Commission invites regions and communities to join the Mission Adaptation to Climate Change
The European Commission has launched an invitation to EU regions and communities to join the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change.
A survey is now available for regions and communities to express their interest in joining the Mission. Once the replies to the survey have been analysed, regions and communities that demonstrate commitment to adaptation will be invited to sign a Mission Charter.
The Mission’s objective is to support 150 regions and communities to accelerate their transformation towards climate resilience by helping them understand, prepare for and manage climate-induced risks.
Joining the Mission will put the regions and communities right at the forefront of innovation in Europe’s transition to becoming a more resilient continent.
The issue of adapting to the changing climate and becoming more resilient to its effects has gained very strong momentum, both at global and European level. The EU Adaptation Strategy sets out how we can better prepare for the unavoidable climate impacts and extreme weather events.
The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change Mission contributes to putting the strategy in practice on the ground in EU regions and communities, as they are best placed to deploy tailor-made solutions that address their specific local climate vulnerabilities.
The European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans said: “Adaptation to climate change requires local action, and Europe’s regions, cities, and municipalities are already leading the way to a climate-resilient future. To achieve real and lasting change on the way to climate neutrality, I encourage all these communities to join the EU Mission on Adaptation and share their insights on how Europe can best prepare for the consequences of the climate crisis already here.”
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “The EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change will support research and innovation to develop breakthrough solutions that will help us adapt to climate change. The Mission will provide regions and communities with knowledge of the risk assessment methods necessary to withstand the negative effects of climate change. By joining the Mission, regions and communities will have an opportunity to develop their regional or local pathways to climate resilience.”
Why participate? Benefits for regions and communities
By signing up to the Charter and the tenets of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, regions and communities will become part of a community of practice on adaptation to climate change, and have the opportunity to network and share with other regions and communities in Europe.
Signatories will also have access to the services of the Mission Implementation Platform, which will be operational in early 2023. These will comprise:
- Help with accessing knowledge and methods on climate risk assessments;
- Access to best practice examples from other regions and information on the latest research results;
- Support with linking these examples and research results with local adaptation plans, roadmaps or adaptation pathways;
- Access to tools, examples and best practices for interacting and engaging with citizens;
- Advice on possible public and private funding sources for adaptation.
How to participate
The survey aims to assess the interest from regions and communities in joining the Mission Adaptation to Climate Change by signing up to the Mission Charter. It also seeks to understand the key issues and challenges faced by local and regional authorities in the EU in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
The Mission’s secretariat will evaluate the commitment of regions and communities through the replies and evidence provided. On this basis, regions and communities will be invited to sign the Mission Charter. Representatives from regional and local authorities will be asked to sign of the Mission Charter on behalf of their respective authorities.
Participation in the survey is open and non-competitive. All applications received will be evaluated accordingly.
Background
In 2019, five Mission Boards were formed to help specify, design and start the implementation of Missions for Horizon Europe and their mandate ends at the end of 2021. Based on their proposals, the European Commission selected five Missions in September 2020.
With the Communication adopted on 29 September 2021, the implementation of the Mission Adaptation to Climate Change, among the others, was officially launched with a budget of almost €370 million until 2023.
The plans have since advanced quickly, and calls for projects opened in January 2022.
The first Mission Annual Forum taking place on 7 June 2022 will stimulate dynamic exchanges, sharing of experience, take stock of the collective progress of achieving the Mission objectives, and contribute to steer its actions.
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