Climate change may hamper territorial cohesion

The regional impact of climate change is determined by a region's exposure and sensitivity. The potential of a region or country to deal with these impacts is described by its adaptive capacity. The combination of exposure, sensitivity, impact and adaptive capacity determines the climate change vulnerability. The territorial dimension of climate change and its potential challenges and opportunities for European regions and countries has to be understood within this logic.

This month ESPON presents three maps giving climate change a territorial dimension. The first shows the potential impacts across European regions, balancing the exposure and the sensitivity of each region. The second map shows the capacity of regions to adapt to these impacts. Overlaying these two maps creates a pattern of regional vulnerability within Europe, displayed by the third map.

The evidence shows that climate change may deepen existing socio-economic imbalances between the central and northern parts of Europe and its southern parts. In this respect, Europe’s vulnerability to climate change seems to run counter to territorial cohesion.

Policy makers on all levels in these eastern and southern parts of Europe should pay particular attention to enhancing the adaptive capacity and lower the sensitivity of their territories as an element of future integrated strategies. EU Cohesion Policy may also provide targeted support promoting climate change adaptation and risk prevention.