Climate Adaptation. Introduction

Transcription

1 istockphoto/chris2766 Climate Adaptation Urban areas are increasingly experiencing impacts due to changes in our climate. The current global average temperature is 0.85ºC higher than it was in the late 19th century. As a result, cities need to adapt to different pressures and extreme weather events such as heat waves, droughts, cloudbursts, heavier storms, etc. If cities do not take measures to deal with these possible changes, they will increasingly risk to compromise the wellbeing of their citizens and could suffer large financial losses. On the other 2 Introduction Smart urban design can help to deal with changing weather conditions (Source: hand, by taking measures to mitigate these changes, the climate related risks can be transformed into opportunities for increased quality of life. 3 B e n e f i t s Principles Visualisation of the GAIA project of the city of Bologna ( With GAIA the city of Bologna encourages enterprises to offset their CO2 emissions by purchasing trees, which are used to realise new green areas in the city. Implementation Challenges F u n d i n g Introduction Climate change adaptation at a city level is about adapting the city to the potential effects of a changing climate. The key point is to understand what risks your city faces and to ensure your city is ready to deal with the potential impacts of climate change when they happen. The main risks for European cities are described below. More frequent high temperatures and heat waves will effect human health, especially in countries with warmer climates. Cities run an even higher risk of experiencing conditions of extreme heat due to the urban heat-island effect. High temperatures can lead to higher mortality rates during these events, especially for young children and elderly people. Cities can take measures to limit extreme heat in summer, for instance by providing an extensive blue-green network and limiting sealed surfaces. Climate change can lead to an increase in droughts. Drought is defined as a period of below average Environment

2 precipitation. It can lead to a loss of biodiversity, ecosystems and agricultural produce, shortage in drinking water and increase the risk of forest fires. To address this issue, governments can impose restrictions on water usages or import water from other regions or countries. The increase in the global average temperature also causes a higher volume of moisture in the air, which in turn causes increased amounts of precipitation known as cloudbursts. Cloudburst can last no longer than a couple of minutes, but this can be long enough to cause flooding. To counter this, a city s physical infrastructure needs to be adapted to ensure sufficient drainage and effective stormwater management. Another impact of climate change closely related to mitigation is the robustness of energy supply. It can be affected in two ways; changing climatic conditions can directly affect the power source, which in turn can lead to a temporary power out. In some cases this may result in the need for a back-up power generator. The extreme climate conditions can also lead to a sudden increase in energy demand, which can put a strain on the energy grid. The grid will need to be adapted in order to ensure a continuous power supply during these conditions. Local governments can implement several measures to respond to changing climatic conditions. However, as the impacts affect large areas, cooperation between cities, regions and countries is often necessary to be able to implement measures that have the desired effect. Some measures, such as the realisation of flood resistant infrastructure, are achieved through physical changes. Others, such as water usage restrictions, require behavioural change. Further information: For further information on climate change impacts and adaptation: How will we be affected? An overview of possible effects of climate change in Europe: policies/adaptation/how/index_en.htm The 201 synthesis report from the IPCC reflects on the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks and options for adaptation and mitigation: Benefits. The main objective of adapting to climate change is to make cities resilient or less vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The effects of climate change are, however, already affecting cities and impacting on infrastructure and people. Several cities in Northern Europe are already experiencing excessive rainfall. European coastal cities are attempting to deal with the risk of flooding due to sea level rise. Several Southern European cities are known to experience serious periods of drought, which has caused major forest fires. From the many examples in recent years, we know that these events come at a great cost; material damage, health effects and in the worst case, a loss of lives. To ensure losses are limited, cities can take several measures; sometimes these concern changes to the infrastructure or urban fabric of a city. In other cases, for example the restoration of a river bed to its natural course, the measures can require cooperation between multiple cities, regionals and even countries. Climate adaptation measures have the potential to realise other goals when executed in synergy with other aspects, such as mitigation measures, good water management, enhancing or restoring natural ecosystems, enhancing public realm, increasing green space and improving safety. Further information: To learn more about the costs and benefits of climate adaptation and mitigation Costs and benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation Read the final report on the costs of climate change in Europe and the costs and benefits of adaptation here: Inspiring case studies of adaptation measures taken by cities (under: case studies) Inspiring initiatives from ConnectClimate UNESCO education on climate change

