European nations must work together in order to adapt to climate change, a new report has said, although there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.

The ‘Adaptation in Europe’ report, launched today by the European Environment Agency (EEA), describes the policies and some of the measures taken at EU level and by European countries in preparation for temperature increases and other climate changes. While global mitigation efforts are being aimed at limiting global temperature increases to 2C, the report says preparations are needed to account for the many uncertainties in climatic and socio-economic projections.

So far half of the 32 EEA member countries have plans for adaptation, and some have started to take action, although all countries still have a lot of work to do, the EEA said.

Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said:

“Adaptation is about new ways of thinking and dealing with risks and hazards, uncertainty and complexity. It will require Europeans to cooperate, to learn from each other and to invest in the long-term transformations needed to sustain our well-being in the face of climate change.”

The report recommends a combination of different measures – ‘grey’ measures such as technological and engineering projects, ‘green’ ecosystem-based approaches using nature, and so-called ‘soft’ measures such as policies to change governance approaches. The most effective adaptation projects often combine two or more different approaches, the report says.

For example, adaptation on France’s Mediterranean coast uses an integrated approach considering climate change, tourism, transport and biodiversity. In urban areas green spaces and water bodies work together with building design to reduce heatwave risks. Barcelona has also started to adapt to water shortages with a new highly efficient desalination plant. This ‘grey’ project works in tandem with other ‘soft’ initiatives such as incentives to reduce water consumption, reducing the impacts from prolonged droughts.

While the cost of adaptation may be high in some cases, the report emphasises the overall savings from some adaptation actions. One of the largest ecosystem-based adaptation projects is restoring the Danube river basin to its previously natural state. Although it will cost an estimated € 183 million, it should help prevent flooding such as the 2005 event which alone cost € 396 million in damages.

Early warning systems to help predict forest fires, floods and droughts have been set up in Europe. Such soft measures can help communities cope with risks, the report says. A similar project in Italy has set up early warning systems for mosquito-borne diseases expected to increase with climate change.

As part of its efforts to adapt to climate change, the UK is developing a long-term strategy for flood risk management in London and the Thames estuary. Through the Thames Estuary 2100’ project, the Environment Agency in England is taking into account existing and future assets and addressing climate change issues that could develop over the next 100 years.

Meanwhile, the upgrade of the Thames Barrier which protects London from coastal flooding is being planned to keep options open, so it can be adjusted depending on the trend in sea level rise.

Of the policy sectors that have been identified in national adaptation policies in Europe according to the information submitted to Climate-ADAPT, the water sector is relatively advanced in implementing adaptation measures and is often highlighted as a priority for further adaptation action. However, the report stresses that other key sectors should not be ignored.

Interestingly, economic issues are practically missing from the list, with only two countries (Austria, Latvia) mentioning these in national adaptation policies, while only four (Germany, Latvia, Spain and UK) mentioned business and services.

The report was launched at the conference on the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, which is intended to support coherent and integrated adaptation policies in the EU across different sectors.

Read the report here