The ACCREU project offers a novel policy-first approach to assess climate adaptation in 15 co-creation case studies. In a previous news item, five case studies were highlighted. Here, we showcase the other case studies. Since the last update, significant progress has been made across all ACCREU case studies, with several case studies already reporting early results on the economic appraisal. All case studies are closely aligned to the European Union’s Mission on Adaptation themes.
Adaptation case studies – cross-cutting and financial sector
In the first image, we highlight case studies related to the European Union’s Mission on Adaptation theme of local economic systems. Case studies 5.1 and 5.2 explore the role of the financial sector in adapting to climate risks. The first examines the potential role of a central bank in maintaining financial stability amid flood risks, while the second focusses on how flood insurance can incentivize businesses to implement flood adaptation measures.
The other three case studies highlighted on the map relate to a cross-cutting adaptation decision type, assessing the national budgets required for climate adaptation in the UK and Cyprus. Case study 7.3, previously introduced as a new case study of ACCREU, is highlighted again due to its relation with case studies 7.1 and 7.2. Besides evaluating the adaptation costs in the UK, case study 7.1 and 7.2 also analyze the macroeconomic impacts of such adaptation efforts.
Adaptation case studies on land use and health
This second image showcases six case studies aligned with three themes of the European Union’s Mission on Adaptation: Ecosystems & Nature-based Solutions, Health & Wellbeing, and Land Use & Food Systems.
First, two case studies on ecosystems examine the effectiveness of different adaptation strategies to mitigate forest fire risks in Sweden and Italy. With their public and private sector focus, these studies provide valuable insights to other stakeholders dealing with forest fire adaptation. Second, case studies 3.1 and 3.2 address the water-food-biodiversity nexus. Case study 3.1 explores sustainable water allocation strategies in the Ebro and Thaya river basins amidst competing demands. Case study 3.2 examines biodiversity adaptation in the Venice lagoon, offering perspectives on conservation strategies when economic incentives for adaptation are limited. Lastly, two case studies on health, study socially just adaptations to heat stress in Bremen and the Basque Country. These studies provide critical insights into strategies that enable adaption to rising temperatures while ensuring that adaptation efforts do not increase social inequalities.
Next steps The policy questions and economic appraisal of adaptation of these case studies underscore their relevance to other European stakeholders addressing climate change risks. Insights from these local, regional and national studies provide a strong foundation for scaling up adaptation, a key objective of the ACCREU project. In the coming months, this work package will focus on finalizing the economic appraisal of the case study analysis while advancing efforts to make the results more applicable for a wider range of European stakeholders. Initial steps have already been taken, with the next phase involving the organization of ACCREU workshops for the different ‘adaptation decision type’ (adaptation themes). These workshops will explore the scalability of adaptation strategies, as well as key barriers and opportunities. . More information on these workshops will be communicated soon.