European Spatial Planning: Adapting to Climate Events

1. European Spatial Planning: Adapting to Climate Events Funded by the North West Europe INTERREG IIIB Programme and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

2. ESPACE aims to ensure that the need for adaptation to climate change is recognised and to recommend that it is incorporated within spatial planning mechanisms at local, regional, national and European levels ESPACE - Overall Aim Photos: Environment Agency, Ministerie van VROM & Solent News and Photo Agency

3. The ESPACE partnership includes representatives from a range of organisations that can influence spatial planning at different levels. Hampshire County Council – Lead Partner (UK) South East England Regional Assembly (UK) West Sussex County Council (UK) Surrey County Council (UK) Environment Agency (UK) South East Climate Change Partnership (UK) Regionaal Landschap Zenne, Zuun en Zoniën (Belgium) Waterschap Rivierenland (Netherlands) Ministerie van VROM (Netherlands) Bayerisches Landesamt für Wasserwirtschaft(Germany) ESPACE Partnership

4. Review of Year 1 ESPACE has been running for almost a year. In that time there have been a number of key ‘Partnership’ outputs such as the Extended Partnership, the website and the commission of the ‘Information and Knowledge Base’ project. The following update will focus on the main outputs that have been delivered for and by the ESPACE Partnership.

5. The Extended Partnership provides a unique opportunity for a new network of stakeholders to be established, with interests in climate change and spatial planning issues. There are currently over 86 Extended Partners from across Europe, including DG Environment, National Ministries, Regional and Local government, consultancies, research institutes and universities. The Extended Partners have also begun to actively engage with the ESPACE project by, for example, attending the 2nd ESPACE Joint International Workshop in June 2004. Extended Partnership

6. 2nd ESPACE International Workshop The 2nd International Workshop took place in Zaltbommel, Netherlands on 21st –23rd of June 2004. The first day of workshop focused on on three key areas of work: • Raising Awareness • Developing an Information & Knowledge Base • Policy review and Development of Adaptation Strategies

7. 2nd ESPACE International Workshop Presentations by partners on each area of work were followed by in depth discussions on issues such as methodologies used, outputs delivered and the transnational benefits of the work. Extended Partners from organisations such as UKCIP, DEFRA, the Joint Research Centre and also attended the workshop, contributing their experiences and knowledge to the discussions.

8. Land Use Consultants, in association with Royal Haskoning and the University of Duisburg-Essen, were commissioned in January 2004 to develop “An Information and Knowledge Base” to provide: An analysis of the different approaches to climate change forecasting, the quality and quantity of available information on mitigation and adaptation to climate change and the climate risks for a range of sectors (for each partner country). A summary of spatial planning networks with regard to climate change how they work and how to influence them in each partner country. Developing an Information and Knowledge Base

9. Developing an Information and Knowledge Base This work has now been completed and the results were presented by Land Use Consultants at the 2nd Joint International Workshop in June 2004. The final report provides a very useful summary and analysis of the current situation in each partner country with regards to climate change scenarios, mitigation and adaptation. It also gives an insight into each partner country’s commitment to tackling climate change and the current gaps in knowledge and action. The report also provides recommendations on what ESPACE could do to influence decision makers and ensure that adaptation to climate change is recognised within spatial planning systems.

10. ESPACE Website Another key output during this phase has been the establishment of the ESPACE Project website. The ESPACE website is an essential transnational tool in both promoting and delivering the ESPACE Project and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. The website also provides up to date information on the Project including the methodology, key actions, results, outputs and publications.  As the website is such an important tool in raising awareness, key pages of the website are available in Dutch, German and French . www.espace-project.org

11. ESPACE Leaflet The ESPACE Project has also produced a general information leaflet. The leaflet provides an overview of the ESPACE Project and is designed to be used throughout the 4 years of the Project as a tool for raising awareness and engaging stakeholders. The leaflet is available in English, Dutch, German and French.

12. ESPACE Transnational Outcomes • Recommendations towards the integration of adaptation mechanisms for climate change into transnational spatial planning regimes • Revised spatial planning policy relating to climate change • Guidance notes for EC, national, regional & local governments • Climate change awareness campaign • Transnational Extended Partnership established ESPACE will bring about a major change in the philosophy and practice of spatial planning by taking account of climate change

13. Contacts & Further Information Chitra NadarajahChitra.nadarajah@hants.gov.ukESPACE project ManagerJill Rankinjill.rankin@hants.gov.ukESPACE Communications & Project Assistant www.espace-project.org