European Green Deal

The European Green Deal is the roadmap for making the EU's economy sustainable, by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities, and making the transition just and inclusive for all.

Recognising that climate change and environmental degradation are existential threats to Europe and the world, the EGD provides an ambitious package of measures, followed by EU Green Deal Action Plan. These measures include cutting greenhouse gas emissions, investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, and preserving Europe's natural environment.

Fighting climate change and achieving the transition to a climate-neutral society requires significant investments, research and innovation, new ways of producing and consuming, managing waste, and changes in how we work, use transport and live together.

Since solid waste, wastewater, water supply, energy efficiency, air pollution – all these things affect climate change, the EGD addresses environment (waste and recycling) among the key action areas also towards being climate neutral in 2050

Increasing EU’s Climate ambition for 2030 and 2050

Supplying Clean, affordable and secure energy

Mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy

Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way

A zero-pollution ambition for a toxic free environment

Preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity

From “Farm to Fork” : a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system

Accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility

The EU as a global leader

A European Climate Pact

The European Green Deal

Transforming EU’s economy for a sustainable future

Financing the Transition

Leave no one behind (Just Transition)

Sustainable Europe Investment Plan

• It is the global phenomenon of climate transformation characterized by the changes in the usual climate of the planet (concerning temperature, precipitation, wind) that are especially caused by human activities.
• NASA “climate change is a long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates” (Global Climate Change)

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Climate Change

Records

human activity started influencing the climate.

scientists observe changes in the Earth’s climate, mainly caused by fossil fuel burning (human activities).

• Result: - heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere

- Earth’s average surface temperature

• Natural processes: cyclical ocean patterns (internal variability), volcanic activity, solar variability, variations in Earth’s orbit (external forcing) can also contribute to climate change.
• New studies indicated a new record of tropical sea surface temperature in the 1500s (https://www.nature.com/articles/nature19082).

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CLIMATE CHANGE

NATURAL INFLUENCES

HUMAN ACTIVITIES

19^th century:

20^th century:

Global warming

• The gradual increase of global temperatures due mainly to the high concentrations of  greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by human activities. 
• Result: long-term changes in weather patterns, Earth’s climate from place to place.
• The warmest decade that was recorded was 2011-2020 where the global average temperature reached 1.1°C above the pre-industrial levels in 2019 (https://ec.europa.eu/clima/change/causes_en).

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Figure 1: Global Land-Ocean Temperature Index

(Source: https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/)

Causes for rising emissions

• Burning coal, oil and gas. 
• Cutting down forests (deforestation). 
• Increasing livestock farming. 
• Fertilizers containing nitrogen.
• Fluorinated gases.

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Figure 2: Illustration of the change in global surface temperature relative to 1951-1980 average temperatures, with the year 2020 tying with 2016 for warmest on record

(Source: NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies,)

Signs of climate change

• Higher temperatures
• Changing rain and snow patterns
• More droughts
• Shrinking sea ice

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Figure 3: The signs of climate change

(Source: https://archive.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/impacts/signs/index.html)

• Warmer oceans
• Rising sea level
• Wilder weather
• Increase ocean acidity

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• Melting glaciers
• Less snowpack
• Thawing permafrost
• Ocean deoxygenation

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Effects of climate change

• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the next century (1 Celsius = 32 Fahrenheit).

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• According to IPCC, the extent of climate change effects on individual regions will vary over time and with the ability of different societal and environmental systems to mitigate or adapt to change.

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• The IPCC predicts that increases in global mean temperature of less than 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above 1990 levels will produce beneficial impacts in some regions and harmful ones in others.

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Figure 4: Future temperatures

(Source: https://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2021/08/09/ipcc-report-on-climate-change-a-reality-check-and-that-reality-is-grim/#sthash.JccNvc5z.dpbs)

Climate change consequences

• Ecosystem degradation (flora and fauna)

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• Species extinction

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• Intensive and aggressive weather patterns with more energy

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• Rise in ocean levels and coastal erosion rates

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• Under threat: Forest areas (eg. rainforests), coral reefs, and biodiversity (e.g. corals, insects, mammals), etc.

