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EU strategy on adaptation to climate change

TA-9-2020-0382 · P9_TA(2020)0382 · PE661.553

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Parliament's resolution on the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change sets out what a new strategy should contain. It asks the Commission to present the strategy without delay as part of the European Green Deal. It calls for binding and quantifiable adaptation goals at EU and Member State level, mandatory climate risk assessments, and regular review of the strategy. It asks for adaptation to be built into infrastructure, spatial planning, water management, forests, oceans, cities and health systems, and for more funding and better tracking of climate spending. It also calls for early warning systems, prevention and rapid response plans for climate disasters, and support for adaptation in developing countries.

Key points

  1. Emphasises that adaptation is needed for the whole Union and all countries and regions, alongside ambitious mitigation to keep global warming below 1.5 °C compared to pre-industrial levels.
  2. Says EU cities and regions already face extreme rainfall, floods and droughts, and asks the Commission to present a new strategy without delay as part of the European Green Deal.
  3. Calls for the new strategy to include binding and quantifiable goals at EU and Member State level, priority areas, investment needs, indicators and a more frequent review process.
  4. Calls for mandatory climate risk assessments in the strategy and national adaptation plans, and for climate-proofing of spatial planning, buildings, infrastructure and investments before EU funding.
  5. Calls for ambitious action plans on nature-based solutions with funding from the MFF, InvestEU, the Recovery and Resilience Facility and the LIFE programme.
  6. Highlights the role of forests, trees and green infrastructure, calls for more trees in cities and sustainable forest management, and asks that green infrastructure be classified as critical infrastructure.
  7. Calls for better water management, full implementation of the Water Framework Directive, promotion of water reuse, and revision of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
  8. Calls for climate adaptation to be mainstreamed in all relevant EU policies, and for assessment of the climate impact of legislative and budgetary proposals.
  9. Calls for an EU strategy to combat desertification within the adaptation strategy, with sufficient funding, and for action on land degradation and soil sealing.
  10. Calls for increased funding at all levels, a 30 % climate-related and 10 % biodiversity-related spending target in the next MFF and Next Generation EU, and for the EIB to fund adaptation.
  11. Calls for stronger crisis prevention, preparedness and disaster response, national prevention and rapid response plans, and timely early warning systems by national, regional and local authorities.
  12. Calls for adaptation action outside the EU, especially in least developed countries and small island states, and for capacity-building and technology diffusion in developing countries.

Who is affected

  • The Commission, which is asked to present a new adaptation strategy and related measures.
  • Member States, regions and cities, asked to build adaptive capacity and draw up adaptation plans and early warning systems.
  • Vulnerable regions such as coastal areas, islands and outermost regions, which need enhanced preparedness and adaptive capacity.
  • Vulnerable groups including elderly people, children, outdoor workers, homeless people, poor and disadvantaged groups, and women and girls.
  • Developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island states, to receive adaptation support and technical assistance.

Figures and deadlines

  • Buildings responsible for approximately 40 % of energy consumption and 36 % of CO2 emissions in the EU.
  • Weather- and climate-related extremes accounted for EUR 426 billion between 1980 and 2017 in the EU-28 Member States.
  • Current emission reduction commitments will result in global warming of more than 3 °C above pre-industrial levels.
  • Projected climate change will cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths a year by 2030, according to the World Health Organization.
  • Climate-related spending target of 30 % and biodiversity-related spending target of 10 % in the next MFF 2021-2027 and Next Generation EU.
  • Commitment by Member States to achieve land degradation neutrality in the EU by 2030 at the latest.