EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change - Impact Assessment

The EU Adaptation Strategy is included in the Commission Work Programme 2013. It builds on the White Paper "Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action".

The Directorate General Climate Action drafted an Impact Assessment of the Strategy, which benefited from the recommendations of the Impact Assessment Board.

The preparation of the report included consultation with the Adaptation Steering Group, composed of representatives from Member States and stakeholders, an online public consultation and various workshops organised with Member States and stakeholders. Overall, stakeholders were supportive of additional EU-promoted action on adaptation, while acknowledging that most climate change impacts are to be addressed at local level.

Mainstreaming adaptation into key EU initiatives was viewed by all stakeholders as a priority, as well as providing the right framework, information tools and EU funds that allow for the effective integration of adaptation issues at all levels of government.