EC Consults on Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change
EC launched a consultation for the new climate change adaptation strategy, the comment period for which ends on August 20, 2020. The plan is to put forward this strategy in early 2021, as part of the European Green Deal. This adaptation strategy will build on the strategy that was adopted in 2013. EC also published the results of the new project on Projection of Economic impact of climate change in Sectors of the EU, based on the bottom-up Analysis (PESETA).
The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world. The new adaptation strategy should continue and expand on the ongoing efforts. As part of its Green Deal, EC launched this strategy to help the EU adapt to the effects of climate change, by focusing on encouraging investment in eco-friendly solutions, climate-proofing the economy, making key infrastructure more resilient, adding climate factors to risk management practice, and stepping up prevention and preparedness. Throughout EU and the globe, it will be important that investors, insurers, businesses, cities, and citizens are able to access data and develop instruments to integrate climate change into their risk management practices.
The new adaptation strategy should continue and expand on current efforts. The policy actions to be continued and expanded as under the 2013 Strategy include:
- Further mainstreaming and integrating adaptation in EU legislation and instruments.
- Continuing to support, monitor, and share member state adaptation action and goals, including through the Climate Law, via Climate-ADAPT, reporting under the National Energy and Climate Plans and the Energy Union Governance Regulation, and through regular exchanges
- Closing further gaps in adaptation-relevant knowledge through the regular programming of research and innovation activities under Horizon 2020 and its successor, Horizon Europe as well as through trends and forecasts
- Financially supporting adaptation actions, including cross-border inter alia through continued support from EU funds
- By fostering and incentivizing private investment in adaptation in relation with the Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy and the EU taxonomy (the first Taxonomy Delegated Act will focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation).
The new adaptation strategy should also tackle new priorities. The additional priorities that the EU could pursue toward climate-resilience, in full synergy with the other strategic initiatives announced in the European Green Deal, include more and better data, deeper knowledge and faster deployment of solutions, closing the climate protection gap, preventing damage to infrastructure and beyond, and reinforced global action for climate resilience. Overall, efforts to measure (increased) resilience to climate change need to be continued and upgraded and linked to a more ambitious monitoring and evaluation system. What could be envisioned is the development of relevant indicators that help measure progress and that are more comparable across countries; for example, in case of similar types of climate hazards and related adaptation actions and policies.
The 2013 strategy relied on a scoreboard to assess preparedness; the new strategy could use a dashboard to assess resilience and subsequently monitor the trend over time, with regular progress reports on specific targets. Strengthening effective monitoring and evaluation tools for adaptation policies and measures in partner countries will continue to be of central interest in EU’s international action and support.
Related Links
Comment Due Date: August 20, 2020
Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Insurance, Securities, European Green Deal, Climate Change Risk, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Adaptation Strategy, EC
Previous Article
APRA Updates List of Validation Rules for ReportingRelated Articles
HKMA on Fintech Adoption and Innovation by Banks in Hong Kong
HKMA announced the publication of a report on fintech adoption and innovation in the banking industry in Hong Kong.
BIS on Impact of Increasing Use of Cloud Technology on Cyber Risk
BIS published a working paper that examines the drivers of cyber risk, especially in context of the cloud services.
ECB Consults on Guide for Managing Climate and Environmental Risks
ECB launched consultation on a guide specifying how the Banking Supervision expects banks to consider climate-related and environmental risks in their governance and risk management frameworks and when formulating and implementing their business strategy.
ECB Issues Opinion on Revisions to CRR in Response to COVID Crisis
ECB published an opinion (CON/2020/16) on amendments to the prudential framework in EU in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
EBA Assesses Interlinkages Between Recovery and Resolution Planning
EBA published a report that examines the interlinkages between recovery and resolution planning under the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD).
SRB Publishes Final MREL Policy Under the Banking Package
SRB published the final Minimum Requirements for Own Funds and Eligible Liabilities (MREL) policy under the Banking Package.
US Agencies Amend Interim Final Rule on Transition Period for CECL
US Agencies (FDIC, FED, and OCC) published a final rule that makes technical changes to the March 31, 2020 interim final rule that provides a five-year transition period for the impact of the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology on regulatory capital.
ECB Releases Results of March Survey on Credit Terms and Conditions
ECB published results of the March 2020 survey on credit terms and conditions in euro-denominated securities financing and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets.
FINMA Adjusts Deadlines for COVID-19 Relief Measures for Banks
FINMA published guidance (06/2020) on extending or discontinuing various exemptions that were granted due to the COVID-19 crisis.
SRB Consults on Standardized Data Set for Bank Valuation in Resolution
SRB launched a consultation on the minimum data needed for valuation of a bank in resolution.
