A structured network for the integration of climate knowledge into policy and territorial planning Climate change mitigation and adaptation: policies, plans and actions in South East Europe countries Vasso Tsiaoussi 1

PROJECT’S DURATION: 30 months Start Date: 01/07/2012 Funding mechanism: South-East Europe / Transnational Cooperation Programme Structural Funds / European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Total Project Cost: 4.382.300,00 € EC Contribution: 3.231.955,00 € PROJECT’S DURATION: 30 months Start Date: 01/07/2012

The Consortium A total of 33 project partners including: 21 financing partners 9 associates 3 observers from 13 countries Project Coordinator: Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Climate Change (Italy) Project Web Site: http://www.orientgateproject.org/

The challenge Many SEE countries are exposed to a rise in sea level, with a greater risk of disaster affecting densely populated areas and the most developed coastal areas. Already disadvantaged rural areas face increased water stress. The decline in ecosystem services is further exacerbated by a deterioration in water quality, land and ecosystem losses, and a decline in wild and farmed fish stocks. Progress in adapting to climate change in SEE is hindered by fragmented and uncoordinated data services, patchy risk assessment procedures, etc.

The need M To overcome the barriers that prevent efficient exploitation of the knowledge produced by the scientific community, enabling that knowledge to be taken into account appropriately in the formation of policies and the development of strategies. To put into practice a set of coordinated activities that build on existing knowledge and make it more widely available.

Objectives Development of a comprehensive and consistent methodology for assessing the risks arising as a result of climate variability and change Harmonisation of risk assessment and communication on the part of hydrometeorological services Encouragement the use of acquired climate adaptation knowledge and experience in territorial planning and development Enhancement of capacity to reconcile the risks and opportunities inherent in environmental changes, including rising temperatures

Assess the risks from climate variability and change Methodology Assess the risks from climate variability and change Implementation of six pilot studies in areas with specific climate vulnerability 3 project’s thematic centres Forestry and Agriculture Drought, Water and Coasts Urban Adaptation and Health

Expected results A set of web tools, designed to provide access to data and metadata from climate observations and simulations that will be available through a data platform connected to the European Climate Adaptation Platform (CLIMATE-ADAPT) Six pilot studies of specific climate adaptation exercises developed by the project’s thematic centres

Expected results Capacity-building seminars and workshops; and a working partnership among the hydrometeorological services of SEE countries Support to the implementation of climate change adaptation plans in SEE, identifying a flexible methodology for assessing climate vulnerability and risk related to different territorial frameworks, and integrating these assessments into regional planning

The Greek pilot study CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK to assess the vulnerability of wetlands in Attica Region under projections of climate change to support the territorial planning and policy development in the Region of Attica in regard to the effects of climate change on wetland ecosystems

Mitigation and Adaptation from a cross-sectoral perspective in the ORIENTGATE Countries In the SEE, only few countries have national plans to undertake climate change. A clear and complete picture of specific policy measures on the territory is needed. Analysis focused on all national/regional territorial and sectoral plans looking for those interventions classifiable as climate change mitigation and/or adaptation measures. Two templates were distributed to all partners in a table format in order to gather mitigation and adaptation actions Summary of specific actions identified into sectoral plans that could be recognised as mitigation measures Collection of measures and actions referable to adaptation to climate change

Overview of climate change plans in SEE countries and conclusions State of the art ORIENTGATE COUNTRY PARTNERS MITIGATION ADAPTATION Albania National Climate Change Action Plan Action Plan for Adaptation (2009- 2015) Austria National Climate Strategy Austrian Adaptation Strategy Bosnia and Herzegovina The development of a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan is foreseen. No adaptation plan, but, it is engaging in the preparatory research of study of vulnerabilities and adaptation of its territory Bulgaria Environmental Protection Act Third National Action Plan on Climate Change (2013-2020) the creation and adoption process of National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) has started Croatia  The National Environmental Protection Strategy and the National Environmental Action Plan NO Greece National Action Plan regarding Climate Change National Adaptation Strategy preparation is ongoing Analysis of the state of the art on climate change adaptation and mitigation

State of the art ORIENTGATE COUNTRY PARTNERS MITIGATION ADAPTATION Hungary National Climate Change Strategy Italy National Plan to reduce Greenhouse Gases (CIPE proposal 8-3-2013) National Strategy on Adaptation is ongoing Montenegro Assessment of the potential for reducing GHG emissions. Initial National Communication on Climate Change to the UNFCCC 2010 NO Romania National Strategy regarding the Climate Changes (2013-2020) under approval Serbia National Environmental Protection Programme (2010) The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia National Action Plan for Climate Change Mitigation Inter-sectoral Adaptation Action Plan (2008-2011) Ukraine National Action Plan on climate change mitigation (not approoved) National Adaptation Plan to climate change. In progress

Conclusions Almost all countries have undertaken measures and initiatives to mitigate climate change. Although only two countries, Albania and Austria, can rely on comprehensive plans, most of the other SEE countries have recently started to develop their own adaptation strategies. For these countries in which the adaptation plan has not been finalised yet, several specific adaptation actions have already been undertaken either at national and local scale. There is a growing interest of policy makers in almost all the SEE countries on climate change issues. Mitigation measures and actions are now well-established but only in recent years adaptation has become a priority worldwide in environmental policies.

Conclusions Adaptation and mitigation are usually addressed in different policy and institutional contexts, and policies are implemented at different spatial and temporal scales. Adaptation is necessary at every level of government and requires the involvement of public authorities, the private sector and individual citizens. Adaptation is already taking place, but in a fragmented way. A strategic approach is needed to ensure that adaptation measures are taken in time and are effective and consistent across different sectors and levels of governance. The integration of adaptation into existing and future national and regional policies represents an important step to reduce the vulnerability in all sectors.

Thank you for the attention

Project Financing Partners Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change IT (Italy) Forest Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management AT (Austria) Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works BG (Bulgaria) National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology BG (Bulgaria) Gradiška Local Development Agency BiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Hydrometeorological Service of Republika Srpska BiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Attica Region GR (Greece) Center for Technological Research of Crete GR (Greece) Goulandris Natural History Museum, Biotope Wetland Centre GR (Greece) City of Koprivnica HR (Croatia) Meteorological and Hydrological Service HR (Croatia) Hungarian Meteorological Service HU (Hungary) Regional Environmental Center HU (Hungary) Autonomous Province of Trento IT (Italy) Department for the Environment, Territory and Sustainability Policies, Basilicata Region (CNR-IMAA as subcontract) IT (Italy) Hydrometeorological Service MK (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) Environmental Protection Agency of Covasna RO (Romania) National Meteorological Administration RO (Romania) Republic Hydrometeorological Service RS (Serbia) Ministry of Sustainable Development and TourismME (Montenegro) Odessa State Environmental University UA (Ukraine)

Project Associated Partners Regional Council of Shkodra AL (Albania) Forest Service, Federal State Government of Upper Austria AT (Austria) Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change GR (Greece) Municipality of Komotini GR (Greece) 13th District of Budapest HU (Hungary) Municipality of Veszprém HU (Hungary) Region of Puglia, Mediterranean Department IT (Italy) General Department of Foreign Economic Activity and European Integration, Odessa Regional State Administration UA (Ukraine) Vilkovo City Council UA (Ukraine) Project Observing Partners Federal Hydrometeorological InstituteBiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea Union of Italian ProvincesIT (Italy)