases1629. At the regional 
level,  a  research  project  funded  by  the  Target  Research  Programme  (TRP)  'Adaptation  to 
Climate Change with Spatial Planning Tools'1630 was carried out as a continuation of the EU 
project CLISP and provided a first vulnerability assessment for the Gorenjska region.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Neither the vulnerability assessment nor the Strategic Framework identify any transboundary 
risks. 

1626 ARSO, 2004, Ranljivost slovenskega kmetijstva in gozdarstva na podnebno spremenljivost in ocena 
predvidenega vpliva, URL: 
http://meteo.arso.gov.si/uploads/probase/www/agromet/product/document/sl/ranljivost.pdf, 
1627 Directorate for Protection and Rescue - Disaster Risk Assessment documents, URL: 
http://www.sos112.si/slo/page.php?src=os17.htm, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1628 Directorate for Protection and Rescue - - Current potection and rescue plans, URL: 
http://www.sos112.si/slo/page.php?src=os12.htm, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1629 MESP, 2018, 7th National Communication & 3rd Biennial Report from Slovenia under the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change, URL: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/biennial_reports_and_iar/submitted_biennial_reports/application/pdf/4532
01_slovenia-br3-nc7-1-7nc3br-en_v0b_f.pdf, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1630 Project 'Adaptation to Climate Change with Spatial Planning Tools', URL: 
http://www2.uirs.si/sl/Raziskovanje/Projekti/CRPKonkuren%C4%8DnostSlovenije20062013.aspx, accessed on 
11.05.2018 

627 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Major  projects  and  sectoral  strategic  documents  are  subject  to  environmental  impact 
assessment  (EIA)  or  to  SEA.  All  EIAs  and  SEAs  take  transboundary  risks  into  account,  so 
these  risks  have  been,  for  example,  assessed  in  the  SEA  during  preparation  of  the  Flood 
Protection Plan.  

The  Water  and  Climate  Adaptation  Plan  for  the  Sava  River  Basin1631  made  in  the  frame  of 
ISRBC,  acts  as  a  guidance  document  to  governments  for  climate  adaptation  measures  in 
navigation,  hydropower,  agriculture,  flood  protection  and  economic  evaluation  of  climate 
impacts. It contains hydrological modelling, and suggests a methodology to examine climate 
impacts on water-related sectors. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

Knowledge  gaps  are  identified  and  work  is  ongoing  to  address  them.  The  Strategic 
Framework1632  clearly  emphasises  the  importance  of  knowledge  and  knowledge  transfer  in 
order  to  be  able  to  adapt.  The  objectives  are  to  further  develop  and  provide  user-friendly 
climate services, upgrade and link databases and processes in support of decision making and 
establish regular cooperation between researchers and decision-makers.  

Annexes 2 and 4 to the Strategic Framework define future steps for scientific data collection, 
modelling and establishing vulnerability indicators to be used as a baseline for preparing the 
NAP.  The  majority  of  scientific  analyses  for  this  purpose  have  already  been  finalised  by 
ARSO.  Historical  climate  data  (temperature,  precipitation,  hydrology,  climate  impacts  on 
forestry and agriculture) and some future climate scenarios until the  end of the 21st Century 
are  also  publicly  available  at  the  ARSO  meteorological  portal1633.  Several  specific 
assessments  are  planned  to  consider  the  needs  of  individual  sectors  (e.g.  solar  energy 
potential,  biodiversity,  human  health,  sea  and  coast,  avalanches,  occurrence  of  torrential 
floods, fire hazards).1634  

There is, however, still limited research on climate adaptation is available. National funding 
for applied research to be used for policy-making by specific ministries is provided through 
the TRP1635. Sectors decide independently on funding priorities for research in their respective 
departments. Adaptation-related research through the TRP has, thus, mainly been carried out 

1631 Water and Climate Adaptation Plan for the Sava River Basin, URL: 
https://www.savacommission.org/project_detail/18/1; accessed on 27.04.2018  
1632 Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation; 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_ang.pdf  
1633 Meteorological portal of ARSO, URL: http://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/climate/change/, accessed on 
15.05.2018  
1634 MESP, 2018, 7th National Communication & 3rd Biennial Report from Slovenia under the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change, URL: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/biennial_reports_and_iar/submitted_biennial_reports/application/pdf/4532
01_slovenia-br3-nc7-1-7nc3br-en_v0b_f.pdf, accessed 15.05.2018  
1635 Slovenian Research Agency- Target research programmes, URL: http://www.arrs.gov.si/en/progproj/crp/, 
accessed 15.05.2018  

628 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
by  the  Ministry  of  Forestry,  Agriculture  and  Food  (MFAF),  which  is  responsible  for  the 
sectors assessed as most vulnerable. However, some adaptation-related research gaps are also 
addressed through the dedicated Climate Change Fund. 

The ARSO hosts the Drought Management Centre for South-Eastern Europe – DMCSEE1636. 
The  Centre  monitors  and  assesses  drought  and  risks  and  vulnerability  connected  to  drought 
for  the  South-East  Europe  region,  also  partly  through  EU-funded  projects  (currently  within 
the DriDanube project1637). 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  ARSO  has  an  information  website  dedicated  to  climate  change  information1638.  The 
MESP1639 and MFAF1640 provide some information and material on adaptation-related issues. 
By  September  2018,  the  MESP  plans  to  publish  all  summaries  and  layman  reports  on 
available climate impact assessments carried out since 2016. Information on relevant national 
activities are provided by the EU portal ClimateADAPT1641. Slovenia has not yet established 
a dedicated portal with information on climate adaptation. 

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  are  few  capacity-building  activities  and  education  and  training  materials  on  climate 
adaptation. Promotional and educational material is made available and disseminated through 
participation in  European projects,  such as C3-Alps1642. The ARSO and the National  Public 
Health  Institute  regularly  organise  events  on  hazardous  climate  and  hydrological 
consequences to provide instructions to citizens. The ARSO also regularly publishes climate 
change  information  and  newsletters  with  information  on  climate  monitoring.  The  project 
‘Slovenia  reduces  CO2’1643  shares  examples  of  good  adaptation  practices.  These  mainly 
concern flood protection infrastructure, and the regional ‘Strategy for adapting agriculture to 

1636 DMCSEE website, URL: http://www.dmcsee.org/, accessed 15.05.2018  
1637 DriDanube project website, URL: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/dridanube, accessed on 
15.05.2018  
1638 Project "Assessments of Climate Change Impacts in the 21st Century", URL: 
http://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/climate/pss-project, accessed 15.05.2018  
1639 MESP climate adaptation activities, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/prilagajanje_podnebnim_spremembam/, 
accessed 04.05.2018 
1640 MFAF, URL: http://www.mkgp.gov.si/en/, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1641 ClimateADAPT. URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/ 
1642 C3-Alps project, URL: http://www.alpine-space.org/2007-
2013/projects/projects/index4ec0.html?tx_txrunningprojects_pi1[uid]=39&tx_txrunningprojects_pi1[view]=sing
leView, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1643 Project “Slovenija znižuje CO2”, URL: http://www.slovenija-co2.si/index.php/dobre-prakse/prilagajanje-na-
podnebne-spremembe; accessed on 16.05.2018. 

629 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
climate change for Vipava Valley’1644 (see Section A2). Slovenia plans to develop a capacity-
building and communication programme funded by the Climate Fund in the future.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options’ identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Slovenia is yet to start working on a NAP. Many sectors are in the initial stages of exploring 
and integrating climate adaptation. However, in sectoral policy plans, some adaptation options 
have  already  been  identified;  for  instance,  in  the  strategy  and  the  action  plan  for  the 
Adaptation of Slovenian Agriculture and Forestry to Climate Change (2008). The River Basin 
Management  Plans  for  the  Danube1645  and  Adriatic  See  Basins  for  2016–20211646  contain 
measures for climate adaptation, which are based on a vulnerability assessment.  

It can be concluded that adaptation options for the agriculture, forestry and water management 
sectors  are  consistent  with  sectoral  risk  assessments,  and  with  measures  and  good  practices 
identified in similar contexts.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

As mentioned in relation to Indicator 6a, Slovenia has yet to start working on a NAP and it is, 
therefore, too early to indicate whether the selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress / No 

In August 2014, the Slovenian government adopted the Decree Implementing the Decision on 
a  Union  Civil  Protection  Mechanism  (Official  Gazette  of  the  Republic  of  Slovenia,  no. 
62/14), which determined a list  of risk assessments to  be carried out,  as well as responsible 
ministries,  deadlines,  procedures  and  requirements  for  such  assessments,  together  with 

1644 Project website VivaCCadapt, URL: http://www.life-vivaccadapt.si/en/, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1645 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2016, Načrt upravljanja voda na vodnem območju Donave za obdobje 2016–
2021, URL: http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOD.pdf  
1646 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2016, Načrt upravljanja voda na vodnem območju Jadranskega morja za obdobje 
2016–2021, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOJM.pdf  

630 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
procedures and requirements for the NDRA1647. These were first prepared in 2015. In 2016, 
selected risk assessments and the NDRA were updated to include climate impacts.  

The Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief under the Ministry of Defence is 
the  national  coordination  body  for  risk  assessment  processes.  The  Administration  provides 
links with adaptation-related policies through an Inter-Ministerial Working Group on Disaster 
Risk  Assessments  and  is  also  responsible  for  national  emergency  response  plans  in  co-
operation with other ministries. The NDRA presents the national risk assessment of disasters 
and is a first step towards comprehensive risk management. 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated  

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Funds  for  cross-cutting  climate  adaptation  action  are  available  within  the  Climate  Change 
Fund, but specific allocations are not clearly defined in advance by sector. Since 2015, funds 
have  been  allocated  mainly  to  sustainable  transport  and  energy  infrastructure,  renewable 
energy,  and  general  awareness  and  education  activities.  However,  in  some  sectors,  such  as 
agriculture  and  water  management,  reliable  multiannual  funds  can  be  mobilised  once  an 
action plan of adaptation measures is identified. Specific funds available within the water and 
agriculture sectors include the National Water Fund and EU Rural Development Programmes 
(RDPs).  

The Strategic Framework lays down the main principles for mobilising funds. The focus is on 
using national and local budgets, as co-finance, to attract additional international funding. The 
Strategic Framework also seeks to foster investments from the private sector.  

The  preparation  of  a  vulnerability  index  for  municipalities,  outlined  in  Annex  4  of  the 
Strategic Framework, will be the basis for classifying municipalities according to their climate 
vulnerability.  This  classification  will  guide  the  preparation  of  a  call  for  co-financing 
adaptation strategies for municipalities and regions. In addition to development of local and 
regional adaptation strategies, it is planned to use the Climate Funds for supporting adaptation 
training,  awareness,  research,  and  development  of  an  integrated  information  system  on 
environment, as an aid to policy-making. Local and regional adaptation strategies will aim to 
review  the  climate  resilience  of  existing  development  and  spatial  planning  documents, 
processes and contents, and identify disparities and priority areas for adaptation measures at 
local and regional levels.  

Under  the  European  Economic  Area  and  Norway  grants  mechanisms  for  the  period  2014-
20211648, a total of EUR 14,500,000 has been allocated to climate mitigation and adaptation 
(plus  national  co-funding  of  EUR  2,558,823).  The  focus  is  on  increasing  public  awareness, 

1647 Directorate for Protection and Rescue - Disaster Risk Assessment documents, URL: 
http://www.sos112.si/slo/page.php?src=os17.htm, accessed on 15.05.2018 
1648 European Economic Area grants website article; URL: https://eeagrants.org/News/2018/Education-and-
climate-change-in-the-spotlight-in-Slovenia; accessed on 30.05.2018 

631 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
improved planning and management competencies among key stakeholders in Slovenia, and 
pilot and demonstration activities (in sectors which will be defined in the specific calls).  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes  

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The new EIA Directive has been transposed in the ‘Regulation on the scope and preparation 
of EIA reports’1649. Developers are expected to assess the climate impacts and vulnerabilities 
of  each  project.  Although  the  national  SEA  regulations  do  not  yet  require  consideration  of 
climate  change,  EU  guidance  on  integrating  climate  change  and  biodiversity  into  EIA  and 
SEA1650,  as  well  as  guidance  on  the  preparation  of  the  EIA  Report1651,  are  available  on  the 
MESP website and recommended to developers.  

The Catalogue of Expert Knowledge1652 is guidance for environmental assessment experts on 
the content required of environmental assessment reports. The Catalogue includes legislation, 
assessment  methodologies  and  studies  from  all  fields  of  environment  and  nature  protection, 
resources and heritage conservation, to enable better quality environmental assessments. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

In the new disaster risk assessment, prepared in  2016, impacts of climate change have been 
taken  into  account.  The  Administration  for  Civil  Protection  and  Disaster  Relief  under 
Ministry  of  Defence  is  the  national  coordination  body  for  risk  assessment.  It  provides  links 
with  adaptation-related  policies  through  an  inter-ministerial  working  group  on  disaster  risk 
assessments  and  is  also  responsible  for  national  emergency  response  plans  (disaster  risk 
management plans) in co-operation with other ministries. The national risk management plans 
date back to  2010 and do not  specifically mention  climate impacts,  although plans exist for 
floods,  fires,  epidemics,  and  other  relevant  issues;  regional  plans  also  take  account  of 
landslide  events.  New  national  disaster  risk  management  plans  are  currently  being  prepared 
based on the NDRA of 2016.  

1649 Uredba o vsebini poročila o vplivih nameravanega posega na okolje in načinu njegove priprave; (Uradni list 
RS, 36/09, 40/17); URL: http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=PRAV8124; accessed on 15.05.2018  
1650 MESP – SEA regulations; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/presoje_vplivov_na_okolje/celovita_presoja_vplivov_na_okolje/; 
accessed on 15.05.2018  
1651 MESP – EIA regulations; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/si/delovna_podrocja/presoje_vplivov_na_okolje/presoja_vplivov_na_okolje/; accessed 
on 15.05.2018  
1652 ARSO EIA regulations; URL: 
http://www.arso.gov.si/varstvo%20okolja/presoja%20vplivov%20na%20okolje/Katalog%20strokovnih%20znan
j/KATALOG_KON%C4%8CNA%20OBLIKA_14jun2013.pdf; accessed on 15.05.2018  

632 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No  

Spatial planning legislation has been recently changed in Slovenia. The new Spatial Planning 
Law1653 that comes into effect on 1 June 2018 fully transposes the EU’s EIA, SEA, Habitat 
and  Maritime  Spatial  Planning  directives  and  covers  land  use,  spatial,  urban  and  maritime 
spatial planning. Regional land-use plans and urban plans are to be developed and harmonised 
under  this  umbrella  law  by  2023.  According  to  this  new  legislation,  climate  adaptation, 
including  green  infrastructure,  now  forms  an  integral  part  of  spatial,  urban  and  land-use 
planning  considerations  at  all  levels.  However,  in  practice,  the  extent  to  which  climate 
impacts  can  be  taken  into  account  in  planning  decisions  will  be  dependent  upon  the 
availability  of  studies  and  impact  assessments1654.  Climate  impacts  (e.g.  floods,  landslides) 
can be better factored into risk assessments at the local and regional levels.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Currently,  adaptation  considerations  are  included  only  in  water  management  (floods  and 
droughts),  forestry  and  agricultural  sectors.  Forestry  and  agriculture,  as  the  most  vulnerable 
sectors to  climate change, were  forerunners  of this  process,  triggered in  the framework of a 
multi-annual  sectoral  research  programme  “Securing  food  for  tomorrow”.  The  programme 
enabled research and collection of historical climate data relevant for these sectors, as well as 
development  of  benchmarks,  scenarios  and  an  action  plan  with  adaptation  measures  for 
several  upcoming  years.  Currently,  adaptation  actions  are  implemented  under  the  Common 
Agricultural Policy (Pillars I and II), and are integrated in the Rural Development Programme 
2014-2020.  

The  water  sector  developed  its  adaptation  actions  for  periodical  flood  protection,  water 
management and spatial planning in the context of national legislation and obligations under 
the EU Water Framework and Floods Directives, simultaneously participating in the work of 
international river commissions, such as ICPDR and ISRBC.  

The Strategic Framework was not the driver behind the existing sectoral strategies and action 
plans  mentioned  above,  as  they  preceded  it.    However,  it  provides  some  guidelines  on  how 
climate adaptation can be mainstreamed in sectoral policies in the future in two steps:  

  Effective  coordination  of  the  contents  and  processes  of  development  and  spatial 

planning, including consideration of capabilities for disaster risk management 

  Strengthening the use of environmental impact assessment instruments.  

1653 Government of the Republic of Slovenia, 2018, Zakon o urejanju prostora, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/zakonodaja/prostorsko_nacrtovanje/ZUREP.pdf  
1654 Personal communication with MS contact 

633 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
These steps are currently used to foster mainstreaming of adaptation in sectoral policies and 
actions1655.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Currently,  adaptation  is  not  being  mainstreamed  in  insurance  policies  or  alternative  policy 
instruments.  However,  there  are  incentives  in  place  at  the  Ministry  for  Agriculture  for 
investments  in  risk  prevention,  and  co-financing  is  available  for  insurance  against  losses 
associated with agricultural and fisheries production and hail storms1656.  

9. Implementing adaptation  

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

Adaptation  actions  are  being  carried  out  in  the  agricultural,  forestry  and  water  management 
sectors, in line with the existing national-level sectoral action plans: 

  Strategy for the Adaptation of Slovenian Agriculture and Forestry to Climate Change 
(2008)1657 and its action plans of 2010 and 20111658. The plan was not updated in 2012 
due  to  lack  of  funding,  however,  many  adaptation  measures  are  still  implemented 
under the 1st and 2nd pillar of the RDP1659, supported by a number of applied research 
projects  related mainly to new technologies and  cultivation  of more climate-resilient 
crops  

1655 MESP; Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation – main text; 2016; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_ang.pdf  
1656 Government of the Republic of Slovenia, 2014, Decree on co-financing of insurance premiums of 
agricultural production and fishery, URL: http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=URED5345 and 
Agency for Agricultural market and rural development, URL: 
http://www.arsktrp.gov.si/storitve_ukrepi/trzni_ukrepi/ukrepi_pomoci/sofinanciranje_zavarovalnih_premij/, 
accessed 15.05.2018  
1657 MFAF; 2008; Strategija prilagajanja slovenskega kmetijstva in gozdarstva podnebnim spremembam; 
http://agromet.mkgp.gov.si/Publikacije/STRATEGIJA%20prilagajanja.pdf  
1658 MFAF; 2011; Akcijski načrt strategije prilagajanja slovenskega kmetijstva in gozdarstva podnebnim 
spremembam za leti 2010 in 2011 - prečiščeno besedilo; 
http://www.mko.gov.si/fileadmin/mko.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/Kmetijstvo/Naravne_nesrece/Akcijski_nacrt
__precisceno_besedilo__.pdf  
1659 EEA; 2014; National adaptation policy processes in European countries — 2014; 
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/national-adaptation-policy-processes, http://climate-
adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/slovenia; and  
MFAF; 2017; Program razvoja podeželja: Okvirni terminski načrt objave javnih razpisov za ukrepe PRP 2014-
2020 do konca leta 2017; URL: 
http://www.mkgp.gov.si/fileadmin/mkgp.gov.si/pageuploads/Medijsko_sredisce/2017/06_junij/13_PRP/S2J-SP-
KMC417061315311.pdf  

634 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  River  Basin  Management  Plans  for  the  Danube1660  and  Adriatic  Sea  Basins  for  the 
2016–20211661  define  a  range  of  measures  also  contributing  to  climate  adaptation, 
including  preparation  of  a  set  of  indicators  for  drought,  and  measures  related  to 
improving water status and management  

  Flood  Risk  Mitigation  Plan  2017-20211662  defines  a  large  set  of  flood  protection 
projects,  which  include  measures  to  adapt  land-use  change,  energy  and  transport 
infrastructure, and undertake regular hydrological and meteorological monitoring.  

These  actions  are  carried  out  by  the  respective  national  governmental  departments,  within 
available  financial  resources.  Implementation  of  all  three  action  plans  in  the  water  sector 
started  just  recently  and  there  are  no  available  progress  reports  as  yet.  Adaptation-related 
actions in agriculture and forestry have been implemented since 2010 and progress is reported 
annually, as part of agricultural development monitoring reports1663 issued by the Agricultural 
Institute of Slovenia. Measures in all action plans are primarily sectoral, and not horizontal in 
nature.  

In the Vipava Valley region, Ajdovščina Development Agency autonomously implements the 
LIFE ViVaCCAdapt project1664 with MESP’s financial help (20%) from the Climate Fund. A 
Strategy  for  adapting  agriculture  to  climate  change  for  the  period  2017-20211665  has  been 
prepared,  as  the  first  regional  strategy  of  its  kind.  Implementation  started  recently  and  pilot 
actions are currently being taken that support the decision-making process for irrigation and 
planting of green windbreaks.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The Strategic Framework describes the guiding principle of cooperation that should underpin 
climate adaptation. Municipalities will be supported in their implementation by laying down 
of  expert  groundwork,  and  through  guidelines  and  funding.  The  specific  mechanisms  of 
providing these support tools will be detailed in the NAP. Furthermore, the plan is to establish 
a national contact point for the coordination and promotion of the implementation of measures 
at local and regional level. Existing inter-sectoral and inter-institutional networks, such as the 
the  Council  for  Sustainable  Development  and 
Association  of  Municipalities  and 

1660 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2016, Načrt upravljanja voda na vodnem območju Donave za obdobje 2016–
2021, URL: http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOD.pdf  
1661 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2016, Načrt upravljanja voda na vodnem območju Jadranskega morja za obdobje 
2016–2021, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nuv_II/NUV_VOJM.pdf  
1662 Vlada Republike Slovenije, 2017, Načrt zmanjševanja poplavne ogroženosti 2017–2021, URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/voda/nzpo_2017_2021.pdf 
1663 Agriculture institute of Slovenia – reports on state of agriculture; URL: 
http://www.kis.si/Porocila_o_stanju_v_kmetijstvu_OEK; accessed on 15.05.2018  
1664 Project VivaCCadapt website; URL: http://www.life-vivaccadapt.si/en/; accessed on 15.05.2018  
1665 Development Agency ROD Ajdovščina; 2017; Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Agriculture in the 
Vipava Valley for the period 2017-2021; URL: 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showFile&rep=file&fil=ViVa
CCAdapt_Strategy-2017-2021.pdf  

635 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Environmental Protection, will also help to address the challenges of climate adaptation and 
encourage collaboration.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The Strategic Framework indicates that mainstreaming climate adaptation is one of its main 
objectives.  Guidelines  are  in  place  to  integrate  adaptation  in  spatial  planning  policies, 
prepared  through  a  transboundary  project1666.  There  are  sectoral  development  planning 
documents that outline guidelines for integrating adaptation. As noted in relation to Indicator 
8a,  there  are  also  guidelines  on  how  to  include  climate  adaptation  in  the  SEA  process1667, 
which  have  been  applied,  for  example,  in  the  assessment  of  the  Transport  Development 
Strategy in 20141668.  

Several  local-level  guidance  documents  have  been  developed  under  the  Alpine  Convention, 
e.g.  Guidelines  for  climate  adaptation  at  the  local  level  in  the  Alps1669,  also  available  in 
Slovenian1670. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

As the national adaptation policy implementation process is in its early phases, there do not 
seem  to  be  many  opportunities  for  stakeholder  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation  policies  and  measures.  However,  processes  for  stakeholder  involvement  in 
policymaking  are  laid  down  in  general  laws  regulating  public  policy  development,  and  are 
systematically implemented.  

The  Strategic  Framework  generally  acknowledges  the  importance  of  awareness  raising  and 
stakeholder participation1671. Implementation actions will include: communication campaigns 

1666 CLISP project website; URL: http://www.clisp.eu/content/sites/default/files/guidance_slovenian.pdf; 
accessed 30.04.2018  
1667 EEA; 2014; National adaptation policy processes in European countries — 2014; URL: 
http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/national-adaptation-policy-processes  
1668 Ministry of Infrastructure; 2014; Environmental report on a strategic environmental assessment for the 
Transport Development Strategy in the Republic of Slovenia; URL: 
http://www.mzi.gov.si/fileadmin/mzi.gov.si/pageuploads/DMZ/OP_strategija_prirocnik_julij_CPVO_ang.pdf  
1669 Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention; 2014; Guidelines for Climate Change Adaptation at the 
local level in the Alps; URL: 
http://www.alpconv.org/en/publications/alpine/Documents/guidelines_for_climate_change_EN.pdf  
1670 Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention; Smernice za prilagajanje podnebnim spremembam na 
lokalni ravni v Alpah, URL: 
http://www.alpconv.org/sl/publications/alpine/Documents/guidelines_for_climate_change_SL.pdf?AspxAutoDet
ectCookieSupport=1, accessed on 15.05.2018  
1671 MESP; 2016; Strategic Framework for Climate Change Adaptation – main text; URL: 
http://www.mop.gov.si/fileadmin/mop.gov.si/pageuploads/podrocja/podnebne_spremembe/SOzP_ang.pdf  

636 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
and media work to support adaptation objectives and measures; inform target audiences about 
climate  impacts;  as  well  as  developing  a  permanent  cooperation  mechanism  with  non-
governmental  and  private  sectors  to  strengthen  and  improve  information  provision  and 
exchange.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

The Strategic Framework has been only adopted very recently and implementation is not yet 
monitored.  

Slovenia  will  qualitatively  and  quantitatively  monitor  the  implementation  of  the  Strategic 
Framework  through  use  of  a  vulnerability  index.  The  Strategic  Framework  outlines  a  set  of 
indicators that will form the vulnerability index. The aim is  to  monitor a  range of variables 
relating  to  sensitivity,  adaptive  capacity,  exposure,  and  key  climate  impacts,  risks  and 
opportunities.  Variables  to  monitor  the  implementation  of  measures  will  be  selected  when 
adaptation plans and actions are developed. Monitoring will be conducted and reported by the 
Inter-Ministerial Climate Change Adaptation Working Group.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Regular monitoring of plans takes place in the water sector1672, for example, in relation to the 
Danube  River  Basin  Water  Management  Plan.  This  monitoring  includes  monitoring  of 
climate adaptation measures.  

Adaptation  is  monitored  and  reported  as  part  of  national  annual  agricultural  development 
reports.  

No other sectors so far show any progress with monitoring integration of climate adaptation. 
A  system  for  periodic  review  of  adaptation  action  of  all  relevant  sectoral  policies  will  be 
developed in relation to the future NAP, which will provide indicators for each of the sectors.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

1672 ICPDR projects on river basin management; URL: https://www.icpdr.org/main/activities-projects/river-
basin-management; accessed on 16.05.2018  

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Regional,  sub-national  or  local  plans  that  are  explicitly  focused  on  climate  adaptation  have 
not yet been developed.  

A  system  for  periodic  review  of  adaptation  action  at  sectoral  and  local  level,  and  the 
allocation of reporting responsibilities, will be developed in relation to the future NAP. The 
NAP  should  establish  the  type  of  framework  to  be  used  to  monitor  progress  via  a  set  of 
indicators that assess preparedness. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

Although  monitoring  and  evaluation  are  activities  that  are  developed  in  the  Strategic 
Framework, both in qualitative and in quantitative terms (see Indicator 10a), a timetable for 
periodic review of the Strategic Framework is not yet available.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Through  the  Inter-Ministerial  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Working  Group,  involvement  of 
stakeholders  is  assured  in  the  future  development  and  implementation  of  adaptation  policy. 
This body will ensure that: sectors make concerted efforts to develop and implement strategic 
documents; themes are coordinated among and within sectors; and that the general public and 
experts are involved. However, involvement in monitoring, evaluation and review seems to be 
less clearly enshrined in the Strategic Framework. 

638 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A  central  administration  body  officially  in  charge  of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist 
within 
the  governance  system,  with  division  of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary  cooperation 
is  planned 
common challenges with relevant countries 

to  address 

Yes/ No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation  systems  are  in  place  to  monitor  climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

the 
Scenarios  and  projections  are  used 
economic,  social  and  environmental  impacts  of  climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best  available  science  (e.g.  in  response  to  revised  IPCC 
assessments) 

to  assess 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable  sectors  are  undertaken  to  support  adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate 
assessments 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

risks/vulnerability 

take 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work  is  being  carried  out  to  identify,  prioritise  and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

639 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation  relevant  data  and  information  is  available  to 
all  stakeholders,  including  policy  makers  (e.g.  through  a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity  building  activities  take  place;  education  and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c,  the  geographical  specificities  identified  in  3b  and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  is  based  on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation,  etc.)  and  consistent  with  existing  decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms  are  in  place  to  coordinate  disaster  risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes/ In Progress 
/ No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
Progress / No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been 
included  in  the  national  frameworks  for  environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness 
in  place  under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

strategies 

Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and 
maritime  spatial  planning  policies  take  into  account  the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

8d 

National  policy 

instruments  promote  adaptation  at 

Yes / In 

640 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Met? 
Progress / No 

Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation  policies  and  measures  are  implemented,  e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation  mechanisms  in  place  to  foster  and  support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the 
potential  impact  of  climate  change  on  major  projects  or 
programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The  integration  of  climate  change  adaptation  in  sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

641 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Spain 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 643 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 644 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 644 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 644 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 644 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 644 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 644 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 645 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 645 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 646 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 646 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 646 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 648 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 649 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 649 

4  Knowledge gaps ..................................................................................................... 652 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 653 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 654 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 654 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 656 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 657 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 657 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 659 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 661 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 661 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 662 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 664 

642 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations  

AEMET 

State Meteorological Agency 

CCPCC 

Coordination Commission of Climate Change Policies 

CENEAM 

National Centre for Environmental Education 

CNC 

DRR 

EIA 

GTIA 

IPCC 

MFF 

NAP 

NAS 

NCC 

OECC 

PAND 

PIMA 

PNACC 

SEA 

WP 

National Climate Council 

Disaster Risk Reduction 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

Impacts and Adaptation Working Group 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

Multiannual financial framework 

National Adaptation Plan 

National Adaptation Strategy 

National Climate Council 

Oficina Española de Cambio Climático 

Programa de Acción Nacional contra la Desertificación 

Plan to Support the Environment for Adapting to Climate Change 

National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (Plan Nacional de Adaptación 
al Cambio Climático 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

PNACC work programmes, e.g. Work Package 1 (WP1) 

643 

 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

Spain adopted its national adaptation strategy, the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 
(Plan Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático: PNACC) in 20061673. The PNACC is the 
reference framework for the coordination of the public administrations to address the climate 
impacts  across  key  sectors  and  resources  in  the  country.  It  aims  to  support  policymakers  in 
tackling climate adaptation, defining a cyclical process to  generate knowledge, and building 
capacity to address the effects of climate change. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

Apart from Asturias and Rioja, all Spanish regions have adopted regional action plans, or 
adaptation strategies1674, which address 97% of the country’s population and territory.1675 

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

The  PNACC  is  implemented  through  work  programmes  (WPs)1676,  which  describe  the 
priority activities to be implemented under its framework. WPs have become more complex 
and  mature  over  the  years:  addressing  more  sectors,  improving  governance  and  stakeholder 
involvement, and reinforcing coordination across all levels of administration. The Third Work 
Programme  (WP3)  was  adopted  in  December  2013  and  aims  to  address  adaptation  and  its 
governance  comprehensively,  by  further  integrating  stakeholder  coordination  vertically 
(across  administrations)  and  horizontally  (across  sectors).  This  is  the  first  work  programme 
that  contains  a  clear  timeline  (2014-2020),  which  has  also  been  aligned  with  the  EU 
multiannual financial framework (MFF). WP3 promotes actions to be implemented at national 
level, and seeks to reinforce coordination and synergies between the PNACC and subnational 
(regional  and  local)  strategies  and  the  EU  Adaptation  Strategy.  Implementation  of  WP3  for 

1673 PNACC (2006). Available at http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-
vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/pna_v3_tcm7-12445_tcm30-70393.pdf. Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1674 AdapteCCa, URL: http://www.adaptecca.es/administracion-autonomica-local/comunidades-autonomas, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018; Committee of the Regions, 2016, Regional and Local Adaptation in the EU since the 
Adoption of the EU Adaptation Strategy in 2013, URL: 
http://cor.europa.eu/en/documentation/studies/Documents/Local%20and%20regional%20adaptation.pdf. Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 
1675 INE, 2018, Población por comunidades y ciudades autónomas y tamaño de los municipios, URL: 
http://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=2915, Date accessed: 07/05/2018. Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1676 PNACC Work Programmes, URL:  http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-
vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/plan-nacional-adaptacion-cambio-climatico/planificacion_seguimiento.aspx. Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 

644 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
the period 2014-2017 was to be reported in the Fourth Monitoring Report by end of 2017 but 
is not yet published as of June 20181677.  

