Climate change adaptation, coastal and marine issues

This staff working document accompanies the Communication "An EU strategy on adaptation to climate change". The Communication stresses that coastal zones are particularly vulnerable regions, and also indicates that the EU's outermost regions are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise and extreme weather events. This paper aims to provide an overview of the main impacts of climate change on coastal zones and marine issues, not only considering its impacts on the environment but also on economic sectors and social systems. Furthermore this document points out knowledge gaps and existing efforts of the European Union to best adapt to the impacts of climate change on coastal zones and marine issues. In addition, it also highlights further efforts needed, in particular regarding closing knowledge gaps for better-informed decision-making, as well as better cooperation between Member States across borders to make Europe more resilient to climate change.