Step 5.2 Mainstreaming – integrating adaptation into existing plans

Key message

Embed adaptation into new or existing plans and set up governance mechanisms to facilitate this integration.

You may want to develop a standalone action plan, but adaptation cannot and should not be done in isolation. Mainstreaming adaptation policies and measures (see Examples 5.1 and 5.2) can raise the profile of adaptation, ensuring efficient use of resources and synergies between policies by:

Strengthening existing plans through integrating adaptation

This involves incorporating adaptation policies into relevant local or regional plans (e.g. climate plans), where adaptation can synergise with mitigation efforts, as well as into spatial, development, sustainability and sectoral plans covering areas like transport, health and water management.

Establishing cooperative and participatory governance mechanisms

Establishing cooperative and participatory governance mechanisms to ensure successful mainstreaming of adaptation into different sectors and multi-level coordination.

If you already have an action plan, mainstreaming can also be used to improve ownership of adaptation activities in specific areas or sectors. This involves aligning efforts with other sectors aiming for transformative change. It can include efforts to implement adaptation pathways (by identifying when thresholds in a pathway are reached and new actions should be implemented). P2R's Regional Resilience Journey has practical guidance on this and co-designing portfolios of intervention.

Urban planning for heat resilience, Jena, Germany

Through its Climate Adaptation Strategy (JenKAS), Jena integrates climate adaptation into all aspects of urban planning and development. A key priority is reducing the urban heat island effect and building resilience to extreme heat. The strategy includes a practical handbook on climate-sensitive planning and a decision-support tool (JELKA), guiding redevelopment projects like the transformation of Inselplatz into a climate-resilient university campus. Measures such as tree planting, green roofs, and reflective pavements were selected using a multi-criteria analysis.

Source: Case study on Climate-ADAPT

Green Heritage in Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

Salamanca pioneered the integration of climate adaptation into heritage planning by introducing the concept of "green heritage." This approach weaves nature-based solutions into the conservation of historic sites. As part of its adaptation roadmap, the city is developing a guide for adapting historic buildings—preserving cultural value while enhancing resilience to heat stress and maintaining comfort using traditional materials like Villamayor stone.

Source: Mission Stories (2024)

Climate-conscious spatial planning in Karlovac, Croatia

Karlovac used its urban plan revision as a vehicle to mainstream climate adaptation and mitigation. Publicly consulted and formally adopted, the plan introduces strict standards for green infrastructure, protects natural areas, and bans fossil fuels for heating in new developments. These measures are now mandatory under local spatial planning policies, embedding climate resilience into all future development in the city.

Source: Mission Stories (2024)