France launches a virtual resource centre for climate change adaptation

It is meant to equip local authorities with the knowledge needed for effective policies and initiatives in the field

To help local authorities and other key players launch effective climate adaptation actions, the French state gives them the most powerful weapon – information. On 25 January, as part of the Climate Adaptation Summit 2021 (CAS 2021), France announced the launch of an online resource centre, offering hundreds of documentary resources and suggestions of local initiatives, meant to answer concrete questions related to climate change and to facilitate its adaptation activities.

Accessible information about climate change

France is one of the most advanced countries in terms of climate change adaptation strategies worldwide. This success, however, cannot be maintained without the involvement of all main actors in the climate transition processes.

Realising that information and data are key to understanding climate change and properly planning local adaptation strategies, the State decided to give territorial actors space where they can learn and explore practical examples of what works in making cities, regions and businesses resilient to the changing climate.

Therefore, for all local elected officials, community service agents, economic actors, private individuals, teachers, France launched Climate Change Adaptation Resource Centre. It was jointly developed by the Ministry of Transitions and three public institutions – the Centre for Studies and Expertise on Risks, Environment, Mobility and Planning, the Ecological Transition Agency and Météo France (the weather service).

The tool is part of the second National Plan for Climate Change Adaptation and currently offers 647 documentary resources and 155 initiatives for consultation. Furthermore, the portal suggests a personalised selection of materials (such as applicable legislation, the impact of climate change on different economic sectors and practical solutions), based on the type of visitor and his/her information needs.

The portal was launched on the occasion of today’s Climate Adaptation Summit, which is to be attended by high government officials from France.

Follow CAS 2021

The Climate Adaptation Summit is a two-day virtual event, hosted by the Netherlands, aimed at finding solutions that enable people to adapt to the effects of climate change - extreme rainfall, drought, heatwaves and sea level rise.

Apart from the confirmed participation of Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte, infrastructure and water management minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President of France Emmanuel Macron and the Minister of Transition Barbara Pompili, the event will gather world leaders such as Ban Ki‐moon and UN Secretary‐General António Guterres.

Together, they are expected to launch a broad Adaptation Action Agenda, setting out practical climate solutions and plans up to 2030.

You can follow CAS 2021 in real-time, starting from 13:00 CET (UTC+1) today or watch videos from the event on the YouTube channel CAS TV.