Climate strategy to shape Horizon 2020

The results of the European Commission’s ‘EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change’ will feed into Horizon 2020, it has been announced.

The strategy, which was formally adopted in April, will encourage EU member states to become more resilient to the effects of global warming. The plan aims to support actions being undertaken by member states, encourage changes in key sectors at supranational level and encourage better decision making.

According to the Commission’s website, ‘By complementing the activities of its member states, the EU can support action by promoting greater coordination and information sharing between member states, and by ensuring that adaptation considerations are addressed in all relevant EU policies.

‘Engaging with the private sector at EU level is crucial to pave the ground for mutually acceptable “benefit-risk balances” with regard to a fair return for the risks both the public and private sector face. This is especially important for sectors of economic significance that are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts.’

Results will be disseminated through the European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT) which will become a ‘one-stop shop’ for adaptation information in Europe.

Action to tackle climate change is a key objective under the Societal Challenges pillar of Horizon 2020 and will focus on ‘Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials’. The objective will provide research funding to assist member states adaption programmes and projects.

The strategy will be formally announced at a conference in Brussels at the end of April. An update to the implementation of the strategy will be presented to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in 2017.