Explore Climate-ADAPT and selected other case studies in terms of geographic location, thematic coverage and link to adaptation options through the map-based Case study explorer.

Case studies can be also accessed through the Climate-ADAPT database, selecting ‘case studies’ in the ‘Type of item’ filter. The database enables filtering case studies by adaptation sectors they address, climate change impacts they cope with, countries and transnational regions where they are located.

Climate-ADAPT case studies describe either implemented adaptation measures/measures under implementation or initiatives and actions that are preparing or improving the enabling conditions to implement adaptation. They are aimed at supporting policy and decision-makers, in particular at the local and regional scale, in their efforts to cope with the effects of climate change and to increase resilience to extreme weather and slow onset events.

Climate-ADAPT case studies have a comprehensive structure that covers key aspects of the adaptation process. They are specifically developed by European Environment Agency (EEA) with the support of the European Topic Centre on Climate Change Adaptation and LULUCF (ETC CA, former ETC/CCA) and the participation of the organisations which are responsible for their operation.

Climate-ADAPT case studies cover a range of sectors including agriculture, biodiversity, buildings, coastal areas, marine and fisheries, disaster risk reduction, ecosystem-based approaches, energy, financial, forestry, health, transport, urban and water management. They also cover many different impacts (drought, extreme temperatures, flooding, sea level rise, storms, water scarcity) and a wide number of countries. This collection is continuously improved with new case studies, aiming to reach as much as possible a balanced distribution of represented sectors, climate-related impacts and geographic locations.

Five mandatory criteria have been defined for selecting Climate Adapt case studies:

• Clear link to climate change adaptation: the case studies shall describe measures that have been clearly developed as response to climate change challenges, to reduce vulnerability to climate change and/or address its impacts or opportunities, therefore also adopting a long-term perspective.
• Actual implementation. Case studies shall describe either implemented/under implementation adaptation measures or initiatives that are preparing or enabling the conditions to implement adaptation (e.g. adjustment in governance such as improvement in processes, institutional settings, policies planning, and legislation), tracking both the process and the effectiveness of adaptation across Europe.
• Accessibility to more detailed information. More detailed information on the case studies shall be easily accessible and re-assessment should be feasible.
• Geographical scope. The case studies should have the same geographic coverage as  Climate-ADAPT .
• Avoiding maladaptation. Initiatives that increase vulnerability of some locations and social groups, that strengthen the causes of climate change, and that create conflict with environmental and sustainability policy goals are not taken into account.

The complete set of criteria (mandatory and additional criteria) is available here.

Beyond aiming to improve climate change adaptation and resilience, these measures are often initiated to meet a range of policy objectives and bring co-benefits, such as habitat restoration, biodiversity preservation, urban redevelopment, improved health and well-being in cities, and disaster risk reduction.

Climate-ADAPT stakeholders are welcome to share information about their own experiences on concrete examples of implemented adaptation measures by contacting climate.adapt@eea.europa.eu.