Commission organises workshop on climate change 17-18 June

The European Commission, DG Environment, is organizing a two-days workshop on Regional Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Climate Change Vulnerability Indicators, to be held on 17 - 18 June 2009 in Brussels, Belgium.

The European Commission recently presented a White Paper outlining the framework for adaptation measures and policies to reduce the European Union's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/adaptation/index_en.htm).

Two key elements of the action plan proposed for the first phase 2009-12 are the development of vulnerability and adaptation indicators, and the capacity building of regional and local authorities.

On the first day (Wednesday 17 June, 9:30-17:30), regional climate adaptation strategies will be discussed. The objectives are 1) to present and discuss the current EU situation with regard to the regional climate adaptation strategies; and 2) to present and discuss guidelines or toolbox to support regions to develop climate adaptation strategies.

On the second day (Thursday 18 June, 9:30-16:00), the discussion will be about assessing and developing vulnerability indicators for the EU. The objectives are 1) to present and discuss the findings of the literature review and data scoping exercise; and 2) to review and discuss a set of options for the further development and elaboration of vulnerability indicators at regional or sectoral level.

This workshop is organized in co-ordination with EEA’s 3rd EIONET workshop on Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation (Copenhague, 30 June – 1 July 2009) and EEA’s Expert workshop on Vulnerability mapping adaptation indicators (Copenhagen, 2-3 July 2009). The focus of the present workshops will on the "end-user" perspective at EU, regional, local and sectoral level.

Participants to the workshop are representative from national, regional and local authorities as well as experts from European Commission services. Participation is free of charge, no reimbursement of travel expenses is foreseen.

The deadline to confirm participation is Wednesday 3 June 2009 to Stefanie Wurm by e-mail (climate_adaptation@ecologic-events.de). A detailed agenda and background documents will be available shortly on: http://www.ecologic-events.eu/climate_adaptation

For further information:

Mr Jacques Delsalle

European Commission

DG Environment Unit D.2. Protection of Water and Marine Environment

Email: Jacques.Delsalle@ec.europa.eu