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Regional climate change and adaptation — The Alps facing the challenge of changing water resources

Drawing on the most recent knowledge of climate change impacts in the Alps and experiences across the region, this report analyses the risks that climate change presents to the region's water supply and quality, identifying needs, constraints, opportunities, policy levers and options for adaptation. It extracts policy guidance on adaptation practice and aims to assist regional and local stakeholders in developing robust adaptation strategies. The focus of the report is on water resources and related adaptation, rather than water-related extreme events like floods, avalanches, landslides or mudflows, which are already well covered by existing studies of climate change impacts in the Alps.

EEA SIGNALS 2018 Water is life

Europe's rivers, lakes and seas are under pressure from pollution, over-exploitation and climate change. How can we ensure a sustainable use of this vital resource?

1.4 Water and climate impacts

This briefing provides a European overview of droughts, water scarcity and floods. It emphasises the importance of water resilience in response to human-induced pressures and the escalating risks of climate change impacts. It uses data reported under the Water Framework Directive and WISE SoE dataflows, EEA indicators and assessments such as the European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) . These datasets help define past trends in water scarcity and flooding, which provide a baseline for the outlook and prospects for achieving a water-resilient Europe.

1.5 Ecosystems and climate impacts

This briefing covers how climate change neagtively impacts ecosystems in Europe. Many ecosystems across Europe are already in a bad state (see briefing 1.1 State of Europe’s biodiversity ) and their deterioration is further exacerbated by climate change. Ecosystem status ( briefing 1.1 State of Europe’s biodiversity ), water and climate impacts ( briefing 1.4 Water and climate impacts ), and managing climate risks to society ( briefing 2.7 Climate risks to society ) are covered in other briefings.

2.7 Climate risks to society

This briefing covers how climate change risks impact European society, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups and the extent to which Europe’s society is prepared to address these. Climate change impacts on economic activities are discussed in briefing 2.6 Climate risks to the economy . Environmental health inequalities are addressed in briefing 3.6 Environmental health inequalities related to air pollution . Information on adaptation governance can be found in briefing 2.9 Governance of climate change mitigation and adaptation . Justice aspects in sustainability transitions are more broadly discussed in briefing 4.11 Justice in sustainability transitions .

Sensitivity to desertification in the northern Mediterranean

Sensitivity to desertification and drought in the Mediterranean basin.

Simulated land average maximum number of consecutive dry days for different European regions (1860-2100)

The 20th century (black), models simulations for IPCC SRES intermediate A1B (orange) and low B1 (green) emission scenarios

SPI‑3, Soil Moisture Anomaly and fAPAR Anomaly for the last 10 days of August 2012

Standard precipitation Index for February 2012, for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months

Observed drought episodes in Europe (1971–2011)

A country is coloured with orange if drought episodes have occurred in that country during the reference decade, regardless of their temporal and spatial (local or nationwide) scale. No distinction between the severity, the frequency and the extent of the events is made.

Occurrence of drought (left) and water scarcity (right) in RBMPs

Occurrence of Drought in EU RBDs, according to RBMP assessment plus MS information

Onset of the 2011 European drought, May 2011

The drought situation is described with Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index accumulated over 3-months periods (SPEI-3).

Percentage of Europe experiencing moderate drought conditions during the 20th century

Expressed as standardized precipitation indices (SPI) for time scales of 12 months

Population exposed to droughts in Europe (1980-2000)

Population exposed to droughts in Europe (1980-2000)

Projected change in mean annual and summer minimum 7-day river flow between 2071-2100 and the reference period 1961-1990

Red indicates more severe droughts, blue less severe droughts

Extreme weather in a changing climate: Is Europe prepared?

With European countries facing another year of damaging heatwaves, drought and other extreme weather events, how prepared and resilient are they to handle these events? A new interactive European Environment Agency (EEA) product published today looks at key climate change impacts and adaptation and preparedness actions.

What could the summer bring? Is extreme weather the new normal?

Under our changing climate, the weather in Europe is getting more extreme. What could this summer bring in terms of heatwaves, droughts, floods, and forest fires? The overall outlook is pessimistic as we have already seen this past winter and spring. This makes adaptation to climate change and better preparedness crucial, according to a European Environment Agency extreme weather product published today, which explains the top weather-related climate challenges we face.

Evolution of the SPI3 (February to May 2011)

Standard precipitation Index calulated over 3 months

Change in the severity of river flow droughts in Europe 1962-1990

The map shows change in the severity of river droughts

Change in the severity of river flow droughts in France 1960-2000

Current water availability and changes expected by 2030

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2.6 Climate risks to the economy

This briefing covers the direct economic costs of impacts from weather- and climate-related extremes on European society and industry. It also emphasises that the EU and its Member States must take urgent action to prevent large economic losses because of the increase in global warming. The financial aspects of climate change are discussed in briefing 2.8 Climate action financing . How climate change impacts society is discussed in briefing 2.7 Climate risks to society and climate governance is discussed in briefing 2.9 Governance of climate change mitigation and adaptation .

Location of lakes Djoran and Iliki

Location of lakes Djoran and Iliki

Water scarcity and drought events in Europe during the last decade

The map shows the main drought events in Europe in 2002 - 2011

Mapping of drought conditions in Europe

Mapping of drought conditions in Europe as calculated by the CDI (based on SPI, soil moisture and fAPAR) for top left 21 March 2012, top right 21 May 2011, and bottom left 1 May 2003. 2003 was known as a dry year for large parts of Europe.

Mapping the impacts of natural hazards and technological accidents in Europe

The report assesses the occurrence and impacts of disasters and the underlying hazards such as storms, extreme temperature events, forest fires, water scarcity and droughts, floods, snow avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes and technological accidents in Europe for the period 1998-2009.