Guide for Local Climate Change Adaptation Planning in the Baltic Sea Region

Description:

The climate is changing and planning and implementing adaptation is a continual learning and improvement process that requires sustained attention and action. These guidelines will help local governments and communities in taking initial action to create a safe, socially, and economically secure and sustainable society that is resilient to current and future impacts of climate change. 

There is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach for communities to anticipate, plan, and adapt to the changing climate. Projected climate impacts are not expected to be the same in every region of the county. Local awareness of climate change vulnerabilities differs even in one country. Available resources to assess and adapt, financial and technical, vary. Still, following the 10 steps described in the guidelines, gives municipalities a robust but tangible framework to assess local climate risks and prepare adaptation actions suited to very local conditions. The examples of the selected cities Climate Change Adaptation plans, described in the guidelines, also provide support for those who prepare their first action plan.

The guidelines for preparing and drafting the climate change adaptation plan for local governments in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) were prepared as the output of the Climate Mainstreaming Locally in the Baltic Sea Region (CliMaLoc) project. The CliMaLoc project aimed at supporting local authorities in the BSR countries to mainstream climate action and establish partnerships for cooperation on the issue. This includes integrating climate aspects into local development plans, better aligning to the 2030 Agenda, and supporting the efforts of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) to promote low-carbon economies across sectors and policies.

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