On 29 June, the European Commission published a Green Paper on "Adapting to climate change in Europe - options for EU action". The paper aims to stimulate a broad public debate on adaptation in Europe and to set out options for EU action to help the process of adaptation to climate change.

Adaptation means taking action to cope with changing climatic conditions, for example by using scarce water resources more efficiently or ensuring the frail and elderly are properly cared for during heatwaves.

Given the current and future impacts of climate change, adaptation has become an indispensable complement to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Early action to adapt to climate change could bring clear economic benefits and avoid social disruption by anticipating potential damage and minimising threats to ecosystems, human health, property and infrastructure. Adaptation could also create new economic opportunities, such as new markets for innovative products and services.

The Green Paper sets out four lines of priority actions to be considered:
 Early action to develop adaptation strategies in areas where current knowledge is sufficient;
 Integrating global adaptation needs into the EU’s external relations and building a new alliance with partners around the world;
 Filling knowledge gaps on adaptation through EU-level research and exchange of information;
 Setting up a European advisory group on adaptation to climate change to analyse coordinated strategies and actions.

A broad public debate will be launched at a stakeholder conference (3 July) and will include an internet consultation lasting until November. The responses will feed into the development of a Communication on adaptation to climate change to be issued by the Commission by the end of 2008.

Further information on DG Environment website.