The impacts of climatic changes will hit locally and regionally in different ways. Many adaptation actions will need to be decided at a local, regional and national level. As part of exploring options to improve Europe’s resilience to climate change effects and the European Union role in climate change adaptation the European Commission is undertaking a number of activities.

The European Climate Change Programme working group has published a number of reports the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, marine resources, water cycles and forestry and other areas.

A green paper has been published, Adapting to Climate Change in Europe – options for EU action, and is open for consultation until the end of November. The paper seeks views on what will be the most severe impacts on Europe’s natural environment, what roles Government’s, local authorities, businesses and other should play in adapting to climate change, and which impacts should be a priority for the EU.