EU climate change adaptation strategy

Umweltbundesamt helps to develop the EU climate change adaptation strategy

Vienna (OTS) -  Climate change mitigation and adaptation are two of the major parallel approaches to limit the impacts of climate change. “Effective climate change adaptation measures need to be put in place at different levels, but there must also be a strategy at European level”, says Georg Rebernig, managing director of the Umweltbundesamt. “I am pleased that with our expertise, we can contribute to the development of an EU climate change adaptation strategy.” Such a comprehensive EU strategy should be in place in March 2013. The Umweltbundesamt, together with four partner organisations, will provide active support to its development.

To address the impacts of climate change on our natural environment, society and the economy, adaptation measures and initiatives have to be taken locally, regionally and nationally. With the EU strategy, a framework for action will be created as well as guidelines for Member States. Experts from the Umweltbundesamt, Fresh Thoughts (AT), Alterra (NL), AEA-T (UK) and FEEM (IT) will bring together scientific findings in priority policy areas, work out options for integrating adaptation into EU policies and prepare an impact assessment on the strategy. Stakeholder engagement is central to this process of strategy development to provide additional support. All involved Directorates-General of the Commission will be included in the process together with stakeholders such as the EU Member States, the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank, European representative associations and NGOs.

About the Umweltbundesamt

The Umweltbundesamt is Austria’s leading expert organisation for all environmental issues. At international level, the Umweltbundesamt acts as partner and adviser for international organisations.  In the field of climate change adaptation, experts from the Umweltbundesamt have contributed to the development of the Austrian adaptation strategy and have successfully carried out several EU projects such as CLISP, CIRCLE and CC proofing of key EU policies.

Contact:

Inge Zechmann, Umweltbundesamt Press Office, Tel.:  +43 (0)1/31304-5413