A.Overview of climate change adaptation platforms

A.Overview of climate change adaptation platforms

A.1Introduction

Climate action has always been evidence-based, informed by science, research, experience and knowledge. Web-based climate change adaptation (CCA) platforms are considered one means of presenting that evidence and supporting adaptation decision making. The information, data and guidance collected, assimilated and made available are seen as an effective means of enhancing the awareness of the need for and enabling adaptation through building awareness and addressing knowledge and capacity gaps. In this context, many national government and the EU have supported the development and delivery of CCA web-based platforms, including as a means of supporting their respective adaptation plans and strategies.

The information and knowledge being shared by these web-based portals is somewhat variable, but often include: policy actions at the transnational, national, and sub-national levels, scientific basis, research results, guidance, decision support tools, and experiences from practice and implemented adaptation measures (case studies). However, depending on their respective remits, target audience(s), budget and aims, the scope and content that is made available and the means of delivery can vary. These differences are to a degree reflective of the need that what is made available and how it is delivered must recognise the needs and capacities of the target audiences and the political, social and environmental context is which they are operating. This includes consideration of the range of interests and information needs of their stakeholders and end-users (e.g. policymakers, sectoral organisations, practitioners, researchers and businesses).

Many of the existing CCA platforms see their primary aim as being a one-stop repository of information, data and knowledge that is needed to support those preparing for and adapting to the consequences of climate change. This aim reflects both the lack and fragmented nature of what is otherwise available, with the information otherwise distributed across different agencies, institutions and organizations. It is also reflective of the need for such a one-stop repository due to the cross-sector nature of the risks and responses and the potential for duplicative and conflicting information when there are multiple disjointed sources. It is worth noting that some countries where there is not a CCA platform (often attributed to lack of resources and/or capacities, and/or financial resources) report fragmentation of relevant information and support.

The complementary aim of providing access to scientifically sound, high quality, relevant, reliable and usable information (salient, credible and legitimate) enhances the value of that information and the trust so essential to success. Ensuring and demonstrating that that which is (and that will be) available meets these standards is a key challenge, linked to enhancing their respective markets, but also towards supporting the adaptation policy cycle, promoting adaptation mainstreaming and informed decision-making, and enabling appropriate action at the transnational/national/regional/local level.

The current status

Most of these platforms are indeed embedded in the policy cycle as they are linked to their respective adaptation strategy (e.g. NAS and EU Adaptation Strategy) and or their respective plans, although their connections differ in extent. They are often linked through being developed to inform preparation or as a component to support implementation of the strategy and/or plan, as well as reinforcing their governance. In addition, the platforms are often structured to provide support generally aligned more or less with the objectives and structure of the national adaptation framework.

Some of the CCA platforms have been developed and are maintained by specific research institutions with project funding. Despite this project focus, they have the same primary aim; supporting the adaptation by providing access to information, data and knowledge that will increase the awareness of the need for adaptation and enable adaptation. Such project-based platforms face the additional challenges associated with the project-based nature of the funding and not having a strong political mandate that have implications for the development of the platform content, engagement of stakeholders and building the market.

One challenge is the growing recognition that providing such information, data and knowledge is necessary, but in itself may not be sufficient to facilitate adaptation action. More than information, data and knowledge are required. Some CCA platforms provide support products targeting key groups (e.g. businesses, public sector and other organisations) that go beyond the assessments of climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation towards adaptation services. Nonetheless, even where there is this additional richness in high-quality adaptation information and tools, engaging users in using these remains a challenge.

Some platforms recognise this limitation and include working with key end-users, including in the co-design, co-production and co-delivery of that which is made available and in encouraging and supporting adaptation actions. The challenge is associated with finding the appropriate balance that is consistent with the political, economic and societal expectations and capabilities/

In addition to the different national CCA platforms, there are platforms operating at a trans- national/regional level and at the European level (Climate-ADAPT). The existence of these platforms operating at different scales provides both opportunities and challenges from the perspective of the platforms themselves and the intended end-users. This is also the case when placing these CCA platforms into the broader context where there are also climate service web-based portals and disaster risk management portals and platforms. These opportunities and challenges are explored in this overview.