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

As  noted  above,  apart  from  Asturias  and  Rioja,  all  Spanish  regions  have  adopted  regional 
action  plans,  or  adaptation  strategies  (97%  of  Spanish  population  and  97%  of  territory 
covered).1678  To  date,  1,817  municipalities  are  signatories  to  the  Covenant  of  Mayors  for 
Climate  and  Energy  in  relation  to  adaptation  (of  which  94  are  cities  with  over  50,000 
inhabitants)1679. 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

WP1  was  adopted  in  2006  and  focused  on  priority  actions,  namely  the  launch  of  a  national 
programme  on  regional  climate  scenarios,  and  the  assessment  of  vulnerability  in  key 
horizontal sectors: water resources, biodiversity and coastal areas.1680 WP2, adopted in 2009, 
continued  WP1  activities  and  set  additional  goals  by:  enlarging  the  target  sectors  and 
reinforcing  the  adaptation  goals  within  them;  promoting  detailed  vulnerability  assessments; 
integrating  adaptation  into  sectoral  regulations  and  planning  tools;  and  mobilising,  building 
capacity  and raising awareness  of key  actors.  The sectoral  approach was  complemented by: 
establishing  an  indicators  system;  further  promoting  research;  development  and  innovation; 
and reinforcing inter-administrative coordination to  strengthen the  governance system. WP3 
for the period 2014-2020 follows the same structure as WP2, it also enlarges the vulnerable 
sectors and territories to be assessed1681 (to include e.g. islands and rural and urban areas) and 
focuses  on  governance  and  stakeholder  engagement  (public  and  private)  to  mainstream 
adaptation  into  all  vulnerable  sectors  and  territories.1682  Areas  of  work  and  general  lines  of 
activity  in  WP3  remain  the  same  as  WP2,  focused  mainly  on  sectoral  vulnerability 
assessments,  sectoral  impact  assessments,  establishment  of  climate  change  indicators,  and 
evaluations  of  climate  impacts.  Adaptation  actions  in  WP3  have  been  mainstreamed,  for 

1677 MAPAMA,2017, 7ª Comunicación Nacional de España. Convención Marco de Naciones Unidas sobre el 
Cambio Climático. Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1678 AdapteCCa, URL: http://www.adaptecca.es/administracion-autonomica-local/comunidades-autonomas, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018; Committee of the Regions, 2016, Regional and Local Adaptation in the EU since the 
Adoption of the EU Adaptation Strategy in 2013, URL: 
http://cor.europa.eu/en/documentation/studies/Documents/Local%20and%20regional%20adaptation.pdf 
1679 Pacto de los Alcaldes para el Clima y la Energía, URL: http://www.pactodelosalcaldes.eu/sobre-nosotros/la-
comunidad-del-pacto/firmantes.html, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1680 Climate-ADAPT, 2018, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 
1681 The following sectors have been considered by the PNACC-WP3 to address adaptation actions during the 
period 2014-2020: Biodiversity; Forestry; Water; Soils; Agriculture, fishing, aquaculture; Tourism; Health; 
Finances/ Insurance; Energy; Industry; Transport; Urbanism and building; Hunting and inland fishing); 
Geographic Territories (Islands; Marine environment;  Countryside; Urban areas; Mountains; Coastal Areas. 
1682 Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, 2013, Plan Nacional de adaptación al cambio 
climático (III Programa de trabajo (2014/2020), URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-
climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/3er_programa_trabajo_pnacc_tcm30-70400.pdf. Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 

645 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
example, in the National Biodiversity Plan1683, Spanish Forest Plan1684 and the Basic Law on 
Mountains  (Law  43/2003)1685  and  the  National  Action  Programme  against  Desertification 
(PAND)1686.  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

The Spanish Climate Change Office (Oficina Española de Cambio Climático  - OECC by its 
Spanish acronym), a General  Directorate of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, is in 
charge  of  adaptation  policy-making.  OECC  developed  the  PNACC  and  have  since 
coordinated, managed and implemented it. 

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The bodies coordinating and participating in climate change action in Spain are the National 
Climate Council (CNC), the Coordination Commission of Climate Change Policies (CCPCC) 
and the Environmental Sector Conference.  

The  CNC  is  an  inter-ministerial  body  linking  the  Ministry  for  the  Ecological  Transition 
(through  the  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Environment  and  involving  different  government 
departments)  with  the  regions  (Autonomous  Communities),  the  Spanish  Federation  of 
Municipalities  and  Provinces,  representatives  from  research  institutions,  social  actors  and 
NGOs. The CNC develops proposals and recommendations to define climate change policies, 
including the drafting of adaptation strategies.1687 However, CNC’s main role is to inform and 
encourage  the  participation  of  policymakers  and  other  organizations  representing  social  and 

1683 MAPAMA, Plan Estratégico del Patrimonio Natural y la Biodiversidad, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/biodiversidad/temas/conservacion-de-la-biodiversidad/valoracion-y-aspectos-
economicos-de-la-biodiversidad/cb_vae_plan_estrategico_patrimonio_nat_bio.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1684 MAPAMA, Desarrollo Rural  Política forestal  Planificación forestal, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/desarrollo-rural/temas/politica-forestal/planificacion-forestal/politica-forestal-en-
espana/pfe_descargas.aspx, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1685 BOE, Ley 43/2003, de 21 de noviembre, de Montes, URL: https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-
2003-21339, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1686 MAPAMA, Programa de Acción Nacional contra la Desertificación (PAND), URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/desarrollo-rural/temas/politica-forestal/desertificacion-restauracion-forestal/lucha-
contra-la-desertificacion/lch_pand_descargas.aspx, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1687 Climate-Apapt, Countries, regions and cities / Country Information / Spain, Engaging Stakeholders, URL: 
https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date accessed: 08/05/2018 

646 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
environmental  interests  in  the  preparation  and  monitoring  of  climate  change  policies  and 
measures  promoted  by  the  State.1688  Hence,  CNC  is  a  horizontal  coordination  body  for  the 
central administration. 

The  CCPCC1689  is  the  national  coordination  body  for  climate  change  and  adaptation.  It 
represents all key Spanish Ministries1690 (horizontal coordination and cooperation) and all 17 
regional  governments.    The  CCPCC  adopts  all  of  the  Spanish  adaptation  planning  and 
reporting documents.  

The  Environmental  Sector  Conference  is  a  political  high-level  cooperation  body  with  a 
multilateral  composition  that  brings  together  members  of:  the  Ministry  for  the  Ecological 
Transition, the State General Administration, and the Environmental Council, representing the 
Administrations  of  the  Autonomous  Communities1691.  It  thereby  also  acts  as  horizontal 
coordination body. 

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  CCPCC  coordinates  and  collaborates  with  the  national  and  regional  administrations  in 
relation  to  all  climate  change  and  adaptation-related  matters.  The  CCPCC  established  the 
Impacts  and  Adaptation  Working  Group  (GTIA),  which  is  a  technical  working  group 
involving  the  central  and  regional  governments.  The  GTIA  pursues  coordination  and 
integration of adaptation strategies and activities, and decides upon activities to implement the 
PNACC1692. The GTIA meets regularly, usually twice a year, and the European Commission 
has often participated in the meetings. The GTIA reports to the CCPCC. 

The Spanish Network of Cities for Climate (RECC)1693 is a thematic network created in 2009 
by the Spanish  Federation of Municipalities and Provinces and the Spanish Ministry for the 

1688 MAPAMA, El Consejo Nacional del Clima (CNC), URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-
climatico/temas/organismos-e-instituciones-implicados-en-la-lucha-contra-el-cambio-climatico-a-nivel-
nacional/el-consejo-nacional-del-clima/, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1689 Climate-ADAPT, 2018, URL: http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 
1690 Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment; Ministry of the Treasury and Public Function; 
Ministry of Public Works; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda; Ministry of 
Economic Affairs, Industry and Competition; Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality; Ministry of 
Home Affairs; Ministry of the Presidency. 
1691 Climate-Apapt, Countries, regions and cities / Country Information / Spain, Engaging Stakeholders, URL: 
https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date accessed: 08/05/2018 
1692 PNACC, 2006, Marco para la coordinación entre Administraciones Públicas para las actividades de 
evaluación de impactos, vulnerabilidad y adaptación al cambio climático, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/pna_v3_tcm7-
12445_tcm30-70393.pdf  
1693 La Red Española de Ciudades por el Clima, URL: http://www.redciudadesclima.es, Date accessed: 
07/05/2018 

647 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Ecological  Transition  for  joint  action  on  climate  adaptation  and  mitigation.  The  network 
coordinates,  fosters,  provides  technical  support  and  contributes  to  translation  of  national 
climate and energy objectives at the local level.  As of May 2018, the network included 312 
Spanish cities, towns and villages (60% of the Spanish population). 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

The PNACC was adopted after a public consultation process channelled through various key 
national  bodies,  namely  the  CCPCC,  the  CNC,  the  Inter-Ministerial  Climate  Change 
Commission and the Sectoral Conference on Climate Change1694. The stakeholders consulted 
included  representatives  from  the  public  administration,  NGOs  and  interested  social 
sectors1695.  

The CNC is the national participatory body where most relevant stakeholders are represented: 
national  sectoral  ministries,  regions  (Autonomous  Communities),  local  governments,  key 
research 
institutions,  social  actors  and  NGOs.  The  CNC  drafts  proposals  and 
recommendations  about  Spanish  climate  policies,  and  channels  information  to  the  Spanish 
society about climate science and policies, including adaptation. 

Forums, such as the sectoral seminars described under Indicator 5b (below), or other activities 
with actors (administrations, private sector) are also used to frame and define the contents of 
the PNACC work plans and associated stakeholder involvement. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Transboundary  cooperation  is  neither  explicitly  mentioned  in  the  PNACC  nor  in  its  work 
programmes, however, cooperation mechanisms in place.  

In  2016,  the  State  Meteorological  Agency  (AEMET)  signed  a  transboundary  agreement  to 
initiate climate research in the Pyrenees with a consortium of Spanish, French and Andorran 
institutions.  This  Working  Community  of  the  Pyrenees  (Comunidad  de  Trabajo  de  los 
Pirineos in Spanish: CTP), which spans six Spanish, French and Andorran regions, decided to 
create  the  Pyrenees  Climate  Change  Observatory  (Observatorio  Pirenaico  del  Cambio 

1694 PNACC, 2006, LIFE SHARA - Sharing Awareness and Governance of Adaptation to Climate Change in 
Spain, LIFE15 GIC/ES/000033, URL: 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=5679, 
Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1695 The specific list of NGOs and other parties were not specified. 

648 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Climático:  OPCC)  in  2010  in  order  to  monitor  and  have  a  better  understanding  of  climate 
change  phenomena  in  the  Pyrenees.  The  resultant  project  (CLIM’PY1696)  is  compiling 
existing  information  and  developing  climate  indicators  for  different  sectors  affected  by 
climate  change.  Although  the  OPCC  is  focused  on  adaptation-related  issues1697,  it  is  not 
mentioned in the PNACC. In 2017, the OECC accepted an invitation from the CTP to become 
a member of the Advisory Committee of the Observatory. 

Transboundary adaptation cooperation exists with Portugal. On 19th December 2017, the first 
joint  meeting  of  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  administrations’  climate  adaptation  teams  took 
place.  This  marked  the  beginning  of  Action  C.10  of  the  LIFE  SHARA  project  (LIFE15 
GIC/ES/000033)1698,  which  aims  to  establish  a  systematic  cooperation  between  Spain  and 
Portugal  regarding  exchange  of  information  and  identification  of  common  priorities  and 
actions  in  the  field  of  transboundary  risks  associated  with  climate  impacts.  The  general 
objective  of  LIFE  SHARA  is  to  strengthen  adaptation  governance  and  resilience  to  climate 
change. LIFE SHARA lays the ground for a long-term transnational cooperation mechanism 
between the Adaptation Units of Portugal and Spain, which it is intended  will catalyse joint 
actions  and  projects  and  will  lead  to  organisation  of  the  first  Iberian  Conference  on 
Adaptation to Climate Change in 2020.1699 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

Atmospheric climate data and analyses are provided by the Spanish  Meteorological  Agency 
(AEMET)1700.  Other  key  climate  variables  are  collected  by  several  institutions,  such  as  the 
National  Aerospace  Technical  Institute1701,  the  Spanish  Oceanographic  Institute1702,  and  the 
State  Ports  authority.  The  OECC  coordinates  compilation  of  these  climate  variables 
periodically. The OECC collected the main  evidence  available on  climate impacts  in  Spain, 

1696 AEMET, URL: http://www.aemet.es/en/noticias/2016/02/convenio_pirineos, Date accessed 07/05/2018 
1697 OPCC, 2007, URL: http://www.opcc-ctp.org/en/who-are-we/historycontextobjectives, Date accessed: 
07/05/2018 
1698 LIFE SHARA - Sharing Awareness and Governance of Adaptation to Climate Change in Spain, LIFE15 
GIC/ES/000033, URL: http://www.lifeshara.com/  
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=5679, 
Date accessed: 07/05/2018  
1699 LIFE SHARA, Actions, URL: http://lifeshara.com/en/actions, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1700 AEMET, URL: http://www.aemet.es/es/portada , Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1701 INTA, URL: http://www.inta.es/opencms/export/sites/default/INTA/es/, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1702 IEO, URL: http://www.ieo.es/, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

649 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
covering  several  relevant  systems  and  sectors  (forestry,  agriculture,  extractive  industries, 
extreme events, human and health), in a study published in 20121703.  

According  to  Law  10/2001,  Spanish  Basin  authorities  have  created  Special  Plans  on 
Droughts1704.  These  plans  include  chapters  analysing  historical  droughts.  Basin  authorities 
have  developed  hydrological  indicators  to  project  drought  situations  and  assess  the  severity 
with which they occur.1705 

In  relation  to  Directive  2007/60/EC,  flood  risk  management  plans  identify  areas  prone  to 
significant coastal and fluvial flood risks, including their flood history.  

The  Spanish  Insurance  Compensation  Consortium  (“Consorcio  de  Compensación  de 
Seguros”)  is  a  public  business  institution  attached  to  the  Ministry  of  Economy  and 
Competitiveness covering insurance on extraordinary risks. This Consortium has a register of 
insured damages caused by floods (fluvial and coastal) and high winds (up to 120 km/h). 

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The production of regional climate scenarios is identified as a key element of the PNACC.  

The national Meteorological Service, AEMET, provides a set of reference climate projections 
for Spain. Regional scenarios have been produced by AEMET in line with developments by 
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): the first set was produced in 2007, 
based on IPCC 3rd Assessment Report (AR3) scenarios; a second generation, the ‘Scenarios-
PNACC  2012',  which  offer  both  dynamic  and  statistical  models  were  based  on  IPCC  AR4 
scenarios; and a third generation were based on the IPCC AR5 scenarios1706.  

Vulnerability assessments, which are promoted by the WPs as the starting point for sectoral 
adaptation  action,  make  use  of  the  regional  climate  scenarios  in  combination  with  expert 
judgement. 

1703 PNACC, 2012, Evidencias del cambio climático y sus efectos en España, URL: 
http://adaptecca.es/sites/default/files/documentos/oecc_evidencias_2012.pdf  
1704 MAPAMA,Planes Especiales de Sequía de los Organismos de cuenca, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/agua/temas/observatorio-nacional-de-la-sequia/planificacion-gestion-
sequias/Observatorio_Nacional_Sequia_3_1_planes_especiales_sequia.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1705 MAPAMA,Sistemas de indicadores de estado hidrológico, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/agua/temas/observatorio-nacional-de-la-sequia/planificacion-gestion-
sequias/Observatorio_Nacional_Sequia_3_2_sistemas_indicadores.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1706 AEMET, Proyecciones climáticas para el siglo XXI. Gráficos,   URL: 
http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/cambio_climat/result_graficos?opc6=0, Date accessed : 07/05/2018 

650 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The first report that summarized and integrated the foreseeable climate impacts on a variety of 
socio-economic  sectors  and  ecological  systems  was  the  'Preliminary  Assessment  of  the 
‘Impacts in Spain due to the Effects of Climate Change' in 20051707. Promoted by the OECC, 
and with the participation of over 400 experts, the report laid the foundations for the PNACC 
by identifying key sectors and the status of climate impacts, vulnerabilities, adaptation options 
and  knowledge  gaps  in  Spain.  It  assessed  the  following  sectors:  terrestrial  ecosystems, 
agriculture,  inland  aquatic  ecosystems,  coastal  areas,  marine  ecosystems  and  the  fisheries, 
natural  hazards  of  climatic  origin,  plant  biodiversity,  energy,  animal  biodiversity,  tourism, 
water resources, insurance, soil resources, human health, forestry.  

Sectoral  vulnerability  assessments  are  planned  in  cooperation  with  the  relevant  sectoral 
authorities,  and  aim  to  integrate  knowledge  generated  into  specific  policymaking  tools  and 
instruments.  The  OECC  finances  and  coordinates  periodic  updates  of  the  status  of  climate 
impacts,  vulnerabilities  and  adaptation  in  different  sectors  and  systems  by  engaging  with 
sectoral experts and leading researchers. 

Since the report on the ‘Impacts in Spain due to the Effects of Climate Change' in 2005, many 
sectoral  assessments  of  climate  impacts  and  vulnerabilities  have  been  produced  within  the 
PNACC framework, including on water resources, forestry, biodiversity, winery, aquaculture, 
energy, tourism, the private sector, and at a local level.1708 One of the most recent assessments 
is  an  OECC  report1709  from  2016  on  the  climate  impacts  on  desertification  in  Spain.  It 
includes desertification maps based on an analysis of physical and biological indicators (e.g. 
soil  erosion,  acidity  levels,  overexploitation  of  aquifers)  used  in  the  National  Action 
Programme  Against  Desertification  (PAND).  Other  assessments  include:  a  study  by  the 
OECC from 20161710 focusing on climate impacts on the marine environment, which assesses 
various  physicochemical  indicators  of  climate  change  in  the  marine  environment;  a  similar 
study1711  on  climate  impacts  and  adaptation  for  the  agriculture  sector;  and  a  study1712 
specifically on cattle.  

1707 MAPAMA, 2005, A Preliminary General Assessment of the Impacts in Spain due to the Effects of Climate 
Change, URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/en/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-
adaptacion/plan-nacional-adaptacion-cambio-climatico/eval_impactos_ing.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1708 Climate-ADAPT, Countries, regions and cities / Country Information / Spain, URL: https://climate-
adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date accessed: 09/05/2018 
1709 MAPAMA, 2016, Impactos del cambio climático en los procesos de desertificación en España, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/publicaciones/publicaciones/impactos-desertificacion_tcm30-
178355.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1710 MAPAMA, 2016, Cambio Climático en el Medio Marino Español: Impactos, Vulnerabilidad y Adaptación, 
URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-
adaptacion/kersting_2016_cambio_climatico_medio_marino_tcm30-70535.pdf, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 
1711 MAPAMA, 2016, Impactos, Vulnerabilidad Y Adaptación Al Cambio Climático En El Sector Agrario, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-

651 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
Vulnerability  assessments  are  promoted  by  the  WPs  as  the  starting  point  for  sectoral 
adaptation action.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

Transboundary  impacts  are  not  systematically  addressed  by  either  the  PNACC  or  the  WPs. 
However, there are some joint efforts with neighbouring countries to evaluate transboundary 
impacts.  For  example,  the  LIFE  SHARA  project  plans  address  vulnerable  issues  of  mutual 
relevance to Portugal and Spain in areas such as biodiversity, marine ecosystems and forestry 
(see Indicator 2b). 

4 

Knowledge gaps  

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The PNACC is mostly defined as a knowledge-generation and capacity-building programme. 
Since  the  PNACC  was  launched,  it  has  been  supported  by  national  research  strategies  and 
various  programmes.  The  PNACC  is  supported  by  the  National  Strategy  for  Science, 
Technology  and  Innovation  (2013-2020),  which  explicitly  addresses  adaptation.  One  of 
Strategy’s  eight  challenges  is  'Climate  Change  action  and  resource  and  raw  materials 
efficiency';  adaptation  is  also  mentioned  in  other  challenges.  The  Strategy  is  implemented 
through four-year plans that reflect most European priorities in the research field.  

The State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2017-20201713 explicitly 
prioritises knowledge gaps identified by the PNACC in the fields of: systematic observation, 
climate scenarios and projections; and vulnerability, impacts and adaptation. The State Plan is 
implemented through annual calls.  

Adaptation knowledge development is funded at the national level through grants for research 
on  global  change  in  protected  areas,  such  as  national  parks,  and  through  grants  from  the 
Biodiversity  Foundation  for  climate  change  and  adaptation  projects.  At  the  regional  level, 
there are strategies and instruments for planning research, development and innovation, and a 
management system is in place. 

climatico/publicaciones/publicaciones/impactos_vulnerabilidad_adaptacion_cambio_climatico_sector_agrario__
tcm30-178448.pdf, Date accessed: 16/05/2018  
1712 MAPAMA, 2017, Impactos, vulnerabilidad y adaptación al cambio climático en los sistemas extensivos de 
producción ganadera en España, URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-
vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/informe_ganaderia_extensiva_tcm30-435573.pdf, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 
1713 PECTI, 2017, Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica, Técnica y de Innovación, URL: 
http://www.idi.mineco.gob.es/stfls/MICINN/Prensa/FICHEROS/2018/PlanEstatalIDI.pdf, Date accessed: 
16/05/2018 

652 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

the  OECC: 
Spain  has  a  dedicated  web-based  adaptation  platform  developed  by 
AdapteCCa1714. The platform is available to experts, organisations, institutions and interested 
stakeholders,  for  the  exchange  and  consultation  of  information,  knowledge  and  experience 
about  climate  impacts,  vulnerability  and  adaptation.  It  provides  information  on  territorial 
(vertical) and sectoral (horizontal) adaptation action in Spain, as well as technical resources, 
tools,  links,  news,  funding  opportunities,  etc.  It  is  also  an  instrument  for  interactive 
communication  within  the  adaptation  community  in  Spain.  AdapteCCa  provides  a  user 
friendly  online  viewing  tool  for  freely  consulting  and  downloading  regional  climate 
scenarios1715.  The  tool  has  a  visual  and  intuitive  interface  with  graphic  and  cartographic 
facilities  and  products.  The  scenarios  build  on  work  begun  in  the  ESCENA  project  (2008-
2011)1716. To facilitate use and understanding of the scenarios, they are accompanied by some 
supporting  material:  a  report  "Generation  of  Regional  Climate  Change  Scenarios  for 
Spain"1717,  and  a  set  of  user-tailored  products,  including  indicators  for  different  sectoral 
policies, graphs and other material to facilitate communication with policymakers, the media, 
etc. Combined, this online information provides the initial basis of a national climate service. 

The  PNACC  is  producing  educational  and  awareness-raising  materials  to  disseminate 
knowledge  about  impacts,  vulnerability  and  adaptation  options,  mostly  targeting  a 
technically-proficient  audience.  Books  and  leaflets1718  about  the  PNACC,  presenting  the 
results  of  risk  assessments,  as  well  as  other  relevant  sectoral  publications,  have  been 
produced. The OECC has compiled and produced its own brochure on the latest findings from 
the  IPCC  AR51719.  There  are  also  specific  web  resources  (e.g.  a  map  viewer  for  impacts  in 
coastal  areas),  periodic  brochures  (e.g.  on  impacts  in  national  parks),  summaries  of  IPCC 
reports for non-specialists, etc.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

1714 AdapteCCa, URL: http://www.adaptecca.es/, Date accessed : 07/05/2018   
1715 Visor de Escenarios de Cambio Climático, URL: http://escenarios.adaptecca.es/, Date accessed: 07/05/2018   
1716 SMG, A set of regional climate change scenarios over Spain: ESCENA Project, URL: 
http://www.meteo.unican.es/en/node/73284, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1717 SMG, Climate change and regional scenarios, URL: 
http://www.meteo.unican.es/en/research/climate_change, Date accessed : 07/05/2018   
1718 MAPAMA, Publicaciones y documentación, folletos, URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-
climatico/publicaciones/publicaciones/folletos.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1719 MAPAMA, 2016, Quinto Informe del IPCC, URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/ceneam/recursos/mini-
portales-tematicos/Cclimatico/informe_ipcc.aspx, Date accessed : 07/05/2018   

653 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Sectoral  ‘seminars’ are  held  regularly, developed by the  OECC and the  National  Centre for 
Environmental  Education  (CENEAM)  in  the  framework  of  the  PNACC. The  programme  of 
seminars brings researchers, policymakers from central and regional administrations and civil 
society  together.  The  seminars  examine  research  results  and  the  outcomes  of  sectoral 
vulnerability  assessments,  and  discuss  their  use  by  policymakers  and  further  priorities  for 
informing policies. Seminars have been held on: conservation of biodiversity (2010), forestry 
(2011),  forests  and  biodiversity  (2013),  agriculture  (2014),  marine  environment  (2015), 
planning  and  management  of  protected  areas  (2016),  the  insurance  sector  (2017)  and 
herbaceous and industrial crops (2018).1720 

The  PNACC  is  presented  in  many  capacity  building  and  training  initiatives,  including 
university courses and summer schools. For example, the OECC developed and ran a training 
course for civil servants in the central administration on 'Integration of adaptation to climate 
change  in  the  policies  of  the  Ministry  for  Agriculture  and  Environment'.  Officials  from  the 
fields  of  biodiversity,  water  management,  coastal  areas,  forestry,  desertification,  agriculture 
and farming were among the course participants. 

The PNACC has evolved, since it was adopted, from an ad hoc approach to capacity building 
towards  a  more  coordinated  one.  In  WP2,  'mobilisation  of  key  actors'  was  included  and,  in 
WP3,  a  more  systematic  approach  to  sectoral  capacity  and  awareness-raising  activities  was 
adopted. 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

Preliminary  assessment  of  climate  impacts  in  Spain  in  2005  (see  Indicator  3c.)  identified 
adaptation  options  conceived  by  specialists  in  charge  of  each  of  the  sectoral  chapters.  The 
sectoral  impact  and  vulnerability  assessments  carried  out  since  then  (e.g.  for  coastal  areas, 
biodiversity,  water  resources,  forestry,  health,  tourism)  also  sought  to  identify  adaptation 
options.  

Geographical specificities are considered in identifying adaptation options. WP3 added a set 
of  geographical  units  to  be  considered  in  relation  to  sectoral  assessments  of  impacts, 
vulnerability  and  adaptation:  coastal  areas,  mountain  areas,  urban  areas,  rural  areas,  islands 
and marine environment.1721 Other reports and works carried out under the PNACC have also 

1720 MAPAMA, Seminarios del Plan Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático (PNACC), URL:  
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/ceneam/grupos-de-trabajo-y-seminarios/seminarioPNACC/pnacc.aspx, Date 
accessed: 15/05/2018 
1721 Personal communication with MS contact.   

654 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
identified  existing  planning  and  management  practices  and  adaptation  options  (e.g.  low-
regret). 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses, stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Stakeholders  have  been  consulted  about  the  selection  of  priority  adaptation  options  for  the 
PNACC. The sectoral ‘seminars’ described under Indicator 5b have been one of the tools used 
for this purpose, as they aim to:1722 

  Provide key stakeholders with information on projected impacts of climate change 
  Present ideas and experiences on adaptation 
  Provide an opportunity to debate and reflect on adaptation measures.  

The PNACC work programmes identify that further developments are needed to enable cost-
benefit analyses of adaptation options.   

Different  methods  are  being  explored  to  identify  adaptation  priorities.  For  example,  since 
2016, the PIMA-Adapta Programme has been used to fund independent analysis of adaptation 
options  undertaken  by  stakeholders.  An  example  of  this  approach  is  the  InfoAdapta-Agri 
initiative1723,  a  project  developed  by  the  Spanish  farmer’s  union  UPA  to  analyse  from  a 
farmer’s perspective 130 adaptation measures in agriculture.   

Another  pilot  project  (called  Iniciativa  ADAPTA1724)  has  been  developed  by  the  OECC  in 
collaboration with five main national companies that are pioneers in climate adaptation in key 
sectors of the Spanish economy: tourism, energy, transport, construction and food industry. Its 
main aim is to explore tools to incorporate consideration of risk, vulnerability and adaptation 
options  into  different  business  strategies.  A  second  phase  of  this  pilot  project  (ADAPTA-
21725) recently concluded, which used a variety of methods to undertake cost-benefit analyses 
of adaptation measures in two main energy and infrastructure companies.    

1722 MAPAMA, 2014, Plan Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio Climático, Tercer Programa de Trabajo 2014-
2020, URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/mitigacion-politicas-y-medidas/3PT-
PNACC-enero-2014_tcm30-70397.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1723 UPA, URL: https://www.upa.es/camposeguro/servicios-camposeguro/cambio-climatico/, Date accessed: 
15/05/2018 
1724 MAPAMA, 2014, Integración de la adaptación al cambio climático en la estrategia 
Empresarial, URL:  http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-
adaptacion/Adapta_Impresa_20141003_ivi_tcm30-179515.pdf, Date accessed: 07-05-2018; IAGUA, Iniciativa 
Adapta: Integrando la adaptación al cambio climático en las estrategias empresariales, URL: 
https://www.iagua.es/noticias/espana/magrama/15/06/19/iniciativa-adapta-integrando-adaptacion-al-cambio-
climatico, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1725  Guía metodológica para el análisis y priorización de medidas de adaptación al cambio climático,  
http://www.adaptecca.es/sites/default/files/documentos/integracion_de_adaptacion_cc_estrategia_empresarial_g
uia_vol_ii_analisis_priorizacion_de_medidas.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

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The study on “Sections of the state network of land transport infrastructures to give priority 
attention  to  because  of  climate  change”  (2018)  uses  a  method  to  identify  priority  sections 
including:  current  vulnerability  to  climate,  future  vulnerability  (considering  climate 
projections) and use made of the section.1726     

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

There  are  institutional  frameworks  and  procedures  in  place  for  the  coordination  of  disaster 
risk management and climate adaptation.  

There  is  a  National  Committee  on  disaster  risk  reduction  that  includes  institutions  with 
complementary competences related to disasters. The OECC is a member of this Committee. 
Further  planned  coordination  activities  include:  consideration  of  climate  change  risks  in 
relation  to  strategic  infrastructures  (nuclear,  waste  treatment,  energy);  assessment  of  the 
lessons  learnt  after  extreme  events;  assessment  of  climate  impacts  on  forest  fires;  and 
assessment  of  climate  impacts  on  the  Insurance  Compensation  Consortium's  Extraordinary 
Risks Cover. In addition, the Spanish Climate Change Office belongs and actively participates 
in  the  Spanish  Committee  of  the  International  Strategy  on  Disaster  Risk  Reduction, 
coordinated by the Civil Protection Authority. 

As  yet,  disaster  risk  reduction  planning  is  yet  to  give  sufficient  consideration  to  climate 
impacts  and  projections,  and  the  PNACC's  WPs  do  not  include  sufficient  disaster  risk 
reduction measures. Recent consideration has been given to disaster risk reduction in climate 
adaptation  planning  at  the  national  level.  WP3  considers  disaster  risk  reduction  as  a 
crosscutting issue across all sectors and territories and recognises the importance of enhancing 
coordination with the Civil Protection Authorities (Ministry of Internal Affairs).  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress / No 

Since  2015,  the  framework  of  the  PNACC  provides  a  dedicated  budget  for  adaptation 
projects.  The  PIMA  Adapta  (“Plan  to  Support  the  Environment  for  Adapting  to  Climate 
Change in Spain” in English) includes an investment of EUR 12.1 million for more than 46 

1726 Secciones de la red estatal de infraestructuras de transporte terrestre a las que prestar atención con prioridad 
por razón de la variabilidad y cambio climáticos, URL: 
http://www.adaptecca.es/sites/default/files/documentos/secciones-red-estatal-trasnsporte-prioritarias-
junio_2018.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

656 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
actions in a few sectors, i.e. the coast, the public water domain and the National Parks.1727 In 
2016-2017, PIMA-Adapta also invested EUR 2,490,000 in 68 small projects on adaptation.  

