Making a difference by preparing for climate impacts

Global heating is causing more frequent floods, droughts, and extreme weather. In Europe, the economic damage caused by flooding alone is forecast to rise to €20 billion a year during the 2020s. This number will grow to €46 billion by the 2050s and €98 billion by the 2080s.

However, the damage can be kept in check by taking stock of the risk and preparing well. Our projects are finding cost-effective climate adaptation methods that even provide added benefits.

Project highlights

Browse through the slideshow to discover key project achievements so far:

Explore climate adaptation projects

			BEGIN: Unlocking the benefits of climate adaptation BEGIN combines blue-green infrastructure like rivers and parks with social innovation to protect cities against climate impacts. The 10 partner cities generated benefits worth 90 times the EU funding! Visit BEGIN

			BwN: Using nature's own forces Building with Nature is using natural structures such as dunes and rivers in flood protection. The project has been highlighted by the United Nations as a best-practice example for Nature Based Solutions. Visit Building with Nature

			C5a: Adapting to climate change from cloud to coast C5a develops a holistic cloud-to-coast approach to handling flood risk. The project integrates the work of seven North Sea Region climate adaptation projects. Visit C5a

			CANAPE: Buffering water levels CANAPE restores lost peatland to put back their multiple ecosystem services. One of these is to buffer water - an invaluable feature during times of climate change. Visit CANAPE

			CATCH: Reducing climate risk in midsize cities CATCH helps midsize cities to cope with climate risk such as floods or intense heat. The project develops common tools for urban planners, provides capacity building, and facilitates city-to-city learning. Visit CATCH

			FAIR: Finding affordable ways to keep the floods at bay As floods become stronger and more frequent, dykes, dams, and levees come under growing pressure. FAIR develops cost-effective systems for upgrading and maintaining flood infrastructure. Visit FAIR

			FRAMES: Managing flood risk at every level FRAMES promotes a multi-layered approach to managing flood risk - from flood prevention to spatial adaptation, emergency response, and resilient recovery. Visit FRAMES

			IMMERSE: Managing flood-prone estuaries When storm surges hit, estuaries are at great risk of flooding. IMMERSE tackles flood risk alongside other challenges facing the region's estuaries. Visit IMMERSE

			SalFar: Promoting saline farming and future food security SalFar discovered a range of food crop varieties which can grow under salty conditions. This prevents crop failure and food shortage caused by climate change. Visit SalFar

			TOPSOIL: Predicting the effects of global warming TOPSOIL uses innovative techniques to map the underground and predict local impacts of climate change, enabling regions and cities to prepare and find smart solutions ahead of time. Visit TOPSOIL

			WaterCoG: Calling all hands on deck for the wetlands Healthy wetlands have a great water storage capacity and soften the impacts of both floods and droughts. WaterCoG brought local stakeholders together and showed that people matter in preserving and restoring wetlands. Visit WaterCoG