The Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML) will participate in the EU's "Climate Change Adaptation Mission". Cascais and Mafra have also been chosen.
The Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (AML) was selected by the European Commission to participate in the Climate Change Adaptation Mission (or, simply, Mission Adaptation), a challenge launched by the European Union (EU) to support and promote European regions to become climate change resilient by 2030.
In addition to AML as a whole, the cities of Cascais e Mafrawhich are also part of this region. Outside AML, the regions of Cávado, Coimbra and Middle Tagusas well as the cities of Fundão e Vila Pouca de Aguiar will also participate in this Mission Adaptation. Across Europe, 118 selected regions or localities from 18 different member states will receive institutional and financial support from the EU to adapt to climate change. Another six participants will come from countries associated or potentially associated with the Horizon Europethe EU's research and innovation program.
Whether it's deadly heat waves, devastating droughts, forest fires, or coastal erosion due to rising sea levels, climate change is already having serious consequences in Europe, affecting not only the environment and the economy, but also the health of Europeans. The frequency and severity of extreme weather and climate events is increasing, so we must quickly find solutions that will strengthen our climate resilience.
What is Mission Adaptation?
A Mission Adaptation aims to provide support to at least 150 regions and communities, thereby helping to accelerate their transformation towards climate resilience by 2030. The Mission will help these regions and local authorities to better understand climate risks and prepare to face and manage them, and to develop innovative resilience solutions. The regions and cities participating in this Mission can serve as inspiration to other regions in Europe and around the world to address climate change and accelerate the transition to a sustainable and prosperous future.
Between 2022 and 2023, the Mission Adaptation and the more than 100 regions and cities will benefit from 370 million euros of funding under the Horizon Europe. Research and innovation actions will target the reconstruction of areas affected by extreme weather events, the rehabilitation of flood plains, vertical farming, insurance prototype approaches or creating "perfectly adapted" cities, able to withstand storms or heat waves.
The possibility of developing joint initiatives with other EU missions and programs is also envisaged, as is the case of Mission Cities which includes Lisbon and will promote a neutral city by 2030. The Mission also provides opportunities for networking and exchange of best practices between different regions and local authorities and helps to encourage citizen participation.
From the bottom to the top
"Even though the climate negotiations are global in scope and much of our legislation is European, the changes we need on the ground are local and will be made city by city, neighborhood by neighborhood and street by street. Change will only be possible through a bottom-up approach.says Frans Timmermans, executive vice president of the European Green Pact, quoted in press release. "The more than 100 regions and communities that have joined the Adaptation Mission will be true pioneers who will demonstrate to millions of Europeans that it is possible to build a green, clean and healthy future for the benefit of all."
Participants in this Adaptation Mission will benefit from an implementation platform, which will become operational in early 2023, allowing them to jointly develop solutions to address climate change; have access to climate data and risk assessment methodologies and will benefit from specific guidance on the most effective adaptation measures.
The Climate Change Adaptation Mission was presented in September 2021. There are four others EU missions covering the global challenges of climate-neutral and smart cities, ocean and water restoration, soil quality and the fight against cancer. These missions contribute to the achievement of Commission priorities such as European Ecological Pactthe initiative A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, a Fighting Cancer and the New European Bauhaus.