The OECC mobilises funds from its partners (Fundación Biodiversidad, AEMET, CENEAM, 
regional authorities, etc.) to ensure the funding of cross-cutting and coordinated actions, such 
as the maintenance of the AdapteCCa website, the national programme for regionalisation of 
climate scenarios, the coordination of the PNACC, capacity building, science-policy forums, 
and the involvement of stakeholders.  

While  adaptation  is  financed  in  a  few  sectors  and  there  is  some  funding  for  cross-cutting 
adaptation  action,  the  relevant  priority  sectors  do  not  receive  consistent  funding  for 
implementation.  Sectoral  ministries  or  departments  have  financed  one-off  assessments  of 
climate impacts and adaptation options, as well as other activities on an ad hoc basis (e.g. in 
relation to health, tourism, water, coasts). The implementation of actions in WP3 is explicitly 
conditional  on  the  availability  of  funding,  including  from  public,  private,  national  and  EU 
sources. WP3 contains extensive reference to EU funds as a potential source, and the timing 
of WP3 is aligned with the EU MFF 2014-2020. 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive 2001/42/EC and the Environmental 
Impact  Assessment  (EIA) Directive 2014/52/UE) have been transposed into  Spanish  law by 
the Act 21/20131728 on environmental evaluation.  Climate adaptation is considered in relation 
to both SEA for plans and programmes and to EIA for projects.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

1727 Adaptaclima II, URL: http://www.adaptaclima.eu/, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
de 40 actuaciones para impulsar la adaptación al cambio climático en España, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/red-parques-nacionales/red-seguimiento/pima-
adapta/garciatejerinapresentaplanpimaadapta_tcm7-364855_noticia_tcm30-61778.pdf, Date accessed: 
07/05/2018; MAPAMA, Plan PIMA Adapta AGUA, URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/agua/planes-y-
estrategias/plan-pima-adapta-agua.aspx; MAPAMA, Plan de Impulso al Medio Ambiente para la Adaptación al 
Cambio Climático en la Red de Parques Nacionales, URL : http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/red-parques-
nacionales/red-seguimiento/pima-adapta/PIMA.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1728 BOE, 2013, Ley 21/2013, de 9 de diciembre, de evaluación ambiental, URL: 
https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2013/BOE-A-2013-12913-consolidado.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

657 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The Government’s civil protection mechanism does not address future climate extremes in its 
plans.  However,  WP3  introduced  assessment  of  lessons  learnt  after  extreme  events.1729  The 
OECC  mainstreaming  adaptation  into  some  key  policies  and  planning  documents  related  to 
disaster risk management, such as Regulation 903/2010 for the evaluation and management of 
flood risk or drought plans. The OECC also actively participates in the Spanish Committee of 
the  International  Strategy  on  Disaster  Risk  Reduction,  which  is  coordinated  by  the  Civil 
Protection Authority.1730 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

The  national  administration,  and  particularly  the  OECC,  has  made  significant  effort  to 
integrate  climate  adaptation  into  land  use  and  resource  planning  policies,  where  it  has 
competence to  act  or where it has  a coordination role.  Integration of climate adaptation  has 
been  proposed  in  strategic  national  planning  documents,  including:  the  National  Rural 
Development Programme for Spain1731 2010-2014; the National Strategy for the Sustainable 
Modernization  of  Irrigation;  the  Strategic  Plan  on  Natural  Heritage  and  Biodiversity;  the 
National  for  Renewable  Energy  Action  2011-20201732;  and  the  Adaptation  Strategy  for 
Coastal  Areas1733.  Additionally,  climate  adaptation  has  been  integrated  into  plans  and 
programmes of smaller geographic scope linked to land use or management. including plans 
for  airports  and  ports,  forestry  plans,  protected  area  management  plans,  urban  land  use  and 
management plans, hydrologic plans of Spanish river basins, drought plans, and the National 
Action Programme to ﬁght Desertiﬁcation (PAND).  

In  practice,  there  is  no  evidence  that  land  use  and  spatial  and  urban  policies  explicitly 
addressing  climate  impacts  are  followed  at  regional  or  local  levels.  Most  land  use  and 
resources management planning policies are the responsibility of the regional administrations 
in Spain. There is no comprehensive overview of progress with integration of climate change 
considerations at this level, where most decisions are made. 

1729 Climate-ADAPT, Home / Countries, regions and cities / Country Information / Spain, Sectors & Actions, 
URL: https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1730 Climate-ADAPT, Home / Countries, regions and cities / Country Information / Spain, Sectors & Actions, 
URL: https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1731 EC, Factsheet on 2014-2020 National Rural Development Programme for Spain, URL: 
https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/sites/agriculture/files/rural-development-2014-2020/country-
files/es/factsheet_en.pdf, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1732 MAPAMA . Estrategia Nacional para la Modernización Sostenible de los Regadíos, Horizonte 2015, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/calidad-y-evaluacion-ambiental/participacion-publica/pp_2009_p_019.aspx, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 
1733 BOE, 2013, Ley 2/2013, de 29 de mayo, de protección y uso sostenible del litoral y de modificación de la 
Ley 22/1988, de 28 de julio, de Costas, URL: https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2013-5670, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 

658 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

WP3  addresses  adaptation  actions  during  the  period  2014-2020  in  the  following  sectors: 
biodiversity, forestry, water, soils, agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, tourism, health, finances/ 
insurance,  energy,  industry,  transport,  urbanism  and  building,  hunting  and  inland  fishing. 
Under the PNACC, an evaluation of entry points for climate adaptation in key environmental 
regulations  was  carried  out.  A  similar  exercise  was  undertaken  for  health  regulations  and 
policies. Some significant progress has been made with integration of climate adaptation into 
national sectoral policy instruments. Progress is opportunistic, except in environment-related 
policies,  where  a  more  systematic  approach  has  been  adopted.  Significant  cases  where 
mainstreaming  has  taken  place  are  in  Law  2/2013  for  the  protection  and  sustainable  use  of 
Coasts,  Law  41/2010  for  the  protection  of  the  marine  environment,  the  Royal  Decree 
903/2010  on  assessment  and  management  of  flood  risks,  and  Law  33/2011  on  public 
health.1734 For other sectoral policies see Indicator 8c.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Adaptation is not mainstreamed in insurance or alternative policy instruments except for some 
risk signalling capacity of insurance in the agricultural sector. A framework agreement exists 
with the agriculture authorities and universities, which includes a plan to mainstream climate 
change in the Spanish Agricultural Insurance System. WP3 also includes five activities for the 
insurance sector during the period 2014-2020 that provide a foundation for full integration of 
adaptation  within the sector.  In terms of private property, so far the only effective action in 
place is close collaboration with the Compensation Consortium's Extraordinary Risks Cover, 
in order to assess climate impacts on the insurance of extreme events.  

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

National adaptation activities in Spain have focused on the development of reports assessing 
impacts and vulnerability, capacity building actions and mainstreaming. All but two regions 
have adaptation plans and for more than a decade in some cases; most adaptation plans were 

1734 MAPAMA, Integración en la normativa de la adaptación al cambio climático, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/plan-nacional-
adaptacion-cambio-climatico/int_nor_adap_cc.aspx, Date  accessed: 07/05/2017 

659 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
approved in the period 2007-2013 (see Sections A2 and B2).1735 Implementation is supported 
by  EU  LIFE,  as  part  of  the  EU  Adaptation  Strategy  (2013-2020),  and  through  national 
funding, as part of the PIMA-Adapta1736 initiative, which has financed adaptation projects in 
relation to water resources, coastal areas and biodiversity in National Parks since 2015. There 
are no other specific national projects or programmes systematically focused on implementing 
adaptation  measures,  despite  the  fact  that  many  activities  to  manage  natural  resources  may 
contribute to adaptation. Adaptation options are usually listed but not evaluated in relation to 
their costs, time or other criteria.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Spain  has  strong  coordination  and  cooperation  mechanisms,  with  regions,  local  authorities 
and  other  stakeholders,  for  fostering  and  supporting  adaptation  (see  Indicator  1c).  A 
significant amount of the work carried out under the framework of the PNACC aims to further 
develop cooperation mechanisms with administrations, sectoral ministries, private entities and 
other stakeholders.1737  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The  integration  of  climate  change  into  EIA  and  SEA  legislation  has  been  supported  by  the 
publication  of  procedures  or  guidelines1738  to  assess  the  effects  of  climate  change  on  major 
projects or programmes and facilitate the choice of alternatives.  

The  Spanish  Association  of  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  has  created  a  website  on 
“Resources  to  integrate  climate  change  in  environmental  assessments"1739.  This  website 
compiles  50  existing  tools  and  conceptual  frameworks  from  different  countries,  including 
Spain,  categorised  by  sector.  The  project  has  been  funded  by  the  OECC  and  Fundación 
Biodiversidad.  A  study  was  also  produced  for  the  Government  in  2013  to  analyse 

1735 AdapteCCa, URL: http://www.adaptecca.es/administracion-autonomica-local/comunidades-autonomas, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018; Committee of the Regions, 2016, Regional and Local Adaptation in the EU since the 
Adoption of the EU Adaptation Strategy in 2013, URL: 
http://cor.europa.eu/en/documentation/studies/Documents/Local%20and%20regional%20adaptation.pdf, Date 
accessed: 07/05/2018 
1736 MAPAMA, Plan PIMA Adapta en la Red de Parques Nacionales, URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/red-
parques-nacionales/red-seguimiento/pima-adapta/PIMA-red-parques-nacionales.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1737 MAPAMA, 2014,  Plan Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio climático - Tercer Informe de Seguimiento, 
URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/plan-
nacional-adaptacion-cambio-climatico/planificacion_seguimiento.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1738 Climate-ADAPT, Home / Countries, regions and cities / Country Information / Spain, Assessments, URL: 
https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1739 EIA, URL: http://cambioclimatico.eia.es, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

660 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
“Biodiversity  in  environmental  assessments  of  transport  infrastructure  in  the  context  of 
climate change”.1740 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The  PNACC  defines  a  strong  collaborative  framework  for  adaptation  at  various  levels  (see 
Indicator 1c) but the status of the adaptation cycle is not yet sufficiently advanced, so there is 
a  lack  of  evidence  of  cooperative  implementation  of  adaptation  policies  and  measures.  The 
OECC is responsible for implementation of the PNACC and performs its tasks together with 
other  Units  from  several  Ministries.  Additionally,  the  OECC  works  in  close  collaboration 
with  the  Autonomous  Communities,  local  administrations,  research  centres  and  other 
stakeholders  to  implement  the  WPs.1741  In  this  regard,  GTIA  was  created  in  2007,  with 
representatives  from  the  Central  Administration  and  the  Autonomous  Communities,  to 
coordinate  adaptation  strategies,  plans  and  actions  developed  at  national  and  regional  level. 
The  CNC,  among  others,  drafts  proposals  and  recommendations  on  climate  policies  in  the 
areas of climate science, impacts and adaptation strategies, as well as strategies to limit GHG 
emissions.  There  have  been  some  collaborative  efforts  in  projects  carried  out  at  local  level 
(e.g. LIFE-Act project1742) or by NGOs (e.g. WWF), which could be the seeds for enhanced 
cooperation and stakeholder involvement in the future. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

A report implementation of the PNACC is published by the OECC every 3  years, the latest 
being the third assessment report from January 20141743 (previous reports were published in 
2011 and 2008). Progress with WP actions, results achieved, and an overall assessment of the 

1740 El Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente – CEDEX, 2013, La biodiversidad en la 
evaluación ambiental de infraestructuras de transporte en el contexto del cambio climático, URL: 
http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/publicaciones/documentos-de-interes/51-309-5-001%20A4-
T1I7%20Febrero%202013_tcm30-178334.pdf, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1741 Climate-Apapt, Countries, regions and cities / Country Information / Spain, Engaging Stakeholders, URL: 
https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/spain, Date accessed: 08/05/2018 
1742 ACT, URL: http://www.actlife.eu/EN/index.xhtml, Date accessed: 07/05/2018; ACT, URL: 
http://www.actlife.eu/EN/index.xhtml, Date accessed: 07/05/2018; ACT, URL: 
http://www.actlife.eu/EN/index.xhtml, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 
1743 MAPAMA, 2014,  Plan Nacional de Adaptación al Cambio climático - Tercer Informe de Seguimiento, 
URL: http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/cambio-climatico/temas/impactos-vulnerabilidad-y-adaptacion/plan-
nacional-adaptacion-cambio-climatico/planificacion_seguimiento.aspx, Date accessed: 07/05/2018 

661 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
WP  are  reported.  Progress  is  presented  per  sector  in  a  qualitative  manner  (e.g.  activity  in 
progress vs. finalised). Budget and actual expenditure are not reported. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Monitoring  of  adaptation  across  sectors  is  achieved  through  the  PNACC  progress  reports 
mentioned in relation to Indicator 10a. The progress reports provide a descriptive account of 
implementation  of  the  priorities  defined  in  the  WPs  and  in  relation  to  a  set  of  qualitative 
process indicators.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

The PNACC progress reports provide an overview of implementation by the Spanish regions. 
Factsheets on the actions carried out at the regional level are included as Annexes. The reports 
are  elaborated  by  the  OECC,  coordinated  with  the  GTIA,  adopted  by  the  CCPCC  and  the 
CNC, and made publicly available on the OECC website.  

The  regional  administrations  provide  their  own  regular  reports  on  climate  change  activities, 
following a template, but there is no real integration of these reports into the PNACC progress 
reports.  The  adaptation  platform  AdapteCCa  also  has  a  specific  section  for  regional 
information1744. 

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  PNACC  progress  reports  are  published  every  three  years,  most  recently  in  2014  (see 
indicator 10a). They have been used as an evaluation tool to review the WPs. Successive WPs 
with revised objectives have built upon these reports, the experience gathered and the growing 
engagement of specific stakeholders (e.g. the private sector). The OECC plans to review the 
PNACC  in  2019-2020,  after  completing  the  current  in-depth  evaluation  of  the  plan  (2018-
2019); reviews take place at the WP level.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

1744 AdapteCCa, Visor de Escenarios de Cambio Climático, URL: http://escenarios.adaptecca.es, Date accessed : 
07/05/2018   

662 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  monitoring  and  review  process  described  above  involves  stakeholders  at  two  stages:  in 
the progress reports, which are the basis for the review, and in consideration of the draft WPs. 
This monitoring and review process is complemented by feedback from, and agreement with, 
the  PNACC  coordination  bodies  (see  Indicators  1a  and  1b).  The  review  of  WPs  also  seeks 
convergence and alignment with the EU's adaptation initiatives. 

663 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Met? 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 
address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

664 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

5 

5a 

5b 

Knowledge transfer 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.)  and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In Progress 
/ No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

8d 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 

665 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / In 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 
No. 

Indicator 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Met? 
progress / No 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

666 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

Sweden 

Table of contents 

List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 668 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 669 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 669 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 669 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 670 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 671 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 671 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 671 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 672 

SCOREBOARD .................................................................................................................... 673 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 673 

1. Coordination structure ............................................................................................... 673 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 675 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 677 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 677 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 679 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 680 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 681 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 681 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 682 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 683 

8  Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ................................................... 683 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 686 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 689 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 689 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 690 

Summary Table ..................................................................................................................... 691 

667 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

CAB 

County Administrative Board 

CBSS 

Council of the Baltic Sea States 

DRR 

Disaster Risk Reduction 

EUSBSR  European Union macro-regional Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region 

FMH 

Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) 

HaV 

Marine and Water Management (Havs- och vattenmyndigheten) 

MSB 

Swedish  Civil  Contingencies  Agency  (Myndigheten  för  samhällsskydd  och 
beredskap) 

NAS 

National Adaptation Strategy 

RVA 

Risk and Vulnerability Assessment 

SGU 

Geological Survey of Sweden (Statens geologiska undersökning) 

SKL 

Swedish  Association  of  Local  Authorities  and  Regions  (Sveriges  Kommuner  och 
Landsting) 

SMHI 

The  Swedish  Meteorological  and  Hydrological  Institute  (Sveriges  meteorologiska 
och hydrologiska institut) 

668 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

The  Swedish  Government  adopted  a  national  adaptation  strategy  (NAS)  in  March  2018, 
which  was  discussed  in  the  Parliament  in  June  2018,  as  a  part  of  a  Government  bill. 
Previously,  the  Swedish  overall  policy  for  climate  adaptation  was  laid  out  in  “En 
sammanhållen energi och klimatpolitik - Klimat“bill of 20081745. Adaptation policy efforts are 
supported  by  a  range  of  evaluation  and  strategic  documents  and  implemented  at  national, 
regional and local levels. 

The  Swedish  Commission  on  Climate  and  Vulnerability  was  appointed  by  the  Swedish 
Government in 2005 to assess regional and local climate impacts, including costs. The 2007 
vulnerability  report1746  of  the  Commission  makes  recommendations,  including  increased 
responsibility  for  municipalities  and  County  Administrative  Boards  (CABs),  and  facilitates 
Government financial support for large-scale, high-cost initiatives. Since then, the adaptation 
efforts in Sweden have been stepped up by various means, such as the assignments announced 
in "En sammanhållen energi och klimatpolitik  -  Klimat"1747 where the Government's overall 
policy for climate adaptation was laid out.  Acknowledging the 2013 Council Conclusion on 
an EU Adaptation Strategy1748, the Swedish Government announced, in February 2016, that a 
national  adaptation  strategy  (NAS)  would  be  completed  in  20181749.  The  Swedish 
Government appointed an inquiry with regard to financing and responsibilities to support the 
development  of  the  NAS.  The  inquiry  focused  its  mission  on  the  built  environment  and 
natural climate-related hazards. The report “Vem har ansvaret”1750, which was resulted from 
the  climate  adaptation  inquiry,  was  presented  to  the  Government  on  29  May  2017  and 
underpins  the  new  NAS  together  with  other  reports,  such  as  the  “Kontrollstation  2015”1751 
from  the  Swedish  Meteorological  and  Hydrological  Institute  (Sveriges  meteorologiska  och 
hydrologiska institut, SMHI) and the report “Med miljömålen i focus – hållbar användning av 

1745 Govt. Bill 2008/09:162, En sammanhallen energi och klimatpolitik - Klimat, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/cf41d449d2a047049d7a34f0e23539ee/en-sammanhallen-klimat--och-
energipolitik---klimat-prop.-200809162 
1746 Swedish Ministry of the Environment and Energy, 2007, Sweden Facing Climate Change – threats and 
opportunities, ID: SOU 2007:60, URL: http://www.government.se/legal-documents/2007/12/sou-200760/ 
1747 Govt. Bill 2008/09:162, En sammanhallen energi och klimatpolitik - Klimat, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/cf41d449d2a047049d7a34f0e23539ee/en-sammanhallen-klimat--och-
energipolitik---klimat-prop.-200809162 
1748 Council of the European Union, 2013, Conclusion on an EU strategy on adaptation to climate change, URL: 
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/envir/137508.pdf 
1749 Regeringskansliet, 2016, Kontrollstation för de klimat- och energipolitiska målen till 2020 samt 
klimatanpassning, URL: Skr. 2015/16:87,http://www.regeringen.se/rattsdokument/skrivelse/2016/02/skr.-
20151687/ 
1750 Swedish Government Official Reports, 2017, Vem har ansvaret?, ID: SOU 2017:42, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/49c4a3/contentassets/7931dd4521284343b9224e9322539e8d/vem-har-ansvaret-sou-
201742 
1751 SMHI, 2015, Underlag till kontrollstation 2015 , URL: https://www.smhi.se/tema/nationellt-
kunskapscentrum-for-klimatanpassning/nyheter-fran-kunskapscentrumet/underlag-till-kontrollstation-2015-for-
anpassning-till-ett-forandrat-klimat-1.79820 

669 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
mark  och  vatten1752.  The  proposals  for  the  NAS  were  developed  in  accordance  with  the 
general  process  of  Swedish  legislation  and  the  development  of  policy  guidelines.  Proposals 
have been developed by the independent inquiries listed above and SMHI in cooperation with 
other  national  authorities.  These  are  then  referred  to  a  large  number  of  referral  bodies  and 
form the basis of the Government's proposal. 

The  Government  adopted  the  NAS  on  8  March  2018,  as  a  part  of  the  Bill  2017/18:163 
“Nationell strategi  för klimatanpassning”1753. The Bill will be debated in Parliament in June 
and the Parliament  will vote on the legislative propositions. The Bill contains two proposed 
changes to the Planning and Building Act (Plan- och bygglagen) (2010:900)”, which aim to 
improve the adaptation preparedness of the municipalities. If adopted, the legal changes will 
enter into force on 1 August 2018. The NAS itself was adopted by the Government in March 
2018 and is, thus, already in force. 

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy is responsible for the Government’s overarching 
policy  work  concerning  climate,  including  climate  adaptation.  Each  ministry  is  then 
responsible for climate adaptation within its respective area; accordingly, work on adaptation 
is  divided  among  several  government  agencies.  SMHI  plays  an  important  role  among  the 
national agencies, as it is responsible for the Swedish National Knowledge Centre for Climate 
Change Adaptation. This National Knowledge Centre provides tools and information to help 
society  cope  with  a  changing  climate,  and  is  a  hub  for  science,  policy  and  practice  on 
adaptation.  The  Centre  also  runs  the  Swedish  portal  for  climate  adaptation,  in  cooperation 
with several Swedish authorities. As stated in the NAS, SMHI will establish a cross-sectoral 
expert  group  on  adaptation  and  SMHI  will  also  have  a  special  role  in  following  up  on  the 
work on adaptation in Sweden. As a result of the NAS the Government has decided that the 
National  Board  on  Planning,  Building  and  Housing  should  coordinate  adaptation  within 
physical planning1754. 

The  NAS  outlines  the  main  principles  for  Sweden’s  work  on  climate  adaptation.  These 
guiding principles are sustainable development, reciprocity, scientific basis, the precautionary 
principle, integration of adaptation measures, flexibility, management of factors of insecurity 
and risk, time-perspective and transparency. The NAS also aims at clarifying responsibilities, 
improving  coordination  and  establishing  a  policy  cycle  for  monitoring,  evaluation  and 
revision1755. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

Since 2009, the administrative boards of the regions, CABs, are responsible for coordinating 
climate  adaptation  at  regional  level1756.  They  also  support  the  adaptation  work  of  the  local 

1752 Swedish Government Official Reports, ID SOU 2014:50, Med miljömålen i fokus, 2014 url: 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/statens-offentliga-utredningar/2014/06/sou-201450/ 
1753Regeringen, 2018, Govt. bill 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1754 Regeringen, 2018, M2018/01716/Kl, Uppdrag att samordna det nationella klimatanpassningsarbetet för den 
byggda miljön. 
1755Regeringen, 2018, Govt. Bill 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1756 Klimatanpassningsportalen, 2017, Vem har ansvaret?, URL: http://klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-
ansvar/vem-har-ansvaret/vem-har-ansvaret-1.25819, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 

670 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
authorities, who have the main responsibility for climate adaptation  at the local level. Since 
2013,  the  CABs  have  additional  responsibilities  regarding  climate  adaptation,  such  as  the 
development of regional action plans, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, to guide the 
local  and  regional  climate  adaptation  efforts1757.  Many  of  the  regional  adaptation  plans  (see 
B2) are also strategic in nature, but there are no specific regional adaptation strategies.  

Adaptation action plans 

B1. National adaptation plan 

There  is  no  national  adaptation  plan.  Instead,  the  21  CABs  have  developed  regional 
adaptation plans and the CABs and 32 national authorities are assigned through an ordinance 
to develop action plans within their own areas of responsibility. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

Climate impact assessment studies have been carried out for all 21 regions; most of them were 
performed  by  the  SMHI,  following  a  decision  by  the  Government  in  20151758.  Following  a 
government  decision,  all  21  CABs  have  adopted  regional  adaptation  plans1759.  These  plans 
cover the whole of Sweden, with nearly 800 proposed actions1760. The main actions proposed 
in  the  plans  concern  flood  protection,  protection  of  drinking  water,  shoreline  protection, 
infrastructure (roads, railways), adaptation of agriculture and forestry, resilience to heat waves 
and health care. An overview of the regional adaptation plans is available as a summary and 
some of the CABs have updated their adaptation plans since 20161761.  

There  is  considerable  coordination  and  exchange  activity  between  the  21  CABs,  partly 
through the National Network for Adaptation (Myndighetsnätverket för klimatanpassning, for 
more see Indicator 1b)1762.  

Much  of  the  responsibility  for  climate  adaptation  action  lies  with  the  municipalities.  The 
municipalities  are  responsible  for  water  supply,  waste  management,  urban  planning  and 
disaster  risk  reduction.  The  engagement  around  adaptation  questions  at  municipal  level  is, 
according  to  the  CABs,  increasing,  but  there  is  still  substantive  work  to  be  done  at  the 
municipal level (see Indicator 9a below).  

1757 Regeringen, Social Departementet, 2013, Regeringsbeslut IV:7, Regleringsbrev, 39. Regionala planet for 
klimatanpassningsarbetet, URL: https://www.esv.se/statsliggaren/regleringsbrev/?RBID=14887 
1758 Regeringen, Miljödepartementet, 2015, Regleringsbrev för budgetåret 2015 avseende Sveriges 
meteorologiska och hydrologiska institut, URL: https://www.esv.se/statsliggaren/regleringsbrev/?RBID=16410 
1759 Regeringen, Social Departementet, 2013, Regeringsbeslut IV:7, Regleringsbrev, 39. Regionala planet for 
klimatanpassningsarbetet, URL: https://www.esv.se/statsliggaren/regleringsbrev/?RBID=14887 
1760 Government Offices of Sweden, Ministry of the Environment and Energy, 2017, Sweden’s Seventh National 
Communication on Climate Change, p. 92, URL: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom_/application/pdf/6950713_sweden-nc7-1-
swe_nc7_20171222.pdf 
1761 Klimatanpassningsportalen, 2018, Regionala handlingsplaner for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-ansvar/vem-har-ansvaret/regionala-handlingsplaner-for-
klimatanpassning-1.77455, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1762 Klimatanpassningsportalen, 2017, Verksamhetsbeskrivning, URL: 
http://www.klimatanpassning.se/polopoly_fs/1.114883!/Verksamhetsbeskrivning%20Myndighetsn%C3%A4tver
ket%20f%C3%B6r%20Klimatanpassning.pdf 

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In  the  NAS,  the  Government  states  that  the  needs  in  relation  to  different  levels  of 
responsibility  and  coordination,  including  the  responsibilities  of  the  CABs,  should  be 
clarified1763.  

In June 2018, the Riksdag approved two amendments to the Planning and Building Act (2010: 
900), which aims to improve the preparedness of the municipalities for climate change. One 
of  the  amendments  requires  municipalities  to  give  their  opinion  in  the  Municipal 
Comprehensive Plan  on the risk of damage to  the built  environment  from  floods, landslides 
and  erosion  caused  by  climate  change,  as  well  as  on  how  such  risks  can  be  reduced  or 
eliminated.  This  is  a  step  towards  local  action  plans  for  adaptation,  integrated  into  the 
ordinary processes of the municipality.  

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

Within  the  existing  adaptation  framework,  work  is  largely  organised  into  relevant  sectors, 
which  is  being  undertaken  in  a  considerable  number  of  them.  A  number  of  government 
agencies (about 30) are actively working on climate adaptation and, by June 2018, 32 national 
authorities and the CABs were assigned through an ordinance to develop action plans within 
their own areas of responsibility.  

the  Sami  Council  (Sametinget), 

Seventeen  national  agencies  have  already  developed,  or  are  in  the  process  of  developing, 
action  plans  for  the  sectors  for  which  they  are  responsible1764.  These  are;  the  National 
Electrical  Safety  Board  (Elsäkerhetsverket),  The  Swedish  Agency  for  Marine  and  Water 
Management  (Havs-  och  vattenmyndigheten,  HaV),  the  Swedish  national  heritage  board 
(Riksantikvarieämbetet), 
the  Swedish  Forest  Board 
(Skogsstyrelsen),  Swedish  Geotechnical  Institute  (Statens  geotekniska  institut),  the  Swedish 
Board  for  Agriculture  (Statens  jordbruksverk),  the  National  Veterinary  Institute  (Statens 
the  Geological  Survey  of  Sweden  (Statens  geologiska 
veterinärmedicinska  anstalt), 
undersökning,  SGU), 
regional  Growth 
for  Economic  and 
(Tillväxtverket),  the  Swedish  transport  administration  (Trafikverket),  the  Swedish  Transport 
Agency  (Transportstyrelsen),  the  Public  Health  Agency  of  Sweden  (Folkhälsomyndigheten, 
the  Swedish  Environmental  Protection  Agency  (Naturvårdsverket),  Swedish 
FMH), 
Meteorological  and  Hydrological 
the  Swedish  Armed  Forces 
(Försvarsmakten) and the National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket). 

the  Swedish  Agency 

(SMHI), 

Institute 

The  Government  also  delegates  various  adaptation-related  assignments  to  sectoral  agencies. 
In 2018, a number of agencies were tasked with creating a sectoral adaptation plan or report 
on  their  adaptation  work,  including  the  Swedish  Armed  Forces  (Försvarsmakten),  FOI 
(Totalförsvarets  forskningsinstitut),  Swedish  Energy  Agency  (Statens  energimyndighet), 
Swedish  grids  (Svenska  kraftnät),  the  National  Electrical  Safety  Board  ,  SMHI,  Swedish 
Environment  Protection  Agency  (Naturvårdsverket),  the  Swedish  Agency  for  Marine  and 
Water  Management, 
the  Swedish  Marine 
Administration  (Sjöfartsverket)  and  Swedish  Civil  Contingencies  Agency  (Myndigheten  för 
samhällsskydd  och  beredskap,  MSB).  As  most  adaptation  issues  are  multidisciplinary,  they 

transport  administration, 

the  Swedish 

1763Regeringen, 2018, Govt. bill 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1764Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

672 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
are  largely  addressed  in  collaboration  between  different  actors  and  sectors  at  the  national, 
regional and local level. 

An  overview  of  the  remits  of  national  agencies  and  their  completed1765  and  ongoing1766 
adaptation activities is available at the climate adaptation portal.  

SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

In  Sweden,  the  Ministry  of  the  Environment  and  Energy  has  overall  responsibility  for 
coordinating the Government's policy work on climate mitigation and adaptation.  

The  responsibility  for  implementing  climate  adaptation  policy  lies  with  the  CABs  and  the 
local authorities, as well as with a number of the Government’s ministries and agencies1767.  

In  the  NAS,  the  Government  states  that  the  responsibilities  relating  to  climate  adaptation 
policy will be clarified and that national agencies shall initiate, support and evaluate climate 
adaptation actions within their area of responsibility1768. The Government decided on a new 
ordinance giving such a mandate to 32 national authorities and the CABs in June 2018.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

The Ministry of the Environment  and Energy has overall responsibility for coordinating the 
Government's policy work on climate mitigation and adaptation. 

Horizontal  coordination  within  the  Government  also  takes  place  through  regular  working 
arrangements between the Government offices, in which the Government's decisions are taken 
by consensus.  

1765 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Vad har gjorts på myndigheterna, URL:  
http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-ansvar/genomforda-aktiviteter/vad-har-gjorts-pa-myndigheterna-
1.100055, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1766 Klimatanpassningsportalen, På gång fran myndigheterna 2018, URL: 
http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-ansvar/kommande-underlag/pa-gang-fran-myndigheterna-2018-
1.134104, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1767 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Vem har ansvaret http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-ansvar/vem-har-
ansvaret/nationellt-1.26917, Date accessed: 15/05/2018 
1768Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

673 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
is  responsible  for  climate  adaptation  within 

its  respective  area  of 
Each  ministry 
responsibility1769.  Accordingly,  the  work  on  climate  adaptation  is  divided  among  several 
government  agencies, based on their respective sectoral  responsibilities. Agencies  also  have 
responsibilities for emergency-response management.  