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(Source: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/change/consequences_en)

Figure 5: Climate risks, extreme events and related impacts

(Source: https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/state-of-climate-2018-shows-accelerating-climate-change-impacts)

• Climate change and extreme weather events (such as hurricanes, floods and fires) have a direct impact on 70% of all economic sectors worldwide (Smerdon J., 2018).
• According to an article by Deloitte “Central banks and other supervisory authorities are considering climate change as a risk to financial stability” while “the climate change creates a series of new business risks, such as the operational impacts of extreme weather events, or supply shortages caused by water scarcity, changes in technologies, markets and regulation that can increase business costs or affect asset values”.  

Figure 6: Causes and Effects of Climate Change

(Source: https://www.globalgiving.org/learn/cost-to-end-climate-change/)

• Risks for human health

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• Costs for society and economy (agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, energy, infrastructure, networks)

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• Limited natural resources

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• Climate refugees

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• Developing countries (more vulnerable)

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Figure 7: Potential Effects of Climate Change

(Source: https://www.globalchange.gov/browse/multimedia/potential-effects-climate-change)

Conclusion

• While there is a good understanding of the main effects of climate change, there is less certainty as to how quickly these will happen, and which will be chain effects.

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• Research on the impact of climate change on the various regions is at an early stage. As adaptation policies need to be put into action at the local level, we need to know more about each specific effect.

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(Source:http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environmentnew.nsf/All/60AEE60E369E5F0DC225837700349693?OpenDocument)

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What is adaptation?

• According to the IPCC’s report on “Climate Change 2007 – Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” adaptation is the ability of a system to absorb disturbances while maintaining the same basic structure and modes of operation. It is the extensive action and practical measures to adapt the system to these changes.
• It may include both national and regional strategies, in addition to practical measures at community level or by individuals.
• It concerns both natural and man-made systems.

Figure 8: Local Adaptation Strategies

(Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S146290111731153X)

Adaptation to climate change

• A dual challenge regarding climate change has been addressed by the international community and each individual State.

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• Climate change mitigation measures must be implemented to drastically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, hence global warming will not take devastating dimensions within this century.

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• However, measures must be also taken to adapt to the current and future climate changes that can no longer be prevented, even if all targets for reducing emissions are achieved, in order to decrease the negative impact on humans’ lives, the economy and the environment. (https://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/)

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• Adaptation to climate change means taking action to prepare for and adjust to both the current effects of climate change the predicted impacts in the future.

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The importance of climate change adaptation

• Climate change adaptation assists individuals, communities, organisations and natural systems to deal with the climate change’s effects that cannot be avoided (Rosales, J., 2019).
• It concerns taking action in a practical way to manage the risks from climate impacts, to protect communities and to strengthen the economy’s resilience.

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• Buildings and infrastructure must be able to deal with floods or heatwaves.
• Coastal or estuary rivers must be ready to deal with higher water levels.
• Agriculture needs to adapt to diverse weather conditions, especially in southern countries where farmers will have to face the longest droughts.

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Adaptation measures

• Assessment of the impact of climate change on the economy, social and environmental activities.
• Determination of the economic magnitude of the aforementioned impacts.
• The adaptation actions should be tailored to the specific circumstances in every region.
• The need for adaptation is essential for all natural processes and human activities based on the current weather conditions.
• Aim: to reduce vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change (e.g. sea-level encroachment, more intense extreme weather events, food insecurity).

ASSESSMENT

DETERMINATION

ACTION

Investments in adaptation measures

• Early warning systems (EWS): technologies that can accurately forecast when a storm, heatwave, or other adverse weather event is incoming. 
• Climate-resilient infrastructure: upgrading the living conditions in vulnerable communities so to strengthen their adaptive capacity.
• Improved dryland agriculture: drought-resistant crops and modernizing irrigation systems could help protect small-scale farms from rising temperatures. 
• Mangrove protection: they reduce the impact of storm surges that threaten coastal communities.
• Making water resources more resilient: water infrastructure and natural watersheds could expand access to clean water. 