Since the publication of the White Paper “Adapting to climate change: Towards a framework for action” in 2009 it was clear that it was necessary to improve the knowledge base of adaptation. At that point of time the existing information on climate change impacts and vulnerability and on the costs and benefits of adaptation in Europe remained scarce and fragmented, and more spatially detailed information was needed to develop adaptation strategies. Information existed, but was not shared across Member states.

As a response, the European Commission developed from 2010 and launched in 2012 the web-based platform Climate-ADAPT. In 2014 progress in the development of the knowledge base is visible. The level of preparedness to Climate change still varies across Europe. While 20 Member states have an adopted National Adaptation Strategy, others are still in the starting phase of the adaptation policy process. In order to support the decision making subject to these different conditions in all the Member States, Climate-ADAPT was designed to assist at all steps of the adaptation policy cycle, that is the assessment of risks and vulnerabilities, the identification and assessment of adaptation options, the implementation of adaptation measures and the monitoring and evaluation of the adaptation process. But the information presented should not only serve the national level of governance but also the European and transnational level: since the EU has an own responsibility to integrate adaptation in its own policies, to promote adaptation action covering the whole EU territory and to effectively fill knowledge gaps, Climate-ADAPT as a key element of the EU Adaptation strategy (2013) includes also information at EU levels, i. g. the interactive Maps on observed and projected climate change.in Europe.

In order to fulfil the different needs at all governance levels the development of Climate-ADAPT follows among others these key principles:

it should facilitate a quick and straightforward access to the most relevant source of adaptation information in Europe;

it should provide mostly information on adaptation resources that are relevant at EU level and be complementary to the roles and content of national and other knowledge platforms in the EU;

it is a long-term knowledge infrastructure to be developed step by step responsive to the user´s needs and priorities and according to the available resources.

According to these principles the content and functionalities available at the moment, i. e. observed and expected climate change in Europe, vulnerability of regions and sectors at present and in future, overview on Member states activities, tools for adaption planning like the Adaptation Support Tool, inspiring case studies and a searchable data base on adaptation knowledge will be further developed over the time according to the progress in the adaptation process. For instance, since the Member states are moving forward in the adaptation process information to be presented at Climate-ADAPT on monitoring and evaluation will become more relevant in the future.

Sine Climate-ADAPT is one instrument among others in the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change to successfully strengthen Europe´s resilience to the impacts of climate change, the platform is being developed in line with these instruments e.g. climate-proofing of EU policies, launching initiatives on revising infrastructure standards, promoting improved market conditions for adaptation and funding of adaptation.

A.1.1Background

At EU levels the further development and maintenance of Climate-ADAPT is accompanied by indicator based impact and vulnerability assessments, policy analysis and sector based assessments. For example the EEA is publishing a range of indicators on climate change impacts and vulnerability, including some indicators that are part of the so-called EEA core set of indicators, which are available on the web. Further examples are the Climate change impact and vulnerability report¹ (2012, update planned for 2016), the assessment reports on adaptation in the urban sector² (2012) and in the transport sector (to be published in 2014) as well as the report on national adaptation policy processes in Europe (also to be published in 2014).

A.1.2Scope and purpose

This Technical Paper should help decision makers in the Member States, in particular at national and transnational levels, by providing an overview on the state of play of adaptation platforms in Europe and an opportunity to learn from existing practices (inspiration). It also provides information on the nature and scope of the links between adaptation services and climate services (e.g. status and drivers for these links and how respective roles can be defined and relationships established to enhance the quality of services provided.

This paper will be further developed with input from country experts (to be identified), including through a one-day expert meeting, that will be held on 23 June 2014, back to back with the 24 June Eionet workshop on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation (CCIVA) at the EEA.

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