During  2016,  the  previous  network  of  authorities  behind  the  climate  adaptation  portal  was 
transformed into the National Network for Adaptation, with a wider remit. Nineteen national 
agencies  with  responsibilities  for  adaptation,  as  well  as  the  21  CABs  participate  in  the 
network, which aims to increase societal resilience to climate change1770. The secretariat for 
the Network is provided by SMHI. 

The  participants  in  the  Network  work  together  to  strengthen  the  adaptive  capacity  of  all 
elements of society. The cooperation includes development of information and data, increased 
engagement  to  spread  information,  sharing  information,  education,  evaluation  and  impact 
assessment, and coordination around identified needs and finance.  

There are a number of sectoral networks and delegations. These include networks for coastal 
erosion,  drinking  water,  hillside  erosion  and  landslides,  animal  health  and  husbandry  and 
water flow in dams1771. 

The Government has established a national expert council for climate adaptation to follow up 
work on climate adaptation and secure a holistic picture of the work under way. It is intended 
that  this  council  should  have  a  broad  mandate  from  society  and  have  contact  with 
representatives  from  academia,  business  and  sectoral  organisations,  national  and  regional 
authorities and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. The council is also 
expected  to  identify  knowledge  gaps  and  be  a  part  of  the  evaluation  and  revision  of  the 
NAS1772. 

The NAS  further clarifies the sectoral  responsibility of the national  agencies. As a result of 
the NAS, the Government has decided on an ordinance that stipulates that 32 agencies should 
initiate,  support  and  evaluate  climate  adaptation  work  within  their  sector1773.  The  strategy 
clarifies  which  agencies  have  responsibilities  for  adaptation  measures  and  coordination  and 
calls for the establishment of new mechanisms for coordination, monitoring and evaluation. 

1769Regeringskansliet, 2017, Vem har ansvaret?, ID: SOU 2017:42, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/49c4a3/contentassets/7931dd4521284343b9224e9322539e8d/vem-har-ansvaret-sou-
201742 
1770 Government Offices of Sweden, Ministry if the Environment and Energy, 2017, Sweden’s Seventh National 
Communication on Climate Change, p. 92, 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom_/application/pdf/6950713_sweden-nc7-1-
swe_nc7_20171222.pdf 

1772Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1773Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

674 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  roles  and  responsibilities  of  climate  adaptation  in  Sweden  are  divided  across  different 
levels – from local and regional to national (see Sections A1, A2, B1).  

The CABs have a regional network, which aims to facilitate coordination of adaptation1774.  

At the municipal level, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions coordinates 
a  virtual  network,  which  gathers  local  authorities  to  exchange  about  best  practices  and 
challenges in relation to climate adaptation1775. The aim is to support local authorities in their 
adaptation work, and to provide a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences.  

Since  2009,  the  CABs  provide  an  annual  report  to  the  Government  on  their  progress  with 
climate adaptation1776. The CABs have also been active in preparing reports and commenting, 
as referral bodies, on the reports “Med miljömålen i fokus – hållbar användning av mark och 
vatten1777”,  “Vem  har  ansvaret?1778”  and  “Kontrollstation  2015”  by  SMHI.  Representatives 
from  the  Government  Offices  working  with  adaptation  also  take  part  in  the  CABs  national 
meetings twice per year.  

The CABs follow up on the adaptation work carried out at local level and have the power to 
review  and  examine  decisions  on  physical  planning  taken  by  the  local  authorities.  Inter-
municipal and transboundary aspects, such as floods, are also being coordinated.  

There  is  a  network  for  sustainable  cities,  “Hållbar  stad”,  involving  actors  from  different 
levels, which aims to share knowledge, best practices and create new opportunities linked to 
urban adaptation1779. 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

1774Regeringskansliet, 2017, Vem har ansvaret?, ID: SOU 2017:42, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/49c4a3/contentassets/7931dd4521284343b9224e9322539e8d/vem-har-ansvaret-sou-
201742 
1775Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting, Nätverk, klimatanpassning, URL: 
https://skl.se/samhallsplaneringinfrastruktur/planerabyggabo/klimatanpassning/natverkklimatanpassning.3497.ht
ml, Date accesed: 08/05/2018 
1776Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1777 SOU 2014:50 
1778 SOU 2017:42 
1779 Hållbarstad, URL: https://hallbarstad.se/om-oss/, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 

675 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Stakeholder  involvement  is  an  established  practice  in  Sweden;  stakeholders  are  involved  in 
developing adaptation plans at the county and municipal level, as well as in various research 
projects exploring sectoral adaptation policy options, e.g. in forestry. Numerous stakeholders 
contribute to Sweden's adaptation policy landscape. The overall Swedish policy is to actively 
support  dialogue,  participation  and  the  creation  of  networks  between  relevant  actors  at  all 
levels.  Stakeholders  engaged  are  typically  from  the  public  bodies  (including  academic 
experts) as well as from private companies. Each sector is responsible for their area of work 
and  for  ensuring  that  actions  are  taken  by  different  stakeholders  concerned.  The  level  of 
progress  across  sectors  differs;  some  sectors  have  come  a  long  way  while  others  are  just 
starting.  Four  dialogue  events  with  representatives  of  private  companies  were  organised  in 
2014. Such events were also held in 2015, as part of SMHI’s work on the report “Underlag till 
kontrollstation  2015  för  anpassning  till  ett  förändrat  klimat”.  In  addition,  there  is  on-going 
sector-specific dialogue between national agencies and various stakeholders.  

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

Sweden is one of the leading countries in the context of the EU Macro-Regional Strategy for 
the Baltic Sea Region1780, and there is exchange of information with other Nordic Countries 
mainly at  the scientific level.  The climate agenda is  driven by the active  work of the Baltic 
2030 Unit of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) Secretariat1781 which is in charge of 
the EUSBSR Horizontal Action CLIMATE1782. The EUSBSR is a front runner in the area of 
climate  change.  The  Baltadapt  project1783  formulated  a  Strategy  and  Action  Plan  on 
Adaptation to Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Region. The governance mechanisms, such as 
the Baltic Sea Region Climate Dialogue Platform1784, involve all countries around the Baltic 
Sea and their various levels of governance thereby helping to advance climate adaptation in 
the Baltic Sea countries. There are many significant projects on adaptation being implemented 
under the EUSBSR, e.g. iWater Integrated Storm Water Management (2015–2018)1785.  

During  its  presidency  of  the  Arctic  Council  in  2011-2013,  Sweden  initiated  work  with  the 
Arctic Resilience Report. The goal was to integrate work on resilience into the actions of the 
Arctic Council, something that is now a reality even if there is space for improvement. 

1780 EUSBSR, EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, URL: http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/, Date 
accessed 16/05/2018 
1781 Council of the Baltic Sea States, EUSBSR Horizontal Action Climate, URL: 
http://www.cbss.org/strategies/horizontal-action-climate/, Date accessed 16/05/2018  
1782 Council of the Baltic Sea States, 2015, Cooperation on sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region – 
climate change adaptation case study, UL: http://www.cbss.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/CBSS-PL-PRES-
non-paper-on-sustainable-development-and-climate-change-adaptation.pdf 
1783 Balt adapt, URL: http://www.baltadapt.eu/, Date accessed 16/05/2018 
1784 Council of the Baltic Sea States, EUSBSR Horizontal Action Climate, URL: 
http://www.cbss.org/strategies/horizontal-action-climate/, Date accessed 16/05/2018  
1785 Integrated storm water, URL http://www.integratedstormwater.eu/, Date accessed 16/05/2018 

676 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Sweden  holds  the  presidency  in  the  Barents  cooperation  in  2018-2019  and  the  Swedish 
Government  has  decided  to  prioritise  climate  mitigation  and  adaptation  during  its 
presidency1786. 

In  the  NAS,  there  is  a  section  describing  current  transboundary  cooperation  to  address 
common climate adaptation challenges and a general acknowledgement of the importance of 
transboundary cooperation, especially in relation to food production. However, the NAS does 
not outline and actions relating to transboundary cooperation1787. 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

SMHI  and  its  Rossby  Centre  collects  observational  data1788  nationally  on  the  atmosphere, 
rivers and surrounding seas. These data are quality controlled and used in weather forecasting, 
climate  modelling  and  assessments.  SMHI  has  also  produced  climate  indicators  to  show 
changes  or  to  illustrate  complex  phenomena  in  a  simple  way.  The  common  measures  are 
yearly, seasonal or monthly values for different parameters that describe the climate. SMHI’s 
Rossby Centre pursues research on climate processes and the behaviour of the climate system. 
The principal tools are global and regional climate models developed within the research unit.  

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for coordinating environmental 
monitoring. This monitoring not only helps those concerned to follow climate impacts on all 
biogeochemical systems but also how adopted measures affect ecosystems and society in the 
long term.  

A database of natural disasters is kept by the Civil Contingencies Agency but does not contain 
information about costs. Some monitoring on economic impacts is carried out by the industry 
association for insurers, Swedish Assurance.  

3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

SMHI’s  Rossby  Centre  presents  climate  scenarios1789  as  maps,  diagrams  and  downloadable 
data, with scenarios extending to 2100. The four scenarios presented and adapted for Sweden 

1786 Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1787Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1788 SMHI, Climate indicators, http://www.smhi.se/en/climate/climate-indicators/climate-indicators-1.91461, 
Date accessed: 9/05/2018 
1789 SMHI, Climate scenarios, https://www.smhi.se/en/climate/climate-scenarios, Date accessed: 9/05/2018 

677 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
are based on representative concentration pathways (RCP2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) from the 
IPCC  Fifth  Assessment  Report  (AR5)  as  well  as  A1B  from  IPCC  AR41790.  There  is  also 
information  explaining  the  results  and  the  models  on  which  they  have  been  based.  An 
introduction to climate scenarios is available1791, as well as guidance1792, that provides support 
for  interpreting  and  using  climate  scenarios.  Reports  from  SMHI  provide  geographically-
detailed  information  about  climate  trends  in  Sweden,  depending  on  future  levels  of 
greenhouse gases.  

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Since 2015, a number of sectoral action plans have been developed (see Section B3 for a list). 
Many  of  these  also  contain  risks  and  vulnerability  assessments  and  in  some  sectors  are 
translated into actions. An ordinance adopted by the Government in June 2018 stipulates that 
32 national authorities within different sectors (such as agriculture, biodiversity, construction, 
defence,  energy,  fisheries,  forestry,  health,  industry,  and  water),  as  well  as  the  CABs,  shall 
undertake climate risk and vulnerability assessments and develop action plans based on them. 
Many  adaptation  actions  are  already  happening.  Examples  include  the  National  Board  of 
Housing, Building and Planning (Boverket), which is developing updated building standards 
based  on  climate  assessments1793,  and  the  Swedish  transport  administration,  which  has 
integrated risk and impact assessment in its work with transport systems. Adaptation actions 
are highly sector-driven but initiated and evaluated at national government level.  

In the NAS, the Government outlines that specific risk areas in relation to erosion, landslides 
and  floods  will  be  identified  in  terms  of  probability,  potential  consequences  and  specific 
circumstances  and  these  risk  areas  will  be  prioritised.  In  addition,  the  NAS  states  that 
responsibilities in relation to flooded agricultural lands will be analysed.1794  

In June 2018, the Riksdag approved the Government proposal in the Bill 2017/18:163 to make 
it compulsory for local authorities to undertake comprehensive climate risk assessments and 
use them as a basis when creating master plans1795.  

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

1790 SMHI, Climate scenarios, https://www.smhi.se/en/climate/climate-scenarios#sc=rcp85, Date accessed: 
9/05/2018 
1791 SMHI, Klimatscenarier, https://www.smhi.se/klimat/framtidens-klimat/2.2248/2.2252/2.2274, Date 
accessed: 9/05/2018 
1792 SMHI, Klimatscenarier, https://www.smhi.se/klimat/framtidens-
klimat/2.2248/2.2252/2.2274/haag.html#natvar, Date accessed: 9/05/2018 
1793 Boverket, URL: http://www.boverket.se/en/start-in-english/, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 
1794Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1795Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

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Climate risk and vulnerability  assessments sometimes take transboundary risks  into account 
where relevant, usually in research projects. In the Nordic region, collaboration is under way 
on the national web portal for climate adaptation and on the development of climate services. 
Swedish  researchers  are  involved  in  many  international  research  projects  and  programmes 
that address adaptation, such as: JPI Climate; the Nordic Top-Level Research Initiative (TRI) 
Collaboration Projects Green Growth in an Era of Climate Change; and the Nordic Centre of 
Excellence (NCoE) NORD-STAR, which aims to develop tools to help the Nordic countries 
address a warmer climate and its policy impacts. Through work in the Baltic Sea Region1796 
(see Indicator 2b), there is also regional cooperation to address transboundary risks. 

While  these  examples  demonstrate  that  there  are  a  significant  number  of  transboundary 
projects, they have not yet reached the stage of planning for actual transboundary adaptation 
initiatives. 

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

Based  on  the  Government’s  research  proposition  20171797,  the  Swedish  Research  Council  – 
Formas was commissioned to set up a ten-year national research programme on climate and 
another  on  sustainable  urban  development.  The  programmes  will  promote  community-
relevant research on, among other things, climate adaptation1798. 

Climate  change  and  preserving  biodiversity,  the  marine  environment  and  a  non-toxic 
environment are the Government’s top environmental priorities1799. Various institutions fund 
climate  adaptation  research,  notably  the  Swedish  Foundation  for  Strategic  Environmental 
Research  (MISTRA),  the  Swedish  Research  Council  (Vetenskapsrådet)  and  the  Swedish 
Environmental Protection Agency. Public and private stakeholders are encouraged or required 
to  be  engaged  in  many  of  the  funded  projects  (notably  MISTRA,  Swedish  Environmental 
Protection Agency), with the project teams and with the advisory boards.  

In setting priorities for programming, the emphasis is  on involving representatives from  the 
science  administration  rather  than  from  societal  stakeholder  groups  or  policy  makers. 
Prioritisation  of  knowledge  gaps  often  takes  place  on  an  ad  hoc  basis  rather  than 
systematically  in  a  formal  setting.  Identified  knowledge  gaps  are  used  to  prioritise  public 
funding for research on climate impacts, vulnerabilities and adaptation. MISTRA has recently 

1796 EUSBSR, EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, URL: http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/, Date 
accessed 16/05/2018 
1797 Regeringen, Proposition 2016/17:50, Kunskap i samverkan – för samhällets utmaningar och stärkt 
konkurrenskraft, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/4adad0/contentassets/72faaf7629a845af9b30fde1ef6b5067/kunskap-i-samverkan--for-
samhallets-utmaningar-och-starkt-konkurrenskraft-prop.-20161750.pdf 
1798Regeringen, Proposition 2016/17:50, Kunskap i samverkan – för samhällets utmaningar och stärkt 
konkurrenskraft, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/4adad0/contentassets/72faaf7629a845af9b30fde1ef6b5067/kunskap-i-samverkan--for-
samhallets-utmaningar-och-starkt-konkurrenskraft-prop.-20161750.pdf 
1799 Altogether, there are 24 strategic research areas identified, including climate models, effects on natural 
resources, ecosystem services and biodiversity, and research on the marine environment. 

679 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
asked an international group of experts to evaluate MISTRA’s climate research and advise on 
knowledge gaps and future research priorities.  

Knowledge gaps have also been identified and addressed in other ways, for example, in some 
of the national agencies’ action plans. For example, the Environment Protection Agency has 
analysed research challenges presented by storm water1800.  

The  Government  highlights  in  the  NAS  that  there  is  a  need  for  more  research  on  climate 
impacts,  which  it  emphasises  needs  to  be  made  available  for  use  in  climate  adaptation  and 
development1801.  

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No 

SMHI’s Rossby Centre collects, develops and disseminates information about climate change 
through publications, seminars, lectures, films, education material for schools, etc. SMHI also 
runs  the  portal  for  climate  adaptation,  “Klimatanpassningsportalen”1802,  an  initiative  by  the 
National Network for Adaptation. The portal supports those who work on adaptation issues at 
all  levels  of  Swedish  society.  A  dialogue  is  maintained  between  the  agencies  to  gradually 
develop the portal at regular intervals. Every agency is responsible for their area of expertise 
and  the  combination  provides  a  broad  spectrum  of  information.  The  portal  provides 
information  on  potential  impacts  in  a  wide  variety  of  sectors;  energy,  spatial  planning  and 
housing, cultural heritage, agriculture and forestry, natural environment and ecosystems, land 
and  soil,  water  and  sewerage,  health  care.  It  also  provides  information  on  the  impact  on 
Sweden of global changes. The portal  contains information  about  risk management, how an 
adaptation plan can be developed and examples of how climate adaptation can be integrated 
in  daily  work.  The  information  is  intended  to  support  both  short  and  long-term  adaptation. 
There  is  a  special  emphasis  on  content  for  municipalities  and  county  administrative  boards. 
The portal includes a lot of useful materials, including case studies that offer insights that can 
be transferred to other areas. It also includes tools, such as VisAdapt, which aims to increase 
Nordic homeowners’ adaptive capacity to climate change by guiding them as to how they can 
reduce  weather-related  impacts.  There  is  ongoing  communication  with  the  other  Nordic 
portals and the EU portal, Climate-ADAPT.  

There are also a number of sector-specific information portals and websites, for example, the 
Flood  portal1803  and  the  map  service  for  landslides  and  erosion1804  from  the  Swedish 

1800 Naturvårdsverket, 2017, Analys av kunskapsläget för dagvattenproblematiken, URL: 
http://www.naturvardsverket.se/upload/miljoarbete-i-samhallet/miljoarbete-i-
sverige/regeringsuppdrag/2017/analys-kunskapslaget-dagvattenproblematiken.pdf 
1801Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1802 Klimatanpassningsportalen, URL: http://www.klimatanpassning.se/, Date accessed: 12/05/2018 
1803 MSB, Översvämning, https://www.msb.se/sv/Forebyggande/Naturolyckor/Oversvamning/, Date accessed: 
11/05/2018 
1804 SGI, Kartvisningstjänst för vägledning ras, skred, erosion, http://www.swedgeo.se/sv/produkter--
tjanster/kartor-data-och-verktyg/vagledning-ras-skred-erosion/, Date accessed: 11/05/2018 

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Geotechnical  Institute.  These  more  general  analyses  have  been  used  as  a  basis  for  the 
NAS1805.  

There are numerous knowledge centres in Sweden for climate information that promote active 
dialogue for the purpose of providing knowledge and high-quality decision support in the area 
of climate mitigation and adaptation for the public and business sectors as well as for citizens, 
such  as  the  Swedish  Environmental  Protection  Agency,  Swedish  Energy  Agency,  Swedish 
Consumer Agency, Swedish Forest Agency, Swedish Board of Agriculture, SMHI, Swedish 
Transport Administration, Swedish Defence Research Agency and, notably, the Swedish Civil 
Contingencies Agency, which has a national database for natural hazards.  

In the NAS, the Government emphasises the need for accurate climate information to enable 
decision making and planning. There is a specific emphasis on the need for mapping and data 
collection1806.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  work  of  the  Rossby  Centre  is  guided  by  the  Government’s  instructions,  which  accord 
with strategic priorities that are identified by systematic analysis of stakeholder requirements, 
for  example,  with  the  help  of  the  national  network  on  adaptation,  and  informed  by  SMHIs 
climate expertise and research.  

The Centre collects, develops and shares research, information from authorities and learning 
examples to facilitate sound decision making. The Centre also offers lectures and customised 
training courses on climate change for companies, local authorities and Government agencies. 
Interactions with counties, municipalities and businesses (see Indicator 2a) could be regarded 
as having a capacity-building element. 

In addition, there are several examples of innovative approaches to disseminating knowledge 
about  adaptation.  One  example  is  the  on-line  courses  offered  by  the  National  Board  of 
Housing,  Building  and  Planning  though  their  online  academy1807.  Another  example  is 
production  of  specific  films  for  certain  target  groups,  for  example,  on  adaptation  to  heat 
waves, offered by the Public Health Authority1808.  

1805Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1806Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1807 Boverket, Klimatanpassning i planeringen, URL: https://boverket.onlineacademy.se/external/play/2331, Date 
accessed: 10/05/2018 
1808 Folkhälsomyndigheten, Beredskap vid värmebölja, URL: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/livsvillkor-
levnadsvanor/miljohalsa-och-halsoskydd/beredskap-vid-varmebolja/, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 

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Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

The adaptation  options are based on early  analysis  in the 2007 report, which identifies both 
climate risks and corresponding adaptive measures to reduce the vulnerability of each sector 
concerned. This was updated in 2015 by SMHI in the report “Basis for Check point 2015 (for 
adaptation to a changing climate?)”1809. The report was developed in cooperation with a large 
number  of  government  agencies  and  other  stakeholders  from,  among  others,  private 
companies.  About  30  government  agencies  covering  key  vulnerable  sectors1810  are  working 
with different actions, such as developing guidelines or altering existing policies. A total of 17 
national agencies and the CABs have or are in the process of developing sectoral action plans, 
which include risk assessments and identification of adaptation options (see Section B3). As a 
result  of  the  NAS,  the  Government  has  mandated  32  national  authorities  and  the  CABs  to 
initiate, support and follow up climate adaptation within their area of responsibility, to assess 
climate vulnerabilities and develop adaptation action plans. Adaptation options have also been 
identified by the CABs in the regional adaptation plans.  

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria  analyses,  stakeholders'  consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Since selection of priority adaptation options is taking place at the local, regional and sectoral 
levels, it is difficult to assess the basis of their selection in  general terms. However, actions 
highlighted in the regional action plans are selected and prioritised based on expert judgement 
and stakeholder consultation. The same is true for the national sectoral action plans.  

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No 

Sweden has a framework for disaster risk reduction, which includes working in forums1811 on 
crisis  preparedness;  work  that  is  coordinated  by  the  MSB.  The  CABs  are  responsible  for 

1809 SMHI, 2015, Underlag till kontrollstation 2015 för anpassning till ett förändrat klimat 
URL:http://www.smhi.se/polopoly_fs/1.86329!/Menu/general/extGroup/attachmentColHold/mainCol1/file/Klim
atologi%20Nr%2012.pdf  
1810 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Vad har gjorts på myndigheterna, URL: http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-
och-ansvar/genomforda-aktiviteter/vad-har-gjorts-pa-myndigheterna-1.100055, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1811 MSB, 2014, Swedish Forums for Crisis Preparedness, URL: 
https://www.msb.se/RibData/Filer/pdf/27455.pdf 

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acting as coordinators with regard to disaster risk reduction within their geographical area. No 
evidence is provided on how climate adaptation practitioners are involved in such forums. 

All  counties,  municipalities  and  other  local  authorities  are  required  to  carry  out  a  risk  and 
vulnerability  assessment  (RVA)1812.  Climate  adaptation  is  an  integral  part  of  an  RVA.  The 
MSB supports municipalities and county administrative boards to integrate climate adaptation 
in their work. MSB has developed a number of pieces of guidance on how to integrate climate 
adaptation in the municipal RVAs. Several risk scenarios, such as on heat waves, floods and 
cloud bursts, are made available to be used in planning crisis preparedness.  

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No 

While no specific budget is attached to the NAS, funding is available for adaptation actions. 

For 2018-2020, the Government has proposed SEK461 million (app. EUR 44.8 million1813) of 
public  funding  for  climate  adaptation  and  climate  services,  capacity  building,  the  Swedish 
National  Knowledge  Centre  for  Climate  Change  Adaptation  and  the  portal  for  climate 
adaptation1814.  Through  this  allocation,  resources  are  also  provided  to  a  number  of  public 
agencies,  such  as  SMHI,  MSB,  the  Swedish  Mapping,  Cadastral  and  Land  Registration 
Authority and the Swedish Geotechnical Institute to further develop knowledge in the area of 
adaptation.  Activities  financed  include  flood  mapping,  mapping  of  landslides  and  erosion, 
mapping of heavy rainfall and a national elevation model. From 2018, funding has also been 
earmarked for work on preventing landslides in a particularly vulnerable area of Sweden.  

In addition to the above-mentioned allocation for adaptation, national government funding is 
made available to prevent or mitigate the negative consequences of natural hazards.  SEK75 
million  (app.  EUR  7.3  million1815)  was  made  available  in  2017  for  municipalities  to  take 
disaster risk reduction or prevention measures. 

The  municipalities  are  requesting  increased  government  funding  for  adaptation  measures  at 
the municipal level1816. 

1812 MSB, Förebyggande kresberedskap, Risk och sårbarhetsanalyser, URL: 
https://www.msb.se/sv/Forebyggande/Krisberedskap/Risk--och-sarbarhetsanalyser/, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1813 XE.com, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 
1814Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1815 XE.com, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 
1816Swedish Government Official Reports, 2017, Vem har ansvaret?, ID: SOU 2017:42, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/49c4a3/contentassets/7931dd4521284343b9224e9322539e8d/vem-har-ansvaret-sou-
201742 

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Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No 

In the Swedish  Environmental Act  (Miljöbalken, 1998:101817), climate is  included as one of 
the  aspects  of  environment  that  might  be  affected  by  an  action,  which  must  undergo  an 
environmental  impact  assessment  or  a  strategic  environmental  assessment.  In  Sweden  the 
definition  of  an  environmental  impact  assessment  is  a  strategic  environmental  assessment 
(SEA)  or  a  specific  environmental  impact  assessments  (EIA).  The  Swedish  Parliament 
broadened  the  scope  of  environmental  impact  assessments  to  include  climate  impact,  by 
approving  the  Bill  2016/17:200  in  20171818.  In  the  Environmental  Impact  Ordinance 
(Miljökonsekvensförordning  2017:9661819),  Paragraph  18,  it  is  further  clarified  that  the 
environmental  impacts  as  a  consequence  of  the  actions  climate  vulnerability  need  to  be 
included in the assessment.  

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

Since  2007,  Sweden  has  had  a  National  Platform  for  Disaster  Risk  Reduction.  In  2016,  a 
summary  of  risk  areas  and  scenario  analyses  for  2012–2015  was  published  by  the  MSB, 
which covered climate-related risks1820. The report presents an overall compilation of various 
types of risks facing Sweden that can lead to serious consequences.  

The  MSB's  website  contains  information  on  many  climate  risks1821,  such  as  floods,  heat 
waves,  landslides,  coastal  erosion,  forest  fires  and  other  that  are  relevant  for  crisis 
preparedness.  A  new  portal  providing  an  overview  with  flood  maps  has  been  developed. 
These  maps  are  an  important  basis  for  climate  adaptation,  spatial  planning  and  risk 
management. MSB conducts  regular research1822  in  the area of natural  disasters and climate 
adaptation  and  has  also  developed  tools  for  local  authorities  on  how  climate  impact 

1817 Svensk Författningssamling, Miljöbalken (1998:808), URL: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-
lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/_sfs-1998-808/#K6 
1818 Riksdagen, 2017, Govt. bill 2016/17:200, URL: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-
lagar/dokument/proposition/miljobedomningar_H403200/html 
1819 Svensk Författningssamling, Miljöbedömningsförordning (2017:966), URL: 
http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/_sfs-2017-966 
1820 MSB, Strategier och styrande dokument för klimatanpassning och katastrofriskreducering, URL: 
https://www.msb.se/RibData/Filer/pdf/26229.pdf 
1821 MSB, Översvämningskartering, URL: 
https://www.msb.se/sv/Forebyggande/Naturolyckor/Oversvamning/Oversiktlig-oversvamningskartering/, Date 
accessed: 16/05/2018 
1822 MSB, Forskning om klimat och naturolyckor, URL: 
https://www.msb.se/sv/Forebyggande/Naturolyckor/Forskning/, Date accessed: 16/05/2018 

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projections  can  be  taken  into  consideration  when  developing  disaster  risk  management 
plans1823.  

SMHI provides early warnings of hazardous meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic 
events.  

Although  risk  analyses  of  future  climate  extremes  are  conducted,  it  is  unclear  how  these 
analyses are factored in to disaster risk management plans.  

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

In  the  Planning  and  Building  Act  (2010:9001824)  and  the  Planning  and  Building  Ordinance 
(2011:3381825),) it is stipulated that built environment and construction works must be located 
on  land  that  is  suitable  for  the  purpose,  and  that  the  risk  of  accidents,  flooding  and  erosion 
must  be  taken  into  account.  The  Act  also  highlights  that  planning  must  give  due  regard  to 
environmental  and  climate  aspects.  Municipal  plans  should  play  a  key  role  in  climate 
adaptation,  and  environmental  and  climate  aspects  must  be  considered  in  planning  and  in 
reviewing other types of applications. According to a recent study from Lund University, 40% 
of 15 municipalities studied have integrated climate adaptation in their risk and vulnerability 
analysis. 

As  a  result  of  the  NAS  the  Government  has  decided  that  the  National  Board  for  Planning, 
Building and Housing should have a stronger coordinator role in relation to adaptation within 
physical planning1826. The strategy also clearly states that the responsibility to protect property 
lies with the owner, public or private. The same applies for the responsibility to prevent and 
repair damage caused because of extreme weather or other climate-related events1827.  

8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No 

Sweden’s  climate  adaptation  work  is  to  a  large  extent  organised  into  sectors.  Since  2015, 
several national agencies have developed or are currently developing action plans. A total of 
14of  these  have  been  developed  using  funds  made  available  by  SMHI  to  support  the 
development  of  action  plans  and  policy  instruments  for  adaptation,  according  to  the 
appropriation  directions  in  2016  and  2017.  Prioritised  sectors  have  been  food  production, 

1823 MSB, 2011, Vägledning för Kommunala handlingsprogram, URL: 
https://www.msb.se/RibData/Filer/pdf/25931.pdf 
1824 Boverket, Planning and Building Act (2010:900), URL: 
http://www.boverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/dokument/2016/legislation.pdf 
1825 Boverket, Planning and Building Act (2010:900), URL: 
http://www.boverket.se/globalassets/publikationer/dokument/2016/legislation.pdf 
1826 Regeringen, M2018/01716/Kl, Uppdrag att samordna det nationella klimatanpassningsarbetet för den byggda 
miljön. 
1827Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

685 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
human  health,  national  environmental  objectives  and  planning/construction.  So  far,  sectors 
that  have  received  funds  include  forestry,  human  health,  construction/land  use  and  reindeer 
herding/Sami  culture. Using the same  funds, tools to  assist  with  adaptation work have been 
developed.  These  include  tools  to  handle  uncertainties  in  adaptation  work,  nature-based 
methods to prevent flooding and designs to prevent beach erosion.  

The NAS emphasises the sectoral responsibility of the national agencies. Each agency should 
take responsibility for, initiate, support and evaluate climate adaptation work within its sector. 
The Government has regulated this through an ordinance1828.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

There  is  little  relevant  information  available  about  incentives  for  investments  in  risk 
prevention in insurance or alternative policy instruments.  

The  Insurance  Contracts  Act  (2005:104)  is  based  insurance  companies  deciding  for 
themselves  which  risks  they  are  prepared  to  accept.  An  insurance  policy  in  Sweden  is  a 
comprehensive product that covers many types of accidents and damages. Thus, damage from 
natural  disasters is  usually included in  the insurance companies’  regular  products.  This  also 
means that the part of the premium relating to damage caused by natural disasters is difficult 
to distinguish.  

In  some  cases,  adjustment  of  a  premium  can  be  made  in  certain  cases  after  damage  has 
occurred.  For  example,  a  customer  can  avoid  an  increased  premium  by  taking  preventive 
measures.  However,  this  is  normally  an  agreement  between  the  customer  and  the  insurance 
policy, and is not made public.  

There  are  a  number  of  streams  of  Government  funding  for  climate  risk  mapping  and 
prevention1829.  There  is  also  a  system  of  “green  loans”,  initiated  by  the  state,  where  local 
authorities can borrow money for climate adaptation and risk prevention. This is financed by 
“green obligations” in which private investors are encouraged to invest1830.  

