Climate change integrated assessment methodology for cross-sectoral adaptation and vulnerability in Europe Funded under the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme Contract Number: Adaptation and mitigation: cross-sectoral synergies and conflicts For further information contact Pam Berry ( or visit the project website (

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Adaptation - an action which avoids the unwanted impacts of climate change (Convention on Biological Diversity, 2005). Mitigation - any action which reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and/or protects or promotes carbon sinks. Adaptation and mitigation - definitions

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Literature review methodology

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Coastal keyword search

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Cross-sectoral interactions Direct impacts that adaptation and mitigation measures in a given sector have on another sector. These may be: Neutral, e.g. white topping, passive ventilation; Positive, e.g. Altenheim polder, Rhine - benefited water, agriculture and biodiversity; Negative, e.g. afforestation decreasing water availability; Mixed, e.g. green roofs. Morris et al., 2004

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Interactions between water and other sectors Sector Adaptation measuresCoastsBiodiversityUrbanForestAgriculture Increased infiltration XXXX Increased storageXXXXX Reduced flow rate XX X Reduced flood impactXXX X Demand management XXX Mitigation measures Creation of wetlandsXX Increased sequestration XX XXX Increased carbon storage XX XXX

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Synergies in adaptation and mitigation measures

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Examples of synergies In the same sector, e.g. conservation agriculture and drought resilience. In different sectors, e.g. restoration of degraded peatland or flood plains – benefits for flood management, biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Morris et al. (2004)

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Conflicts in adaptation and mitigation measures

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe In the same sector, e.g. wetland creation can increase GHG emissions. Between sectors, e.g. earlier sowing dates can increase irrigation water demand but avoid high summer temperatures. Examples of conflicts

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Trade-offs in adaptation and mitigation measures Trade-offs can be between: Adaptation and negative impacts, e.g. new crop genes and yield/stress tolerance; irrigation and public water supply/environmental protection. Mitigation and negative impacts, e.g. carbon sequestration through afforestation and consequent land use change. Adaptation and mitigation, e.g. desalinisation (adaptation) and energy used (mitigation).

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe e.g. between managed re-alignment and: – habitats and protected areas; – agriculture; – urban areas. Example of coastal trade-offs Wallasea Island (courtesy of RSPB)

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Opportunities for cross-sectoral mainstreaming of adaptation and mitigation Habitat restoration/re-creation, e.g. forests, coastal realignment, urban green infrastructure, some agri- environment schemes, water storage, C sequestration, can increase landscape connectivity for biodiversity. Manage protected areas where possible to enhance adaptation and mitigation, e.g. water storage, C sequestration. Use networks/corridors to provide adaptation for other sectors and mitigation.

Climate Change Integrated Methodology for Cross-Sectoral Adaptation and Vulnerability in Europe Conclusions There is a lack of evidence and explicit recognition of synergies and conflicts. CLIMSAVE has identified a number of synergies and conflicts, many of which involve biodiversity and water. There are opportunities for mainstreaming cross-sectoral impacts and synergies of adaptation and mitigation measures. Biodiversity and water could be exemplars, given their multiple cross-sectoral linkages. The challenge is to enhance the turning of evident cross- sectoral opportunities into realities.