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As highlighted in consecutive reports from the IPCC, there is overwhelming scientific evidence that anthropogenic climate change is taking place and the chances are high that future climate is going to change even more than what has already been realised. Impacts of changes over recent decades are likewise visible throughout the Nordic region, manifested e.g. through observed changes in the hydrological cycle, reductions in sea ice cover, lengthening growing seasons and the occurrence and strength of heavy rain events. Adaptation to these changes is already high on the agenda in the Nordic and international societies. However, science is providing new information on changes and their consequences, which calls for a wider dialogue to enable adjustments of already initiated adaptation plans as well as providing the baseline knowledge for future initiatives.

The conference “Adapting to Change: From research to decision-making” seeks to advance existing common ground between scientists, practitioners and decision-makers and establish new ways forward for informed adaptation.

Examples of pertinent questions to be highlighted

• Is the 2 degrees target still achievable?
• How much will extreme events change in the future?
• Where are Nordic and European climate change impact hot spots?
• Are recent flooding events related to climate change?
• Are we adapted to the present climate?
• What are the time scales of interest / urgency for adaptation?
• Are ongoing adaptation strategies based on sound technical information or a result of “rush job”?
• Can the costs of adaptation be carried by locals, and is that fair?
• Is societal resilience an indispensable 4th element in the sustainability triangle of sustainable environment, economy and social fabric?
• Should adaptation always be proactive (instead of adaptive or reactive)?
• Can adaptation be justified by (relative large) side-benefits – instead of emphasizing expected benefits of adapting to climate change?

Topics

• Climate predictability
• Observations and attribution of changing climate and impacts
• Emergent risks and key vulnerabilities
• Impacts on human and natural systems
• Sectoral and regional adaptation
• Adaptation and mitigation linkages
• Dealing with uncertainty
• Climate sensitivity

Mainstreaming

Mainstreaming implementation strategies may well be the key for adapting to a changing climate. Facilitating adaptation decision-making and implementation of social and technical adaptation options involves both the private and public sectors and will require bridging the gaps of different disciplines and areas. Innovation is also likely to be an important driver for adaptation. Some of the key issues in this theme include:

• Adaptation and the private sector
• Policy development and implementation
• Towards best practices
• Assessment of impact response risks and opportunities
• Climate & weather services, in safety technology, in education/public information, etc.
• Embracing uncertainties
• Cross-cutting issues in adaptation