9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

1828Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 
1829 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Hur kan klimatanpassnings finansieras i kommuner, URL: 
http://www.klimatanpassning.se/atgarda/2.2183/hur-kan-klimatanpassning-finansieras-i-kommuner-1.126972, 
Date accessed: 14/05/2018 
1830 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Hur kan klimatanpassnings finansieras i kommunder, URL: 
http://www.klimatanpassning.se/atgarda/2.2183/hur-kan-klimatanpassning-finansieras-i-kommuner-1.126972, 
Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

686 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Action  plans  have  been  developed  for  a  number  of  sectors  (see  B3),  and  the  work  to 
implement  the  measures  in  the  plans  has  started.  Some  sectors  are  still  in  the  process  of 
developing action plans. According to the ordinance regulating the national authorities work 
on adaptation, the SMHI will provide guidance on how to report as well as following up on 
reporting. On the portal for climate adaptation there is a list of  government agencies working 
on climate adaptation as well as information on the work1831. The actions are very varied and 
depends on the tasks given by the Government.  

There  has  also  been  feedback  from  the  CABs  that  it  should  be  clarified  in  the  sectoral 
adaptation plans how national authorities support adaptation at the local level.  

At the regional level, all 21 CABs have action plans with identified measures of action. These 
are being implemented, and are followed up yearly. Recommendations have been developed 
and  are  being  used  for  guiding  the  planning  processes  in  municipalities.  The  SMHI  report 
from  20151832  concludes  that  there  is  a  discrepancy  between  the  CABs  in  relation  to  the 
implementation  of  the  action  plans.  The  implementation  this  far  has  largely  focused  on 
knowledge  gathering  and  capacity  building.  The  dialogue  work  with  the  municipalities  has 
also started and most CABs have established communication between the relevant actors on 
climate  adaptation.  Some  of  the  implementation  of  the  action  plans  has  also  focused  on 
physical planning. However, the road to implementing climate adaptation measures based on 
identified risks is generally seen as very long. Local authorities are often of the view that there 
is a need for additional funding on local level as well as improved coordination and a clearer 
division of responsibilities.  

At the local level, reporting by the CABs show that adaptation is to an increasing extent taken 
into account in planning processes, particularly when it comes to physical planning, risk- and 
vulnerability  analysis  and  care  for  cultural  heritage.  This  can  also  be  seen  in  projects  and 
developments, some of which are presented on the portal for climate adaptation. Larger cities 
tend,  in  general,  to  have  come  further  in  their  adaptation  work  than  small  cities  and  towns. 
The  focus  of  the  work  is  also  largely  guided  to  the  geographical  context,  as  this  often 
determines  the  risks  and  opportunities  that  face  the  municipalities.  In  relation  to  the 
municipalities,  there  is  still  substantive  work  to  be  done.  In  a  2017  survey,  184  (total  202 
replies)  out  of  290  municipalities  answered  that  they  are  working  with  climate  adaptation. 
From the respondents  only 50% communicate that  there have been political  decisions taken 
regarding climate adaptation, 40% have allocated human resources to climate adaptation and 
30%  have  either  allocated  financial  resources  or/and  created  action  plans  for  climate 
adaptation1833. 

Sweden’s municipalities are obliged to carry out risk and vulnerability assessments as a basis 
for  coping  with  extraordinary  events  and  crises  under  the  Act  on  municipal  and  county 

1831 Klimatanpassningsportalen, 2017, Vad har gjorts på myndigheterna?, URL: 
http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-ansvar/genomforda-aktiviteter/vad-har-gjorts-pa-myndigheterna-
1.100055, Date accessed: 30/05/2018 
1832 SMHI, 2012, URL: 
http://www.smhi.se/polopoly_fs/1.86326!/Menu/general/extGroup/attachmentColHold/mainCol1/file/Klimatolo
gi%20Nr%2012.pdf 

1833Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

687 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
council measures prior to and during extraordinary events in peacetime and during periods of 
heightened alert. Such risk assessments often lead to the development and implementation of 
adaptation measures in vulnerable locations.  

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The  roles  and  responsibilities  for  climate  adaptation  in  Sweden  are  divided  across  different 
levels – from local and regional to national. Collaboration between the  different sectors and 
levels  is  essential  to  achieve  the  adaptation  targets.  The  CABs  are  responsible  for 
coordinating  climate  adaptation  at  the  regional  level1834.  There  are  climate  adaptation 
coordinators in each county that have the mission to assist the municipalities in their county. 
Each CAB produces reports, analysis and other material on climate adaptation available on its 
website.  

The coordination of the cooperation and the responsibilities is though not very clear and the 
implementation work would highly benefit some a clarified division of responsibilities and an 
enhanced coordination.  

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

The  Swedish  portal  for  climate  adaptation  contains  guidance  materials  for  planning  and 
implementing adaptation measures but there are no formal guidelines. Some sectoral portals 
may  include  some  suggestions  for  assessment  tools.  The  CABs  have  developed  several 
guides,  for  example,  guidance  on  climate  adaptation  in  physical  planning1835  and  “Health 
Effects  of  Climate  Change  –  risks  and  actions  in  Stockholm  County”1836,  which  outlines 
appropriate human health-related actions  based on climate scenarios for the region  until  the 
year 2100. Currently, the CABs are working on regional action plans for green infrastructure, 
which  are  to  be  completed  in  2018.  In  2014,  Sweden  adopted  a  strategy  on  strengthening 
biodiversity1837  and  securing  ecosystem  services,  which  promotes  green  infrastructure  and 
notes  links  with  climate  change,  but  a  formal  link  with  climate  adaptation  or  disaster  risk 
reduction is not apparent.  

1834Klimatanpassningsportalen, Vem har ansvaret?, URL: http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-
ansvar/vem-har-ansvaret/regionalt-1.26916, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 
1835Länsstyrelserna, 2012, Klimatanpassning i fysisk planering – vägledning från länsstyrelserna, URL: 
http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/stockholm/SiteCollectionDocuments/Sv/publikationer/2012/klimatanpassning-
fysisk-planering.pdf  
1836Länsstyrelsen i Stockholms Län, 2012, Hälsoeffekter av ett förändrat klimat + risker och åtgärder i 
Stockholms län, URL: 
http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/stockholm/SiteCollectionDocuments/Sv/publikationer/2012/halsoeffekter-av-ett-
forandrat-klimat.pdf 
1837 Regeringen, 2014, A Strategy for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, a translation of relevant parts of 
Government bill on biodiversity and ecosystem services A Swedish strategy for biodiversity and ecosystem 
services Gov. Bill 2013/14:141, URL: https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/se/se-nbsap-v3-en.pdf 

688 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Climate change is taken into account in a systematic way for large infrastructure projects, for 
example, the rebuilding of Slussen in Stockholm and for the construction of a railway tunnel 
underneath the city of Gothenburg. such consideration of climate change is achieved through 
project-specific collaborations between public bodies and private companies.  

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

On  a  national  level  there  are  a  number  of  non-public  administration  bodies  actively 
participating  in  the  implementation  of  adaptation  policies.  Examples  include  a  cooperation 
project  between  companies  and  academia 
threats  and 
opportunities  to  the  economy  and  business,  Swedish  Insurance  actively  contributing  with 
information  and  ideas  linked  to  climate  adaptation  and  the  national  association  for  property 
owners sharing guidelines and best practises on how to “climate-proof” property1838.  

identifying  possible  climate 

Many  of  the  actions  identified  in  the  regional  action  plans  on  adaptation  are  to  be 
implemented  by  different  stakeholders.  The  means  of  involvement  vary  between  the  CABs, 
but most include developing and sharing information, guidelines and best practises and in this 
work involving the relevant interest groups1839. 

For  the  sectoral  action  plans,  examples  include  the  forestry  and  agriculture  sector,  where 
landowners are the target of knowledge dissemination measures and will in turn carry out the 
implementation activities.  

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

No monitoring of the NAS has yet taken place, as it has been only recently adopted.  

The  NAS  establishes  a  five-year  policy  cycle,  which  includes  implementation,  follow-up, 
evaluation and revision1840. The NAS outlines that SMHI, in cooperation with other relevant 
agencies,  will  be  tasked  to  continue  the  development  of  a  system  for  monitoring  and 
evaluation.  

To  date,  monitoring  and  reporting  has  been  carried  out  in  other  ways.  The  CABs  report 
annually  to  the  Government  on  the  implementation  of  their  regional  action  plans.  National 

1838 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Roller och ansvar/Nätverk, URL: http://klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-
ansvar/natverk/naringsliv-i-sverige-1.100112, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1839 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Roller och ansvar/Kommande underlag, URL: http://klimatanpassning.se/roller-
och-ansvar/kommande-underlag/pa-gang-fran-lansstyrelserna-2018-1.134148, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 
1840 Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

689 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
agencies  that  receive  funds  from  the  allocation  “Adaptation  to  climate  change”  report 
annually on their actions. A short summary of actions taken is included in the budget bill to 
the Parliament. CABs are to some extent following up on the adaptation activities carried out 
by the municipalities and local authorities.  

In 2016, a study1841 was carried out by the SMHI in order to propose a system for evaluating 
and  monitoring  adaptation  actions  in  Sweden.  The  proposed  evaluation  model  focuses  on 
three  main  pillars:  1)  What  processes  are  needed  for  efficient  adaptation  actions  on  the 
ground? To what extent are adaptation actions integrated in the Swedish governance system? 
2) What has been implemented to reduce negative climate impacts and vulnerabilities? Which 
are  the  priority  sectors  and  what  challenges  have  been  addressed?  3)  What  progress  can  be 
seen in reducing negative climate impacts?  

The conclusion of the study was that a strategic national framework for climate adaptation is 
needed to achieve effective and continuous implementation. The framework should be based 
on a policy cycle in line with the EU Adaptation Strategy.  

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Ongoing sectoral adaptation actions are published on the adaptation website1842. The level of 
adaptation  action in  sectors seem  to  vary. Sectoral  bodies with  adaptation  action plans have 
included  monitoring  mechanisms.  Some  specific  monitoring  tasks  have  also  been  allocated. 
For example, the Public Health Agency is tasked with monitoring the health of the population, 
including factors related to climate change. 

The NAS also outlines that all agencies working on climate adaptation shall initiate, support 
and  evaluate  the  work  on  climate  adaptation  within  its  area  of  responsibility.  There  will 
shortly be a new ordinance outlining this cycle1843.  

10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

As  noted  under  Indicator  10a,  CAB’s  are  required  by  the  Government  to  formal  annual 
reviews of the regional action plans that they have prepared. A recent list of activities carried 
out  by  the  national  authorities  is  available1844.  In  addition  to  the  formal  monitoring  and 

1841 SMHI, 2016, Förslag till en metod för uppföljning av det nationella klimatanpassningsarbetet, URL: 
https://www.smhi.se/publikationer/publikationer/forslag-till-en-metod-for-uppfoljning-av-det-nationella-
klimatanpassningsarbetet-redovisning-av-ett-regeringsuppdrag-december-2016-1.113425 
1842 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Roller och ansvar, URL: http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-
ansvar/kommande-underlag/pa-gang-fran-myndigheterna-2017-1.119693, Date accessed: 10/05/2018 
1843 Personal communication with MS contact 
1844 Klimatanpassningsportalen, Roller och ansvar, URL: http://www.klimatanpassning.se/roller-och-
ansvar/kommande-underlag/pa-gang-fran-myndigheterna-2017-1.119693, Date accessed: 14/05/2018 

690 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
evaluation  processes, a report is  published on an annual  basis1845 by Swedish  Insurance and 
IVL, reviewing and ranking municipalities’ progress on adaptation.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

The  report  ”Basis  for  Check  point  2015”1846  assesses  the  progress  of  Swedish  adaptation 
measures to ensure that they are proceeding towards the same goal, addressing the questions: 
What  are  the  priorities?  How  can  cross-sectoral  work  be  further  developed?  What  are  the 
appropriate  governance arrangements? This  is not  a formal periodic review but  gives useful 
insights on the progress made in Sweden in implementing adaptation actions and formed the 
basis for the new NAS.  

In the NAS, the Government outlines a five-year evaluation cycle for the strategy. The first 
step  will  be  a  climate  and  vulnerability  analysis,  monitoring  and  evaluation  of  the 
implementation  of  the  NAS  and  proposals  for  revisions  of  the  Strategy  by  SMHI  for  2019-
2022.  This  will  be  followed  by  an  updated  NAS  proposal  from  the  Government  to  the 
Parliament in 2023. After that, an updated Strategy will be presented every five years1847.  

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No  

The Expert Council, announced in the NAS, will be tasked with monitoring and evaluating its 
implementation and providing evidence for how national work on climate change should be 
focused  when  the  Strategy  is  revised.  In  order  to  ensure  that  different  perspectives  are 
integrated,  the  Council  will  consult  with  representatives  from  the  research  community, 
industry,  interest  associations,  national  and  regional  authorities,  as  well  as  the  Swedish 
Association of Local Authorities and Regions. The composition of the Expert Council is not 
yet decided but unless it includes a wide range of stakeholders, it will only seen as consulting 
stakeholders or providing them with information, rather than as involving them in the process 
of assessment, evaluation and review. In the NAS, SMHI is tasked with further developing the 
Strategy’s  evaluation  and  review  system  and  at  this  point  there  is  not  enough  information 
available about how this process will be implemented to justify a  score of “Yes” in relation to 
this indicator.  

1845IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet och Svensk Försäkring, 2017, Klimatanpassning 2017 Så långt har kommunerna 
kommit, URL: 
http://www.ivl.se/download/18.21c9e44015c64dbb1b4159/1496844140532/Klimatanpassning%202017.pdf  
1846SMHI, 2012, URL: 
http://www.smhi.se/polopoly_fs/1.86326!/Menu/general/extGroup/attachmentColHold/mainCol1/file/Klimatolo
gi%20Nr%2012.pdf 
1847 Regeringen, 2018, Regeringens proposition 2017/2018:163 Nationell strategi for klimatanpassning, URL: 
http://www.regeringen.se/494483/contentassets/8c1f4fe980ec4fcb8448251acde6bd08/171816300_webb.pdf 

691 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Met? 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

692 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

Indicator 
address the knowledge gaps 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.) and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

693 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 
impacts of climate change 

Met? 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10 

10a 

10b 

10c 

11 

11a 

11b 

Monitoring and reporting 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Evaluation 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

694 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation preparedness scoreboard for 

The United Kingdom 

Table of contents 
List of abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 696 

POLICY FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................... 699 

Adaptation strategies ......................................................................................................... 699 

A1. National adaptation strategy .................................................................................... 699 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels................................................ 700 

Adaptation action plans ..................................................................................................... 701 

B1. National adaptation plan .......................................................................................... 701 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level ....................................................... 701 

B3. Sectoral adaptation plans ......................................................................................... 702 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation ..................................................................... 703 

1.  Coordination structure ............................................................................................ 703 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development .................................................... 707 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change .......................................... 710 

3. Current and projected climate change ........................................................................ 710 

4. Knowledge gaps ......................................................................................................... 713 

5. Knowledge transfer .................................................................................................... 715 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options .............................................................................. 718 

6. Adaptation options' identification .............................................................................. 718 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated ................................................................ 722 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action ........................................................................... 724 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes ...................................................... 724 

9. Implementing adaptation ........................................................................................... 731 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities .............................................. 735 

10. Monitoring and reporting ......................................................................................... 735 

11. Evaluation ................................................................................................................ 738 

SUMMARY TABLE ............................................................................................................ 740 

695 

 
 
 
 
 
 
List of abbreviations 

ARCC 

ARP 

ASC 

BEIS 

CCA 

CCC 

CCRA 

CIC 

COSLA 

CRSS 

DAB 

DAERA 

Defra 

DRM 

DRR 

EA 

EIA 

EOF 

EUCP 

FFCUL 

GCOS 

Adaptation research produced by the Adaptation and Resilience in 
the Context of Change 

Adaptation Reporting Power 

Adaptation Sub-Committee  

Department for Energy and Industrial Strategy (UK government) 

Climate Change Act 

Committee on Climate Change  

Climate Change Risk Assessments 

Community Interest Company 

Convention of Scottish Local Authorities 

Climate Ready Support Service 

Domestic Adaptation Board  

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs 
(Northern Ireland government) 

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK 
government) 

Disaster risk management 

Disaster Risk Reduction 

Environment Agency 

Environmental Impact Assessment 

Environmental Observations Forum  

European Climate Prediction system 

Fundação da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa 
(Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon) 

Global Climate Observing System 

HMG/ HM Government 

Her Majesty's Government 

696 

 
 
 
 
 
IEMA 

JHWSs 

JSNAs 

LAAP 

LAAP 

LEPS 

LGA 

LWEC 

MCCIP 

MOHC 

MSCC 

NAP 

NCIC 

NDF 

NERC 

NI 

Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment 

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies 

Joint Strategic Needs Assessments 

Local Adaptation Advisory Panel 

Local Adaptation Advisory Panel 

Local Enterprise Partnerships 

Local Government Association 

Living With Environmental Change 

Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership 

Met Office Hadley Centre 

Marine Science Coordination Committee 

National Adaptation Programme 

Met Office National Climate Information Centre  

National Development Framework 

Natural Environment Research Council 

Northern Ireland 

NICCAP 

Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme 

NIEA 

NPPF 

Northern Ireland Environment Agency 

National Planning Policy Framework 

NRN – LCEE 

National Research Network for Low Carbon Energy & Environment  

NRW 

Natural Resources Wales 

PLACARD 

PLAtform for Climate Adaptation and Risk reduction 

PSBs 

RDS 

RIDE 

Public Service Boards 

Regional Development Strategy 

Research & Innovation for the Dynamic Environment 

SCCAP 

Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme 

697 

 
 
 
 
SEA 

SEPA 

SPPS 

UKCIP 

UKCP 

Strategic Environmental Assessment 

Scottish Environment Protection Agency 

Strategic Planning Policy Statement 

UK Climate Impacts Programme 

UK Climate Projections 

698 

 
 
 
 
 
 
POLICY FRAMEWORK 

Adaptation strategies 

A1. National adaptation strategy 

In  the  United  Kingdom,  there  is  a  legal  requirement  to  develop  a  national  adaptation 
programme (NAP) under the Climate Change Act (CCA, 2008)1848. The NAP must establish 
objectives  relating  to  climate  adaptation  and  time-scaled  proposals  and  policies  for  meeting 
those  objectives.  Accordingly,  in  2013  the  first  NAP  was  published.  As  the  political  and 
administrative  structure  is  devolved  in  the  UK,  the  NAP  primarily  concerns  England,  and 
separate  programmes  have  been  developed  by  the  devolved  administrations  (for  Scotland, 
Wales, and Northern Ireland). The NAP does, however, include some elements affecting the 
devolved  administrations  (i.e.  non-devolved  matters  referred  to  as  reserved  or  excepted 
matters)1849,  and  provides  a  framework  to  share  areas  of  common  interest  and  facilitate 
consistency (Her Majesty’s Government, 2013)1850. A second NAP is under development and 
publication is planned for 2018.1851 

Under the CCA (2008)1852, Northern Ireland is required to prepare an adaptation programme 
and  has  since  published  the  Northern  Ireland  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Programme 
(NICCAP, 2014)1853. Wales is also obliged to do so under the CCA (2008) and has published 
an Adaptation Delivery Plan under the Climate Change Strategy for Wales (CCSW, 2010)1854, 
which covers climate adaptation. The second Welsh Adaptation Delivery Plan is planned for 
publication  in  2018.  The  Welsh  Government  has  since  strengthened  these  legislative 
requirements  through  the  Wellbeing  of  Future  Generations  (Wales)  Act  (2015)1855  and 

1848 Climate Change Act (CCA), 2008, Part 4 – Impact of and adaptation to climate change. Section 58 and 60. 
URL: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/pdfs/ukpga_20080027_en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1849 Reserved and excepted matters are decisions concerning government policy taken by the UK government 
even though they have an effect in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland and Wales the list of 
matters is explicitly defined by legislation. Reserved matters include: the constitution, international relations and 
defence, national security, nationality and immigration, nuclear energy, broadcasting, the UK tax system, 
employment and social security (except Northern Ireland). 
1850 Her Majesty’s Government, 2013, The National Adaptation Programme: Making the country resilient to a 
changing climate, paragraph 25. URL: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209866/pb139
42-nap-20130701.pdf.    Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1851 CCC: Introduction to the CCRA. URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/tackling-climate-change/preparing-for-
climate-change/uk-climate-change-risk-assessment-2017/introduction-to-the-ccra/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1852 Climate Change Act (CCA), 2008, Part 4 – Impact of and adaptation to climate change. Section 60 and 66. 
URL: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/pdfs/ukpga_20080027_en.pdf  
1853 Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), 2014, Northern Ireland Climate 
Change Adaptation Programme (NICCAP). URL: https://www.daera-
ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/daera/Northern%20Ireland%20Climate%20Change%20Adaptation%20
Programme.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1854 Welsh Assembly Government, 2010, Climate Change Strategy for Wales. URL: 
http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/101006ccstratfinalen.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1855 Welsh Assembly Government, 2015, Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. URL: 
https://futuregenerations.wales/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/WFGAct-English.pdf  

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Environment (Wales) Act (2016)1856. Although these two acts do not require the development 
of a new climate change strategy or action plan, the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) 
Act  2015  specifies  ‘a  Resilient  Wales’  as  a  wellbeing  goal  to  be  fulfilled  in  pursuit  of 
sustainable  development1857.  Requirements  for  Scotland  are  established  by  the  Climate 
Change  (Scotland)  Act  20091858,  which  requires  the  Scottish  Government  to  develop  an 
Adaptation  Programme.  The  Scottish  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Programme1859  was 
published in 2014. The publication of the second SCCAP is planned for 2019, following the 
fourth progress report1860 which was published in May 2018. 

A2. Adaptation strategies adopted at subnational levels 

The UK NAP and the adaptation programmes adopted by the devolved administration cover 
the complete territories of the UK. Beyond the devolved administrations, there is no further 
regional sub-division of UK governance before the level of cities or councils/local authorities. 
As  such,  there  has  been  no  UK-wide  assessment  of  adaptation  strategies  that  are  below  the 
level of the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.     

At a local level, in England, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural affairs 
has  the  discretionary  power  to  direct  reporting  authorities  (public  bodies  and  public  service 
organisations,  i.e.  private  sector  owners  or  operators  of  infrastructure,  such  as  railways, 
energy  distribution  and  communications  networks)  to  develop  adaptation  reports,  which 
include  setting  out  adaptation  actions  at  a  local  level.  This  power  however  is  not  currently 
used.  A  voluntary  approach  has  been  adopted  in  England  since  2012.  Adaptation  reports 
identify  current  and  projected  climate  change  impacts,  establish  time-scaled  proposals  and 
policies  for  meeting  those  objectives,  and  report  on  the  progress  of  implementation  (CCA, 
2008)1861. This is referred to as the Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP)1862. The reports should 
build  on  the  issues  identified  in  the  NAP  and  are  later  used  by  the  Government  for  the 
development  of  updates  to  the  NAP.  This  reporting  requirement  only  concerns  devolved 
administrations  in  relation  to  non-devolved,  reserved  and  excepted  matters  (Her  Majesty’s 

1856 Welsh Assembly Government, 2016, Environment (Wales) Act 2016. URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/3/contents. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1857 Welsh Assembly Government, 2015, Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Section 4: The 
well-being goals. URL: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2015/2/section/4/enacted. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1858 Scottish Parliament, 2009, Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. URL:    
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2009/12/contents. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1859 Scottish Government, 2014, Climate Ready Scotland Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. URL: 
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/05/4669. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1860 Scottish Government: Climate Change. URL: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/climatechange. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1861 Climate Change Act (CCA), 2008, Part 4 – Impact of and adaptation to climate change. Section 62. URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/pdfs/ukpga_20080027_en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1862 The ARP aims to ensure that organisations of a public nature with climate-sensitive responsibilities are 
taking appropriate action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. It does this both directly, through engaging 
organisations in reporting, and indirectly, through raising awareness, building capacity in organisations, and 
making examples of good practice publicly available. 

700 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Government, 2013)1863. Although the CCA (2008)1864 stipulates that Welsh Ministers have the 
discretionary power to direct reporting authorities to prepare adaptation reports, the decision 
was  made  not  to  invoke  the  power  but  to  encourage  voluntary  action  in  the  first  instance. 
Nevertheless, under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015) Public Service 
Boards are required to develop wellbeing assessments and plans. The assessments must give 
due regard to the latest climate change risk assessments (CCRA), while assessing the state of 
the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being in each Local Authority area. The 
resulting  plans  set  objectives  that  are  designed  to  maximise  their  contribution  to  the  well-
being  goals.  No  equivalent  reporting  power  is  permitted  to  Ministers  in  Northern  Ireland 
under  the  CCA  (2008).  In  Scotland,  a  duty  is  placed  on  public  bodies  to  carry  out  the 
functions  of  the  adaptation  programme  under  the  Climate  Change  (Scotland)  Act  (2009); 
however, this does not include adaptation reporting by public bodies. 

Adaptation action plans  

B1. National adaptation plan 

As previously indicated, the respective adaptation programmes also set out the proposals and 
policies that must be implemented to meet the objectives of the programme; for example, the 
UK  NAP  (2013)  describes  over  370  actions1865  (see  detail  in  Section  A1).  The  actions 
included  in  the  programmes  focus  on  the  highest  order  risks  identified,  guided  by  the 
magnitude,  confidence,  and  urgency  scores  assigned  during  the  analysis  which  underpinned 
the respective CCRA. 

B2. Adaptation plans adopted at sub-national level 

As  set  out  under  A2,  in  England,  the  Secretary  of  State  for  Environment,  Food,  and  Rural 
affairs has the discretionary power to direct reporting authorities (organisations with functions 
of  a  public  nature  and  statutory  undertakers)  to  develop  adaptation  reports,  which  include 
setting  out  adaptation  actions  at  a  local  level.  This  power  however  is  not  currently  used. 
Adaptation reporting relies on a voluntary approach at present, and involves engagement with 
key  stakeholders  to  support  them  through  the  reporting  process.  Welsh  Ministers  have  the 
same discretionary power but, as for England, the power is currently not used. The same does 
not apply to reporting authorities in Scotland and Northern Ireland (see A2 for more detail). 

1863 HM Government, 2013, Adapting to Climate Change: Ensuring Progress in Key Sectors. 2013 Strategy for 
exercising the Adaptation Reporting Power and list of priority reporting authorities. Section 8. URL: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209875/pb139
45-arp-climate-change-20130701.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1864 Climate Change Act (CCA), 2008, Part 4 – Impact of and adaptation to climate change. Section 67. URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/pdfs/ukpga_20080027_en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1865 BEIS, 2017, 7th National Communication. Chapter 5 – Vulnerability assessment, climate change impact and 
adaptation measures. URL: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/19603845_united_kin
gdom-nc7-br3-1-gbr_nc7_and_br3_with_annexes_(1).pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

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B3. Sectoral adaptation plans 

The  NAP  is  split  into  the  following  thematic  areas:  the  Built  Environment;  Infrastructure; 
Healthy and Resilient Communities; Agriculture and Forestry; the Natural Environment; and 
Business.  There  is  a  seventh  cross-cutting  theme  concerning  Local  Government.  Policies, 
initiatives  and  actions  to  support  adaptation  are  set  out  for  each  theme  (HM  Government, 
2013). Building on the approach taken for the NAP, the devolved administrations have also 
established adaptation plans according to thematic areas, as follows: 

  Scotland:  The  SCCAP  (2014)1866  sets  out  actions  according  to  three  thematic  areas: 
the Natural Environment; Buildings and Infrastructure Networks; and Society (relating 
to the resilience of communities). 

  Wales: The Adaptation  Delivery Plan (2011)1867 describes the actions that will fulfil 
the  objectives  of  the  Welsh  Adaptation  Framework  across  five  sectors:  Natural 
Environment,  Infrastructure, Communities, Business  and Tourism and Health. While 
workshops and consultations began in 2015, by June 2017 a completed sector action 
plan  was  only  available  for  Health1868.  In  the  light  of  the  new  legislative  context  in 
Wales, and new evidence on risks to sectors in Wales identified by the UK Committee 
on  Climate  Change,  the  Welsh  Government  is  developing  a  new  adaptation  plan  for 
Wales. 

  Northern Ireland: The NICCAP (2014)1869 sets out government action, policies and 
proposals  for  a  five-year  timeframe  across  four  areas:  flooding,  water,  natural 
environment, agriculture and forestry.  

In  addition,  seven  UK  cities1870  are  now  signatories  to  the  EU  Covenant  of  Mayors  for 
Climate and Energy in  relation  to  adaptation.  Of these cities, all except  Greater Manchester 
have submitted adaptation action plans and are now in the monitoring phase. 

1866 Scottish Government, 2014, Climate Ready Scotland Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. URL: 
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/05/4669. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1867 Welsh Assembly Government, 2011, Climate Change Strategy for Wales: Adaptation Delivery Plan. URL: 
http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/101006ccstratdeliveryadaptationen.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1868 Climate Change Commission for Wales: Adaptation. URL: http://www.thecccw.org.uk/adaption/. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1869 DAERA, 2014, Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NICCAP). URL: 
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-climate-change-adaptation-programme. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1870 Reporting at 08/05/2018: Aberdeen City, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greater Manchester, Leicester, 
Newcastle upon Tyne, Stirling. Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, Covenant community, URL: 
http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/about/covenant-community/signatories.html. Date accessed: 08/05/2018.  

702 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
SCOREBOARD 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

1. 

Coordination structure 

1a. A central administration body officially in charge of adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Responsibility  for  climate  adaptation  is  split  between  the  four  countries  of  the  UK,  with 
national  governments  in  Northern  Ireland, Wales and Scotland responsible for adaptation  in 
all devolved policy areas. Her Majesty's Government is responsible for adaptation in England 
and reserved matters for the UK.  

The  overarching  responsibilities  defined  by  the  CCA  (2008)1871  are:  a  climate  change  risk 
assessment  (CCRA)  to  be  carried  out  every  five  years,  a  national  adaptation  programme 
(NAP)  to  address  the  priority  risks  identified  in  the  CCRA,  and  a  reporting  mandate.  The 
CCA (2008) also defines the central administration body as an independent Adaptation Sub-
Committee (ASC) of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) to provide advice and assistance 
in relation to implementation of the CCA. 

England & reserved matters: Whilst adaptation is embedded within key policy areas across 
UK  government,  the  Department  for  Environment,  Food  and  Rural  Affairs  (Defra)  co-
ordinates the UK government's work on adaptation in England, and throughout the UK on a 
number  of  reserved  matters,  including  cross-cutting  action  required  under  the  CCA.  Some 
reserved matters, such as defence, are primarily addressed independently of this coordination. 

Scotland: Lead devolved responsibility for climate change policy in Scotland rests with the 
Minister  for  Environment,  Climate  Change  and  Land  Reform1872.  A  Cabinet  sub-committee 
on climate  change1873 ensures that delivery is coordinated across portfolios  and that  climate 
change considerations are reflected at the very highest level of the Scottish Government. 

Wales:  Responsibility  for  ensuring  adaptation  and  resilience  across  Wales  in  areas  of 
devolved  responsibility  sits  with  Welsh  Ministers.  A  cross-government  response  to  climate 
adaptation is co-ordinated by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs.  

1871 Climate Change Act (CCA), 2008, Part 4 – Impact of and adaptation to climate change. URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/pdfs/ukpga_20080027_en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1872 Scottish Government: Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. URL: 
https://beta.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-environment-climate-
change-land-reform/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1873 The Scottish Parliament: Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. URL: 
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/environment-committee.aspx. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018.  

703 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The Well-being  of  Future  Generations  Act1874 has  established  a  Future  Generations 
Commissioner1875  for  Wales  who  has  a  specific  remit  to  provide  advice  or  assistance  on 
climate change to public bodies, including the Welsh Government. 

Northern Ireland: The Climate Change Unit, in the Department of Agriculture, Environment 
and  Rural  Affairs  (DAERA)1876,  is  responsible  for  the  co-ordination  of  cross-departmental 
response  to  requirements  of  the  CCA  on  adaptation.  The  Unit  leads  on  development, 
implementation  and  monitoring  of  the NICCAP1877,  though  responsibility  for  action  on 
Northern Ireland’s climate change risks is shared with all government departments.  

1b.  Horizontal  (i.e.  sectoral)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within  the  governance 
system, with division of responsibilities 

Yes / In progress / No 

Adaptation  is  embedded  within  key  policy  areas  across  the  UK  governments  of  England, 
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The respective adaptation programmes set out the roles 
of the different government departments, including their delivery bodies and partners (set out 
below). 

