1. Adapting to change: Time for climate resilience and a new adaptation strategy
- Author:
- Marco Giuli, Annika Hedberg, and Sofia López Piqueres
- Publication Date:
- 03-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- Even if we were to radically change our behaviours and economic policies now, it wouldn’t be enough to stop all of the economic, societal and environmental impacts of climate change. The EU and its member states need to start thinking seriously about how our societies will adapt to this new reality. Climate mitigation alone will not be enough to stop the dramatic effects of climate change and will have to go hand in hand with adaptation efforts. That is the sobering reality European decision- and policymakers need to keep in mind when developing climate action measures. Given the close interconnections between ecosystems, people and economies in a globalised world, there are strong reasons for EU member states to join forces, pool risks and cooperate across borders. This paper, therefore, calls on the EU to mainstream adaptation and shift its focus from reacting to disasters to a more proactive approach that prioritises prevention, risk reduction and resilience building. During the presentation of the new EU climate law yesterday, European Commission President von der Leyen hinted that member states would be required to develop and implement strategies that do just that.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, European Union, Economic Policy, and Resilience
- Political Geography:
- Europe