Second European Climate Change Adaptation conference (ECCA2015)

12 - 14 May 2015. Copenhagen, Denmark. The second biennial ‘European Climate Change Adaptation Conference’ attracted more than 1000 participants.

The European Climate Change Adaptation Conference (ECCA) 2015 was the second of its kind, following the first ECCA held in Hamburg 2013 which was attended by more than 700 participants. The conference covered a broad range of issues related to climate change adaptation and follows international adaptation conferences in Australia (Gold Coast, Queensland) in 2010 and in the United States (Tucson, Arizona) in 2012.

This European conference placed a greater emphasis on understanding and assessing adaptation in action under the theme: Integrating climate adaptation action in science, policy, practitioners and business.

Extract of the program:

Nature-based solutions for Climate Change Adaptation: Research and Innovation Opportunities for Europe 

• Chair: Eleni Manoli, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation 
• de Boissezon, B.: A new EU Research and Innovation policy perspective on Nature-Based Solutions for climate change adaptation 
• Berry, P.: Research abd Innovation perspectives towards the development of Nature-Based Solutions for climate change adaptation 
• Ruijs, A.: Experiences and lessons learnt from nature based solutions for safeguarding water safety Perini, L.: Coastal threats in the Emilia-Romagna region and potential measures 
• Robrecht, H : Resilient cities: Opportunities for nature-based solutions Discussion

Sylvia is a mangrove 

carbon scientists, 

originally from Madagascar, 

with experience 

working on conservation projects 

in Indonesia and Thailand

Local community and citizen knowledge – how can it steam up the adaptation process and move science-practice-interaction to a new quality? 

• Chair: Birgit Kuna, Andreas Baumgärtner 
• Paulot, Sylvia: Experiences from Madagascar 
• Born, M.: Climate Change Adaptation within regions in Germany (KLIMZUG) 
• Vogel, K., Schmidt, A.: The social dimensions of climate change: Interand transdisciplinary research on regional perceptions and actions 
• Riaz, B. K.: Climate Change and local health issues 
• Suthhof, A.: Toolbox for local knowledge integration in Europe and developing countries

Related: 

Published on 16 Apr 2015
In this video, the Skoll Foundation visits Alasdair Harris of Blue Ventures in Madagascar, where he is building sustainable coastal communities. This video debuted on the big screen at the 2015 Skoll Awards Ceremony, April 16, 2015, before Alasdair went on stage to receive his award from Skoll Foundation Founder and Chairman Jeff Skoll and President and CEO Sally Osberg.

Ten years ago, in a coastal village in Madagascar, Alasdair tested an elegantly simple model that put Blue Ventures on the map. He encouraged residents to take charge of their local fishery by cordoning off a small section of their octopus-fishing area for a designated period of time. When the area was re-opened, the community saw huge increases in their catch and incomes. In this video, you'll see one woman's reaction and how this drastically changed her family's life.

Building on this success, local communities created Madagascar’s first local committee to manage and conserve marine resources. Since that auspicious start, Blue Ventures has helped replicate this model along thousands of miles of coastline along the Indian Ocean. Beyond managing fisheries, Blue Ventures has integrated family planning and health services into its livelihoods and conservation work, showing the world that protecting the ocean can and should go hand-in-hand with improving lives.