England and reserved matters: The Domestic Adaptation Board (DAB), chaired by Defra, 
is  the  horizontal  coordination  body.  It  oversees  cross-government  action  and  has  members 
from  most  government  departments,  the  devolved  administrations  and  the  Environment 
Agency (EA). The role involves:  

  Providing senior-level leadership in relation to the statutory CCRA and NAP, helping 

to develop and maintain a clear vision and direction 

  Highlighting  upcoming  policies  in  their  departments,  which  can  support  adaptation 

outcomes and capacity building in key sectors 

  Promoting  effective  collaboration  across  government  departments  and  key  agencies 
and managing interdependencies with other issues, such as climate change mitigation 
and resilience agendas 

  Monitoring  overall  progress  with  the  CCRA  and  NAP;  assisting  in  identifying  risks 

and removing barriers, and doing horizon scanning 

  Monitoring  overall  progress  on  adaptation  delivery  and  identifying  gaps  or 

opportunities 

1874 Welsh Assembly Government, 2015, Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. URL: 
https://futuregenerations.wales/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/WFGAct-English.pdf.  
1875 Future Generations Commission for Wales, URL: https://futuregenerations.wales/. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018.  
1876 DAERA: Climate Change Unit. URL: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/contacts/climate-change-unit. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1877 DAERA, 2014, Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NICCAP). URL: 
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-climate-change-adaptation-programme. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018. 

704 

 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                           
  Considering key sources of challenge and insight, e.g. outputs from key research 

projects, such as the Economics of Climate Resilience and the latest reports and advice 
from the ASC. 

Scotland:  Within  the  Scottish  Government  policy  sectors  contribute  updates  on  actions  set 
out  in  the  SCCAP,  these  are  reported  annually.  The  most  recent  progress  report,  Climate 
Ready Scotland:  Scottish  Climate Change Adaptation  Programme  - Fourth Annual  Progress 
Report, was published in May 2018. A new Programme Board will oversee the development 
of the second SCCAP.   

Wales: The Welsh Government has established a Core Internal Adaptation Group to support 
the  development  of  its  latest  Adaptation  Delivery  Plan  and  its  future  delivery.  This  Group 
represents  policy  areas  across  the  Welsh  Government,  and  members  use  their  stakeholder 
networks to engage the wider society on development of the plan.  

Northern  Ireland:  The  Cross-Departmental  Working  Group  on  Climate  Change  is  charged 
with  the  preparation  and  delivery  of  a  cross-departmental  adaptation  programme,  including 
recommendations and/or decisions on adaptation issues.  

1c.  Vertical  (i.e.  across  levels  of  administration)  coordination  mechanisms  exist  within 
the  governance  system,  enabling  lower  levels  of  administration  to  influence  policy 
making.  

Yes / In progress / No 

England & reserved matters: Local government responsibilities should be considered in the 
context of the Localism Act 2011 and the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016, 
which gives local government functions, freedoms and flexibilities, as well as responsibilities 
and governance. UK government engages on adaptation with local government, including the 
availability of tools and guidance via different forums or groups, such as the Local Adaptation 
Advisory  Panel  (LAAP),  the  Core  Cities  group  and  the  Local  Government  Association. 
Online tools and best practice for councils are available through the sites of delivery agents, 
such as Climate UK/London Climate Change Partnership, to enable councils to improve and 
develop their ability to adapt to climate change. For instance, there is a template business case 
available for councils. 

Although  the  LAAP  is  not  comprehensively  representative  of  the  views  of  all  local 
government,  it  was  instrumental  in  providing  council  views  on  the  NAP  prior  to  it  being 
published.  The  NAP  contains  a  cross-cutting  chapter  that  focuses  on  local  government  and 
contains  a  ‘Cities  Commitment’  from  the  nine  largest  cities  across  England.1878  The  LAAP 
operates on an ad hoc basis.  

1878 Defra, 2013, Letter request for information: Local adaptation advisory panel. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263042/DOC031213-
03122013115022.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

705 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
In  addition,  the  ARP  establishes  a  legal  framework  for  vertical  coordination  between 
reporting  authorities  in  England  (CCA,  2008)1879.  The  framework  facilitates  lower  levels  of 
administration to feedback into the policymaking process through regular reporting (Street et 
al., 2017)1880. 

Scotland:  The  Climate  Change  (Scotland)  Act  (2009)  requires  public  bodies  and  local 
authorities to carry out the functions of the adaptation programme. This includes the duty to 
contribute  to  climate  adaptation  and  to  report  annually  on  compliance  with  their  climate 
change  duties.  The  SCCAP  provides  a  framework  for  coordination  between  the  delivery 
bodies.    Adaptation  Scotland,  funded  by  Scottish  Government  and  managed  by  Sniffer,  a 
sustainability charity, provides advice and support to help Scotland be prepared and resilient 
to  the  effects  of  climate  change.  Key  public  service  delivery  bodies,  such  as  Scottish 
Environment  Protection  Agency  (SEPA),  Scottish  Natural  Heritage,  Historic  Environment 
Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Marine Scotland, are important contributors to 
Scotland’s  national  Adaptation  Programme  and  its  annual  reports  on  progress.  Examples  of 
key  city  and  city-region  initiatives  resulting  from  this  coordination  include:  Edinburgh 
Adapts, Aberdeen Adapts and Climate Ready Clyde. 

In  addition,  the  Convention  of  Scottish  Local  Authorities  (COSLA)1881  acts  as  the 
representative voice of Scottish local government at national and international level and has 
an  environment  and  economy  team  responsible  for  a  wide  range  of  policy  and  council 
services,  including  climate  change.  COSLA  contributed  to  the  European  Commission 
consultation on the preparation of the EU Adaptation Strategy1882. 

Wales:  The  Well-being  of  Future  Generations  Act  established  Public  Service  Boards 
(PSBs)1883  in  Wales  to  replace  the  voluntary  Local  Service  Boards  in  each  local  authority 
area. Each board is required to assess the state of economic, social, environmental and cultural 
well-being in its area and set objectives that are designed to maximise the PSBs contribution 
to the well-being goals1884. The PSBs are required to consider climate change impacts in their 
well-being  assessments.  Additionally,  PSBs  must  take  account  of  future  trends  in  climate 

1879 Climate Change Act (CCA), 2008, Part 4 – Impact of and adaptation to climate change. Section 62. URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/pdfs/ukpga_20080027_en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1880 Street, R.B., Hayman, V. and Wilkins, T.M., 2017, Understanding the value of the Adaptation Reporting 
Power process to the reporting organisations involved. UKCIP, University of Oxford. URL: 
https://arcc.ouce.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/pdfs/ARP-report-for-Defra-04-2017.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1881 COSLA: Environment and Economy. URL: http://www.cosla.gov.uk/about/how-we-work/environment-and-
economy. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1882 COSLA, n.d., Consultation on the preparation of the EU adaptation strategy. Response from the Convention 
of Scottish Local Authorities. URL: 
http://www.cosla.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/eu_adaptation_strategy_-_cosla_consultation_reponse.pdf. 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1883 Welsh Government: Public Services Boards. URL: http://gov.wales/topics/improvingservices/public-
services-boards/?lang=en. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1884 Welsh Government, 2015, Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015: The Essentials. URL: 
http://gov.wales/docs/dsjlg/publications/150623-guide-to-the-fg-act-en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

706 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
change, alongside other trends set out in the annually updated Future Trends Report1885, in the 
preparation of local well-being plans. 

The statutory members of each PSB are: 

  The local authority 
  The Local Health Board  
  The Fire and Rescue Authority  
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) 

In addition to the statutory members, each PSB will invite the following people to participate: 

  Welsh Ministers 
  Chief Constables  
  The police and crime commissioner 
  Certain Probation Services 
  At least one body representing relevant voluntary organisations 

PSBs will also be able to invite other public service organisations to participate. 

The  Adaptation  Framework  established  support  mechanisms  to  work  with  local  businesses 
and communities. Local authorities, Local Service Boards, Spatial Plan Area Groups and the 
Climate Change Commission for Wales are central to helping their local stakeholders adapt to 
climate change. 

Northern Ireland: The Climate Change Unit in DAERA is responsible for the co-ordination 
of  the  cross-departmental  response  to  the  CCA  on  adaptation  and  responsibility  for  climate 
change  actions  falls  to  each  department  under  CCA.  There  is  not  a  statutory  vertical 
coordination mechanism within Northern Ireland as no such legal obligation is stipulated by 
the CCA.  

DAERA are working with Climate NI1886 to ensure engagement with Local Government and 
all  other  sectors  on  the  impacts  of  climate  change,  sharing  best  practice  and  promoting 
adaptation  action  within  these  sectors  to  address  the  impacts  of  climate  change,  including 
managing climate change risks and responding to opportunities. 

2. Stakeholders' involvement in policy development 

2a.  A  dedicated  process  is  in  place  to  facilitate  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the 
preparation of adaptation policies 

Yes / No 

1885 Welsh Government, 2017, Future Trends Report 2017. URL: http://gov.wales/docs/statistics/2017/170505-
future-trends-report-2017-en.pdf . Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1886 Climate Northern Ireland. URL: http://www.climatenorthernireland.org.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

707 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Stakeholders are involved in the preparation of the UK CCRA. The process is established at a 
UK level and additional detail is developed at national level1887. The CCRA forms the basis of 
the respective adaptation programmes developed. 

The  first  CCRA  and  NAP  were  drawn  up  by  the  Government,  industry  and  other  non-
government  organisations  working  together.  Stakeholder  engagement  was  coordinated 
through  a  series  of  workshops  with  around  700  organisations  and  there  were  two  informal 
consultations  led  by  the  UK  government.  Businesses,  local  councils  and  community  groups 
were involved. These stakeholders helped to identify the most important areas for action and 
allowed  other  stakeholders  from  across  the  sectors  concerned  to  comment  on  the  draft 
objectives of the NAP report. 

The first UK NAP identified the many stakeholders that need to be involved in developing the 
national  adaptation  response.  It  also  identified  actions  and  their  owners.  Key  stakeholder 
engagement remains a crucial component of the policy approach in the ongoing development 
of the second NAP. 

For the development of the second CCRA and NAP, stakeholder engagement has involved: a 
call for evidence (in 2014); two workshops with 100 stakeholders present each time; working 
groups  (with  between  10  and  20  stakeholders  present  each  time);  and  a  peer  review 
process.1888 

The preparation of the second NAP builds on the first and, as such, has been developed in a 
way  that  reflects  the  progress  that  has  been  made  in  integrating  climate  adaptation  within 
policies and programmes across the UK Government. Engagement with stakeholders has been 
ongoing  throughout  the  period  of  the  NAP.  This  has  often  been  through  groups  or 
implementing actions in the first NAP and developing and updating them as progress has been 
made, so that ongoing or new actions are already in place or planned across a broad range of 
policies  and  programmes.  The  second  NAP  will  reflect  that  progress  and  integrate 
consideration  of  climate  change  risks.  Examples  of  the  ongoing  engagement  that  will 
contribute to the preparation of the NAP include: ongoing engagement with local government 
and  preparation  of  guidance  through  groups  such  as  the  Local  Adaptation  Advisory  Panel 
(LAAP);  extensive  engagement  with  key  stakeholders  over  a  number  of  years  in  the 
preparation  of  the  UK  Government’s  25  Year  Environment  Plan,  which  was  published  in 
2018 and includes mitigating and adapting to climate change as one of its  ten priority goals 
and  targets;  ongoing  extensive  consultation  with  a  broad  range  of  sectoral  businesses  and 
organisations  on  the  implementation  of  the  second  round  of  adaptation  reporting  and  the 
development  of  the  strategy  for  the  third  round  of  reporting.  Stakeholder  engagement  is 
repeated  across  government  in  many  policy  areas  where  climate  risks  are  considered.  This 
approach to  ongoing stakeholder engagement and the integration of climate adaptation,  as a 

1887 CCC: National summaries. URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/tackling-climate-change/preparing-for-climate-
change/uk-climate-change-risk-assessment-2017/national-summaries/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1888 CCC: Review and engagement. URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/tackling-climate-change/preparing-for-
climate-change/uk-climate-change-risk-assessment-2017/review-and-engagement/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  

708 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
consideration  across  all  policies,  programmes  and  actions,  will  continue  as  part  of  the 
implementation of the second NAP. 

Where relevant,  additional  information  concerning stakeholder engagement  by the devolved 
administrations is set out below. 

England  &  reserved  matters:  In  addition  to  the  process  set  out  above,  stakeholder 
involvement  is  facilitated  through  ongoing  voluntary  reporting  by  public  authorities  (in  the 
context of the ARP, as described in Section A2). 

Scotland:  Adaptation  Scotland  continues 
to  support  organisations,  businesses  and 
communities  to  adapt  to  the  impacts  of  climate  change  through  connecting  science  and 
practice  and  building  strong  partnerships  for  planning  and  action  (Scottish  Government, 
2017).1889  Most  recently,  three  workshops  have  been  held  with  policy  sectors,  government 
agencies and other stakeholders to develop the structure of the second SCCAP. 

Wales:  A  number  of  stakeholder  groups  were  involved  in  the  preparation  of  the  Climate 
Change Strategy. An internal cross-government group has been established for the preparation 
of  the  new  adaptation  plan  for  Wales.  The  group  members  are  individually  responsible  for 
external  engagement  across  multiple  sectors  to  ensure  interested  groups  are  represented 
during its development.  The Welsh Government  is committed to engaging externally on  the 
development  of  policy  due  to  the  five  ways  of  working  under  the  Wellbeing  of  Future 
Generations  (Wales)  Act.  A  number  of  engagement  events  will  be  held  during  the 
development of the plan and post publication to stimulate effective delivery.1890 

Northern Ireland: Climate NI1891  is  a partnership of external  and  government  stakeholders 
from a range of key sectors who provide advice and support to Government and other sectors 
with  the aim of increasing the understanding of  the impacts  of climate change, sharing best 
practice and promoting action to address the impacts of climate change across all sectors. 

2b. Transboundary cooperation is planned to address common challenges with relevant 
countries 

Yes / No 

The UK has only one land boundary with another country,  which is  with  Ireland. The NAP 
and  the  CCA  do  not  contain  any  elements  supporting  transboundary  cooperation  with  other 
neighbouring  countries.  However,  transboundary  cooperation  with  Ireland  is  led  by  the 
British-Irish Council, which supports collaboration across the whole of the United Kingdom 
and  Ireland  on  a  range  of  social,  economic  and  environmental  topics.  These  include 

1889 Scottish Government, 2017, Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. 
Third annual report 2017. Annex – Background Information. URL:    
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/05/3941/6.  Date accessed: 11/05/2018.   
1890 Personal communication with MS contact.  
1891 Climate Northern Ireland. URL: http://www.climatenorthernireland.org.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  

709 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
collaborative  work  on  climate  adaptation,  as  well  as  a  range  of  other  activities  that  take 
account of climate change risks and adaptation (e.g. British-Irish Council, 2018)1892.  

Moreover,  there  is  close  collaboration  between  the  UK  Government  and  the  devolved 
administrations on adaptation issues, e.g. on flood risk. Where there is a need to work across 
administrative boundaries, there are joint flood risk management plans, which in turn link to 
river  basin  management  plans  and  to  the  UK’s  Marine  Strategy  (Environment  Agency, 
2016)1893.  

More  broadly  the  UK  cooperates  extensively  through  wider  international  arrangements  and 
agreements to address  climate risks. This includes work undertaken through OSPAR, which 
addresses  climate  change  impacts  affecting  the  marine  environment  that  is  part  of  the 
boundary between the UK and other neighbouring countries.  

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3. Current and projected climate change 

3a. Observation systems are in place to monitor climate change, extreme climate events 
and their impacts 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  UK’s  National  Meteorological  Service  (Met  Office)1894  holds  the  nation’s  weather  and 
climate records. Climate-related impacts are monitored at local level in relation to changes in: 
temperature  and  the  frequency  of  heatwaves,  seasonal  rainfall  patterns  resulting  in  drought 
and water stress or flooding, storm frequency, sea level rise and coastal flooding. In addition, 
the  Met  Office  National  Climate  Information  Centre  (NCIC)  keeps  track  of  all  UK  records 
and notes extremes and exceptional weather in each year, producing case studies1895.  

The records and case studies are summarised at regional level in the annual State of the UK 
Climate  report1896,  which  provide  an  accessible,  authoritative  and  up-to-date  assessment  of 
UK climate trends, variations and extremes. The NCIC has also analysed recent UK extreme 

1892 British-Irish Council, 2018, Communique: 15th Ministerial meeting of the    Environment work sector, 23 
March 2018. URL: 
https://www.britishirishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/Communique%2015th%20BIC%20Environment%20Minis
terial.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1893 Environment Agency, 2016, Flood risk management plans (FRMPs: 2015 to 2021. URL: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/flood-risk-management-plans-frmps-2015-to-2021. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018.  
1894 UK Climate Projections. URL: http://ukclimateprojections.metoffice.gov.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1895 Met Office: UK climate – Extremes. URL: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate-
extremes/#?tab=climateExtremes. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1896 Met Office: State of the UK Climate. URL: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/about/state-of-climate. 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  

710 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
weather events and  concluded that there had been a marked increase in the number of heat-
related and heavy rainfall-related extremes (Kendon, 2014)1897.  

A key output from monitoring by the NCIC is the identification of weather-related thresholds, 
geographic hotspots and other specific climate-related risks. The Met Office has worked with 
relevant  government  bodies  and  stakeholders  to  put  this  monitoring  data  into  context  and 
thereby enhance understanding of climate-related impacts. The range of impacts include those 
on: the rail and road sectors, the energy sector (including small-scale wind power), the water 
sector, social welfare, defence, animal disease, national infrastructure (including the Thames 
Barrier). Information on these impacts is part of the forthcoming UK Climate  Projections in 
2018 (UKCP18)1898.  

While  the  Met  Office  is  the  lead  agency  for  making  and  collecting  meteorological  and 
atmospheric  observations1899,  observations  are  also  made  by  others,  including  the  Natural 
Environment  Research  Council  (NERC)  research  centres  and  other  delivery  partners. 
Collection  of  oceanographic  and  marine  observations  is  widely  distributed  throughout  the 
UK, with many institutions involved. Terrestrial observations are made or coordinated by the 
Natural  Environment  Research  Council  (NERC),  EA,  NRW,  SEPA,  the  Northern  Ireland 
Environment Agency (NIEA), the Forestry Commission and others. 

The  Environmental  Observations  Forum  (EOF)1900  is  a  Living  With  Environmental  Change 
(LWEC)  Partnership  programme  founded  in  2008  to  support  better  communication  and 
sharing of information across the observations community. LWEC has since been reformed as 
the  Research  &  Innovation  for  the  Dynamic  Environment  (RIDE)  Forum.  The  EOF  has 
prepared the reports: ‘Coordinating Climate Science and Risk Assessment Observations’ and 
‘Consultation  Responses  to  the  Global  Climate  Observing  System  (GCOS)  Implementation 
Plan’, to assist in gaining a national overview of systematic observation activities. 

Another  important  coordination  mechanism  is  the  Marine  Science  Coordination  Committee 
(MSCC)1901, which was formed in 2008 to develop and implement a Marine Science Strategy 
for the UK, and to improve UK marine science co-ordination.  

1897 Kendon, M., 2014, Has there been a recent increase in UK weather records? Weather, Volume 69, Issue 12. 
https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wea.2439. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1898 Met Office: UK Climate Projections Impacts. URL: 
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/collaboration/ukcp/impacts. Date accessed: 01/06/2018. 
1899 The Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme provides world-leading climate science and led the 
production of the latest UK Climate Projections ((((UKCP09).(UKCP09). UKCP09 gives projections of future 
changes to the climate in the UK to the end of this century.  
Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Programme. URL: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/public-
sector/climate-programme. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1900 UK Environmental Observations Forum EOF: http://www.ukeof.org.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1901 Marine Science Coordination Committee https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/marine-science-co-
ordination-committee. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

711 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
3b. Scenarios and projections are used to assess the economic, social and environmental 
impacts  of  climate  change,  taking  into  account  geographical  specificities  and  best 
available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC assessments) 

Yes / In progress / No 

The  Met  Office  Hadley  Centre  (MOHC)  Climate  Programme  provides  advanced  climate 
science and led the production of the current UK Climate Projections (UKCP09)1902. UKCP09 
projects future climate changes in the UK to the end of this century. Projections are provided 
on a 25km spatial scale for a range of climate variables, providing several indicators relevant 
for  climate  change  evaluations  (e.g.  seasonal  and  daily  averages,  daily  maxima).  They  also 
include an assessment of uncertainty, making them suitable for risk-based assessments. Other 
organisations,  such  as  the  English  EA,  supported  the  development  of  UKCP09  in  technical 
review,  by  funding  marine  scenario  work  that  provided  projections  of  storm  surge  and  sea-
level rise for UK waters and in providing case studies to show how UKCP09 can be used in 
decision making.     

One  of  the  key  outputs  of  the  MOHC  Climate  Programme  will  be  an  updated  set  of  UK 
Climate Projections in 2018 (UKCP18). These will update the UKCP09 projections of climate 
change  over  UK  land  areas  and  projections  of  sea-level  rise.  They  will  provide  greater 
regional detail, further analysis of both national and global climate risks and more information 
on potential extremes and impacts of climate change. UKCP18 will support the preparation of 
the third CCRA. The new projections will also be an important source of information for UK 
organisations that need to ensure that their assets and operations are resilient to future climate 
and weather extremes. UKCP18 will be available in November 2018 (Met Office, 2017)1903. 

There is some experience of using scenarios to test and direct the suitability of future actions 
and strategies. For example, in England, EA undertook a simplified screening assessment of 
organisational  duties  in  relation  to  a  climate  impact  scenario.  This  was  used  to  advise  and 
direct adaptation commitments in their statutory report to the Government under the ARP. 

3c.  Sound  climate  risks/vulnerability  assessments  for  priority  vulnerable  sectors  are 
undertaken to support adaptation decision making 

Yes / In progress / No 

Based on UKCP09, the first CCRA for the UK was published in January 2012. It identified 
over  700  risks  and  opportunities  to  the  UK  from  a  changing  climate  over  the  next  century, 
under  three  different  emissions  scenarios,  and  focused  on  around  100  of  the  risks  and 
opportunities in further detail.  

1902 UK Climate Projections. URL: http://ukclimateprojections.metoffice.gov.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1903 Met Office, 2017, UK climate projections: A project overview. URL: 
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/mohippo/pdf/uk-climate/uk-cp/ukcp18-project-overview-
final.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

712 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  second  CCRA  was  laid  before  Parliament  in  January  2017.  It  is  underpinned  by  an 
evidence report prepared independently by the ASC and published in July 2016. The evidence 
report analyses around 60 key present-day climate risks and opportunities and current levels 
of adaptation. It assesses how climate and socio-economic change may alter those risks and 
opportunities in the 2020s, 2050s and 2080s. The evidence report has taken a policy-focused 
approach  to  presenting  the  results,  using  the  concept  of  urgency  to  prioritise  the  risks  and 
opportunities.  It  considers  where  additional  action  is  needed  in  the  next  five  years, 
considering current and planned policies, and identifies six priority risk areas (flooding, water 
scarcity, overheating, impacts on natural capital,  food security, and pests and diseases). The 
evidence  report  considers  impacts  on  a  number  of  large  sectors,  including  infrastructure, 
people and the built environment, and business and industry. Within these sectors, a range of 
sub-sectors is considered, for instance, the business sub-sectors for which impacts of climate 
change  are  more  relevant  are  given  as:  engineering  and  consulting,  tourism,  insurance  and 
other finance products, agriculture, and food and utilities.1904 Evidence summaries were also 
produced  for  England,  Wales,  Scotland  and  Northern  Ireland  to  describe  the  risks  and 
opportunities specific to each part of the UK. 

3d. Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take transboundary risks into account, when 
relevant 

Yes / In progress / No 

The latest CCRA (2017) contains a chapter on the international dimensions of climate change, 
addressing  both  risks  and  opportunities  (CCC,  2017)1905.  The  forthcoming  adaptation 
programmes will be developed on the evidence presented in the CCRA and may reflect this 
international  dimension. However, there is  no evidence of transboundary  risks in  relation  to 
Ireland.  

4. Knowledge gaps 

4a. Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and address the knowledge gaps 

Yes / In progress / No 

The 2013 NAP highlights the importance of further research to shape UK adaptation activity. 
Research activity has been identified at the UK level in the 2013 NAP and includes: 

1904 UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017, July 2016, https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2016/07/UK-CCRA-2017-Synthesis-Report-Committee-on-Climate-Change.pdf. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1905 CCC, 2017, UK Climate Change Risk Assessment Evidence Report. Chapter 7: International dimensions. 
URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/UK-CCRA-2017-Chapter-7-International-
dimensions.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

713 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  LWEC1906  report  cards:  LWEC  brought  together  22  public  sector  organisations  that 
fund, carry out and use environmental research and observations. Since its inception, 
LWEC has evolved into the RIDE Forum. Partners include the UK Research Councils, 
devolved 
government 
administrations and government  agencies. Private sector input is  sought  on an issue-
by-issue basis, rather than a formalised standing business board. The partnership has 
among  its  two  core  objectives  the  alignment  of  research  agendas,  i.e.  work  such  as 
road  mapping,  co-ordination  of  funding  partners,  co-design  of  innovative  cross-
disciplinary programmes, developing and implementing national research strategies. 

departments  with 

responsibilities, 

environmental 

  The  UK  Marine  Climate  Change  Impacts  Partnership1907  (MCCIP)  report  cards1908: 
MCCIP  is  a  forum  that  involves  the  major  marine  science-funding  government 
departments,  the  devolved  administrations,  the  key  marine-science  providers  and 
independent members, and defines as a priority area 'responding to climate change and 
its interaction with the marine environment'. The report cards look at climate change 
and  marine  biodiversity  legislation,  with  a  focus  on  the  legislation  used  to  establish 
various types of marine protected areas. 

  Adaptation  research  produced  by  the  Adaptation  and  Resilience  in  the  Context  of 
Change1909  (ARCC)  Network  is  managed  by  the  UK  Climate  Impacts  Programme 
(UKCIP),  and  hosted  by  the  Environmental  Change  Institute,  University  of  Oxford. 
The  network  supports  the  creation  of  robust  built  environment  and  infrastructure 
sectors within the UK. The project has ended but the website remains active. 

The  UK  Met  Office1910  undertakes  core  research  into  climate  science,  observations, 
projections and impacts in support of practical decision-making. This includes assessments of 
the potential global and regional impact of climate change.  

Additionally, the National Flood Resilience Review (HM Government, 2016)1911, established 
to assess how the UK can be better protected from future flooding and extreme weather 
events, recommended a long-term action to improve modelling of flooding from all sources, 
which the EA and Met Office have picked up. 

The  devolved  administrations  have  also  dedicated  additional  resources  to  identify,  prioritise 
and address the knowledge gaps, as follows: 

1906 NERC: Research & Innovation for our Dynamic Environment (RIDE) Forum. URL: 
http://www.lwec.org.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1907 MCCIP. URL: http://www.mccip.org.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1908 MCCIP, 2015, Marine climate change impacts: Implications for the implementation of marine biodiversity 
legislation. URL: http://www.mccip.org.uk/media/1611/mccip_special_topic_report_card_-2015.pdf. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1909 Adaptation and Resilience in the Context of Change network (ARCC). URL: http://www.arcc-
network.org.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1910 Met Office: Climate services for the UK. URL: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/climate-services. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1911 HM Government, 2016, National Flood Resilience Review. URL: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/551137/nation
al-flood-resilience-review.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

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  Scotland:  The  Scottish  Government  is  embedding  climate  adaptation  into  the 
development  of  a  robust  evidence  base,  including  £1m  annual  funding  to  the 
ClimateXChange1912 adaptation research programme. 

  Wales:  One  of  the  key  themes  of  the  National  Research  Network  for  Low  Carbon 
Energy  &  Environment  (NRN  –  LCEE)  addresses  the  impacts  of  climate  change 
focusing  specifically  on  coastline  and  agriculture  ecosystem  resilience.  The  Welsh 
Government  is  currently  assessing  suitable  research  routes  to  ensure  it  addresses  the 
evidence gaps identified in the second CCRA evidence report. 

  Northern Ireland: The latest UK CCRA identified a number of gaps in evidence for 
Northern  Ireland  climate  change  risks.  Work  is  ongoing  across  all  government 
departments to address the gaps in evidence. Climate NI1913 have recently commenced 
an  exercise  to  provide  information  about  non-government  work  (i.e.  outside  central 
government) and research that is completed, underway or scheduled which could help 
address the priority risks facing Northern Ireland, as identified by the UK CCRA. 

5. Knowledge transfer 

5a. Adaptation relevant data and information is available to all stakeholders, including 
policy makers (e.g. through a dedicated website or other comparable means) 

Yes / In progress / No  

Until the end of March 2016, the UK Government funded the EA to provide a Climate Ready 
Support  Service  (CRSS)  for  England,  which  supported  organisations  in  adapting  to  climate 
change. By 2016, the majority of NAP actions to which the  CRSS Service was contributing 
were either complete or  ongoing without the need for  further support  from  the service. The 
CRSS produced or supported a range of tools and products to help organisations in preparing 
for climate change. Although these are no longer supported through a central web portal, they 
can be found on a number of organisation’s’ websites, which are now embedded within the 
Climate-ADAPT UK page1914. 

The Met Office offers comprehensive information about climate and climate change through 
its  website1915.  Climate  projections  for  the  UK  are  offered  to  all  kinds  of  potential  users 
through a specific and dedicated website1916. It offers information on climate projections that 
can  be  tailored  to  different  profiles,  levels  of  expertise,  etc.  The  website  contains  abundant 
guidance  material  and  tools  to  help  users  find  the  information  and  use  it.  Updated  and 
improved  climate  projections  are  due  to  be  released  in  November  2018  via  UKCP18  (Met 
Office,  2017)1917.  A  Climate  Guide  section  provides  information  about  climate,  climate 

1912 ClimateXChange. URL: http://www.climatexchange.org.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1913 Climate NI https://www.climatenorthernireland.org/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1914 See ‘b. Adaptation capacity, dissemination, education, training’: http://climate-
adapt.eea.europa.eu/countries-regions/countries/united-kingdom. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1915 Met Office: Climate guide. URL: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate-guide. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1916  UK Climate Projections. URL: http://ukclimateprojections.metoffice.gov.uk/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1917 Met Office, 2017, UK climate projections: A project overview. URL: 
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/mohippo/pdf/uk-climate/uk-cp/ukcp18-project-overview-
final.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

715 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
change and climate science. The Met Office hosts the National Climate Information Centre, 
which  holds  national  and  regional  climate  information  for  the  UK,  summarised  in  tables, 
maps,  figures  and  summaries.  Information  is  available  on  averages,  extremes,  climate 
anomalies,  etc.  The  Met  Office  website  also  contains  'Climate  Services'1918  and  'Climate 
Service UK'1919 sections, where consultancy training services are offered to help national and 
international  users  accurately  interpret  the  available  climate  information.  It  aims  to  provide 
business and society with a range of products and services that provide the vital information, 
tools and advice needed to help manage climate variability and change, and build capacity in 
developing countries. 

The  UK  Environment  Agency  provides  a  website  with  specific  advice  and  support  to  key 
sectors  to  help  them  build  resilience  to  climate  change,  particularly  on  water  resources  and 
environment, coastal erosion, and floods1920. 

UKCIP's  website1921  offers  a  wide  set  of  tools,  information,  and  other  contents  to  support 
organisations,  sectors  and  governments  to  adapt  to  the  changing  climate  through  practice-
based research, and by providing direct support and advice. 

Targeted information is available for Scotland via Adaptation Scotland1922, which offers free 
access  to  data  on  climate  trends  and  their  impacts  in  Scotland,  as  well  as  access  to  tools, 
guidance  and  advice  on  adapting  to  the  impacts.  Sniffer1923,  a  third  sector  organisation, 
delivers  the  Adaptation  Scotland  Programme  offering  free  access  to  data  on  climate  trends 
and access to tools, guidance and advice on adaptation.  

5b. Capacity building activities take place; education and training materials on climate 
change adaptation concepts and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress / No 

Several initiatives in the UK contribute to build capacity across the UK amongst  a range of 
audiences and actors.  

