Adaptation to Climate Change | 2 Mers Seas Zeeën

Adaptation to Climate Change

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Increasing the ecosystem-based adaptation capacity to climate change and associated effects is particularly important in the 2 Seas area, which is particularly prone to the risks and effects of climate change, in a context of potentially increasing vulnerability and reducing public resources. Local and regional authorities, environmental agencies, emergency services and coast guard centres, universities and research centres and local communities will be among the beneficiaries. A particular attention will be given to the most vulnerable sectors and those likely to be affected by stronger impacts.

 

Specific Objective 2.1   |   Specific Objective 4.1

Bloc 1

Expected Results

In this context, the Programme seeks to contribute to climate change adaptation by:

  • increasing awareness of the potential consequences of climate change;
  • enabling stakeholders in the area to develop a collective approach which will be integrated into (maritime) spatial planning and innovative solutions for environmental and economic resilience and integrated management of coastal zones;
  • improving the coherence and coordination between adaptation strategies and actions, and the mechanisms for crossborder exchange of information and data related to climate change expected effects.

The main expected effects of climate change for which the Programme aims to develop the area’s adaptation capacity are:

  • Sea level rise,
  • Flooding (in both coastal and hinterland areas),
  • Accelerated coastal erosion,
  • Acidification of the marine waters
  • Increasing water temperatures
  • Increased occurrence of heavy rainfall and severe droughts

 

Zwin - België © Natura People
Bloc 2
3.1 - Adaptation to Climate Change

Examples of actions

  • Formulation of common strategies, protocols and action plans to optimise ICZM practices in the maritime basin complementary to those developed by national authorities, and in line with the framework of the Integrated Maritime Policy and in the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (aligned with the Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning in Europe)
  • Establishment of common awareness-raising campaigns aiming at creating the conditions and support for local communities to take local preparedness and adaptation measures
  • Establishment of joint measures (e.g. infrastructure planning tools) integrated tools and technical solutions (e.g. soil management, coastal defence lines or concepts (e.g. managed realignment)) aiming at protecting built-up areas (e.g. urban areas) and coast lines against erosion/flooding through the promotion and implementation of nature and ecosystem-based solutions
  • Establishment of joint measures (e.g. protection programmes, monitoring tools) which address biodiversity loss and climate change in an integrated manner to fully exploit co-benefits and avoid ecosystem feedback issues that could accelerate global warming
Bloc 4
Markermeerdijk bij Wijdenes - Nederland © Mark Eker
  • Establishment of better coordinated collective emergency planning and preparedness for flooding (water management, flood risk techniques, awareness-raising on flood risks)
  • Establishment of systematic data exchange systems and crossborder coordinated monitoring systems, e.g. impacts of climate change on eco-systems and biodiversity and transformation of the coastline, etc.
  • Prepare investment in measures to prevent climate change effects (e.g. potential flood risks), by means of joint actions that could include design of solutions or cost-benefit analyses, notably through the promotion and implementation of nature-based solutions.
  • Investment in small scale technical solutions such as coastal defence lines or concepts (e.g. managed realignment) and flood protection, notably through the promotion and implementation of nature-based solutions.

This list is not exhaustive.