Mainstreaming adaptation in EU sector policies

In April 2013 the European Commission adopted the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change which sets out a framework and mechanisms for taking the EU's preparedness for current and future climate impacts to a new level. The EU finances adaptation to climate change in Europe through a wide range of instruments.

Climate policy mainstreaming is the involvement of actors, whose main tasks are not directly concerned with climate change, working towards the goals of mitigation , or adaptation . Adaptation means anticipating the adverse effects of climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage they can cause. Early action will save damage costs later on, so adaptation strategies are needed at all levels of administration, from local to international.

Mainstreaming climate change adaptation in EU policies is one of the pillars of the European Commission's 2009 White Paper "Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action". In the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the following statement is made on combating climate change: 'We must also strengthen our economies' resilience to climate risks, and our capacity for disaster prevention and response'.

EU policies in which such mainstreaming is ongoing or explored are:

	Agriculture and Forestry The European Commission's EU strategy on adaptation to climate change... Read more				Biodiversity Climate change is expected to have a substantial impact on biodiversity, the functioning of ecosystems.. Read more
	Coastal areas Sea level rise can cause flooding, coastal erosion and the loss of low-lying... Read more				Disaster risk reduction Over the last few years, Europe has experienced severe forest fires, floods, and droughts... Read more
	Financial There are no specific EU policies to mainstream climate change adaptation... Read more				Health Climate change will have both direct and indirect effects on human health... Read more
	Infrastructure One of the key policy instruments through which the European Union... Read more				Marine and fisheries EU policies and instruments relevant for coastal areas include the Integrated Maritime... Read more
	Water management Water resources are directly impacted by climate change, and the management... Read more