Climate  UK,  until  the  end  of  2016,  operated  for  five  years  as  a  sub-national  network  of 
climate change partnerships to support local organisations to manage their climate risks and 
respond  to  opportunities.  The  network  covered  England,  Wales,  Scotland  and  Northern 
Ireland. It shared knowledge and lessons learned about tackling the consequences of climate 
change  in  the  UK.  Although  Climate  UK  Community  Interest  Company  (CIC)  will  cease 
operations, the informal Climate UK network, which existed for more than 10 years prior to 

1918 Met Office: International climate services. URL: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/climate-services. 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1919 Met Office: Climate service UK. URL: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/climate-services/climate-
service-uk. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1920 Environment Agency: Flood and coastal erosion risk management research development. URL: 
http://evidence.environment-agency.gov.uk/FCERM/en/Default/FCRM.aspx. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1921 UKCIP: Supporting effective climate adaptation. URL: http://www.ukcip.org.uk/. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1922 Adaptation Scotland, URL: https://www.adaptationscotland.org.uk/. Date accessed: 04/05/2018. 
1923 Sniffer, URL: www.sniffer.org.uk. Date accessed: 04/05/2018. 

716 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
the establishment of the CIC, will continue. Other local partnerships and networks have been 
brought into the fold, and opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration continue. 

England & reserved matters: Until the end of March 2016, UK Government funded EA to 
provide a CRSS1924 for England which supported organisations in adapting to climate change. 
By  2016,  the  majority  of  NAP  actions  to  which  the  CRSS  was  contributing  were  either 
complete  or  ongoing  without  the  need  for  further  support  from  the  service.  The  CRSS 
produced  or  supported  a  range  of  tools  and  products  to  help  organisations  in  preparing  for 
climate change.  

Natural  England  and  the  Royal  Society  for  the  Protection  of  Birds,  in  partnership  with  the 
CRSS  and  the  Forestry  Commission,  published  the  ‘Climate  change  adaptation  manual: 
evidence  to  support  nature  conservation  in  a  changing  climate'  to  support  conservation 
practitioners in adapting to climate change1925.  

UK  Government  supported  LWEC  to  develop  Climate  Change  Impact  Report  Cards1926. 
There  are  report  cards  on  Biodiversity,  Water,  Agriculture  &  Forestry,  Health  and 
Infrastructure, with more in development. The cards provide a summary of the latest scientific 
research  on  the  impacts  of  climate  change  on  the  UK.  This  work  is  now  taken  forward  by 
LWEC’s successor, the RIDE Forum. 

The  NAP  recognises  the  concerns  of  long-term  investors,  such  as  pension  and  insurance 
providers,  that  there  is  insufficient  understanding  of  the  effects  of  climate  change  risk  on 
future  economic  growth.  The  NAP  plans  to  work  with  these  investors  to  explore  further 
research needs around how investments and insurance sectors may take into account climate 
risks and what opportunities exist to support the sectors in managing them, from 2015. 

The  NAP  also  recognises  the  Government's  role  in  helping  businesses  to  understand  the 
potential risks and opportunities through capacity building, awareness raising, developing and 
disseminating  tools  and  guidance,  and  encouraging  businesses  to  review  their  strategic 
frameworks and models. 

Scotland: Adaptation Scotland offers free access to the best available data on climate trends 
and their impacts in Scotland, as well as access to tools, guidance and advice on adapting to 
the  impacts.  Adaptation  Scotland  provides  the  latest  information  to  support  adaptation 
planning and action, including past climate trends and future climate projections. 

1924 Environment Agency: Climate Ready. URL: 
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140328084915/http://www.environment-
agency.gov.uk/research/137557.aspx. Date accessed: 11/05/2018 [website archived] 
1925 Natural England et al., 2015, Climate Change Adaptation Manual - Evidence to support nature conservation 
in a changing climate. URL: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/5629923804839936. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1926 RIDE Forum – Climate change impacts report cards, URL: 
https://nerc.ukri.org/research/partnerships/ride/lwec/report-cards/. Date accessed: 04/05/2018. 

717 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Wales:  The  Welsh  Government's  Knowledge  Transfer  Programme1927  was  established  as  a 
key exchange process between the Welsh Government and its key stakeholders in Wales. Its 
aims were to build resilience against the impacts of climate change through the exchange of 
knowledge, skills and resources, whilst understanding stakeholder's needs and requirements to 
enable effective action against the impacts of climate change. The programme has focused on 
how  to  embed  adaptation  within  organisations  and  developed  tools  and  resources  to  help 
sectors  and  organisations  adapt  to  the  impacts  of  climate  change.  The  new  adaptation  plan 
will include strategic action in this area, building on the lessons from this work.  

Northern  Ireland:  DAERA  funds  and  works  with  Climate  NI  to  build  adaptation  capacity 
e.g. through information dissemination workshops and seminars. Climate  NI is  dedicated to 
increasing adaptation awareness and understanding across sectors and equipping these sectors 
with  the  information  that  they  need  for  climate  adaptation.  It  provides  a  primary  point  of 
contact  and  delivers  a  vital  link  to  local  government,  the  environmental  Non-Government 
Organisations, businesses and other sectors acting as a conduit of information between these 
sectors and central government.  

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6. Adaptation options' identification 

6a.  Adaptation  options  address  the  sectoral  risks  identified  in  3c,  the  geographical 
specificities identified in 3b and follow best practices in similar contexts 

Yes / No 

England  &  reserved  matters:  The  NAP  sets  out  actions  that  leading  businesses,  councils 
and  communities,  as  well  as  the  Government,  are  taking  to  tackle  climate  threats  and  take 
advantage  of  new  opportunities.  It  aligns  the  risks  identified  in  the  CCRA  to  actions  being 
undertaken  or  to  be  undertaken  and  the  timescales  according  to  each  theme.  This  covers 
buildings  and  infrastructure,  health  and  emergency  services,  the  natural  environment, 
businesses  and  the  agriculture  and  forestry  sectors.  Geographical  issues  are  considered,  for 
instance, in relation to agriculture and fisheries.  

Scotland:  The  first  SCCAP  (2014)1928  aims  to  increase  the  resilience  of  Scotland's  people, 
environment  and  economy  to  the  impacts  of  climate  change. Over  130  impacts  on  Scotland 
have  been  identified.  While  the  majority  of  these  represent  potential  threats  for  Scotland, 
some  present  potential  opportunities.  The  impacts  vary  in  character  and  whilst  some  have 
been  quantified,  others  rely  on  expert  elicitation  or  a  narrative  based  on  literature.  This 
information  and other data, where available, has  been used to  inform  those impacts  that the 
Scottish Government considers require early adaptation action1929. The Scottish Government 

1927 Welsh Government Knowledge Transfer Programme, URL: 
https://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/knowledge-transfer-programme/?lang=en. Date 
accessed: 04/05/2018. 
1928 Scottish Government, 2014, Climate Ready Scotland Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. URL: 
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/05/4669. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1929 Scottish Government, 2014, Climate Ready Scotland Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. URL: 
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/05/4669. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

718 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
published  a  non-statutory  Adaptation  Framework  in  2009,  accompanied  by  12  Adaptation 
Sector Summaries, followed by updated Sector Action Plans in 2011.  

Wales:  The  Adaptation  Delivery  Plan1930  sets  out  the  specific  policies  and  programmes 
expected to be implemented in delivering the Adaptation Framework. There were 24 actions 
in the first edition of the Delivery Plan addressing the following categories: 

  Strategic actions 
  Natural environment 
 
Infrastructure 
  Communities 
  Health 
  Business and tourism 

In  light  of  the  evidence  on  risk  contained  in  the  second  CCRA,  and  the  new  legislative 
framework established by the Well-being of Future Generations Act, a new Adaptation Plan 
for Wales is being developed.  

Northern  Ireland:  To  take  account  of  cross-cutting  issues  to  the  climate  change  risks  and 
opportunities  being  brought  forward  in  the  Adaptation  Programme,  four  primary  areas  for 
action were identified: 

  Flooding 
  Water 
  Natural Environment; and 
  Agriculture and Forestry 

DAERA is currently working on obtaining Northern Ireland adaptation information and data 
that could  be used, along with  the findings of the CCRA Northern  Ireland Summary, in  the 
development of the next Northern Ireland Adaptation Programme, which is due to be laid in 
the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2019. 

6b. The selection of priority adaptation options is based on robust methods (e.g. multi-
criteria analyses, stakeholders' consultation, etc.)    and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

England & reserved  matters: The NAP  addresses the  risks identified as most urgent.  The 
NAP  document  is  supported  by  the  economic  annex  ‘Economics  of  the  NAP’  (HM 
Government,  2013)1931,  which  builds  on  the  CCRA  and  the  Project  'The  Economics  of 

1930 Welsh Assembly Government, 2011, Climate Change Strategy for Wales: Adaptation Delivery Plan. URL: 
http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/101006ccstratdeliveryadaptationen.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1931 HM Government, 2013, The National Adaptation Programme: Making the country resilient to a changing 
climate. URL: 

719 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
Climate  Resilience'  (Frontier  Economics  Ltd,  2012)1932.  This  annex  outlines  the  roles  of 
society and the Government in adaptation efforts, the challenges of uncertainty, the costs and 
benefits of climate change, and the impacts of climate change on productivity and growth. It 
also  provides  recommendations  on  where  future  economic  research  work  should  focus 
attention. 

An analytical framework for assessment was developed within the work on the Economics of 
Climate  Resilience1933.  The  work  was  advised  by  an  expert  panel  and  benefited  from  input 
collected  from  around  200  semi-structured  interviews  with  stakeholders  across  industry,  the 
voluntary  sector,  the  health  service,  local  authorities,  scientists,  policy-makers,  Non-
Government  Organisations,  Non-Departmental  Public  Bodies,  academia,  researchers,  trade 
associations and regulators, among others. 

Scotland: Assessment  of options  included an economic assessment of adaptation  options in 
relation to those risks highlighted by the CCRA.  

Wales:  The  Adaptation  Framework  states  that  the  guidance  provided  does  not  prescribe  a 
specific  methodology  for  assessing  risk  or  for  developing  a  programme  of  adaptation 
measures.  It  seeks  to  inform  reporting  authorities  about  climate  adaptation  and  to  support 
related planning  processes. The  guidance is  intended to  help  reporting authorities develop  a 
structured approach to adaptation.  

Additional  guidance  was  published  to  support  investment  decisions  concerning  flood  and 
coastal risk management measures (Natural Resources Wales, 2018)1934. 

Northern  Ireland:  Stakeholder  consultations  with  all  departments  and  engagement  with 
external stakeholders has identified the priority adaptation options for Northern Ireland from 
the UK CCRA. 

6c. Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation and to ensure coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress /No  

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209866/pb139
42-nap-20130701.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.    
1932 Frontier Economics Ltd, 2012, Economics of Climate Resilience (ECR) - CA0401. URL: 
http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Module=More&Location=None&ProjectID=18016. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1933 HM Government, 2013, The National Adaptation Programme Report: Analytical Annex. Economics of the 
National Adaptation Programme. URL: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/209867/pb13942a-nap-annex-
economics.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1934 Natural Resources Wales, 2018, Adapting to Climate Change: Guidance for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk 
Management Authorities in Wales. URL: 
https://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/flooding/nationalstrategy/guidance/climateguide/?lang=en. 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

720 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
The Natural Hazards Partnership is the public-sector body responsible for the development of 
the UK risk register and ensuring that adaptation actions are considered within the modelled 
data to inform it1935.  

The NAP's Chapter 4 'Healthy and resilient communities' defines a series of objectives (11 to 
14)  to  develop  mechanisms  to  further  link  and  coordinate  disaster  risk  management  with 
adaptation.  An  assembly  of  actions  aims  to  enhance  the  preparation  of  communities  and 
individuals to cope with severe weather events and other impacts of climate change, and the 
resilience  of  emergency  services  and  local  capability  to  be  resilient  to  a  changing  climate. 
This chapter, explicitly links to other NAP elements (Chapter 2 on the built environment and 
Chapter  6  on  the  natural  environment),  aims  at  improving  the  prevention,  preparedness  and 
emergency  management  capacity  in  relation  to  weather  and  climate  events,  including 
consideration of a shift in their frequency and intensity. Health risks from changing weather 
patterns, extreme events (extreme temperatures, wildfires, drought, cold snaps, floods), and a 
focus  on  the  most  vulnerable  communities,  are  the  pillars  of  Chapter  4.  Actions  to  achieve 
them  involve  the  health  sector,  a  Cabinet  Office-chaired  cross-government  Communities 
Prepared  National  Group,  the  local  resilience  forums,  the  communities  and  civil  society 
groups, the emergency planning and civil protection institutions and the emergency services 
(ambulance, fire and rescue services). 

Flood  insurance  is  recognised  as  a  key  tool  to  help  households  manage  the  potential 
consequences of extreme events linked to climate change. The Government is committed to 
ensuring  the  continued  availability  and  affordability  of  flood  insurance  to  high-risk 
households.  There  is  a  specific  NAP  action  that  aims  to  secure  new  arrangements  for  flood 
insurance beyond 2013, which was followed up by a number of recommendations in the first 
ASC  progress  report  of  the  NAP  in  2015.  The  ASC  report  included  future  strategies  and 
recommendations  on  Flood  Re,  a  recent  public-private  initiative  that  became  operational. 
Flood  Re  could  potentially  become  more  relevant  to  incentivising  climate  adaptation  in  the 
future. 

The Platform for Climate Adaptation and Risk reduction (HO2020 PLACARD) project 2015-
20  aims  to  support  the  coordination  of  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk  reduction 
communities by:  

1)  Providing  a  common  ‘space’  where  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk  reduction 
communities  can  come  together,  share  experiences  and  create  opportunities  for 
collaboration 

2)  Facilitating communication and knowledge exchange between both communities; and  
3)  Supporting  the  coordination  and  coherence  of  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk 

reduction research, policy and practice.  

1935 Natural Hazards Partnership: Who are we? URL: http://www.naturalhazardspartnership.org.uk/about-
us/who-are-we/. Date accessed: 01/06/2018. 

721 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
UKCIP  is  one  of  the  original  proponents  of  PLACARD,  with  a  commitment  to  second  the 
lead  proponent  (FFCUL)  and  play  a  leading  or  key  role  in  a  number  of  the  work  packages 
(WP): 

  WP1:  Setting  up  an  interchange  platform  for  multi-stakeholder  dialogue  involving 
researchers,  policy-makers  and  practitioners  in  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk 
reduction  –  shaping  the  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk  reduction  research  and 
innovation  agenda  (led  by  UKCIP);  supporting  climate  adaptation  and  disaster  risk 
reduction institutions and networks (led by UKCIP) 

  WP5: Reflecting on, evaluation and learning from the PLACARD project – evaluation 

and learning (led by UKCIP) 

  WP6:  Includes  developing  and  evaluating  the  PLACARD  communication  and 

dissemination plan (led by UKCIP) 

7. Funding resources identified and allocated 

7a. Funding is available to increase climate resilience in vulnerable sectors and for cross-
cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In progress /No  

It  is  apparent  that  funding  is  available  to  increase  climate  resilience  based  on  the  progress 
reported  of  implemented  actions  (see  Indicator  10a).  However,  there  is  no  comprehensive 
information source setting out funding accessed, and available funding at a UK level or at the 
level of the devolved administrations.  

While  a  specific  budget  is  not  attached  to  the  current  NAP  at  a  UK  level,  the  Government 
provides funding for developing the UK Climate Projections, the national climate change risk 
assessment (including the national perspectives)1936, the maintenance of the ASC, the climate 
services  websites,  and  other  research  and  cross-cutting  actions  needed  to  implement  the 
respective  NAPs  and  coordinate  action  nationally1937.  Funding  is  also  available  through  a 
number of funding mechanisms for improved climate resilience, primarily where climate risks 
are  taken  into  account  as  part  of  wider  funding  mechanisms.        For  example,  the  Industrial 

1936 Almost £1.5 million was spent on CCRA2. CCRA2 was carried out by the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the 
UK Committee on Climate Change, an independent expert body advising the UK Government on adaptation. 
This, along with lessons learned from the first CCRA1, brought considerable efficiencies and savings compared 
to CCRA1 delivering much greater value for money. CCRA2 focused on a smaller number of prioritised key 
risks.    The innovative urgency framework used in CCRA2 to prioritise risk and opportunities and translate into 
recommendations for government was found to be a more useful and effective way to communicate results than 
CCRA1. The research carried out was funded largely by an additional contribution from the Natural 
Environment Research Council of £400k. 
1937 CCC, 2016, UK Climate Change Risk Assessment Evidence Report 2016. Method document, Version 1.0. 
URL: https://documents.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/CCRA-METHOD-V1-0.pdf. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 

722 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Strategy1938 and the Strength in Places Fund (£115 million) support research and innovation in 
local networks with a component examining climate change and resilience to extreme weather 
events; and the flood risk management strategy  also  disburses funds  for  reducing flood risk 
(£3 billion). 

In  addition,  the  Government  Chief  Scientific  Advisor’s  Environmental  Observations 
Committee was set up in 2013. Its aim is to ensure that appropriate funding mechanisms are in 
place  for  priority  programmes  and  that  a  coherent  and  robust  environmental  monitoring 
infrastructure  exists  to  meet  national  needs,  including  to  secure  sustained  funding  for  long-
term observation activities.  

England  &  reserved  matters:  Limited  information  concerning  resource  allocation  was 
reported in the 2017 progress report. Significant resources have been made available for flood 
protection infrastructure and capacity building with £2.6 billion allocated between 2017 and 
2023 in flood and coastal erosion risk management (CCC, 2017)1939. 

The 2017 progress report acknowledges that there will be implications for funding because of 
the  UK  leaving  the  EU,  indicating  that  the  European  Structural  Investment  Funds  are  an 
important  source  of  funding.  However,  no  details  concerning  this  source  of  funding  are 
provided in the report. 

Scotland: The Scottish Government currently funds adaptation through: 

  The  development  of  a  robust  evidence  base,  such  as  Government  research 

programmes; 

  Scottish  Government  funding  of  Adaptation  Scotland  to  develop  adaptive  capacity; 

and 

  Policy-specific  actions,  such  as  the  development  of  River  Basin  Management  Plans 

through SEPA 

Wales: The Welsh Government’s funding of climate adaptation is distributed across various 
portfolios.  Flood  and  Coastal  Risk  Management  is  a  priority  investment  area  for  the  Welsh 
Government,  announcing  an  investment  of  over  £54  million  across  Wales  over  a  four-year 
time period. The investment is planned to facilitate effective planning and provide certainty of 
funding  from  one  year  to  the  next.  The  Coastal Risk  Management  Programme  provides  the 
opportunity  for  local  authorities  to  invest  up  to  £150  million  in  coastal  infrastructure 
protecting Welsh coastal communities, adapting to the challenge of climate change and sea-
level rise and achieving wider benefits.     

1938 HM Government, 2017, Industrial Strategy: Building a Britain fit for the future. URL: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/664563/industr
ial-strategy-white-paper-web-ready-version.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1939 CCC, 2017, Progress in preparing for climate change. 2017 Report to Parliament. URL: 
https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Report-to-Parliament-Progress-in-preparing-for-
climate-change.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

723 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Northern Ireland: The Government funds adaptation through policy specific actions such as 
the  development  and  delivery  of  Flood  Risk  Management  Plans,  River  Basin  Management 
Plans, conservation management plans etc. The Government (DAERA) funds and works with 
Climate NI to increase adaptation awareness and understanding across sectors and equipping 
these  sectors  with  the  information  they  need  to  adapt  to  climate  change.  Climate  NI  also 
promotes and supports adaptation engagement and climate resilience capacity building within 
NI across all sectors.  

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8. Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

8a.  Consideration  of  climate  change  adaptation  has  been  included  in  the  national 
frameworks for environmental impact assessments 

Yes / No  

The  transposition  of  SEA  Directive  2001/42/EC  and  the  Environmental  Impact  Assessment 
(EIA)  Directive  2014/52/EU  are  devolved  matters  in  the  UK  and  each  of  the  devolved 
administrations  is  responsible  for  preparing  its  own  regulations.  The  requirements  of  these 
directives  have  been  transposed  to  the  following  pieces  of  legislation  and  accordingly 
stipulate  that  an  EIA  shall  identify,  describe  and  assesses  climate  impacts,  among  other 
environmental impacts. Note that in the case of Scotland, one Act covers both directives and 
extends the legislation of the SEA Directive ‘to cover all qualifying public plans, programmes 
and strategies’. 

  England:  The  Town  and  Country  Planning  (Environmental  Impact  Assessment) 

Regulations 2017 (the ‘2017 Regulations’)1940 

  Scotland: Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 20051941 
  Wales: The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment (Wales) 
Regulations  20161942;  The  Environmental  Assessment  of  Plans  and  Programmes 
(Wales) Regulations 20041943 

  Northern  Ireland:  The  Planning  (Environmental  Impact  Assessment)  Regulations 
(Northern Ireland) 20171944; The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes 
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20041945. 2004 No. 280 

1940 The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. Statutory 
Instruments 2017, No. 571, Town and Country Planning. URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/571/introduction/made. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1941 Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. 2005 asp 15. URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/15/contents. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1942    Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment (Wales) Regulations 2016. 2016 No.58 
(W.28). URL: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2016/58/contents/made. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1943 The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004. 2004 No. 1656 (W. 
170). URL: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2004/1656/contents/made. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1944 The Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017. Statutory Rules of 
Northern Ireland. 2017 No. 83, Planning. URL: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2017/83/made. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018.    

724 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Guidance on the integration of climate adaptation within the process of developing an EIA is 
limited.  Only  guidance  developed  by  the  Scottish  devolved  administration  refers  to  the 
integration  of  climate  adaptation  within  the  process  of  developing  an  EIA  (Scottish  Natural 
Heritage, 2018)1946.  

A  UK  practical  guide  to  the  SEA  Directive  was  published  in  2005,  which  reflects  climate 
adaptation  needs  (Office  of  the  Deputy  Prime  Minister,  2005)1947.  It  identifies  how  climate 
adaptation should be factored into planning (and specifies appropriate timescales). The guide 
lists sources of information to inform the development of the baseline used in the assessment 
and sets out indicators that could be used to quantify the baseline and monitor project impacts.  

Further  guidance  for  England  and  Wales  was  published  in  2011,  building  on  the  2005 
guidance (Environment Agency, 2011)1948. It provides more detail on the processes involved 
in  SEA  development  and  how  climate  adaptation  could  be  considered  in  the  various 
processes.  Similarly,  additional  guidance  for  Scotland  was  published  in  2010  (Scottish 
Government,  2010)1949.  It  provides  step-by-step  guidance  for  the  complete  process,  from 
screening,  scoping,  assessment,  adoption  to  monitoring.  It  also  sets  out  how  climate 
adaptation could be considered in the various processes of SEA development. 

8b.  Prevention/preparedness  strategies 
management plans take into account climate change impacts and projections 

in  place  under  national  disaster  risk 

Yes / No 

In  accordance  with  the  Civil  Contingencies  Act  (2004),  the  UK  Government  publishes  a 
National  Risk  Register  of  Civil  Emergencies  every  five  years  to  assess  the  risks  of  civil 
emergencies  facing  the  country.  Although  the  Civil  Contingencies  Act,  from  2004,  has  not 
been  modified  to  address  the  effects  of  climate  change,  risk  assessments  in  the  UK  are 
required to respond quickly to changes in the risk environment, including climate change. In 
this  context,  climate  change  is  recognised  as  a  major  concern  that  should  be  regularly 

1945 The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004. 2004 No. 
280. URL: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2004/280/contents/made. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1946 Scottish Natural Heritage, 2018, Environmental Impact Assessment Handbook. URL: 
https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2018-05/Publication%202018%20-
%20Environmental%20Impact%20Assessment%20Handbook%20V5.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1947 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2005, A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment 
Directive. Practical guidance on applying European Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of 
certain plans and programmes on the environment. Scottish Executive; Welsh Assembly; Department of the 
Environment, Northern Ireland; and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. URL: 
https://gov.wales/docs/desh/policy/150616-a-practical-guide-to-the-sea-directive-en.pdf. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1948 Environment Agency, 2011, Strategic environmental assessment and climate change: guidance for 
practitioners. URL: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/297039/geho0
811buca-e-e.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1949 Scottish Government, 2010, Consideration of Climatic Factors within Strategic Environmental Assessment 
(SEA). URL: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/03/18102927/0. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

725 

 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
reviewed  in  risk  assessments  (Cabinet  Office,  2006)1950.  The  current  risk  register  (Cabinet 
Office, 2015)1951 factors in  climate change projections and climate-related impacts based on 
historic events to identify anticipated consequences affecting the UK’s capacity to respond to 
identified risks.  

Other  disaster  risk  related  frameworks  have  been  revised  to  integrate  the  effects  of  climate 
change.  The  Health  and  Social  Care  Act  (2012)  focuses  on  local  planning  and  decision-
making  for  setting  and  delivering  local  health  priorities.  Some  basic  tools  include  the  Joint 
Strategic  Needs  Assessments  (JSNAs)  and  subsequent  strategies  produced  by  health  and 
wellbeing  boards.  The  Statutory  guidance  on  JSNAs  and  Joint  Health  and  Wellbeing 
Strategies  (JHWSs),  produced  by  the  Department  of  Health,  demands  consideration  of  the 
impacts of climate change when preparing them. 

Two key risks identified for the UK are specifically addressed through national frameworks. 
The  Heatwave  Plan  for  England  (2004)  was  revised  in  2014  to  better  address  the  risks  of 
climate change, including preparedness, alert and readiness. It has continued to be  reviewed 
every year since 2014. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires the preparation 
of national and local strategies for flood risk management, which have to consider the risks of 
climate change. The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy includes 
long-term  planning,  avoidance  of  inappropriate  development  in  high  risk  areas,  improved 
improved  flood 
flood  management 
detection/warning. 

increased  public  awareness  and 

infrastructure, 

The  respective  NAPs  also  comprehend  several  measures  to  reduce  risks,  complementary  to 
the  main  disaster  risk  management  regulations,  to  reduce  climate  risks,  including  spatial 
planning  (see  Indicator  8c),  housing  design,  or  the  maintenance  of  performance  of  flood 
defences in the light of climate change impacts. 

8c.  Key  land  use,  spatial  planning,  urban  planning  and  maritime  spatial  planning 
policies take into account the impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

England & reserved matters: Support for the transition to a low carbon future in a changing 
climate is one of the core land-use planning principles set out in the National Planning Policy 
Framework  (NPPF)  for  England1952.  The  principles  are  expected  to  underpin  both  plan-
making  and  decision-taking,  covering  both  land-use  and  marine  planning  decisions.  Local 

1950 Cabinet Office, 2006, Emergency preparedness. Guidance on part 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, its 
associated regulations and non-statutory arrangements (Chapter 19, paragraph 19.9). URL: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-preparedness. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1951 Cabinet Office, 2015, National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies. 2015 edition. URL: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/419549/20150
331_2015-NRR-WA_Final.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1952 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2012, National Planning Policy Framework. 
URL: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework/10-meeting-the-challenge-of-climate-
change-flooding-and-coastal-change. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  

726 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
authorities are expected to adopt proactive strategies to adapt to climate change in their Local 
Plans in  line  with  the  provisions  and  objectives  of  the CCA.  They  should  co-operate  with 
neighbouring  authorities  and  other  bodies  to  deliver  cross-boundary  strategic  priorities, 
including  climate  adaptation.  The  Local  Plan will  need  to  reflect  these  requirements  and 
enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the NPPF, if 
it is to be found ‘sound’ at examination and before it can be adopted by the local authority. 
Neighbourhood plans must be in  general  conformity with  the strategic policies of the  Local 
Plan and should help achieve the sustainable development needed in their local area. 

In  addition  to  the  statutory  requirement  to  take  the  NPPF  into  account  in  the  preparation 
of Local  Plans,  there  is  a statutory  duty on  local  planning  authorities  to  include  policies  in 
their Local Plan designed to contribute to adaptation to climate change. This complements the 
sustainable  development  duty  on  plan-makers.  The  NPPF  recognises  that  responding  to 
climate change is  part of the economic, social  and environmental dimensions of sustainable 
development.  Guidance  to  Local  Enterprise  Partnerships  (LEPs)  were  also  developed  to 
ensure that adaptation is embedded in local strategies (Ministry of Housing, Communities and 
Local  Government,  2014)1953  (Ministry  of  Housing,  Communities  and  Local  Government, 
2014)1954. 

Scotland: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires Scotland to establish a national 
land-use strategy for sustainable land use (mindful of climate adaptation needs). At a national 
level,  Scotland’s  Second  Land  Use  Strategy  sets  out  land-use  policy  for  2016-2021,  covers 
objectives, principles and indicators for sustainable land use in business, the environment, and 
communities.1955 

Marine  spatial  planning  is  carried  out  at  national  and  regional  levels  and  closely  linked  to 
sectoral  and  terrestrial  planning.  Climate  adaptation  is  inherent  to  all  levels  of  planning1956. 
However, a recent review reported that a conflict in planning between oil and gas and climate 
change  has  led  to  strategic  ineffectiveness  at  times  between  2015  and  2018  (Scottish 
Government, 2018)1957. 

Wales:  Wales  has  adopted  a  plan-led  system  to  land-use  planning,  which  is  carried  out 
through up-to-date Local Development Plans. Detailed guidance is available to support land-
use planning in Wales. Climate adaptation is one of the founding principles of the policy and 
features throughout the guidance along with a targeted section to explain the rationale and to 

1953 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2014, Guidance: Climate Change. URL: 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/climate-change. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1954 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2014, Guidance: Climate Change. URL: 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/climate-change. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1955 Scottish Government, 2016, Getting the best from our land: A land use strategy for Scotland 2016-2021. 
URL: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/5773/0. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1956 Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 5). URL: 
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2010/5/pdfs/asp_20100005_en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1957 Scottish Government, 2018, National Marine Plan Review 2018: Three Year Report on the implementation 
of Scotland's National Marine Plan (encompassing inshore and offshore waters). URL: 
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/03/2751.    Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

727 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
signpost to  the relevant  chapters in  the guidance (Welsh  Government,  2016)1958. The Welsh 
Government is also working on the production of a National Development Framework (NDF). 
The  NDF  will  set  out  a  20-year  land-use  framework  for  Wales  and  will  replace  the  current 
Wales Spatial Plan. The NDF includes consideration of climate impacts.  

The first national marine plan for Wales is under development; the draft report was released in 
March  2018  and  a  public  consultation  was  subsequently  conducted.  Climate  adaptation  is 
embedded  in  the  plan  in  relation  to  improving  resilience  of  marine  ecosystems  and  species 
and to coastal change and flooding. (Welsh Government, 2018)1959 

Northern  Ireland:  Regional  guidelines  for  climate  adaptation  in  land-use  planning  are 
defined  in  the  Regional  Development  Strategy  2035  (RDS)  (Department  for  Infrastructure, 
2012)1960. The RDS includes a spatial framework, which is designed according to sectors and 
geography, guidance at regional and sectoral levels, the identification of regionally significant 
economic  infrastructure  and  an  implementation  plan.  Furthermore,  the  Strategic  Planning 
Policy Statement (SPPS), which is in general conformity with the RDS and was published in 
September  2015,  provides  that  the  planning  system  can  further  sustainable  development  by 
mitigating  and  adapting  to  climate  change,  whilst  improving  air  quality.  The  SPPS  is  a 
strategic planning policy framework for the reformed two-tier planning system, which became 
operational on 1 April 2015. The SPPS must be taken into account in the preparation of Local 
Development  Plans  and  by  individual  planning  applications  and  appeals.  The  development 
and  publication  of  the  SPPS  fulfils  a  commitment  to  build  the  resilience  of  the  built  and 
natural environment and to develop and implement sustainable strategies to explore, address 
and manage significant flood risk. The SPPS applies to the whole of Northern Ireland. 

At the local  level,  all of Northern  Ireland’s 11 local  councils are, currently, developing  and 
preparing  new  local  development  plans  to  embed  the  plan-led  system  introduced  by  the 
Planning  Act  (Northern  Ireland)  2011.  It  is  expected  that  these  plans  will  assist  with  the 
delivery of the Northern Ireland Executive’s priorities, including the RDS and SPPS.  

