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

Wateregio to celebrate general open meeting the 25th June in the Committee of the Regions, Brussels

NOTE (22/May): The date initially foreseen was the 24th June. The Committee of the Regions has confirmed the availability of the room the 25th June. Therefore the date is changed to the last day of the Green Week.

Wateregio work meeting last 18th May

During the meeting of Wateregio last 18th May, the main decisions were the following ones:

• Approve the record of activities 2008-2009. Acknowledgement to the Istrian Region for organising decentralised activities, and to the members of the Steering Committee.
  
• Information about cooperations with the AER and the CRPM, in particular the AER Summer Schoool open to registrations and to contributions.
  
• Wateregio will submit a proposal for LIFE+ governance and communication, to be funded as a network. Other project proposals were studied in the meeting.

The next meeting of Wateregio will take place the afternoon of the 25th June, during the Green Week, in the Committee of the Regions. This meeting will be open to all the regions and possible parties who could potentially be members of Wateregio. Also Ambassadors from Mediterranean countries will be invited to participate in a project forum corner.

Politically, the network will contribute to the works of the European Commission on water scarcity and droughts by submitting examples of best practices in the questionnaires sent by DG Environment, and will study the working document SEC (2009) 386 on Climate Change and Water, Coasts and Marine Issues, annex to the White Paper on Adaptation to Climate Change.

Finally, the deadline for the partners to agree with the text of the project of statutes of Wateregio as AISBL expires next 8th June. The intention is to sign the statutes officially in the meeting of 25th June in Brussels. 8th June is also the indicative deadline for the members to express their interest to be part of the Steering Committee.

For more information, the secretariat is available at aalcolea@delcomval.be

Wateregio meeting 18th May

Date: 18th May 2009. 14h30.
Venue: Valencian Regional Office in Brussels, Rue de la Loi 227, 4th Floor, B-1040 Brussels.

Provisional Agenda: (version 2, as proposed the 13th May)

1. Welcome.
2. Presentation and approval of the record of activities of Wateregio.
3. Information about open calls for proposals: LIFE+, Ecoinnovation, ENPI, and discussion about the projects.
4. Debate on statutes and constitution of Foundation.
5. Questionnaires of the European Commission on water scarcity and droughts.
6. Project CHANCE-Europeaid.
7. Composition of the new Steering Committee.
8. General open meeting during the Green Week
9. Other business.

This is an internal meeting of Wateregio. The network will organize an open event during the Green Week, the 24th June (date to be confirmed)

Registration: aalcolea@delcomval.be