1. Research progress on climate change impact on water
1st Meeting of the
Strategic Steering Group on Climate Change and water
28 September 2007, Brussels
Marta Moren Abat
Climate Change and Environmental Risks Unit
Directorate General for research
European Commission

2. Drivers of EU Research
Specific Programme of ‘Cooperation’ under the 7th Research Framework Programme
IPCC, IPCC Technical paper on Climate change and water.
EU Policy (WFD, EU Climate Change Programme, Green Paper, EU Flood Action Programme, Communication on Droughts, 2°C Communication…)
UNFCC
Support to EU International Commitments and initiatives and post 2012 (Kyoto and Montreal Protocol, UNFCC …)
Expert consultation
Events (symposium, workshops, conferences…)
Support to science and knowledge
…………………….

3. Initiatives
Participation in Working Groups, Expert Network and Stakeholders forum:
Droughts and Water Scarcity
EU Flood Action Programme
Activity on impact of climate change and water
European Climate Change Programme
6th Environmental Action Programme
UNFCCC
Informal Interservice WG on Floods and Droughts
Exchange of experiences
Use of research results

4. The EC Research Framework Programme
From FP-6 to FP-7

5. SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME THE CURRENT SITUATION: Areas and list of ongoing projects funded under FP6 - Global change and ecosystems
quantification and prediction of the components of the current and future global water cycles, evaluate uncertainties, vulnerability including societal impacts, economical aspects. Evaluates how the water cycle and its extremes respond to future drivers of global change (WATCH Project )
improved understanding of specific flood processes and mechanisms and methodologies for flood risk analysis and management ranging from the high level management of risk at a river basin, estuary and coastal processes. (FLOODSITE Project )
forecasting of flash floods through observations, analysis and modelling of lightning activity in thunderstorms (FLASH Project )
predicts seasonal/inter-annual climate variations – implications for energy, agriculture, tourism and health (DEMETER project)
Evaluation of key drivers of aquatic ecosystem change (land-use, nutrients, acid deposition and toxic substances) and examination of their interactions with climate change (EURO-LIMPACS project)
Development of a conceptual framework for research and adaptive management of river basins that integrates natural science, engineering and social science concepts and methodologies (NEWATER project).

6. The 7th Research Framework Programme (2007-2013)
Environment (incl. climate change): €1.90 billion
1st call, launched in December 2006, evaluated in July 2007,
Funded projects to start in the coming months
2nd call, expected to be published mid autumn (November 2007)
3rd call expected to be published mid 2008

7. The 7th Research Framework Programme (2007-2013)
While continuing existing climate-related research, FP7 will emphasize:
Climate change impacts on atmosphere and on the water cycle and resources
Downscaling of models to predict impacts on regional and local scales
Natural and socio-economic impacts of CC and related hazards and extreme events
Mitigation and adaptation strategies
Awareness raising
International cooperation

8. The 7th Research Framework Programme (2007-2013)
Pressures on environment and climate
Environnent and health
Natural Hazards
Climate Change, pollution
and risks
Sustainable management of resources
Environmental Technologies
Earth observation and assessment tools

9. -Pressures on environment and climate-
Area 1: The Earth System and Climate: Functioning and abrupt changes
Area 2: Emissions and Pressures: natural and anthropogenic
Area 3: The Global Carbon cycle - GreenHouse Gas budgets
Area 4: Future Climate
Area 5: Climate Change Natural and Socio-economic Impacts
Climate Change
Area 6. Response strategies: Adaptation, Mitigation and Policies

10. Natural Hazards
Area 1: Hazard assessment, triggering factors and forecasting
Area 2: Vulnerability assessment and societal impacts
Area 3: Risk assessment and management
Area 4: Multi-risk evaluation and mitigation strategies

11. Climate Change, pollution and risks including natural hazards
Topics on 1st call
Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies in water policies (providing a coherent framework for adaptation strategies for cc impacts on water)
Effectiveness of adaptation and mitigation measures related to change of the hydrological cycle and its extremes (quantitative assessment of the efficiency of current mitigation measures)
Climate change impacts in vulnerable mountain regions (quantification of impacts and vulnerability assessment)
Full cost of climate change (quantification of damage, adaptation and mitigation costs)
Investigating Europe’s risk from droughts (short and long term vision on research needs)

12. Environment (incl. Climate Change) Climate Change, pollution and risks
Focus for near future calls
Better understand the potential risk that sea level rise will accelerate if global surface warming trends continue as projected (coastal areas)
The need to improve the earth system models
Drivers and impacts of deforestation
Climate change impacts on ecosystems - regionalisation
Climate change impacts and water resources in specific regions, including all elements influencing the water cycle, and wide analysis of responses - (2nd call focus on South Asia)
Flash floods risks management and associated debris flow

13. Environment (incl. Climate Change) Climate Change, pollution and risks
Focus for near future calls (cont)
Social perception, behaviour and responses to natural hazards
Preparedness and risk management for damaging water extremes
Reinforce the coordination of research between European and national levels: Towards a European research agenda for disaster reduction.
Climate change and social impacts on wild fires regimes and landscape recovery
Budget: 2nd call similar or abowe 1st call: Raising for future

14. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
FUTURE CLIMATE, IMPACTS & RESPONSES
The IPCC 4AR & EC Integrated Climate Research
19 & 20 November 2007
European Commission
Charlemagne building, Brussels

15. INFORMATION EU research: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
Seventh Framework Programme:
Information on research programmes and projects:
RTD info magazine:
Information requests: