Step 5. Implementing adaptation

To deliver the intended results, adaptation policies must be implemented throughout a region. Having selected preferred adaptation options in Step 4, Step 5 will support regions or local authorities in designing their adaptation strategy and action plan, taking into consideration linkages with other sectoral policies. Some regional or local authorities may develop these as a single document.

An adaptation strategy works as a reference document outlining the vision, direction, and expected outcomes. For each adaptation option, it should include at a minimum:

• Adaptation objectives identified and coordinated with relevant stakeholders in your region or sector (also to e.g. ensure that they complement each other and are not contradicting)

• Rationale and relevance of actions, as well as current and expected climate change impacts

• Timeline for implementation

• Strategic development approach (e.g., in cooperation with other authorities inside or outside of the regional or local authority, private actors etc.)

• Provisions for monitoring and evaluation of the strategy

• Future outlook

When an adaptation plan or strategy exists at national level, it is best to ensure that the regional/local adaptation action plan is coherent with it. The Climate-ADAPT country profiles can give valuable insights on EEA member countries reported information on their national adaptation plans and strategies.

The action plan should contain at least:

• Details of each action (and sub-actions, if applicable) and associated processes and synergies

• Roles and responsibilities in coordinating and undertaking actions

• Timeframe for implementation

• Estimation of human and financial resources needed and/or available funding schemes

• Information needs and ways to close knowledge gaps

• Indicators of success to be used for monitoring and evaluation in close relation to the adaptation objectives

An adaptation action plan can be organised into adaptation pathways, where the implementation for each adaptation option consists of a sequence of measures towards a pre-defined adaptation objective. Adaptation pathways are composed of a sequence of possible actions resembling a decision tree. Over time an external climatic event may trigger the need to review if the action still meets the adaptation objective, which may result in the need to shift to another implementation pathway. Adaptation pathways thus offer a conceptual framework for flexible policy planning.

While you may wish to develop a self-standing action plan, adaptation should not be performed in isolation. Thus, mainstreaming adaptation options can raise the profile of adaptation, ensure efficient resource use, and ensure synergies between development and adaptation by:

• Enhancing existing plans (e.g., the regional development plan, spatial plan, and sectoral plans)

• Integrating them into policy instruments, and/or

• Developing cooperative and participatory mechanisms.

You may need to seek quotes to determine the approximate costs required to implement adaptation measures. In doing so, it is important also to estimate the costs of associated administration. When identifying relevant sources of public funding (including EU funding of adaptation on Climate-ADAPT or the Financing Opportunities overview developed by the Covenant of Mayors) and private finance for each measure, funders may need specific information. This information may go beyond what is already contained within the region’s or local implementation plan, and you need to make sure that the plan is in line with the (eligibility) requirements of the relevant sources of funding. Please bear in mind that your plan also may need to be flexible to accommodate funding deadlines. Climate-ADAPT or national adaptation platforms (you can find these listed in the EEA member states’ country profiles)  may be used as a reference to demonstrate how your funding proposal makes use of the EU state-of-the-art of adaptation knowledge