(Source: https://grist.org/article/5-ways-we-need-to-adapt-to-climate-change-or-pay-the-price/)

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(Source: Department of Environment, Cyprus http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/environment/environmentnew.nsf/All/5932A0A0421E41CDC22583770034AE72?OpenDocument)

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6. FLOOD WALLS/ELEVATION OF EMBANKMENTS TO PROTECT FROM RISING SEA LEVELS

8. EFFICIENT USE OF SCARCE WATER RESOURCES

10. TOURISM DIVERSIFICATION

1. PLANTING OF INDIGENOUS TREES

3. FOREST TYPES AND PRACTICES LESS VULNERABLE TO STORMS AND FIRES

5. SPATIAL PLANS TO FACILITATE THE MIGRATION OF SPECIES

7. SEED BANKS

9. ROADS CONSTRUCTION WITH ROADSIDE DITCHES

2. ROOFTOP GARDENS

4. RAINWATER CATCHMENT

Adaptation measures

Climate Change Mitigation measures

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Aiming at reducing the flow of heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere:

• by reducing the sources of these gases (e.g. burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat or transport) or
• by enhancing the “sinks” that accumulate and store these gases (e.g. oceans, forests, soil).

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The European Environment Agency (EEA) published in May 2021 that the greenhouse gases emissions in the EU decreased by almost 4% in 2019.

(https://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/major-drop-in-eus-greenhouse)

(Source: https://klima.com/blog/how-carbon-sinks-protect-our-planet/)

Figure 9: Greenhouse gases sources and carbon sinks

Climate Change Mitigation measures

(Source: https://squamish.ca/climateaction/climate-adaptation/)

Figure 11: Mitigation and adaptation measures

Figure 10: Mitigation and adaptation activities

(Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Mitigation-and-adaptation-as-complementary-approaches-in-climate-change-policy-adopted_fig2_291300517).

EU Adaptation Strategy

• New EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change on 24 February 2021.
• It is the key part of the European Green Deal, aiming to increase and accelerate the EU’s efforts to protect nature, people and livelihoods against the inevitable impacts of climate change.
• It sets out how the Member States can adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change and become climate resilient by 2050.

4 principle objectives:

• Smarter adaptation 
• Faster adaptation
• More systemic adaptation
• Stepping up international action for climate resilience.

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Climate-ADAPT: The European Climate Adaptation Platform Climate-ADAPT, a partnership between the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA).

European Climate Law

• 28 June 2021: EU Council adopts the European Climate Law.
• Intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
• It also aims to achieve a higher volume of carbon net sink by 2030.
• It sets the EU on a green path for a generation.
• Long-term vision: a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.

(https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/climate-change/)

Climate Ambition Summit

• Held virtually on December 12, 2020.
• Participants: <70 heads of state, leaders from business, the finance community and civil society.
• Studies showed important signs of progress since the Paris Agreement in 1995 however the world is not ready to limit global warming enough to prevent its dangerous impacts…

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Outcomes:

• net-zero goals (2050 is the deadline) while some other countries have earlier deadlines (2030)
• stronger national climate commitments
• accelerating adaptation
• increasing public climate finance
• leadership by cities, businesses and others
• preparing the COP26 in Glasgow (2021 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties)

(https://www.wri.org/insights/outcomes-and-next-steps-climate-ambition-summit)

Global Commission on Adaptation

• It was established in 2018 by the Government of Netherlands and is co-managed by World Resources Institute and the Global Center on Adaptation.
• It is served to raise the visibility of climate adaptation on the global agenda and advance concrete solutions.
• “Adapt Now: A Global Call for Leadership on Climate Resilience” is its flagship report in 2019 so as to inspire action among decision-makers, heads of state, government officials, business executives, investors, communities, etc.

(Source: Global Commission on Adaptation, https://www.wri.org/initiatives/global-commission-adaptation)

Ways to fight climate change:

• Renewable energies (e.g. solar power, wind, rain, tides, waves, geothermal heat)
• Sustainable development
• Ecological footprint/responsible consumption
• Circular economy
• Recycle
• Carpooling or drive less
• Avoid products will a lot of packaging

Figure 12: How to fight climate change

(Source: https://skierscribbler.com/8336/uncategorized/how-to-actually-fight-climate-change-instead-of-just-posting-about-it/).