Review of the current EU framework on adaptation to climate change and assessment of the relative adaptation framework in Cyprus

The aim of this paper was to review the progress made so far at European level in establishing a European framework on adaptation to climate change and integrating climate change and adaptation considerations into existing and new European policies in the sectors of water resources, biodiversity and agriculture. Furthermore, the advances made in Cyprus up to this point with respect to mainstreaming European policy on adaptation in its national policy, strategies, plans and legislation are assessed. The analysis begins with the overall framework on adaptation and continues with the sectors of water resources, biodiversity and agriculture. The study revealed that a solid framework for promoting and enhancing climate change adaptation action is being systematically built during the last decade in the EU. Action on adaptation has been promoted in the EU through a number of policy-making tools (preparatory acts), such as green papers, white papers, communications, working documents, guidelines and legislative proposals. These tools, although not binding in nature, set the pathway for the integration of climate change adaptation into existing and new legislation. With respect to the actual mainstreaming of adaptation into sectoral policies, this has started to take place during the last 1-2years. However, the framework has not yet been sufficiently transformed into legally binding goals. As for the progress made so far in Cyprus for integrating adaptation into its policies, plans and strategies, it is recognized that several such documents have been developed and proposed, but until now, none of them have actually been put into practice.