1.3 Recognition and Adaptation on Higher Spatial
and Administrative Levels
The protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services from adverse impacts of
climate change is of importance on local and regional levels worldwide (Pe ´rez
et al. 2010). Systematic support and guidance by higher policy levels is needed
(SCBD 2007). The European Commission adopted an EU strategy on adaptation to
climate change in 2013.
Adaptation to climate change is addressed in several recent regulations as well as
strategies on EU levels – but it is not yet mainstreamed into all EU policies.
Biodiversity, and therewith, the diversity of habitats is one of the focus areas of
adaptation. “Biodiversity and climate change” is one of four key policy areas within
the EU Action Plan for “Halting the Loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and Beyond”.
The Action Plan states that “policies will also be needed to help biodiversity adapt
to changing temperature and water regimes” (European Commission 2006, p. 13).
Subsequently, a White Paper on climate change adaptation was issued (European Commission 2009). It emphasises the importance of maintaining and restoring
ecosystem integrity and names as actions: “increasing the resilience of biodiversity,
ecosystems and water”; the need to “improve policies and develop measures which
address biodiversity loss and climate change in an integrated manner to fully
exploit co-benefits and avoid ecosystem feedbacks that accelerate global warming”;
and, to “draft guidelines by 2010 on dealing with the impact of climate change on
the management of Natura 2000
1 sites”. This draft guideline (European Commission 2012) points out the requirement to “review [. . .] other policies and strategic
frameworks in terms of how they could be developed and utilised as part of the
integrated solutions that will be increasingly required for climate change management”. It also gives core advices to site managers, e.g. “to develop adaptive
management plans” (p. 96).
The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (European Commission 2011) underlines
the importance of addressing climate change in the EU. In order to improve the
exchange of information on climate change and measures for adaptation, a European clearing-house for climate change was developed.
2
Beside the activities of the European Commission other international policy
declarations were made. UNESCO’s “Dresden Declaration” acknowledges that climate change mitigation, adaptation to climate change, and the conservation of biological diversity are among today’s key environmental challenges (UNESCO,
German Commission 2011). Therefore, biosphere reserves serve as model regions
for adaptation to the impacts of this change. Ensuring sustainable land use and
1 “Network Natura 2000” according to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7) and to
Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on
the conservation of wild birds.
2 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu
1 Natural Heritage at Risk by Climate Change
7
and Administrative Levels
The protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services from adverse impacts of
climate change is of importance on local and regional levels worldwide (Pe ´rez
et al. 2010). Systematic support and guidance by higher policy levels is needed
(SCBD 2007). The European Commission adopted an EU strategy on adaptation to
climate change in 2013.
Adaptation to climate change is addressed in several recent regulations as well as
strategies on EU levels – but it is not yet mainstreamed into all EU policies.
Biodiversity, and therewith, the diversity of habitats is one of the focus areas of
adaptation. “Biodiversity and climate change” is one of four key policy areas within
the EU Action Plan for “Halting the Loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and Beyond”.
The Action Plan states that “policies will also be needed to help biodiversity adapt
to changing temperature and water regimes” (European Commission 2006, p. 13).
Subsequently, a White Paper on climate change adaptation was issued (European Commission 2009). It emphasises the importance of maintaining and restoring
ecosystem integrity and names as actions: “increasing the resilience of biodiversity,
ecosystems and water”; the need to “improve policies and develop measures which
address biodiversity loss and climate change in an integrated manner to fully
exploit co-benefits and avoid ecosystem feedbacks that accelerate global warming”;
and, to “draft guidelines by 2010 on dealing with the impact of climate change on
the management of Natura 2000
1 sites”. This draft guideline (European Commission 2012) points out the requirement to “review [. . .] other policies and strategic
frameworks in terms of how they could be developed and utilised as part of the
integrated solutions that will be increasingly required for climate change management”. It also gives core advices to site managers, e.g. “to develop adaptive
management plans” (p. 96).
The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (European Commission 2011) underlines
the importance of addressing climate change in the EU. In order to improve the
exchange of information on climate change and measures for adaptation, a European clearing-house for climate change was developed.
2
Beside the activities of the European Commission other international policy
declarations were made. UNESCO’s “Dresden Declaration” acknowledges that climate change mitigation, adaptation to climate change, and the conservation of biological diversity are among today’s key environmental challenges (UNESCO,
German Commission 2011). Therefore, biosphere reserves serve as model regions
for adaptation to the impacts of this change. Ensuring sustainable land use and
1 “Network Natura 2000” according to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7) and to
Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on
the conservation of wild birds.
2 http://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu
1 Natural Heritage at Risk by Climate Change
7