History of ECCA

Since 2013 the European Climate Change Adaptation Conferences have worked to bring science, practitioners and policymakers together, showcasing real-world examples of climate adaptation measures around state-of-the-art science and research for a climate resilient Europe.

ECCAs have become a trusted source of reliable climate research, a place to explore cutting-edge science, emerging technologies. Professionals and academics alike have been able to exchange lessons learned and best practices from the implementation of climate adaptation in local, regional, national and international levels. ECCA has provided a busy forum to accelerate putting climate science into the hands of decisionmakers, practitioners and policymakers.

Solution-driven programmes have facilitated face-to-face conversations, informal and formal knowledge exchange. ECCA has never shied away from putting the spotlight on challenges and controversies in the name of enabling open dialogue towards solutions. The conferences themselves have overcome the barriers to climate adaptation, being held every other year to convene the community.

ECCA2013 – The first European Climate Change Adaptation Conference. It was held in Hamburg and brought about by a number of European climate research projects keen build a platform on understanding and assessing adaptation in action. The theme was ‘Integrating climate into action’. The conference created a European forum to foster a creative and effective dialogue between science, policy and practice.

ECCA2015 – Showing how climate change adaptation in Europe can contribute to job creation and other societal benefits was a leading theme in Copenhagen in 2015. It was the largest gathering of Europe’s climate adaptation community and the European Commission showcased its policy initiatives on climate services and nature-based solutions and its Horizon2020 funding.

ECCA2017 – the theme of the 3rd European Climate Change Adaptation Conference was ‘Our Climate Ready Future’ – very appropriate for its venue in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland, a city that was at the forefront of putting climate adaptation and climate justice at the core of decision-making. A day was dedicated to opening up the exhibition centre to students from around the city, bringing in young voices – a legacy that has been embodied in every ECCA since.

ECCA2019 – Portugal’s vibrant capital Lisbon hosted in 2019, facilitating dialogue among a diverse range of actors from academia, government, business and communities on the multiple aspects of climate change adaptation. The conference also featured a large exhibition area, promoting projects across Europe and beyond and a multitude of pop-up talks and presentations.

ECCA2021 – For the first time ECCA was held online, gathering an international audience during the Covid pandemic. It was hosted by the European Commission and took place back to back with the annual European Research & Innovation Days (23-24 June). https://jpi-climate.eu/programme/ecca/

ECCA2023 – Back in person, the ECCA audience filled Dublin Castle in the Republic of Ireland to inspire adaptation by showcasing and identifying solutions, exchanging knowledge, creating connections, informing on action and encouraging dialogue on how to act more and faster at every level in order to implement effective measures to adapt to the changing climate.

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History of ECCA

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