International workshop on climate change impacts and adaptation: Reducing water-related risks in Europe
This workshop, jointly organized by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (EC DG) and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Europe Regional office, builds on the outcomes of the EC DG Research-UNISDR October 2009 workshop “Dialogue Among Scientific Community and Policy Stakeholders on Disaster Risk Reduction”.
The meeting intends to continue reinforcing the exchanges among the scientific and policy community that in Europe deals with the issue of adaptation to climate change and reducing the risks posed by natural hazards, in particular, water-related risks. The event aims at providing practical examples of how research can contribute to guide policy makers in investment decisions towards disaster risk reduction in order to implement the climate change adaptation agenda. The workshop will also address how the policy makers access the information produced by research projects, specifically those supported by the EC (under the funding windows of FP6 and FP7).
In particular, the three main objectives of this event are:
1. Gather representatives of on-going FP6 and FP7 projects, as well as of related EU-funded projects, IPCC authors, Hyogo Framework for Action Focal Points, National Platforms coordinators and other ISDR system partners to discuss the state of knowledge, identify research perspectives and needs, and best ways to communicate key findings to policy-makers and stakeholders. Linked to this goal, the publication of a special issue on an international scientific journal is envisaged, which will include key findings of RTD projects of interest to IPCC authors and ISDR system partners.
2. To formulate recommendations on how to ensure smooth communication on policy developments from various perspectives (research, climate, regional policy, disaster risk reduction policies) between policy-maker and research communities. This will effectively help the identification of research and investment needs in adaptation and disaster risk reduction for European regional and national ISDR system partners.
3. To promote the integration of key scientific findings into European national policies and EU policies targeting adaptation and risk reduction in water-related hazards as well as contributing to the 5th IPCC Assessment Report.