Alpine strategy for adaptation to climate change in the field of natural hazards

The Alps are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Increasing temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are expected to impact on the alpine environment, economy and society in various ways. In order to enable the sustainable development of the alpine space in the context of climate change, both mitigation and adaptation efforts are required. In this context the Platform on Natural Hazards, PLANALP, developed the Alpine strategy for adaptation to climate change in the field of natural hazards. PLANALP, which involves 16-20 high-level experts delegated by the contracting parties of the Alpine Convention, was established at the VIII Alpine Conference in 2004. With this document, PLANALP fulfils this mandate and presents the alpine strategy for adaptation to climate change in the field of natural hazards. Based on an overview of climate change in the alpine region, its impacts on natural hazards and the consequences for risk management, this strategy defines a common vision for climate change adaptation and recommends adequate action options, which are illustrated by good practice examples from the alpine countries.