Climate Action | Adaptation to climate change

What is adaptation to climate change?

Even if all greenhouse gas emissions stopped today, we would still see major changes in the climate in the next century.

Average land and sea temperatures across Europe are rising. The effect on weather patterns and water levels will change dramatically in future; extreme events such as floods, droughts or heatwaves will occur more often, with ever-more serious effects.

These changes will bring significant economic and social costs, hitting some regions, sectors and people harder than others. However, some areas will also see benefits, such as Finnish farmers who will be able to grow a greater variety of crops, or UK beaches which will become more attractive to tourists.

Widespread action is needed to adapt to these changes. Often what is needed is relatively simple, such as designing bigger drainage holes in motorways, but it requires long-term planning and a broad participation.

Buildings and infrastructure need to be able to cope with flooding or heatwaves; coastal and river areas have to be ready to deal with higher water levels; and sectors such as agriculture must adjust to different weather patterns, especially in southern countries where farmers will have to cope with longer periods of drought.

The difference between mitigation and adaptation

Climate change mitigation measures – steps to limit the degree of future warming, such as cutting greenhouse gases – are global. They need to be taken everywhere to reduce the overall levels of climate change we will experience.

However, adaptation measures are typically local. The impacts of climate change will vary between regions, so actions to cope need to be suitable for the actual situation in each area.

Adaptation measures are much broader than mitigation measures. Consideration of the need to adapt to climate change is needed for all natural processes and human activities that rely on current climatic conditions. This has huge implications for many sectors – including human health, agriculture, fisheries and forests.

More knowledge

Whilst there is good understanding of the main effects of climate change, there is less certainty on how fast these will happen and what the knock-on effects will be.

Research is only just starting on the effects of climate change in different regions. As adaptation policies must be put into action at the local level, we need to know more about each specific impact.

Opportunity

Many of the required measures concern protection against damage. However, changing conditions can also bring benefits for different regions and sectors. Good planning and investment in sustainable infrastructure and more efficient resource use will prepare them for long-term changes.

Individual responses to climate change depend on local conditions. But in all areas, action should aim to strengthen natural defences. And the earlier it starts, the better.