SO11 Climate change adaptation

The aim of the type of action is to enhance know-how and preparedness towards climate change impacts and risks on regional and local level with a special focus on joint research and the application of research results in the area as well as creating personal and digital interfaces.
Indicative actions:

• studies and analysis to better understand the interrelation of vulnerability and adaptive capacity or to better explore the regions natural "buffers", for example the reed belt of the Neusiedler See/Fertő
• data monitoring and set-up of common data bases on climate-related risks in the border region, such as extreme weather, heat or pests as well as on the impact of adaptation actions
• citizen science activities, for example phenological observations
• developing research networks on climate change enabling a sustainable and long-term collaboration across the border
• workshops, conferences, discussion panels on possible climate-change adaptation measures and related topics in the context of climate change involving different types of target groups and stakeholders on local and regional level also using digital means and social media

The aim of the type of action is to boost strategic development across the border to allow for a better adaptive capacity to climate change and climate change-induced risks in the border region especially regarding sectors or areas particularly affected such as nature and biodiversity, forestry and agriculture, tourism, SME, cities and municipalities or health.
Indicative actions:

• action plans defining goals and specific measures how to address future climate change impacts
• interdisciplinary strategies for climate related actions such as soil protection or green and open spaces for recreation and leisure uses under changing climatic conditions
• risk management concepts in specific sectors in the cross-border region (e.g. nature and biodiversity, agriculture and forestry, tourism, spatial planning, housing, services and infrastructure or health), also involving emergency response organisations
• plans and strategies related to early warning systems for extreme weather events

The aim of the type of action is to promote the implementation of replicable, innovative actions helping to adapt to climate change impacts on regional and local level, building on and providing good practices at local, national and EU level.
Indicative actions:

• specific actions at local level such as plantings of drought-resistant species or shading measures in residential areas
• develop and adapt as well as assist in the application of sustainable, climate-friendly and adaptive products, technical processes and services, for example modified and innovative techniques for wood processing taking into account potential changes in wood quality and tree species or "climate change-adapted architecture”
• development and adaptation of digitalisation models oriented towards climate resilience
• actions implementing new research results into practice
• skill development activities addressing local business actors in order to increase the resilience of production, sales, and operational infrastructure of the SMEs in the region
• developing tool boxes with different sustainable adaptation measures for local business and communities aiming at reducing heat islands in the urban area, cooling buildings or adapting infrastructure towards more energy efficiency and reduction of CO2 emission
• civil protection pilot actions, for example early warning systems for extreme weather events or trainings to improve the preparedness of the region against climate change related hazards
• joint actions building stronger links between associations/organisations responsible for risk prevention and management at local level (e.g. associations of firefighters)

The aim of the type of action is to raise the awareness of – predominantly local – decision makers and the wider public on climate change impacts and related adaptation measures
Indicative actions:

• general awareness raising activities addressing the wider public, such as gaming events, urban gardening activities, fieldtrips, trainings, school events or exhibitions
• (digital) seminars or other specific information activities addressing local decision makers
  • on climate-related health risks such as heat, the spread of allergenic and toxic species or outbreaks of infectious diseases, taking into account the learnings of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • on civil protection measures and on natural hazards