WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?Climate change is affecting us. Analysing what effects it may have on society and the environment, and how we need to adapt, is imperative. This is imposing new requirements on decision-makers and other key stakeholders. The impacts of climate change on society and the environment need to be taken into account in, for example, planning of infrastructure, forestry and agriculture, environmental conservation and preparations for extreme events. The further into the future specific decisions extend, the more urgent the issue of climate adaptation will be. The dimension of climate adaptation is being included in decision-making processes along with other parameters, such as economics and legislation. Together, they make up a complex arena and in these decision-making processes there may be both conflicts and synergies that should be managed effectively.
Climate adaptation cannot replace emission reductions in tackling climate change. Greater reductions do not lessen adaptation needs. The opposite also applies. Today, however, both measures are relevant since some climate change can no longer be prevented.
HOW CAN THE PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION?
Mistra-SWECIA is developing research-based documentation for decisions on climate change, its impacts and the process of climate adaptation. Activities in the programme are based on expertise in several research fields and disciplines. This is the key to greater understanding of relevant systems and links among stakeholders, between processes and between costs, risks and alternative measures.
Modelling of climate, the economy and impacts on ecosystems and ecosystem services is a central feature of the programme. The same applies to studies of the adaptation process in the form of, for example, ongoing measures and factors that promote or prevent adaptations. These research areas were developed in the initial programme phase, between 2008 and 2011.
In the second phase, 2012–15, the modelling tools developed are to be supplemented and used in scenario studies. Users will be engaged in planning and designing scenarios and analysing results. In particular, the sectors characterised by land use — forestry and farming, nature conservation and the like — will be in focus.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESULTS?
In general, the results are intended to benefit the whole of society. Intensive collaboration with decision-makers at all levels is under way in the programme. Essential users, not least, are the stakeholders who bear direct or indirect responsibility for the process of climate adaptation: relevant public agencies; national, sectoral and private decision-makers; trade and sector organisations; businesses and so forth.
The new models, scenarios and analyses that are being developed will also yield results, tools and starting points for Swedish and international research in the area. The findings from the programme should also contribute to international and national processes in climate research and policy.
