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EU Publish Climate Change White Paper

The European Commission has published a white paper on adapting to climate change. The paper sets out the likely impacts of climate change on Europe and proposes actions to reduce the region’s vulnerability.

Impacts of climate change will vary by region, with coastal, mountain and flood plain areas particularly vulnerable. Most adaptation measures will therefore be carried out nationally or regionally. The role of the EU will be to support these efforts through an integrated and coordinated approach, particularly in cross-border issues and policies which are highly integrated at EU level.

A first phase of the strategy will run until 2012 and will lay the groundwork for preparing a comprehensive EU adaptation strategy from 2013 and beyond. It will focus on increasing understanding of climate change and possible adaptation measures and how adaptation can be embedded in key EU policies. The paper outlines the need for a “clearing house mechanism” to exchange information on climate change risks, impacts and best practices.

The Commission will also set up an Impact and Adaptation Steering Group. It will be composed of representatives from EU Member States involved in the drawing up of national and regional adaptation programmes and will consult with representatives from civil society and the scientific community. It will be supported by technical working groups, including one on agriculture.

The Commission is also publishing for comment three discussion papers on water, coasts and marine, agricultural and health issues based on the framework set out in the white paper.

The discussion papers will be available soon at here

Source: Croner's

 


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