Southern Europe will be worse off from climate change, says report

A new report assessing 'the potential effects and adaptations for climate change in Europe' concludes that adverse effects of climate change are likely to be greater in southern than northern Europe with important implications for EU policy making, according to the European Co...

A new report assessing 'the potential effects and adaptations for climate change in Europe' concludes that adverse effects of climate change are likely to be greater in southern than northern Europe with important implications for EU policy making, according to the European Commission.

The report also indicates that poor peripheral regions will be more negatively affected than wealthy ones, and that primary sectors such as agriculture and forestry may face major changes. In response, the authors suggest a number of recommendations for policy and research to respond to the problem.

The European Commission funded work on the report through the Research Directorate-General's environment programme. Some 30 scientific experts collaborated to produce the report, many of whom have led major EU research projects and all of whom have contributed to the current assessment of the Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC). The new report provides the basis for the chapter on Europe.

'This is a typical example of an area where research can create a sold basis for decision makers to base their options on. This report is an excellent means to transfer state of the art knowledge from research to policy makers, the media and general public,' said Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin commenting on the report.

The report provides an expert assessment of what we currently know about the effects of climate change and the most effective adaptation to it, adds the Commission.

'Expected changes in Europe's climate due to global warming include the aggravation of extreme events such as storms and floods. The risk of water shortage is likely to increase particularly in southern Europe, as is the occurrence of forest fires. Climate change is also likely to result in faunal shifts affecting biodiversity.'

The report covers the following topics:

- key sensitivities to weather now;
- key impacting aspects of climate change in the future;
- most vulnerable sectors and regions;
- main implications for other related sectors;
- implications for other (non-climate) trends;
- main uncertainties and unknowns;
- implications for policy;
- implications for research.