1. Adaptation to Climate Change Local and Regional Authorities and Ecosystem Based Adaptation
Koen Delanghe European Commission Climate Action – Adaptation to Climate Change

2. Content Adaptation to climate change
Ecosystems role in adaptation to climate change
Local/Regional authorities and strategies for adaptation to climate change
EU and adaptation to climate change (Clearing House Mechanism)

3. Adaptation to Climate Change
Impacts of climate change are being felt and unavoidable
Adaptation = to reduce vulnerability thus decreasing economic and social cost of climate change
Sectors concerned: e.g. Water management; Agriculture and forests; Biodiversity/nature protection; Coastal areas; Marine and fisheries; Health; Infrastructure (transport, energy, built environment); Insurance; Disaster risk reduction.

4. Ecosystems role in adaptation to climate change
Figures :
One healthy tree consumes 26lbs of carbon dioxide each year. About the same amount spewed by one car every 11,000 miles
A healthy 2,500 square foot lawn provides enough oxygen for a family of 4
An average front lawn has the cooling effect of 10 tons of air conditioning, while absorbing pollution
Climate change
Impacts/risks : floods, drought, water scarcity, changes of species composition…
Adaptation : carbon sequestration, cooling effect, floods storage …
Ecosystem

5. Ecosystems role in adaptation to climate change
Commissioner Hedegaard:  ”We need both green technology and natural solutions” 

6. Role of Local and Regional authorities
Regional and local authorities' role:
CC impacts felt and to be dealt with at local level
Relevant competencies of regional/local authorities
Coordination between sectors
Awareness raising
Adaptation to climate change requires:
multi-level governance
public and private sector involvement

7. Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies
Guidelines on Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies (Commission 2009)

8. EU and adaptation to climate change
2009 European Commission White Paper: Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action
Two main outcomes:
EU Clearing House Mechanism (March 2012)
Develop a comprehensive EU Adaptation Strategy (2013)
Improving and widening the knowledge base
Mainstreaming of adaptation into policies, strategies and programmes at EU level
Exchange between Member States, regions, cities and all other relevant stakeholders
Capturing the potential of market-based instruments and the private sector

9. Development of the EU Clearing house mechanism

10. Development of the EU Clearing house mechanism