The Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change aims not only at avoiding +2°C warming (and even limit the temperature increase further to +1.5°C), but also sets long‐term goals to guide mitigation. Therefore, the best available science is required to inform policymakers on the importance of and the adaptation needs in a +1.5°C warmer world. Seven research institutes from Europe and Turkey integrated their competencies to provide a cross‐sectoral assessment of the potential impacts at a pan‐European scale. The initial findings of this initiative are presented and key messages communicated. The approach is to select periods based on global warming thresholds rather than the more typical approach of selecting time periods (e.g., end of century). The results indicate that the world is likely to pass the +1.5°C threshold in the coming decades. Cross‐sectoral dimensions are taken into account to show the impacts of global warming that occur in parallel in more than one sector. Also, impacts differ across sectors and regions. Alongside the negative impacts for certain sectors and regions, some positive impacts are projected. Summer tourism in parts of Western Europe may be favored by climate change; electricity demand decreases outweigh increases over most of Europe and catchment yields in hydropower regions will increase. However, such positive findings should be interpreted carefully as we do not take into account exogenous factors that can and will influence Europe such as migration patterns, food production, and economic and political instability.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Having agreed upon a binding emissions reduction path by 2020, the EU plays a leading role in international climate policy. The EU currently pursues a dual approach through an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) at the EU level and also via national targets in sectors not covered by the ETS. The latter include the buildings sector, transportation, agriculture, and waste. Emissions from these sectors are mainly subject to policies at provincial and local levels. A method is presented for elaborating and implementing a long-term climate policy process up to 2030 for the regional (provincial) level. Building on regional GHG inventory data, a set of indicators for each sector is developed in order to arrive at a target path consistent with the deduced regional GHG reduction requirement. Policy measures and their implementation are then settled subsequent to this process. Quantitative regional targets are found to be a prerequisite for the formation of regional climate policy as they increase participant responsibility and commitment. A five-step process of stakeholder participation ensures effective implementation of regional climate action plans. Insights from an exemplary European region are drawn upon, and policy issues are discussed in both quantitative and institutional terms.En vertu d'avoir convenu d'une trajectoire de réduction des émissions à l'horizon 2020, l'union europénne est dans un rôle de premier plan en politique climatique internationale. L'UE poursuit actuellement une double approche à la fois celle d'un système d'échange de quotas d'émissions à l'échelle de l'UE, ainsi qu'à travers des cibles nationales dans les secteurs non inscrits au SCEQE. Ces derniers comprennent le secteur du bâtiment, les transports, l'agriculture et les déchets. Les émissions issues de ces secteurs sont principalement l'objet de politiques aux niveaux regional ou local. Une méthode est présentée pour élaborer et mettre en place un processus de politique climatique sur le long terme d'ici 2030 pour le niveau régional (provinces). S'appuyant sur des données d'inventaire de GES régionaux, une série d'indices est développée pour chaque secteur de manière à atteindre une trajectoire de cible correspondant aux besoins régionaux en réductions de GES inférés. Les mesures politiques et leur mise en oeuvre sont ensuite établies postérieurement à ce processus. Les cibles quantitatives régionales s'avèrent être une condition préalable dans l'élaboration de politiques climatiques régionales en raison de la responsabilité et de l'engagement des participants accrus. Un processus en cinq étapes pour la participation des partie prenantes assure une mise en place concrète des plans d'action de lutte climatique régionale. une région europeéenne exemplaire permet de fournir des aperçus utiles, et des questions politiques sont discutées de maniere quantitative et qualitative.

No abstract

No abstract