According to the Commission, cities signing up to the initiative, called Mayors Adapt, will benefit from support for local activities to tackle climate change, a platform for cooperation, and greater public awareness about adaptation and the measures that need to be taken.

The initiative will provide guidance and information on how to pursue proposed local initiatives.

At the launch, Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and Jos Delbeke, director-general for Climate Action, underlined the need for early action on climate change adaptation and highlighted the important role of cities.

Cities signing up to the initiative will commit to the overall aim of developing local adaptation strategies within the first two years of signing and to review the outcomes on a biannual basis.

The Commission stated on its website: “At least 20% of the EU budget for 2014-2020 will be spent on climate action, including adaptation.

“Adaptation requirements are included in all relevant EU funding streams. These encourage local authorities to integrate adaption needs into their policy planning and implementation,” it said.

Leigh Stringer

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