Speech by Commissioner Hoekstra at the Third Forum for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change

Speech by Commissioner Hoekstra on Climate Change Adaptation

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and everyone who are joining us remotely.

Cher Alain, merci beaucoup de l'invitation, je te remercie encore de l'implication et du travail de la Présidence belge sur le climat et particulièrement sur le sujet du jour, l'adaptation au changement climatique.

I am having French lessons on a weekly basis and I need them.

I am truly glad to be here with you.

Since becoming Commissioner for Climate Action, I have become ever more convinced of the importance and of the urgency of adaptation.

I agree with what Alain just said when he mentioned that there is no doubt that we need to step up our adaptation efforts. And in fact, this is why we are here today.

Climate adaptation and resilience simply need to be an integral part of any local, regional, and national policy, even though it is difficult.

Our current progress on adaptation is simply not keeping up with what is happening in the real world.

Europe is warming up twice as fast as any other continent.

Whenever we see a number, we need to double it for Europe.

2023 has shattered climate records, and unfortunately, it might well be that 2024 is on the same path.

At the same time, at least some of these risks are manageable – if and only if we work together.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our experiences and our efforts have once again reaffirmed that adaptation is not just merely an option.

It is an imperative for ensuring the resilience and prosperity of our societies as we face ever more worrying impacts of climate change.

In my view, local communities are on the front lines of these impacts and must be equipped with the resources and support needed to adapt effectively.

We only need to look at what happened in Belgium this weekend. Les Fourons faced worse floods than in 2021.

And I know that with every adverse effect you can always say that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly as a result of climate change. However, if you then look at the whole picture and at the pattern, it is undeniably so that things got a lot worse and will get worse before it gets better.

Therefore, it is crucial that region and local authorities play a role in adaptation strategies. Actors at regional level coordinate efforts in a landscape that is actually the most familiar to them.

National policy frameworks on the other hand provide the overarching structure and support necessary to scale up adaptation measures and ensure consistency across the various regions. The proper alignment of action between these two levels is absolutely critical.

At the European level, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example and set ambitious targets for climate resilience.

By integrating adaptation considerations into European policy frameworks, we can ensure coherence across Member States and make sure we maximise the impact of our collective efforts.

That includes mainstreaming adaptation strategies in other key policy areas. Think about biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and disaster risk management.

Also, the National Energy and Climate Plans which all our Member States have to draw up play an important role in setting adaptation goals.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The recently adopted European Climate Risk Assessment provides a comprehensive assessment of present and future climate change impacts.

And it shows the risks related to the environment, the economy and wider society in Europe.

The assessment reveals a concerning and disturbing trend: Europe's current policies and adaptation measures are failing to keep pace with the unfortunately rapidly escalating risks posed by climate change

Urgent action is necessary. Delaying is not an option. Building resilience to climate change presents both an obligation and a strategic and business opportunity for our societies. We need to rise to the occasion.

In response to the findings of the European Climate Risk Assessment, the Commission set out an approach to manage climate risks and protect people and prosperity.

The message is clear: anticipating and addressing these risks proactively is not only economically sound, but also essential for mitigating the impacts of disasters. Rather than continually reacting to them.

Investing in climate resilience measures may seem costly now, but it is an investment in a safer future for generations to come.

There is a clear business case for it. Our studies have shown that with 1 euro invested in prevention, you could save up to 14 euro in repairs. You just need to do it in time. The cost of not investing in climate resilience far outweighs the cost of proactive measures and upfront investments.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We come from diverse backgrounds but are united by a common vision – to ensure a future where our communities thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change.

Our commitment to this vision is evident when we see the support for the Mission Charter and the engagement of our 'Friends of the Mission'.

This unity underscores the sense of urgency and the importance of together making progress.

At the European Commission, we have been actively translating commitments into tangible actions. The EU Mission on Adaptation plays a vital role in implementing adaptation measures at the regional and local level.

It provides a platform for collaboration, for knowledge sharing, and for collective action. This conference is very timely and allows for a moment where people can exchange and learn from each other.

You know our landscapes, the difficulties your specific regions face and you are best placed to foster innovative solutions, of course together with the EU.

That's why this Mission exists.

Initiatives like the MIP4Adapt platform and substantial funding under the Horizon Europe work programme is our way to help you in your efforts in adapting to climate change. For instance, the introduction of Technical Assistance under the MIP4Adapt initiative provides expert guidance to communities aspiring towards climate resilience, fostering deeper engagement and cooperation.

But just to be clear. This does not mean that our work on decarbonisation and on planning for our national goals needs to stop. Rather on the contrary.

Mitigation on the one hand and adaptation on the other hand will continue to be done together. We need accelerate both.

Our response to climate change has to be comprehensive and address both of these angles at once.

The Mission on Climate Neutral Cities also represents a crucial element for this, addressing specifically the climate change in urban environments. It fosters innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development, and it paves the way for a more resilient, low-carbon future for cities and their inhabitants. Some of you show strong ambition and participate in both the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change and the Mission on Climate Neutral Cities. This is impressive.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me conclude with a message of hope.

We need to continue with ambitions on climate action, while making sure we have a just transition for our citizens and a competitive business environment for our companies.

As explained before, there is a strong social and economic case for all of our efforts on adaptation.

As we continue our discussions and actions, let us remember that each step, no matter how small, brings us closer to a sustainable, resilient, and climate-adaptive future.

The EU Missions serve as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a future where our communities thrive in the face of climate change.

Together, we can and will rise to the monumental challenge ahead.

Thank you very much for your all of your dedication.