What is the Mission?
The Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change focuses on supporting EU regions, cities and local authorities in their efforts to build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
The Mission contributes to putting the EU’s adaptation strategy in practice by helping the regions to
- better understand the climate risks they are and will be confronted with in the future
- develop their pathways to be better prepared and cope with the changing climate
- test and deploy on the ground innovative solutions needed to build resilience
The Mission’s objective is to accompany by 2030 at least 150 European regions and communities towards climate resilience.
Why this Mission?
Climate change affects regions, sectors of the economy and members of society in many ways, and EU regions and cities have different climate vulnerabilities and levels of preparedness.
Adapting to climate change means taking action to prepare for and adjust to both the current effects of climate change and the predicted impacts of the future.
Despite all continuing efforts to reduce emissions and to achieve carbon neutrality, a warmer climate can't be avoided anymore and we need to be better prepared to cope with the inevitable effects of climate change, adapting our way of living. We must step up action both to cut emissions and to build our resilience.
The Mission will also help deliver the European Green Deal.
On 12 March 2024, the Commission published a Communication on Managing Climate Risks, which sets out how the EU can effectively get ahead of the growing climate-related risks and build greater resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Communication is a response to the findings highlighted by the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA), which provides the latest analysis of how changing temperatures will affect Europe. Fast development, test and deployment of actionable solutions is needed in a changing environment.
The Communication highlights that the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change serves as best practice for all interested parties and will be further leveraged to respond to Europe’s climate risks. It also acknowledges the role of R&I to provide us with knowledge and solutions to the greatest challenges ahead.
Who's it for?
EU countries, regions and cities have an essential role to play in implementing the Mission as they are key agents of change in deploying new technologies and experimenting innovative solutions that address regional and local needs. The Mission aims to get a wide range of regions and communities on board and assist them, alongside their national adaptation strategy, on their specific journey, whether they are just starting out or are already taking steps towards adaptation to climate risks.
Regional and local authorities that share the ambitions of the Mission have manifested their interest to sign the Mission Charter and join the Mission. They declared their willingness to cooperate, mobilise resources and develop activities in their respective region and communities to reach their adaptation goals.
Other entities, such as research institutions or businesses were invited to endorse the Charter and join the Mission’s community of organisations working together towards climate resilience as Friends of the Mission.
The total number of signatories to the Mission Charter now stands at 308 from 25 EU countries, with 17 more parties coming from countries associated or potentially associated with Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation programme.
Mission Portal
The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change’s online Portal is a hub for European regional and local authorities preparing and planning their adaptation pathways to climate resilience. The Portal provides:
- Background information on the Mission
- Knowledge, data and tools to support regions and local authorities in their adaptation journey.
- EU Mission Solutions that showcase best practices and examples of effective climate adaptation action.
- News and events relevant to the Mission and climate adaptation and resilience.
- A gateway to the Mission’s EU Adaptation Community of Practice.
What are the EU Missions?
The 5 EU Missions launched by the European Commission last September aim to deliver concrete solutions to big societal challenges by putting research and innovation into a new role, combined with new forms of governance and collaboration, as well as by engaging citizens.
From beating cancer to protecting our oceans, the Missions address issues that really matter for ordinary citizens. They are grounded on the idea that complex societal challenges require coordinated and interdisciplinary efforts across Europe. They have a clear goal and a well-defined timeframe to help deliver concrete results with broad impact.
Contact
For questions or enquiries please contact us at:
EU-CLIMATE-ADAPTATION-MISSION
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (EU-CLIMATE-ADAPTATION-MISSION[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Mission Newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest activities from the Mission Adaptation, the Mission projects and the most recent developments in climate adaption and the transition to a climate-resilient society by subscribing to the monthly Mission Newsletter.
Documents
This report provides a summary of the Third Forum for the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, which took place on 23 May 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. The annual Forum is a major governance element and pivotal juncture in the Mission's calendar, addressing how the European, national and regional levels interact so that adaptation measures can be implemented in the most efficient and effective ways.
This brochure showcases 14 European funded Mission projects that show the collaborative spirit, innovation and commitment required to address the pressing issues of climate change.
Latest
Climate change has been on scientists' radar for quite some time, and for decades, the EU and the world have been stepping up its response. For our part in the EU, we’ve already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 37% since 1990 and we are committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
Thirty-three projects selected under three calls of Horizon Europe Missions have signed their grant agreements with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
