When: 9 March, 2022 | 09:00 – 10:30 CET
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times. The world has recently
experienced extreme climate events and natural disasters, occurring simultaneously in various countries. As of 1 October 2021, over 2000 jurisdictions in more than 35 countries all over the world have declared a climate emergency. The recent wildfires in Greece, Sardegna and Portugal and the deadly floods in Germany, France and the Netherlands affected vulnerable populations.
Unveiled in 2021 by the European Commission, the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change aims to prepare Europe to face climate change impacts by indicating pathways to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce regions’ vulnerability. In addition, the EC has launched the Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change and Societal Transformation that fosters the development of innovative solutions and will engage with and empower regions, cities and communities to evolve and adapt to climate change. It helps maximize the impact of the EU’s support for research and innovation and demonstrates its relevance for society and citizens.
The Mission focuses on solutions and preparedness for the impacts of climate change to protect lives and assets. It addresses new communities beyond the usual stakeholders, including behavioural changes and social aspects, to guide and achieve societal transformation.
This session is co-organised by four Horizon 2020 projects in the Mission addressing specifically regional transformation towards climate adaptation and resilience. By coordinating to identify common goals, challenges and focus areas, as well as maximize efficiencies and synergies, REGILIENCE, ARSINOE, IMPETUS and TransformAr will achieve the best possible outcomes for regions and communities impacted by climate change.
These projects have received funding under the Green Deal Call 1.3 on ‘Climate-resilient Innovation Packages for EU regions’ and were officially kicked off in Autumn 2021. By assessing and improving the resilience of regions, these projects will help them prepare for future crises and reduce their associated risks. In this framework, new tools and methodologies help regions and communities to better understand, plan and develop strategies tailored to their needs that will maximize their resilience to the impacts of climate change.
In light of the implementation of the Mission for Climate Adaptation and Societal Transformation, the session:
- will raise the relevance and necessity for integrated climate adaptation for regions;
- will explain the opportunities of working together in a project cluster, by providing an overview of tools, processes and impact of the four projects laying the groundwork for potential collaborations with other stakeholders and partners in the upcoming months and years and
- will showcase the approach and already existing good practice from regions and the motivation of regional partners to step further regional climate action.
Agenda:
09:00 – 09:05 Welcome and introduction to the session
09:05 – 09:15 Keynote from the European Commissio
09:15 – 09:25 Testimonials from regions
09:25 – 10:25 Panel discussion
10:25 – 10:30 Closing remarks
Keynote: Mr. Johannes Klumpers DG Clima (Focus on Mission/EU Adaptation Strategy and its importance for regional development).
Panel discussion:
Ms. Chrysi Laspidou, University of Thessaly & ARSINOE project
Ms. Stefania Manca, Municipality of Genoa/EU Agenda Partnership for Climate Adaptation
Mr Alessio Satta – MEDSEA Foundation Sardinia, Italy and Mr Laurence Couldrick –West Country Rivers Trust, West Country Region, TransformAr project
Giovanni Luigi Brumat, Cantina Toblino viticulture cooperative, Trentino, Italy, IMPETUS project
Moderators: Mr. Vasileios Latinos, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, REGILIENCE project
Backend moderator: Ms. Jole Lutzu, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, REGILIENCE project
More information about the 3rd EU Macro-regional strategies week can be accessed at the following link: https://eumrsweek.tw.events/
