European Climate Change Adaptation Conference (ECCA)

Since its inception, ECCA has become a cornerstone of the European adaptation community, fostering dialogue and collaboration between science, policy, and practice. The conference highlights the latest research and innovation emerging from projects supported by the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programmes, helping to bridge the gap between knowledge generation and implementation on the ground. To date, seven ECCA conferences have been convened, each contributing to a stronger and more connected adaptation ecosystem across Europe.

Summary of past events

ECCA 2025, Rimini

The 7^th European Climate Change Adaptation Conference “Smarter, Faster and More Systemic Adaptation” took place in Rimini, Italy, from 16 to 18 June 2025. Hosted by the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation (CMCC), organized in partnership with JPI Climate, and supported by the Horizon EU MAGICA project, the conference brought together leading experts and practitioners to accelerate climate adaptation across Europe.

ECCA 2023, Dublin

The 6th European Climate Change Adaptation Conference “Actionable Knowledge for a Climate Resilient Europe” was held on 19 to 21 June 2023. The goal of the conference was to inspire adaptation by showcasing and identifying solutions, exchanging knowledge, creating connections, inspiring action and encouraging dialogue on how to act more and faster at every level in order to implement effective measures to adapt to the changing climate.

Organizers: a European-wide collaboration led by the JPI Climate and climate project, MAGICA, supported by the European Commission.

ECCA 2021, online

The 5th ECCA conference "Bringing adaptation solutions to life: Inspiring climate adaptation action today for a resilient future" took place online. A series of 9 webinars was organized from 25 May to 10 June, in the run-up to a high-level event on 22 June. Besides the high-level event on 22 June and a series of 9 thematic webinars, the conference showcased the results of EU adaptation projects funded under Horizon 2020, LIFE, Interreg, Creative Europe.

ECCA 2019, Lisbon

The 4th ECCA conference "Working together to prepare for change" focused on six themes, from co-production of knowledge to tackling the global challenges of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Organisers: PLACARD, BINGO, RESCCUE, Co-organisers: Lisbon City Hall, Ministry of Environment and Energy Transition

ECCA 2017, Glasgow

The third ECCA conference 'Our Climate Ready Future' focused on inspiring and enabling people to work together to discover and deliver positive climate adaptation solutions that can strengthen society, revitalise local economies and enhance the environment.

Organizers: IMPRESSIONS, HELIX and RISES-AM projects, Adaptation Scotland and Glasgow City Council.

ECCA 2015, Copenhagen

The second ECCA conference "Integrating climate adaptation action in science, policy, practice and business" focused on understanding and assessing adaptation in action.

Organizers: BASE, RAMSES, ToPDAd

ECCA 2013, Hamburg

The first ECCA conference "Integrating climate into action" focused on creating a European forum with the aim of fostering a creative and effective dialogue between science, policy and practice.

It was the first European conference covering the broad range of issues related to climate change adaptation and following international conferences in Australia (Gold Coast, Queensland) in 2010 and in the United States (Tucson, Arizona) in 2012. The conference placed a greater emphasis on understanding and assessing adaptation in action under the theme integrating climate into action.

Organizers: RESPONSES, CLIMSAVE, MEDIATION, ClimateCost