Flemish policy on climate adaptation Griet Verstraeten Department

Flemish policy on climate adaptation Griet Verstraeten Department Environment nrg 4 SD, Bonn, 8 May 2017 Leiegardens 2014, Your Estate Solution

Climate Change in Flanders Primary effects of climate change in Flanders: - Rise in temperature Drier summers Heavy storms in summers More humid winters A rise in sea level

Flemish climate policy - The Flemish Mitigation Plan (VMP): the purpose of the VMP is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses in Flanders between 2013 and 2020 as a means of combatting climate change. A basis will also be laid for the further emission reductions required towards 2050. - The Flemish Adaptation Plan (VAP) 2013 -2020: the purpose of the VAP is to understand the Flemish vulnerability to climate change and then improve its ability to defend against its effects; “climate reflex”: screening existing and newly developed policy against climate change. = differences in their time horizons, sectors and approach => 2 plans, 1 policy framework

Flemish plan on climate adaptation Secondary goals of the VAP: - Designing coherent and integral policies. - Listing existing adaptation initiatives and connecting with other adaptation initiatives and other policy subjects, such as mitigation. - Initiating (or calling for) new adaptation measures. - Increasing the visibility of the parties involved. - Setting up a system by which to monitor the effectiveness of the VAP The extra effects: - Awareness is created: adaptation becomes a clearly visible goal for all stakeholders, both in and outside the Government of Flanders. - A stimulus for all stakeholders to adapt to climate change. - Effects and measures are structured, making it simpler to clearly identify gaps, risks, opportunities and synergies and communicate about them.

Flemish plan on adaptation Process and responsibility Changes in climate influence many different policy fields and policy areas: Flemish Task Force on Climate adaptation: Environment, water, agriculture, infrastructure, economy, sciences, forestry, management, energy Coordination: Department Environment Implementation and monitoring is the responsibility of every policy area

Flemish plan on climate adaptation Measures: - Sustainable water management (quantity and quality) Maintaining soil quality A more robust nature, ecosystem services Industry and services Mobility Energy Tourism Agriculture Fisheries Built environment Health

Flemish plan on climate adaptation Global measures: • • • Raising awareness Exchange of knowledge and information (Thinktank on Climate Adaptation) Multi-level government on adaptation (Belgium, Flanders, Provincies, local governments) Belgium: National climate commission, working group on adaptation • National strategy on adaptation • National adaptation plan (2017)

Towards 2030 - 2050 Under construction: Climate Vision 2050 Climate and energyplan 2020 - 2030

Griet Verstraeten Policy advisor on climate adaptation Department Environment Griet. verstraeten@vlaanderen. be