The first national marine plan for Northern Ireland is under development; the draft report was 
released in April 2018 and a public consultation was launched at the same time (18 April – 15 
June 2018). Climate adaptation is embedded in the plan in relation to improving resilience of 
marine ecosystems and species and to coastal change and flooding (DAERA, 2018)1961. 

1958 Welsh Government, 2016, Planning Policy Wales. URL: 
https://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/161117planning-policy-wales-edition-9-en.pdf. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1959 Welsh Government, 2018, Draft Welsh National Marine Plan. URL: 
https://beta.gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2018-02/draft-plan-en.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1960 Department for Regional Development, 2012, Regional Development Strategy. URL: 
https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/infrastructure/regional-development-
strategy-2035.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1961 DAERA, 2018: Consultation on the proposed Marine Plan. URL: https://www.daera-
ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-proposed-marine-plan. Date accessed: 15/05/2018. 

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8d.  National  policy  instruments  promote  adaptation  at  sectoral  level,  in  line  with 
national priorities and in areas where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress / No  

England  &  reserved  matters:  The  NAP  promotes  sectoral  adaptation.  The  Government’s 
policy has been to embed adaptation consideration into all relevant policies, and the NAP sets 
out  the  roles  of  the  key  government  departments  and  their  respective  delivery  bodies  and 
partners. The most relevant policy instruments are identified, and the ways that they already 
promote  adaptation  (or  actions  to  ensure  that  they  will  in  the  near  future)  are  described. 
Adaptation  is  embedded  as  a  consideration  across  the  UK  Government  with  coordination 
from  the  Domestic  Adaptation  Board.  The  Defra  Climate  Ready  programme  chaired  the 
Domestic  Adaptation  Board  and  co-ordinated  the  UK  Government’s  work  on  adaptation  in 
England,  and  throughout  the  UK  on  a  range  of  reserved  matters.  Defra  policy  officials 
continue this role. 

Scotland:  A  senior  cross-government  Climate  Change  Delivery  Board  and  Sector  Action 
Plans  assist  in  mainstreaming  adaptation  across  policy  areas.  By  providing  co-ordination 
across  boundaries  of  organisations’  responsibilities,  this  encourages  both  private  and  public 
action  and  can  ensure  a  long-term  approach  to  public  goods,  such  as  natural  resource 
protection. Co-ordination is provided through: 

  Development  of  key  national  strategies,  such  as  the  Land  Use  Strategy  and  the 

National Planning Framework 

  Establishment of forums such as the Rural Land Use Study; and 
  Support of consistent public-sector advice through Adaptation Scotland  

Wales:  The  Well-being  of  Future  Generations  (Wales)  Act  2015  establishes  the  framework 
for integrating considerations of climate change into policy development and delivery across 
sectors.  During  policy  development,  there  must  be  consideration  of  future  climate  trends, 
alongside other significant national and global trends identified in the Future Trends Report. 
Policies should be designed to  maximise their contribution  to  the national  well-being  goals, 
thereby incorporating climate resilience into policy design.  

At the time of reporting, work is also underway in Wales to develop a National Development 
Framework,  which  will  establish  a  20-year  land-use  planning  system,  nationally,  regionally 
and  locally,  across  sectors.  Adaptation  to  climate  change  will  be  an  underpinning 
consideration to the framework1962.  

Northern  Ireland:  A  Cross-Departmental  Working  Group  on  Climate  Change  has  been 
established  to  facilitate  the  development  of  the  government’s  climate  change  adaptation 

1962 Welsh Government, 2017, National Development Framework for Wales. URL: 
http://gov.wales/topics/planning/national-development-framework-for-wales/?lang=en. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 

729 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
programme (policies and actions). This has been further driven by “the Northern Ireland Civil 
Service  Work  Programme’s  Outcome  2”:  “We  live  and  work  sustainably  -  protecting  the 
environment”. This outcome is aligned with the Government’s commitment to implementing 
Goal  13  of  the  UN  2030  Sustainable  Development  Goals,  which  requires  urgent  action  to 
combat  climate  change  and  its  impacts.  As  a  contribution  to  the  delivery  of  Outcome  2 
beyond  government,  DAERA  funds  and  works  closely  with  Climate  Northern  Ireland  to 
ensure promotion of climate adaptation actions across all sectors, including awareness raising, 
climate change risk management, and responding to opportunities.  

8e.  Adaptation  is  mainstreamed  in  insurance  or  alternative  policy  instruments,  where 
relevant, to provide incentives for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Adaptation  is  not  yet  mainstreamed  into  insurance  or  other  policy  instruments  incentivising 
investments in risk prevention, but the NAP contains significant elements that will facilitate 
integration in the short term. On incentives, one of the key declared drivers of the NAP is that, 
while it is important for the Government to help remove barriers to action, policy should be 
developed in such a way that it does not crowd out private investment in adaptation and keeps 
a clear focus on cost-effectiveness. 

Flood insurance is recognised as a key tool to help households and private businesses manage 
the  potential  consequences  of  extreme  events  linked  to  climate  change.  Accordingly,  the 
Government  is  committed  to  ensuring  the  continued  availability  and  affordability  of  flood 
insurance  to  high-risk  households.  One  of  the  NAP  actions  with  this  aim  is  securing  new 
arrangements  for  flood  insurance  beyond  2013.  It  was  followed  up  by  a  number  of 
recommendations  in  review  of  the  NAP  progress  by  the  ASC  in  2015,  including  future 
strategies  and  recommendations  on  Flood  Re,  a  recent  public-private  initiative  that  became 
operational1963.  

Flood  Re  is  an  important  instrument,  but  not  considered  to  convincingly  incentivise 
adaptation. As part of Flood Re's transition plan, there are proposals to encourage households 
to better protect their properties, so that the chance of needing to make a claim is reduced. The 
aim  is  to  allow  insurance  to  remain  available  and  affordable  without  the  need  for  ongoing 
subsidies”1964. 

1963 HM Government, 2015, Government response to the Committee on Climate Change. Progress on preparing 
for climate change (pp. 13, 14 and 18). URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2015/10/DECC_CCC_Adaptation.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1964 CCC, 2016, Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme: An independent assessment for the Scottish 
Parliament. Committee on Climate Change September 2016 (p.87). URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2016/09/Scottish-Climate-Change-Adaptation-Programme-An-independent-assessment-CCC-
September-2016.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

730 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
9. Implementing adaptation 

9a. Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. as defined in action plans or 
sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In progress / No 

There  are  many  sectoral  policy  instruments  that  have  driven  adaptation  actions  since 
integration of the consideration of climate change risks across all relevant instruments is part 
of  the  UK’s  approach  to  adapting  to  climate  change.  Examples  of  national  plans  at  sector 
level include: 

  The  Government’s  strategic  policy  statements  to  sector  regulators  for  water1965  that 
place  long-term  resilience  at  the  centre  of  business  planning,  influencing  over  £40 
billion of water company investment in water and wastewater services  

  A  Forestry  Sector  Climate  Change  Working  Group,  established  in  2015,  which  is 
working  towards  publishing  an  Action  Plan  for  Forestry  and  Climate  Change 
Adaptation in the UK1966. 

Furthermore,  the  respective  adaptation  programmes  for  England,  Wales,  Scotland  and 
Northern  Ireland  define  policies  and  measures  to  be  implemented  at  several  levels  and 
identifies  the  actors  to  implement  each  of  them.  Each  adaptation  programme  has  a  time 
horizon  of  five  years,  and  provides  tables  identifying  the  timing  for  every  action.  Annual 
progress  reports for the  respective adaptation  programmes indicate that  many  of the actions 
have been or are being implemented already (some were in place before the adoption of the 
adaptation programmes). The second NAP will provide information at sector level concerning 
all  major  infrastructure  sectors  and  annual  progress  reports  will  continue  to  monitor 
implementation progress of the adaptation programmes.  

England  &  reserved  matters:  A  total  of  51%  of  the  actions  included  in  the  NAP  were 
assessed as complete in 2017 and 35% were on track for completion (CCC, 2017)1967. 

Scotland: According to the 2016 ASC review of the SCCAP “Across the three themes of the 
SCCAP,  policies  and  plans  are  generally  in  place  and,  other  than  in  a  few  isolated  cases, 
actions are taking place. However, evidence of progress being made is mixed.” 

1965 Defra, 2017, The Government’s strategic priorities and objectives for Ofwat. URL: 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661803/sps-
ofwat-2017.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1966 BEIS, 2017, 7th National Communication. Chapter 5 – Vulnerability assessment, climate change impact and 
adaptation measures. URL: 
http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/19603845_united_kin
gdom-nc7-br3-1-gbr_nc7_and_br3_with_annexes_(1).pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1967 CCC, 2017, Progress in preparing for climate change. 2017 Report to Parliament. URL: 
https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Report-to-Parliament-Progress-in-preparing-for-
climate-change.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

731 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Furthermore,  the  review  noted  that  “Objectives  in  support  of  climate  adaptation  are 
established  in  each  of  the  SCCAP’s  three  themes,  and  almost  all  of  the  148  policies  and 
proposals mentioned in the programme are reported to be completed or “on track”.”1968 

Wales: To date there has not  been an independent  assessment of the country’s resilience to 
climate risks. However, the Welsh Government is reviewing implementation of actions in the 
2010  Climate  Change  Adaptation  Delivery  Plan  to  ensure  that  they  are  taken  forward,  as 
appropriate, in the new plan.  

Northern  Ireland:  An  evaluation  of  the  progress  made  to  date  is  underway  and  the 
evaluation report will be included in Northern Ireland’s next Adaptation Programme due for 
publication in 2019. 

9b. Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support adaptation at relevant scales 
(e.g. local, subnational) 

Yes / No 

The respective NAPs identify and describe actions and proposals that are the responsibility of 
the Government and of other institutions outside the Government, such as local government, 
industry,  communities  and  civil  society.  The  NAPs  also  identify  actions  where  several 
institutions have to be involved.  

Across the devolved administrations, specific organisations have been established to facilitate 
cooperation.  In  Scotland,  there  are  Community  Planning  Partnerships1969  and  the  Scottish 
Climate  Change  Impacts  Partnership,  which  help  local  stakeholders  in  local  adaptation 
planning.  In  Wales,  PSBs  have  been  established  to  foster  a  collaborative  approach  to 
addressing local priorities 1970. While in Northern Ireland, an Adaptation Programme has been 
established  to  encourage  adaptation  responsibilities  throughout  society,  including  district 
councils.     

In addition, the UK facilitates regional coordination through several initiatives including Core 
Cities. This group represents the UK’s 10 core cities, excluding London, and aims to unlock 
their  full  potential  to  create  a  stronger,  fairer  economy  and  society.  Sub-nationally,  Core 
Cities  are  active  around  adaptation.  Core  Cities  collaborate  at  officer  level  (the  Climate 
Resilience  and  Adaptation  working  group)  and  feed  activity  and  learning  up  into  the  Core 
Cities Climate Low Carbon, Energy and Resilience Policy Hub and ultimately to the cabinet 
and  chief  executive  levels.  There  have  been  some  good  examples  of  progress  against  NAP 

1968 See Key Messages and Executive Summary for overview: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2016/09/Scottish-Climate-Change-Adaptation-Programme-An-independent-assessment-CCC-
September-2016.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1969 Community Planning Partnerships are operating in all 32 local authority areas and are responsible for 
developing and delivering a local development plan for its council area.  
1970 National Assembly for Wales, 2014, Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Bill. URL: 
http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s30083/WFG%2069%20Welsh%20Local%20Government%20A
ssociation%20WLGA.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

732 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
actions (and core cities principles) within Core Cities, and there are differences sub-nationally 
in areas where Core Cities operate more as city regions or as individual entities themselves.  

As  an  example  of  city-level  partnerships,  the  Leeds  Climate  Commission  is  a  city-wide 
partnership  with  membership  drawn  from  over  30  key  public,  private  and  third  sector 
organisations.  Led initially by the University of Leeds and Leeds City Council, its aim is to 
bring  people  and  organisations  together  to  shape  the  transition  of  Leeds  to  a  low  carbon, 
climate-resilient city and to mirror the strategic priorities of the Government’s advisory CCC 
at a city scale. 

9c.  Procedures  or  guidelines  are  available  to  assess  the  potential  impact  of  climate 
change  on  major  projects  or  programmes,  and  facilitate  the  choice  of  alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure 

Yes / No 

Through  its  Climate  Ready  Support  Service,  EA  worked  with  partners  to  provide  targeted 
advice,  helping  key  sectors  increase  their  resilience  to  all  major  climate  risks  and  impacts. 
The guidance and tools were developed and road-tested with leading companies before being 
rolled out as a wider scheme. EA worked with a range of businesses/sectors (including land 
use/management  planning  sectors,  such  as  forestry,  agriculture  and  the  water  sector)  to 
provide  tools  and  guidance  ranging  from  a  simple  business-resilience  health-check  tool 
through  to  full  risk  assessment  methods  for  more  complex  aspects,  such  as  understanding 
supply chain impacts: 

  Guidance  on business  continuity1971, making 

the  built 
for  adapting 
environment1972, adaptation 
social  care1973, the  paper  and  pulp 
sector1974, the food and drink sector1975, farm business resilience1976, and climate-proofing 
health and wellbeing strategies1977, adaptation in the natural environment1978, and a quick 
guide for small and medium-sized businesses1979 

for health  and 

the  case 

1971 BSI: Adapting to Climate Change using your Business Continuity Management System. URL:    
http://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/forms/Adapting-to-Climate-Change-using-your-Business-Continuity-
Management-System/. Date accessed: 15/05/2018.  
1972 Climate Change Adaptation: Official group of buildings performance. Articles. URL: 
https://connect.innovateuk.org/web/climate-change-adaptation/article-view/-/blogs/guidance-for-making-the-
case-for-climate-change-adaptation-in-the-built-environment. Date accessed: 15/05/2018. 
1973 NHS, 2012, Adaptation to Climate Change for Health and Social Care organisations: “Co-ordinated, 
resilient, prepared.”. URL: http://www.sduhealth.org.uk/documents/publications/adaptation_guidance_final.pdf. 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1974 Climate Ready, 2013, Preparing a climate change action plan: Paper and pulp sector guidance. URL: 
http://www.paper.org.uk/documents/EA/Climate%20Ready%20Adaptation%20Guidance%20paper%20and%20
pulp%20final%20181113.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
1975Climate Ready, 2013, Preparing a climate change action plan: Food and drink sector guidance. URL:    
http://www.fdf.org.uk/publicgeneral/Climate-Ready-FDF-Adaptation-Guide.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1976 Farming Advice Service: Managing business risks in a changing climate. URL: 
https://vimeo.com/123620498?lite=1. Date accessed: 15/05/2018.  
1977 Climate Ready, 2015, Under the weather: Improving health, wellbeing and resilience in a changing climate. 
URL: http://www.sduhealth.org.uk/documents/publications/2015/09032015_-_Under_the_weather_-
_Climate_Ready_-_version_2_-_Final_Master.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

733 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
  Tools 

to better  understand  social  vulnerability  and  climate  change1980, business 
the  costs  and  benefits  of 

resilience1981 and farm  business  resilience1982, analyse 
adaptation1983, project climate change impacts on wetlands1984. 

In addition, the UKCIP has produced a range of guidelines over the years1985.  

The  NAP  details  actions  from  the  Institute  of  Environmental  Management  and  Assessment 
(IEMA), which aim to ensure that climate change implications will be given consideration in 
all  infrastructure  works  to  be  implemented  from  2013  to  2016.  This  includes:  reviews  of 
IEMA's online hub on EIA and climate change, updating advice resources (information pages 
and  advice  notes)  and  other  communication  and  awareness  campaigns  (e.g.  webinars),  and 
providing  guidance  on  integrating  climate  change  and  biodiversity  into  the  EIA  and  SEA 
process1986. 

The  NPPF  supports  the  use  of  green  infrastructure.  The  Local  Government  Association 
(LGA)  has  recently  issued  reference  guides  and  resources  to  help  local  authorities  plan  for 
and provide green infrastructure in developing their local environment in order to reduce and 
manage climate change impacts in urban areas. 

9d.  There  are  processes  for  stakeholders'  involvement  in  the  implementation  of 
adaptation policies and measures 

Yes / No 

The actors responsible for the implementation of the adaptation actions are prescribed by the 
respective adaptation programmes. Nearly 100 organisations are listed against actions in the 
first  NAP,  many  of  which  cover  sectors  with  many  members  that  would  contribute  to 

1978 Natural England, 2014, Climate Change Adaptation Manual – Evidence to support nature conservation in a 
changing climate (NE546). URL: http://nepubprod.appspot.com/publication/5629923804839936. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018.  
1979 Defra and Environment Agency, 2013, Climate Week: Be Climate Ready. URL: 
http://www.greensuffolk.org/assets/Greenest-County/Business/General-Files/Be-Climate-Ready-Guide.pdf. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1980 Climate Just. URL: http://www.climatejust.org.uk/. Date accessed: 15/05/2018. 
1981 Business Resilience Health Check. URL: http://www.businessresiliencehealthcheck.co.uk/. Date accessed: 
15/05/2018. 
1982 Farm Business Resilience Healthcheck. URL: http://www.farmbusinessresilience.co.uk/. Date accessed: 
15/05/2018. 
1983 Climate Ready, 2014, Business case for adaptation. URL: http://www.fdf.org.uk/publicgeneral/cost-benefit-
analysis-methodology.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1984 CEH, 2012, New tool helps project the impacts of climate change on wetlands. URL: 
http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/news/new-tool-helps-project-impacts-climate-change-wetlands. Date 
accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1985 UKCIP: Decision-making for adaptation exchanging knowledge and ideas. Creative adaptation. URL: 
http://www.ukcip.org.uk/publications/. Date accessed: 15/05/2018. 
1986 IEMA, 2015, New EIA Guidance Will Speed Up Planning and Bring Down Costs. URL: 
https://www.iema.net/news/news/2015/11/12/new-eia-guidance-will-speed-up-planning-and-bring-down-costs/. 
Date accessed: 15/05/2018. 

734 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                     
delivering  against  those  actions  and  would  have  been  engaged  in  developing  the  NAP. 
Stakeholders include: universities; research bodies; government departments and agencies (at 
a  UK  level  as  well  as  those  of  the  devolved  administrations);  NGOs;  city  councils  and 
authorities; the Crown Estate; trade associations; regional partnership bodies (CCC, 2017)1987. 

Advice and support concerning the implementation of adaptation actions is provided at a UK 
level, through Climate UK, which covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (see 
Indicator  1c.).  Although  Climate  UK  Community  Interest  Company  (CIC)  will  cease 
operations, the informal Climate UK network, which existed for more than 10 years prior to 
the establishment of the CIC, will continue.  

Through  the  ARCC  and  EA,  the  Government  has  also  worked  to  establish  and  support 
networks  of  organisations  that  may  share  common  risks  on  an  ad  hoc  basis.  One  such 
example  is  the  Infrastructure  Operators  Adaptation  Forum,  which  provides  a  platform  for 
stakeholders  in  the  infrastructure  sector  to  share  best  practices  to  reduce  vulnerability  to 
climate  adaptation  and  identify  opportunities  (stakeholders  include:  operators,  regulators, 
government bodies, trade associations and researchers)1988. 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10. Monitoring and reporting 

10a.  NAS/NAP  implementation  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the  monitoring  are 
disseminated 

Yes / No 

England  &  reserved  matters:  According  to  the  CCA,  each  report  of  the  UK’s  CCC  must 
contain an assessment of the progress made towards implementing the objectives, proposals 
and  policies  set  out  in  the  programmes  laid  before  the  UK  Parliament  under  the  section 
'adaptation to climate change'. Reporting needs to address the array of actions carried out at 
all levels and by different actors, and is supported by the ARP, which invites comprehensive 
reporting of actions from all relevant stakeholders.  

Monitoring  of  adaptation  action  and  sectoral  integration  is  embedded  in  the  NAP’s 
monitoring  scheme,  as  it  contains  priority  sectoral  activities  and  actors  responsible  for  their 
implementation.  The  ASC  developed  an  adaptation  indicator  framework,  consisting  of 
performance  indicators  for  climate  adaptation,  which  build  on  a  series  of  annual  progress 
reports.1989  

1987 CCC, 2017, Progress in preparing for climate change. 2017 Report to Parliament. URL: 
https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Report-to-Parliament-Progress-in-preparing-for-
climate-change.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1988 ARCC: Infrastructure operators adaptation forum. URL: https://www.arcc-
network.org.uk/infrastructure/ioaf/. Date accessed: 01/06/2018. 
1989 CCC: Publications. URL: http://www.theccc.org.uk/publications/. Date accessed: 15/05/2018.  

735 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
Work  is  carried  out  across  the  Government  to  track  implementation  of  the  first  NAP  on  a 
regular basis. Additionally, the ASC has a statutory duty to assess progress in implementing 
the  NAP,  reporting  to  Parliament  in  June  2015  and  every  two  years  thereafter.  The  ASC 
assesses  all  actions  in  the  NAP,  including  those  for  councils  and  other  local  public  bodies, 
business, and civil society, as well as central government. 

The  ASC’s  first  report1990  to  the  UK  Parliament  on  the  implementation  of  the  NAP  was 
published  in  June  2015. The  Government’s  response1991  to  the  assessment  was  published in 
October 2015. In June 2017, the ASC published their second and final progress report on the 
first NAP1992. An official government response was due for publication in October 2017. 

The  progress  reports  do  not  contain  comprehensive  information  concerning  financial 
information on allocated budgets and the costs of actions. 

Scotland: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires Scottish Ministers to provide an 
annual  report  on  progress  towards  achieving  the  objectives  and  implementing  the  proposals 
and policies set out in the SCCAP. The first annual report was published in May 20151993, the 
second in May 20161994, the third in May 20171995 and the fourth in May 20181996. The Act 
establishes  the  requirement  for  the  ASC  to  independently  assess  the  Scottish  Government's 
progress  towards  meeting  the  objectives  in  the  SCCAP.  The  first  independent  report  was 
published  in  September  20161997.  The  ClimateXChange  centre  has  developed  an  indicator 
framework for Scotland, with funding from the Scottish Government. This is currently being 
updated to inform the second ASC Independent Assessment. 

1990 CCC, 2015, Reducing emissions and preparing for climate change: 2015 Progress Report to Parliament. 
URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/reducing-emissions-and-preparing-for-climate-change-2015-
progress-report-to-parliament/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1991 HM Government, 2015, Committee on Climate Change’s 2015 progress report: Government response. URL: 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/committee-on-climate-changes-2015-progress-report-government-
response. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1992 CCC, 2017, 2017 Report to Parliament – Progress in preparing for climate change. URL: 
https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2017-report-to-parliament-progress-in-preparing-for-climate-change/. 
Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  
1993 Scottish Government, 2015, Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, 
Annual Progress Report 2015. URL: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/05/2336. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018.  
1994 Scottish Government, 2016, Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. 
Second Annual Progress Report 2016. URL: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/05/7046. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1995 Scottish Government, 2017, Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme. 
Third annual progress report 2017. URL: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/05/3941. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018. 
1996 Scottish Government, 2018, Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme - 
Fourth Annual Progress Report. URL: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/05/8259. Date accessed: 
11/05/2018.  
1997 Adaptation Sub-Committee, 2016, Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme: An independent 
assessment. URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/scottish-climate-change-adaptation-programme-an-
independent-assessment-for-the-scottish-parliament/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

736 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
The  progress  reports  do  not  contain  comprehensive  information  concerning  financial 
information on allocated budgets and the costs of actions. 

Wales: Under the CCA there are provisions for the Welsh Government to report on progress 
in  relation  to  climate  change,  which  are  set  out  in  the  Welsh  Government's  Annual  Report, 
along with a summary of the actions taken. This reporting requirement has been strengthened 
through the Well-being of future Generations Act, where all public bodies will need to set out 
how they are working towards the well-being goals including the ‘Resilient Wales Goal’. The 
Welsh Government intends to introduce adaptation indicators in a phased manner. 

Northern Ireland: The CCA requires that the next Climate Change Adaptation Programme 
(and  any  subsequent  ones)  must  contain  an  assessment  of  the  progress  made  towards 
implementing  the  objectives,  proposals  and  polices  set  out  in  earlier  programmes.  The 
identification  of  data  and  indicators  to  monitor  adaptation  is  also  considered  as  part  of 
Northern Ireland’s adaptation programme and will be part of the next adaptation programme 
due to be published in 2019.   

The  progress  reports  do  not  contain  comprehensive  information  concerning  financial 
information on allocated budgets and the costs of actions. 

10b. The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral policies is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Monitoring  of  adaptation  action  and  sectoral  integration  is  embedded  in  the  monitoring 
scheme of the respective adaptation programmes, as it contains priority sectoral activities and 
actors responsible for their implementation.  

In addition, in England, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has 
the  discretionary  power  to  direct  reporting  authorities  to  prepare  reports  on  how  they  are 
adapting to climate change. Reports include an assessment of climate change risks faced by 
the reporting authority, and a programme of measures to address the risks and opportunities 
presented.  In  the  first  reporting  round  (2010-2011),  over  100  organisations  from  the  water, 
energy, transport and public sectors submitted reports. In 2013, the Government published a 
strategy for the second round of reporting, with just over 100 organisations invited to report 
on a voluntary basis for the second round between 2014 and 2016. The ASC provides advice 
to  the  Government  on  the  ARP.  New  advice  was  published  in  March  20171998.  The 
Government will lay its third strategy for adaptation reporting in 2018 following discussions 
with reporting organisations and a public consultation.  

1998 CCC, 2017, Adaptation Reporting Power: Second Round Review. URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2017/03/Adaptation-Reporting-Power-Second-round-review-Committee-on-Climate-Change-
March-2017.pdf. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 

737 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
10c.  Regional-,  sub-national  or  local  action  is  monitored  and  the  results  of  the 
monitoring are disseminated 

Yes / No 

Monitoring is carried out at a local level and disseminated at a national level. The details are 
provided under Indicator 10a.  

11. Evaluation 

11a. A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and action plans is planned 

Yes / No 

A  periodic  review  of  adaptation  action  is  planned  at  the  UK  level  and  by  the  devolved 
administrations.  

The review involves an evaluation of the climate risks and the CCRA must be updated every 
five years, with the second CCRA published in 20171999. The CCRA is updated at a national 
level,  including  targeted  assessments  at  the  level  of  the  devolved  administrations.  The 
evidence  gathered  is  used  to  inform  the  development  of  subsequent  strategies  and  action 
plans. 

During  the  lifetime  of  the  adaptation  programmes,  there  are  additional  review  mechanisms, 
including an independent review by the ASC (carried out at national level and at the level of 
the devolved administrations). In the case of England, reports submitted by the ARP are also 
considered in the evaluation. 

The CCA requires the UK's adaptation cycle to be renewed every five  years and a new UK 
NAP  is  due  in  2018-2019;  updates  by  the  devolved  administrations  are  also  expected 
according to same timeframe. 

11b.  Stakeholders  are  involved  in  the  assessment,  evaluation  and  review  of  national 
adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

For the development of the second CCRA (which forms the evidence base of the respective 
adaptation  programmes),  stakeholders  have  been:  invited  to  submit  evidence  (in  2014); 
invited to attend two workshops with 100 stakeholders present each time; involved in a series 
of  targeted  work  groups  (with  between  10  and  20  stakeholders  present  each  time);  and 
involved in peer review of the CCRA2000.  

1999 CCC, 2017, UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017 Evidence Report. URL: 
https://www.theccc.org.uk/uk-climate-change-risk-assessment-2017/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018. 
2000 CCC: Review and engagement. URL: https://www.theccc.org.uk/tackling-climate-change/preparing-for-
climate-change/uk-climate-change-risk-assessment-2017/review-and-engagement/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  

738 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
In  addition,  for  England  stakeholders  were  invited  to  participate  in  a  public  consultation 
concerning the proposals for the third round of adaptation reporting (relating to the ARP).2001 

2001 Defra: Climate change adaptation: proposals for the third round of adaptation reporting. URL: 
https://consult.defra.gov.uk/environmental-quality/adaptation-reporting/. Date accessed: 11/05/2018.  

739 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
SUMMARY TABLE 

Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

Indicator 

Step A: Preparing the ground for adaptation 

Met? 

1 

1a 

1b 

1c 

2 

2a 

2b 

Coordination structure 

A central administration body officially in charge of 
adaptation policy making 

Yes / No 

Horizontal (i.e. sectoral) coordination mechanisms exist 
within the governance system, with division of 
responsibilities 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Vertical (i.e. across levels of administration) coordination 
mechanisms exist within the governance system, enabling 
lower levels of administration to influence policy making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Stakeholders’ involvement in policy development 

A dedicated process is in place to facilitate stakeholders' 
involvement in the preparation of adaptation policies 

Transboundary cooperation is planned to address 
common challenges with relevant countries 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Step B: Assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change 

3 

3a 

3b 

3c 

3d 

4 

4a 

Current and projected climate change 

Observation systems are in place to monitor climate 
change, extreme climate events and their impacts 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Scenarios and projections are used to assess the 
economic, social and environmental impacts of climate 
change, taking into account geographical specificities and 
best available science (e.g. in response to revised IPCC 
assessments) 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Sound climate risks/vulnerability assessments for priority 
vulnerable sectors are undertaken to support adaptation 
decision making. 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Climate risks/vulnerability assessments take 
transboundary risks into account, when relevant 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Knowledge gaps 

Work is being carried out to identify, prioritise and 

Yes / In progress 

740 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

5 

5a 

5b 

Indicator 
address the knowledge gaps 

Knowledge transfer 

Met? 
/ No 

Adaptation relevant data and information is available to 
all stakeholders, including policy makers (e.g. through a 
dedicated website or other comparable means). 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Capacity building activities take place; education and 
training materials on climate change adaptation concepts 
and practices are available and disseminated 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Step C: Identifying adaptation options 

6 

6a 

6b 

6c 

7 

7a 

Identification of adaptation options 

Adaptation options address the sectoral risks identified in 
3c, the geographical specificities identified in 3b and 
follow best practices in similar contexts  

The selection of priority adaptation options is based on 
robust methods (e.g. multi-criteria analyses, stakeholders' 
consultation, etc.)    and consistent with existing decision-
making frameworks 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Mechanisms are in place to coordinate disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation and to ensure 
coherence between the two policies 

Yes / In progress 
/No 

Funding resources identified and allocated 

Funding is available to increase climate resilience in 
vulnerable sectors and for cross-cutting adaptation action 

Yes / In 
progress /No 

Step D: Implementing adaptation action 

8 

8a 

8b 

8c 

Mainstreaming adaptation in planning processes 

Consideration of climate change adaptation has been 
included in the national frameworks for environmental 
impact assessments 

Prevention/preparedness strategies in place under 
national disaster risk management plans take into account 
climate change impacts and projections  

Key land use, spatial planning, urban planning and 
maritime spatial planning policies take into account the 
impacts of climate change 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

741 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adaptation Preparedness Scoreboard 

No. 

8d 

8e 

9 

9a 

9b 

9c 

9d 

Indicator 

Met? 

National policy instruments promote adaptation at 
sectoral level, in line with national priorities and in areas 
where adaptation is mainstreamed in EU policies 

Yes / In progress 
/ No 

Adaptation is mainstreamed in insurance or alternative 
policy instruments, where relevant, to provide incentives 
for investments in risk prevention 

Yes / No 

Implementing adaptation 

Adaptation policies and measures are implemented, e.g. 
as defined in action plans or sectoral policy documents 

Yes / In 
progress / No 

Cooperation mechanisms in place to foster and support 
adaptation at relevant scales (e.g. local, subnational) 

Procedures or guidelines are available to assess the 
potential impact of climate change on major projects or 
programmes, and facilitate the choice of alternative 
options, e.g. green infrastructure  

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

There are processes for stakeholders' involvement in the 
implementation of adaptation policies and measures. 

Yes / No 

Step E: Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation activities 

10  Monitoring and reporting 

10a 

10b 

10c 

NAS/NAP implementation is monitored and the results of 
the monitoring are disseminated 

The integration of climate change adaptation in sectoral 
policies is monitored and the results of the monitoring are 
disseminated 

Regional-, sub-national or local action is monitored and 
the results of the monitoring are disseminated 

11 

Evaluation 

11a 

11b 

A periodic review of the national adaptation strategy and 
action plans is planned 

Stakeholders are involved in the assessment, evaluation 
and review of national adaptation policy 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

Yes / No 

742