Transnational adaptation strategy

• Elaboration of the concerted strategy of adaptation to climate change in the transnational Meuse basin.

Current knowledge on climate change clearly shows that it is hardly possible to mitigate the increasing temperature and that adaptation to the future situation is necessary. Moreover, a strategy of adaptation can only be efficient and rapidly enforced if agreed at the transnational level and if it respects each country's interests.

The AMICE adaptation strategy will be based on the transnationally agreed scenarios for 2030-2050 and beyond 2050, the risk analysis which defines were adaptation is a priority, the possible measures that can be taken and the return of experience from WP2, 3 & 4. It will focus on the water-related sectors and be defined for the complete basin, taking advantage of the diversity of regional solutions with a transnational effect. It will cover the complete range of possible measures aimed at the reduction of damage & risks.

The cost of adaptation will be compared to the cost of inaction.

The strategy will describe when, where, how & by whom actions are to be applied, in the form of a guidance tool for transnational water management. It will make propositions for sustainable land-use, global basin development and highlight opportunities for early adaptation.

Robust strategies and win-win solutions that will be low-cost and functional under many possible scenarios should be chosen. The selection will be done in a transnational participative process in collaboration with stakeholders.

The strategy will be communicated to all target audiences of the basin using all AMICE's communication tools and the 4 languages of NWE.

The strategy will need to be updated regularly (to the latest knowledge on climate change & hydrology, the evolution of water demand, land use or demography). Respect of the Water Framework Directive will be ensured, as well as national strategies and spatial-planning initiatives (cf Klimaat voor Ruimte, Leven met Water).