Towards a Framework for ADAPTATION to Climate Change

Transcription

1 Towards a Framework for ADAPTATION to Climate Change Insight in EU policy making process. Results of Green paper consultation. Bridging the gap : Responding to Environmental Change from Words to Deeds, May 2008, Portorož, Slovenia. by Maria Brättemark, European Commission, DG ENV.D.2

2 ILLUSTRATING THE PROBLEM Climate analogues in 2070, Hadley Centre Model, SRES A2 Hallegatte, Ambrosi, Hourcade (2007)

3 MITIGATION vs ADAPTATION MITIGATION! Despite our mitigation efforts, climate change is happening! EU goal: to maintain global warming at + 2 C (pre-industrial times) ADAPTATION! Efforts in mitigation and adaptation are complementary- the more mitigation done the less adaptation needed and viceversa

4 INITIATIVES LINKED TO MITIGATION Since 1991 the EU is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions o EU monitoring mechanism for emissions and the absorption of GH gases. o EU established a system based on market rules, a greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme and specific rules on fluorinated greenhouse gases o 2000: Communication 2000 on EU policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: towards a European Climate Change Programme (ECCP I) o 2001 : European Climate Change Programme (ECCP I) o 2003 : Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community o 2004 : Decision 280/2004/EC concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol o 2005 : ECCP II Communication 2005 "Winning the battle against global climate change o 2006 : Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 on certain fluorinated greenhouse gases o 2006 : Proposal to include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme o 2007 : Communication 2007 "Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 C - The way ahead for 2020 and beyond" o 2007 : Proposal to limit the CO2 emissions from cars o 2008 : Ambitious package of proposals to fight climate change and promote renewable energy in line with EU commitments

5 OBJECTIVES OF ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK Contributing to establish a European framework to " improve the resilience of social and economical systems as well as ecosystems across Europe and in other parts of the world, " reduce their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change " ensure that crucial areas such as food security, human health, ecosystem protection, economic and social cohesion and energy supply are guaranteed

6 INITIATIVES LINKED TO ADAPTATION EU + EXTERNAL UN Framework Conv.on Climate Change Article 4 Communications Disaster Prevention and Control 2008 Green Paper Adaptation June 2007 ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK White Paper Adaptation Autumn 2008 WATER- EU Communication Droughts & Water Scarcity 2007 Floods Directive 2007 And many others

7 INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT " UN Framework Convention for Climate Change- Article 4- requirement to establish national or regional programmes with measures for climate change adaptation + obligation to cooperate in preparing for adaptation " Adaptation very high on the agenda of the UN climate change conference in Bali (Dec 2007) " Adaptation is one of the building blocks of the Bali Action Plan (structure for the negotiations on post-2012) to be adopted in Copenhagen, in equal footing with mitigation " EU, through bilateral and multilateral channels, has provided support to programmes and measures to enhance adaptive capacity in developing countries and most vulnerable countries.

8 INITIATIVES LINKED TO ADAPTATION EU + EXTERNAL UN Framework Conv.on Climate Change Article 4 Communications Disaster Prevention and Control 2008 Green Paper Adaptation June 2007 ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK White Paper Adaptation Autumn 2008 WATER- EU Communication Droughts & Water Scarcity 2007 Floods Directive 2007 And many others

9 " Water Scarcity and Droughts 2007 Communication " Full implementation of the Water Framework Directive key tool! " Based on four pillars! Putting the right price tag on water! Allocating water more efficiently! Improving drought risk management! Fostering water performance technologies and practices! What s new : Studies on biofuels, water provision options, demand scenarios report autumn 2008! Water : too much or too little! 2007 Directive on the assessment and management of flood risks - " Preliminary flood risk assessment of their river basins and associated coastal zones by 2011 " Where real risks of flood damage exist (at least a 1 in 100 year event), flood hazard maps and flood risk maps by 2013 " Flood risk management plans for these zones by 2015 " Revision every 6 years in a cycle coordinated and synchronised with the Water Framework Directive

10 INITIATIVES LINKED TO ADAPTATION EU + EXTERNAL UN Framework Conv.on Climate Change Article 4 Communications Disaster Prevention and Control 2008 Green Paper Adaptation June 2007 ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK White Paper Adaptation Autumn 2008 WATER- EU Communication Droughts & Water Scarcity 2007 Floods Directive 2007 And many others

11 POLICY MAKING PROCESS Green Paper Adopted June 2007 Stakeholder consultation IA 16/5/2008 White Paper To be adopted Autumn 2008 Stakeholder Consultation Dec 2007 Internal Consultation Development of a Framework for Adaptation

12 Green Paper Adaptation to Climate Change Based on four pillars " Early action in the EU " Integrating adaptation into EU external actions " Reducing uncertainty by expanding climate research " Involving European society in the preparation of comprehensive adaptation strategies

13 OUTCOME OF STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION " Easier for respondents to identify problems than solutions " Areas most vulnerable identified: water, health and biodiversity, tourism and agriculture " There is a regional variation with regard to vulnerable areas, impacts and policy responses " A one size fits all approach will not work " A flexible EU Framework for action could be applied " Urgent response is required " Adaptation and mitigation must be considered together " More research and knowledge gathering is required " Greater public debate and awareness raising needed

14 OPINIONS OTHER EU INSTITUTIONS on GREEN PAPER CoR opinion adopted in November 2007 EESC opinion adopted in December 2007 COUNCIL- October ENV Council conclusions EP- Resolution adopted April 2008 All publicly available

15 Possible components of White Paper " The problem- Main areas of vulnerability and uncertainties " The benefits of early action at EU level " Developing a culture of reducing risk and vulnerability ( for each of following areas different options could be considered) " Awareness raising " Land use " Infrastructure " Market based instruments " Funding mechanisms " Capacity building, research " Principles for action

16 Principles for action " Synergies- Priority to measures good for mitigation and adaptation. " No regret- Priority to measures beneficial irrespectively of uncertainties " Precautionary principle- consider worst-case scenario measures, even if uncertainties are high (cases where the costs or the magnitude of the impacts in such scenarios would be unacceptable) " Solidarity- between MS, regions, social groups " Flexibility and subsidiarity - Adapt policy should be dynamic and flexible " Knowledge based- Adapt policy should be based on scientific evidence " Proportionality- measures must be cost-effective and proportionate " Sustainability- Measures must be in line with sustainable development

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