The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions encourage other applicants from all Member States to become new signatories for the broadest uptake of adaptation measures in Europe and lead the way towards a climate-resilient future
Today, the European Commission announced the first 118 regions and local
authorities that will participate in the
EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change, the so-called Mission Adaptation, which will support the
European Green Deal
and the EU
Climate Adaptation Strategy. The Mission Adaptation will receive €370 million of Horizon Europe
funding for the period 2021-23.
These regions and local authorities will sign the Mission Charter today at
the European Committee of the Regions’ first
Forum of the EU Mission Adaptation to Climate Change
. A further 20 private companies, service centres, research networks and
local action groups active in improving climate resilience will endorse the
Charter and become friends of the Mission. The 118 signatories come from 18
Member States, with 6 more parties coming from countries associated or
potentially associated with
Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation programme.
The First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions,
Vasco Alves Cordeiro, said: “
Europe’s regions are witnessing the impact of the climate crisis. From
rising sea levels to floods or heatwaves, we work to find solutions
that can help protecting people and saving nature. Joining this Mission
will allow more than 100 regions and communities to spearhead on how we
can deliver with local climate action.”
The Mission Adaptation aims to support at least 150 regions and communities
in accelerating their transformation towards climate resilience by 2030. It
will help these regions and local authorities to better understand, prepare
for and manage climate risks, as well as to develop innovative solutions to
build resilience.
Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal,
Frans Timmermans
said:
“While climate negotiations are global and much of our legislation is
European, the changes we need on the ground are local: they happen city
by city, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, street by street. Change will
only happen if it happens bottom up. Whether it’s greening public
spaces, developing water retention systems, and insulating homes,
cities and regions are already developing innovative ideas to adapt to
climate change. The more than 100 regions and communities in the
Mission Adaptation will be true trailblazers, showing millions of
Europeans that a green, clean, and healthy future is possible for
everyone.”
Commissioner for Research and Innovation,
Mariya Gabriel, said:
“The Mission will put regions and local authorities at the forefront of
innovation in Europe’s transition to becoming a more resilient
continent. By joining the Mission, they gain access to the full
potential of research and innovation and accelerate the transfer of the
solutions developed to society.”
From deadly heatwaves and devastating droughts to wildfires and coastlines
eroded by rising sea levels, climate change is already taking its toll in
Europe. They affect not only the environment and economy, but also the
health of Europeans. The frequency and severity of climate and weather
extremes is increasing so there is a need to speed up solutions that build
climate resilience.
The Mission Adaptation will receive €370 million of Horizon Europe funding
for the period 2021-23. The research and innovation actions will address
rebuilding areas impacted by extreme weather events, restoring floodplains,
vertical farming, prototype insurance approaches, or creating a ‘perfectly
adapted’ city ready to withstand a storm or heatwave. There is also a
possibility to build joint initiatives with other EU Missions and
programmes. The Mission also provides networking opportunities, exchange of
best practices between regions and local authorities, and support to engage
citizens.
Background
On 14 March 2022, the Commission launched an invitation to EU regions and
local authorities to join the Mission. Following today’s announcement, the
new signatories will benefit from the Mission Implementation Platform,
which will be operational in early 2023. Together, they will develop
pathways towards climate resilience while having access to climate data and
methodologies for climate risk assessments and receiving tailor-made
guidance on effective adaptation measures.
The Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change started in September 2021 with
the adoption of a
Communication on EU Missions
, followed by the approval of the Missions' individual implementation
plans. There are four other
EU missions
covering global challenges in the areas of climate-neutral and smart
cities, restoring our ocean and waters, healthy soils and cancer. A
dedicated
Work Programme for Horizon Europe Missions
was published on 15 December 2021. They support Commission priorities, such
as the
European Green Deal
,
Europe fit for the Digital Age
,
Beating Cancer
and the
New European Bauhaus.
Contacts
European Commission
Tim Mcphie: Tim.McPhie@ec.europa.eu
Ana Crespo Parrondo :Ana.Crespo-Parrondo@ec.europa.eu
European Committee of the Regions
David Crous :
David.Crous@cor.europa.eu