A meeting of the EIONET [European Environment Information and Observation Network — Eionet Portal (europa.eu)] group on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation was held in Vienna (Austria) on 6 and 7 June 2024. Alongside Montenegro, Serbia and Türkye 20 European countries were represented, including Belgium through CeRAC. The main aim of the meeting was to take stock of European, national and sub-national initiatives in the field of climate change impacts assessment, vulnerability and adaptation. After the official opening, the meeting began with a reminder of some key figures highlighting the expected economic impact of climate change, for example the fact that the estimate annual damage of flooding in Europe is expected to reach up to EUR 1000 billion by the end of the century according to Blaž Kurnik, Head of Group Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation at the European Environmental Agency [European Environment Agency's home page (europa.eu)]. A brief presentation of the European Climate Risk Assessment (europa.eu), a comprehensive assessment of current and future climate risks in Europe, was then given to the participants.
When it comes to assessing the risks associated with climate change, European countries are at different stages of progress. While some countries have already completed this work, others are still defining their reference levels as this is the case for Belgium. The priority sectors targeted also vary from one country to another. In particular, Hungary, Malta, Spain, Austria, France, Turkey and Germany were invited to present case studies and adaptation initiatives in place in these countries. It provided an opportunity to review a number of initiatives taken at sub-national level across Europe. The impact of climate change on health was also identified as a key risk in all European countries. Finally, participants discussed how the private sector can be mobilized around the issue of adaptation to climate change, and how progress on adaptation can be measured.
According to Hildegard Aichberger (Head of the Environment Agency Austria), in recent years, the participants in the different United Nations Conferences of the Parties (climate change, biodiversity, and to combat desertification) have begun to exchange information with each other. A wide range of information is involved, including certain indicators, for example. Anna Dimitrijevics, Deputy Head of unit for Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in the Directorate-General for Climate Action - European Commission (europa.eu), said that the concept of resilience in the face of climate change will remain at the heart of The European Green Deal - European Commission (europa.eu). Both are good news in our rapidly changing world.