1. Interest Group Climate & Adaptation within the network of European EPAs Jelle van Minnen Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL)

2. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 2 Jelle van Minnen Outline - The EPA network & its IG Climate & adaptation - Feedback 9 th & 10 th IG meeting - Joint initiatives - National information - Exchange scientific information - Issues for 11 th meeting

3. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 3 Jelle van Minnen EPA network “Informal grouping bringing together the directors of EPAs and similar bodies across Europe, led by EEA” Objective of network exchange views and experiences on issues of common interest provide information to Brussels Network meets 2x a year => broad environmental interest Has nine Interest Groups (IG)

4. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 4 Jelle van Minnen EPA IG Climate & Adaptation - M eets 2x a year, 15-20 EPAs active - Objectives -Exchange information and experiences between countries in the field of climate change impacts, vulnerability & adaptation -Support the European Commission in process towards a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy -Exchange scientific information related to climate change: e.g. costs; regional climate data, modelling & scenario’s -Establish links to other networks (EU WGKB, ENCA, CIRCLE)

5. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 5 Jelle van Minnen Feedback 9 th & 10 th meeting EPA IG Joint initiatives -3 position paper as a response to EC Green & White Paper -EPAs agree with many aspects of GP & WP -Defined challenges for follow-up process -Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs -Follow discussions with EC (and WG KB), e.g. -EPAs are users, data suppliers, communicator of CH -Reporting & streamlining (e.g. RBMP) -Joint bidding (e.g. Interreg) -Comparing adaptation initiatives in EU countries -3 rd phase on Eastern Europe -Joint slot EMS/ECAC conference.

6. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 6 Jelle van Minnen Feedback 9 th & 10 th meeting EPA IG (ii) Overview National Adaptation Initiatives -Adaptation is concern in almost all countries. Many have a strategy & process towards implementation -Research projects initiated.

7. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 7 Jelle van Minnen MS information, e.g. NL “Roadmap to climate-proof Netherlands” -Objective “developing options on long term spatial strategies for climate-proofing of the Netherlands”

8. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 8 Jelle van Minnen Feedback 9 th & 10 th meeting EPA IG (iii) Become updated with scientific information -Costs & benefits of adaptation - Definitions, potentials, problems, e.g. -How account for different timing, uncertainties, mal- adaptive effects, difference in sectors, … - Comparing approaches - “CBA difficult, costs & benefits may be” -Adaptation indicators: - European versus national initiatives - Process versus outcome indicators

9. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 9 Jelle van Minnen 11 th meeting EPA IG -13 & 14 September 2010, Zurich -Issues, e.g.: -Follow-up support EC -EMS/ECAC meeting -Joint proposals -National presentations -Challenges for broader network -

10. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 10 Jelle van Minnen

11. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 11 Jelle van Minnen EPA network (ii) Current Interest Groups Biodiversity Better regulations Soil protection Environment & health GMO International Cooperation Natural resources & material flow Quality Assessment Climate change mitigation: CCS Climate change adaptation

12. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 12 Jelle van Minnen EPA IG Climate & Adaptation (ii) - Exchange on national information: e.g. NL

13. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 13 Jelle van Minnen Feedback 9 th & 10 th meeting EPA IG Joint initiatives, e.g. - 3 position paper as a response to EC Green & White Paper -Agreed with many aspects. -Defined challenges for follow-up process -Proposed certain type of reporting -More on uncertainties, consistent & not double reporting -Stimulate cross-sectoral linkages -Sufficient financing -More network between MS & regions, link to domain of European sustainability, urban areas -Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs -Follow discussions with EC -Comparing adaptation initiatives in EU countries -

14. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 14 Jelle van Minnen Feedback 9 th & 10 th meeting EPA IG -Much national information: e.g. new strategies appear, new national research programs, started links to RBMPs - 3 rd position paper as a response to EU White Paper -Agreed with many aspects of WP, e.g. -2 step approach, involvement of MSs, call for integrated approach, -Various challenges for follow-up process -Information for non-scientists, more on uncertainties, consistent & not double reporting -Stimulate cross-sectoral linkages -Sufficient financing -Implementing adaptation in EU external policy -More network between MS & regions, link to domain of European sustainability, urban areas -Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs -

15. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 15 Jelle van Minnen Feedback 8 th meeting EPA IG Climate & Adaptation (ii) Reporting framework: -Avoid duplication through harmonisation with and establishing links to other reporting obligations - If reporting framework is introduced => coherent template, e.g. reporting on  existing national adaptation plans and/or strategies, or those in preparation  institutional and legal framework for the adaptation activities  key climatic vulnerabilities  National and European research programmes and databases  Existing and planned policies and measures (e.g. objective, type, stakeholder, …).  on joint activities/mainstreaming

16. Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 16 Jelle van Minnen Feedback 9 th & 10 th meeting EPA IG Joint initiatives -3 position paper as a response to EC Green & White Paper -EPAs agree with many aspects of GP & WP -Defined challenges for follow-up process -Endorsed by many, but not all EPAs -Follow discussions with EC (and WG KB), e.g. -EPAs are users, data suppliers, communicator of CH -Reporting & streamlining (e.g. RBMP) -Joint bidding (e.g. Interreg) -Comparing adaptation initiatives in EU countries -3 rd phase on Eastern Europe -Joint slot EMS/ECAC conference.