The ACCREU project offers a novel policy-first approach to assess climate adaptation in 15 co-creation case studies, of which five are highlighted on the map. Initial analyses have already taken place, and strong connections with case study stakeholders have been established thereby generating a concrete list of policy questions to address. Some of the policy issues ACCREU addresses are the roles of financial institutions and supervisors in adaptation to extreme flooding, the likely costs of adaptation at national level, and how adaptation to extreme heat can take place in a socially just way. All case studies are closely aligned to the European Union’s Mission on Adaptation themes. For instance, the case studies highlighted on the map, relate to the Adaptation Mission themes of Water Management and Critical Infrastructure. In future images, the case studies relating to the other themes will be highlighted as well.
Highlighted case studies
Multifunctional Sea Dike in the Netherlands
One case study evaluates a plan for a multifunctional sea dike in a Dutch coastal city, combining housing with flood protection. This approach is attractive as it meets multiple planning objectives, however it may also limit future adaptive capacity by reducing flexibility of flood defenses. By taking a comprehensive wellbeing approach, this case study examines whether such a multifunctional dike is desirable from an intergenerational perspective (Case study 1.1 on map).
Coastal Realignment in Germany
Another case study (1.2 on the map) focuses on the choice between dikes or managed realignment and retreat from coastal areas to adapt to sea level rise. Retreat can provide local nature-conservation benefits but may also have low social acceptance. By combining regional perspectives from the German Baltic Sea coast on retreat, with a cost-benefit analysis on the optimal timing and locations for retreat, this case study provides a comprehensive assessment of grey versus green adaptation to sea-level rise.
Critical Infrastructure in Austria
Two case studies (6.1 and 6.2 on the map) focus on critical infrastructure in Austria. The first assesses rail and road network adaptation to river flooding. Rail networks are increasingly important for future transport due to the energy transition but can also be vulnerable to flooding. This case study assesses the potential damages to rail and road networks in Austria from river floods in current and future climate, combined with an assessment of adaptation strategies at different levels, to evaluate the optimal adaptation to river flooding to ensure sustainable transport networks.
The second Austrian case study examines supply chains for critical raw material and inputs to the electrical engineering and electronics industry. This is a vital sector for the energy transition but can be vulnerable to shocks in the supply chain. This case study evaluates the risks of climate change on the upstream supply chain and discusses a diverse array of adaptation options to minimize the risks to this sector.
National Adaptation Costs in Cyprus
The final highlighted case study (7.3 on the map), in Cyprus addresses EU Mission on Adaptation themes of Local Economic Systems. We highlight it here as this case study was recently added to the case study list and will commence soon. The case study relates to cross-cutting decisions on adaptation and will involve an assessment of how to integrate adaptation in national economic policies.
Broader implications for European Stakeholders
The policy questions emerging from these case studies highlight their relevance to other European stakeholders tacking climate change risks. The insights gained from these local, regional and national studies provide a useful foundation for scaling up adaptation, a key objective of the ACCREU project’s forthcoming milestones and deliverables.