European Commission - DG Environment Unit D.2: Water & Marine

European Commission - DG Environment Unit D.2: Water & Marine l Increasing evidence about the link between climate change and human activities – Need to reflect on adaptation measures (London workshop) l Question whether the present water policy framework covers climate change issues l Besides this, need to discuss the scientific state- of-the-art on research into climate change impacts on the water cycles and its extremes l On-going reflections on a possible activity within the CIS – As a first step: research-policy workshop proposed in September 2006 Rationale

European Commission - DG Environment Unit D.2: Water & Marine l Capacity for adapting existing policy mechanisms to climate change through the river basin planning process l Uncertainties about future projections, requiring a consolidated scientific background l Particular focus on extreme events (floods and drought) Key discussion issues l Planning of a workshop on “Climate Change Impacts on the Water Cycle – Research-Policy interface/extreme events” jointly organised by DG ENV, DG RTD and JRC-IES l Target date: end of September 2006 (week 25-29) l Target audience: MS and stakeholders, as well as research community representatives l Location: Brussels Proposal

European Commission - DG Environment Unit D.2: Water & Marine l Approval of the Research-Policy workshop l Preparing a draft mandate for a possible “Climate Change and Water Policy” activity for to be submitted to SCG in May l Calling for interested MS/Stakeholders to constitute an expert group l Finalise mandate (contents, deliverables, constitution of the group, leadership) for adoption by the Finnish Water Director’s meeting Further steps