GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made clear that, despite recent progress, adaptation in Europe is not implemented at the depth, scope and speed needed. As impacts from climate change are increasingly felt, the need for systematic and consistent monitoring of adaptation efforts is becoming more urgent. At the same time, indicators on adaptation outcomes (as opposed to process-related indicators) and adaptive capacity are lacking.

Proposals should address all of the following aspects:

• Develop an integrated framework for monitoring, evaluating, and learning from implemented adaptation measures, as a set. This framework should be based on outcome indicators, i.e., effectively measure levels of climate resilience rather than measuring activities and outputs, as it is often the case. It should consider maladaptation and be useable in all parts of Europe, by relying on common features for the whole of Europe while allowing for regional specificities. It should integrate different kinds of qualitative and quantitative data, methods, and indicators that could rely on satellite imagery, models, or local knowledge. The use of Artificial intelligence systems (e.g., machine learning) is encouraged, if appropriate. Methodology and error assessment should be documented/referenced adequately.
• Develop or refine earth observation indicators for adaptation, together with a set of visualisation tools. Those indicators should consider governance, social, economic, and environmental aspects, including adaptation of human behaviours to climate change.
• Complement the data collection with citizen science to help engage and involve all actors and socialize results. To achieve this, proposals should also find ways to engage citizens through citizen science initiatives, in particular vulnerable groups.
• Develop a strategy to visualize and communicate the benefits of adaptation efforts to the relevant stakeholders.
• Provide training and dissemination material for different target groups, including regions and local authorities.

The project will contribute to the monitoring of the Mission and should therefore feed their results to and collaborate closely with the Mission Implementation Platform.