3 Principles What are the high level sustainability principles relating to this topic that can guide policy makers and practitioners? 1. Incorporate the climate change resilience reflex in all projects a city takes! This is the most cost-efficient way of dealing with climate change: make smart investments that achieve two objectives at the same time. This integrated approach helps to make smart investments. 2. Involve all city departments and gain their commitment to adapt the city. This should result in adaptation actions being integrated in other policy areas. The link with urban planning and infrastructural developments is key. The planning department can, for instance, prohibit citizens from building in flood plains, thereby preventing future floods that would disrupt the city s functioning or cause damage and related financial losses. 3. Involve citizens and other city stakeholders in the debate on climate change to get them on board and help the city build momentum. By making citizens and stakeholders aware of the possible impacts of climate change, the city can encourage them to take action or to support more difficult decisions.. Invest in low-regret measures first. These measures are suitable under different (climate) scenarios. A variety of climate measures should be considered, from behaviour change, planting drought tolerant crops to using water resources more efficiently and adapting building codes to future projected climate conditions and extreme weather conditions. 5. Invest in nature based solutions instead of grey infrastructure: Nature based solutions often offer a multitude of environmental benefits (e.g. improved air quality, recreational space and water management) and can have a significantly lower whole-life cost. Nature based solutions generally allow for more flexible planning and adapting as future impacts and evolutions become clearer. More in-depth information on the key principles to tackling climate adaptation: The EEA offers extensive guidance on adaptation to climate change with a set of 10 leading principles, good-practice examples and background information (2010): Implementation The key steps to take: 1. Prepare the ground: a first but crucial step to starting the adaptation process in your city is to put it on the agenda, both of the city administration and the governance body. This is crucial to get the needed resources (time, people, budget). Only if the city is aware that adaptation is needed and beneficial, will it be able to act in an effective way. It is important to collect key-information to gain high-level support and set-up a process in order to define the needed resources. 2. Find out which risks your city faces and its vulnerabilities: a. What are the most prominent climate change risks the city faces? b. Which areas, social groups and systems are especially vulnerable? c. If the above two aspects are put together: what are the main adaptation concerns? The answer to this last question can define a first, strategic direction to adaptation action for the city. 3. Set-up an adaptation plan or include adaptation in the city s different strategic planning documents and instruments for an even more integrated approach: a. Identifying adaptation options - a broad range of adaptation options, including behavioral, technological, regulatory, institutional, or financial adaptation measures are possible. b. Assessing adaptation options - which options are the most effective to reduce risks and vulnerabilities?. Implement the measures:

4 a. Specific projects b. Systematical changes 5. Monitor and assess - check if the measures the city has defined: a. Are carried out within the timing b. Are effective to reach the objectives as defined in the adaptation plan Important strategies are: Make systematical changes- e.g. climate resilience check for all infrastructure projects Use integrated measures: -- e.g. combine objectives in different policy fields e.g. green infrastructure (biodiversity/ water management and climate change resilience and recreation) (no-regret measure!) -- A climate change adaptation team (integrated): involve different policy fields (air quality, nature, infrastructure, urban planning, etc.) Challenges Political support: climate change is a long-term process, making it harder to put it on short or middle-long term agendas. Integration: because climate change impacts and measures are relevant to almost all policy fields, it is important to have the whole city be aware of the importance of adaptation. Communication and awareness raising are therefore crucial: all city officials could take action and integrate climate change measures in their field of expertise. Economic challenges: changes in physical infrastructure often require large financial investment. Especially in case of adjustments on a larger scale, such as the restoration of natural river beds. Political commitment is crucial to ensure the projects can be realized and have the desired effect. Funding can help to close any potential financial gaps. Changing mindsets: encourage the inclusion of nature based solutions instead of grey infrastructure in all city departments Funding This Climate-adapt webpage gives a brief overview of funding opportunities. The webpage links you to different funding options, such as Life Climate Action, ESI Funds and Horizon 2020 (research). Financing adaptation (EC funding): this page provides a general introduction on funding for adaptation. One subpage offers more information on EU funds, another subpage offers some tips to access funding through financial institutions, insurance and other private partners. Information on the EU budget and Life-funding: by clicking on the documentation button on top of the page, relevant regulations and background information appears. Under the Life Climate action page, there is a specific FAQ list for applicants to the Life grant Alternative financing options are offered through the website Best Climate Practices : Links to further information The links found throughout this guidance are repeated below: For further information on climate change impacts and adaptation: europe/climate-change-impacts-and-adaptation To learn more about the costs and benefits of climate adaptation and mitigation Costs and benefits climate adaptation and mitigation

5 Read the final report on the costs of climate change in Europe and the costs and benefits of adaptation here: Inspiring case studies of adaptation measures taken by cities: (under: case studies) Inspiring initiatives from ConnectClimate: UNESCO education on climate change: More in-depth information on the key principles to tackling climate adaptation: The EEA offers extensive guidance on adaptation to climate change with a set of 10 leading principles, goodpractice examples and background information (2010): Funding: This Climate-adapt webpage gives a brief overview of funding opportunities. The webpage links you to different funding options, such as Life Climate Action, ESI Funds and Horizon 2020 (research): Financing adaptation (EC funding): this page provides a general introduction on funding for adaptation. One subpage offers more information on EU funds, another subpage offers some tips to access funding through financial institutions, insurance and other private partners: Information on the EU budget and Life-funding: by clicking on the documentation button on top of the page, relevant regulations and background information appears. Under the Life Climate action page, there is a specific FAQ list for applicants to the Life grant: Alternative financing options are offered through this website: Additional information: The mayor-adapt initiatives asks cities to commit to adapt to climate change, offers guidance and knowledge and provides a peer-to-peer programme: Good practice examples: Access a database with case studies, tools and background information through the Climate-adapt website: The Best Climate Practice is gathering adaptation examples from all over the world. You can search per topic or by world map: Funding: Cohesion fund LIFE European fund Horizon 2020