Revision and Update of the National Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in Cyprus and Slovakia

The project, selected under the TSI Flagship on Climate Adaptation, is supporting Cyprus and Slovakia to develop a draft climate adaptation strategy, a draft action plan and a roadmap. In addition, the project will also support the design and implementation of capacity building activities for the benefit of public authorities and stakeholders in Cyprus and Slovakia.

Context

Adaptation to climate change is an increasingly pressing issue as the global temperatures rise and extreme weather events multiply. Cyprus and Slovakia both require support in reviewing and updating the existing national adaptation strategies to be in line with the 2021 EU Climate Adaptation Strategy and its objectives: to make adaptation smarter, swifter and more systemic.

Cyprus and Slovakia have adopted National Adaptation Strategies (NAS) and National Action Plans (NAP). However, new, comprehensive and ambitious adaptation policies based on new scientific evidence is needed in view of heightened climate risks and impacts. Moreover, insufficient implementation of adaptation measures deems it necessary to establish an effective public communication strategy and to raise the administrative and governance capacities of the public administration to effectively implement climate adaptation actions.

Support Delivered

The project will analyse the state of play of the climate adaptation policies in Cyprus and Slovakia, assess climate risks and vulnerabilities and prepare a draft NAS, a draft NAP and a roadmap for each beneficiary Member State. In addition, capacity building activities will be designed and implemented. The overall approach of the project will require strong stakeholder engagement.

The project follows the European Commission guidelines for Member States on adaptation strategies and plans.

Results achieved

Provided that the work/recommendations will be followed-up by Cyprus and Slovakia at supervisory and institutional level, the deliverables are expected to result in the following outcomes:

• Adoption of a high-quality updated national climate adaptation strategy in Cyprus and Slovakia.
• Increased capacity of the public authorities and stakeholders in Cyprus and Slovakia to implement climate adaptation actions.

Over the long term, the project should contribute to enhance the resilience of Cyprus and Slovakia to the impacts of climate change.