Adapting to Climate Change in Europe and Central Asia

The climate is changing; and the Europe
and Central Asia (ECA) region is vulnerable to the
consequences. Many of the region's countries are facing
warmer temperatures, a changing hydrology and more extremes,
droughts, floods, heat waves, windstorms, and forest fires.
Already the frequency and cost of natural disasters have
risen dramatically in the region. And the concentration of
greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere guarantees that
similar or greater changes are yet to come, even if the
world completely stopped emitting carbon dioxide. Now, and
at least for the near future, ECA vulnerability is being
driven more by its existing sensitivity than by the severity
of the climate impacts. In fact, ECA already suffers from a
serious adaptation deficit even to its current climate. This
derives from a combination of socioeconomic factors and the
Soviet legacy of environmental mismanagement. This report
presents an overview of what adaptation to climate change
might mean for ECA. It starts with a discussion of emerging
best practice adaptation planning around the world and a
review of the latest climate projections. The report then
discusses possible actions to improve resilience organized
around impacts on natural resources (water, biodiversity,
and the coastal environment), health, the
'unbuilt' environment (agriculture and forestry),
and the built environment (infrastructure and housing). The
last chapter concludes with a discussion of two areas in
great need of strengthening given the changing climate:
disaster preparedness and hydrometeorological services.