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Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Climate-related extreme events are part of disaster risk reduction policies ruled at international, EU, and national levels, covering various sectors and features such as awareness-raising, prevention, mitigation, preparedness, monitoring and detection, response, and recovery.
- climate-related extreme events
- EU
- Policy
1. Introduction
Climate change impacts the frequency and severity of weather/climate extreme events, and the need for proactive management efforts are obviously recognized worldwide. This is reflected in international fora from different angles, namely economic impact forecasting and recommendations expressed by IPCC [1], and disaster risk reduction under the Sendai Framework for Action [2], that are themselves considered in a large span of sectors and EU policies covering secure, safe, and resilient society issues in relation to risks incurred by climate extreme events. Crisis management policies follow an integrated approach for the management of natural (including climate extreme events) and man-made hazards focusing on disaster risk reduction (prevention and preparedness) and disaster response. At EU level, the policy is mainly represented by the EU Civil Protection Mechanism [3]. Climate-related disasters are also directly covered by environmental and climate policies, in particular the Flood Directive [4] and the EU climate change adaptation strategy [5]. Finally, intergovernmental agencies are also involved in climate-related security policies, in particular the European External Action Service (EEAS), which implements the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (and displacement of population due to climate threats). Complementing this arsenal of policies, the European Green Deal sets a number of policy initiatives with the overarching aim of making Europe climate-neutral by 2050 [6]. This goal has an effect on the policies detailed in the following sections.
As stressed above, international policies are also active in disaster risk and crisis management, and their implementation is largely addressed by a range of EU policies that are described below. It should be recalled that EU policies are adopted by Member States via a co-decision process of the EU Council and Parliament, and that they are transposed (and implemented) in national laws and action plans. The EU framework hence represents an opportunity to discuss coordination among various national approaches and develop a common EU vision. As compared with international conventions with no legally enforceable management framework, the situation in the European Union is developing towards a robust risk-based management system for tackling environmental hazards, including climate-related threats, with legal instruments being in place or in development.
2. EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)
The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) [3] aims to facilitate reinforced cooperation among EU Member States and to facilitate coordination in the field of civil protection, in order to improve the effectiveness of systems for preventing, preparing for, and responding to natural (including climate extreme events) and manmade disasters. It supports and complements the efforts of the Member States for the protection, primarily of people but also of the environment and property, including cultural heritage. Built upon these policy instruments, the UCPM is about developing an integrated approach to disaster management based on the principles of solidarity. The overall mechanism takes due consideration of laws and international commitments, and exploit synergies with relevant Union initiatives, such as, e.g., the European Earth Observation Programmes (Copernicus). The mechanism recognizes the role of regional and local authorities in disaster management. Outside the Union, disaster response is coordinated with the United Nations (in close interaction with the Sendai Framework for Action) and other relevant international actors concerning humanitarian aid. The UCPM also finances actions related to preventing, preparing for and responding to disasters, including civil protection training programs, large-scale exercises, exchange of experts, prevention and preparedness projects (through annual calls for applications), logistical and transport support for response missions, deployment of coordination, etc.
3. Critical Infrastructure Protection
The new approach to the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP) aims to ensure a high degree of protection of EU infrastructures and increase their resilience against all threats and hazards [7], and this includes climate impact-related threats. Within this policy framework, a technical guidance on climate-proofing of infrastructure projects has been recently adopted for the period 2021–2027. It will help mainstream climate considerations in future investment and development of infrastructure projects from buildings and network infrastructure to a range of built systems and assets. That way, institutional and private European investors will be able to make informed decisions on projects deemed compatible with the Paris Agreement [8] and EU climate objectives. The impacts of climate change are already having repercussions for assets and infrastructure with long lifetimes such as railways, bridges, or power stations, and these impacts are set to intensify in the future. It is therefore essential to clearly identify—and consequently to invest in—infrastructure that is prepared for a climate-neutral and climate-resilient future. In this respect, climate-proofing is a process that integrates climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into the development of infrastructure projects.
4. EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change
The EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change [5] highlights the consequences of climate change and the need for adaptation measures. It focuses on early, planned, and coordinated action rather than reactive adaptation. The strategy takes account of global climate change impacts such as disruptions to supply chains or impaired access to raw materials, energy, and food supplies. The overall aim is to contribute to a more climate-resilient Europe by enhancing the preparedness and capacity to respond to the impacts of climate change at local, regional, national, and EU levels, developing a coherent approach, and improving coordination. This strategy is closely linked to national adaptation strategies, which are considered as recommended instruments by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). A close coordination between climate change adaptation and disaster risk management/policies is also required. The development of guidelines is foreseen on minimum standards for disaster prevention based on good practices. Actions on climate change adaptation must involve all parts of society and all levels of governance, inside and outside the EU. Current work is focusing on improving knowledge of climate impacts and adaptation solutions, stepping up adaptation planning and climate risk assessments, accelerating adaptation action, and helping to strengthen climate resilience globally. Pushing the frontiers of knowledge on adaptation is required to gather more and better data on climate-related risks and losses, making them available to all. This is the aim, in particular, of the European Climate-ADAPT platform for adaptation knowledge, but also naturally of EU-funded programs which are described below. While the Paris Agreement established a global goal on adaptation and highlighted adaptation as a key contributor to sustainable development, the EU will promote sub-national, national, and regional approaches to adaptation.
5. EU Water and Marine Policies
Linked to the above, specific policy instruments are in place in sectors related to climate extreme events such as floods and droughts. In the first place, complementing the Water Framework Directive [9], or WFD, flood prevention and management are tackled by the Flood Directive [4], which requires EU Member States to assess and manage flood risks, with the aim of reducing adverse consequences for human health, the environment, cultural heritage, and economic activity associated with floods in Europe. This directive therefore provides a comprehensive mechanism for assessing and monitoring increased risks of flooding, taking into account the possible impacts of climate change, and for developing appropriate adaptation approaches. Finally, while the protection of the (coastal) marine environment is covered by the WFD, environmental objectives for the marine environment are subject to regulations under the EU Marine Strategy Directive [10].
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/atmos13010117
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