Adaptation Principles

Local and regional authorities in Europe are stepping up climate adaptation efforts, to cope with the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Some principles of good adaptation have emerged over the years. The RAST is designed to help you, as a local or regional authority, integrate these principles into your climate adaptation strategies and plans:

• Sustainable: Adaptation should be socially, financially and environmentally sustainable. The goal is to reduce vulnerability and improve adaptive capacity, building up climate resilience fairly – without neglecting vulnerable groups, sectors or areas. It's important that adaptation efforts align and create synergies with climate mitigation goals, increasing policy coherence within your organisation. Adaptation measures in one place should not compromise adaptation or mitigation efforts elsewhere, resulting in maladaptation. They should also not harm other sustainability and environmental objectives, but ideally support them. For example, objectives on responsible management of water and marine resources, the shift to a circular economy, preventing pollution, and conserving/restoring biodiversity and ecosystems.

• Evidence-based: Adaptation planning and actions should be informed by the latest scientific knowledge and data, including future risks. Using this, adaptation should start by addressing risks from past and current climate variability and weather extremes.

• Place-based: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to adaptation. Responses should be tailored to the unique local or regional context, addressing current and future risks and vulnerabilities in a precise location. At the same time, it's important to be aware of the risks and adaptation responses of neighbouring authorities. Adaptation responses should also take into account your organisational set-up, bearing in mind the available personnel and financial resources.

• Inclusive and socially just: Adaptation is more effective when it involves diverse actors (e.g. public administrations, civil society and different sectors) coordinating across governance levels. Citizen involvement, especially from vulnerable groups, is crucial for inclusive and widely accepted adaptation plans. Just resilience should guide this process, addressing systemic injustice and making sure that adaptation efforts consider social vulnerability and provide opportunities for vulnerable groups to benefit.

• Monitored, evaluated, and continuously improved: Using clear indicators is vital to monitor and assess your adaptation progress continuously. Ongoing assessment of policies’ effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and equity allows for regular reflection and promotes learning and improvement over time.

• Flexible and iterative: Adaptation planning should be flexible due to uncertainties surrounding future climate and socio-economic conditions. Easy adjustments and updates based on lessons learned should be possible, to ensure resilience and effectiveness if circumstances change.