Filenews 26 August 2022 - by Dora Christodoulou
The European Commission has announced the first 118 Regions and Cities to participate in the EU Mission to Adapt to Climate Change, which will support the European Green Deal and the Union's Climate Adaptation Strategy. Among the local authorities is the Municipality of Paphos.
The mission will receive €370 million in funding from Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2023. Regional and municipal authorities signed the Mission Charter at the first Forum of the European Committee of the Regions of the EU Climate Change Adaptation Mission. Another 20 private companies, service centres, research networks and local action groups active in improving climate resilience will adopt the Charter and become "friends" of the Mission. The 118 signatories come from 18 Member States, with 6 more parties coming from countries linked to the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
From deadly heatwaves and devastating droughts to fires and coasts eroded by rising sea levels, climate change has already made its presence felt in Europe. It has affected not only the environment and the economy, but also the health of European citizens. The frequency and severity of climatic and extreme weather conditions is increasing, so there is a need to accelerate solutions that enhance climate resilience.
The Climate Change Adaptation Mission aims to support at least 150 regions and communities in accelerating their transformation towards climate resilience by 2030. It will help these areas and local authorities to better understand, prepare and manage climate risks, as well as to develop innovative solutions to build resilience. This mission is part of the actions and actions of the Municipality of Paphos to become a Smart, Digital and Sustainable City with the aim of improving the quality of life of its citizens.
Research and innovation actions will include rebuilding areas affected by extreme weather events, restoring floodplains, vertical agriculture, original insurance approaches or creating a "perfectly adapted" city ready to withstand a storm or heatwave. There is also the possibility of creating joint initiatives with other EU missions and programmes. The mission also provides networking opportunities, exchange of best practices between regional and municipal authorities and support for citizen participation.
