Future Imperfect

FUTURE IMPERFECT

The Carpathian Convention is responding to the

threats from climate change and the need to adapt

through the

“Strategic Agenda on Adaptation to

Climate Change in the Carpathian Region”

to be

endorsed at the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of

the Parties to the Carpathian Convention (COP4) 23-

26 September 2014 in Mikulov.

A Carpathian Convention Working Group on Climate

Change has been established under the Convention

with the mandate to advise the Parties and the Secre-

tariat on policies, actions, research, data gathering and

projects relevant for mitigating and adapting to climate

change impacts in the region. The Working Group is re-

sponsible for coordinating climate change adaptation

policies and projects in the Carpathians with other rel-

evant government and non-government organisations.

The Carpathian Convention Working Group on Adapta-

tion to Climate Change developed a Strategic Agenda

on Adaptation to climate change in the Carpathian

Region, the aim of which is to assist Member States

of the Carpathian Convention, local and regional au-

thorities and other stakeholders involved in manage-

ment of the Carpathians to formulate responses to

climate change as a way to secure the sustainable

development in the region. The Agenda has been

discussed at meetings and workshops with Country

representatives and observers to the Carpathian

Convention as well as other interested stakeholders.

The Strategic Agenda includes recommendations for

policy development, institutional change and ecosys-

tem-based adaptation measures. By adopting the Stra-

tegic Agenda, the Conference of the Parties (COP) calls

upon Contracting Parties, local and regional authorities

and other stakeholders involved in management and

development of the Carpathian region to formulate pol-

icies and design strategies to adapt to climate change

impacts and to mitigate its adverse effects.

The following main conclusions and recommendations,

based on the outcomes of the projects described in this

report, are further supported by the Strategic Agenda on

Adaptation to Climate Change in the Carpathian region.

Strengthened knowledge and information shar-

ing on climate change and adaptation in the

Carpathians

• Increase the awareness that climate change and

natural disasters in mountain regions such as the

Carpathians pose to sustainable development. Cli-

mate change has severe socio-economic and en-

vironmental impacts on human- wellbeing and on

both mountain and downstream communities.

• Continue to pool efforts to raise awareness for the

issue at the level of decision-makers through inno-

vative communication tools and events.

• Strengthen monitoring activities (including development

of monitoring systems with common methodology) and

enhance data availability, accessibility and harmoniza-

tion related to climate change and natural disasters.

• Prepare a systematised, easily comparable dataset

of climatological and climate impact related data

between countries.

• Develop modelling activities for future research in

the region and/or adapt existing models and evalu-

ate them based on the actual local conditions.

• Map and assess Carpathian ecosystems goods and

services.

• Exchange information and experience with other

mountain regions as well as neighbouring areas

that are facing similar problems.

Conclusions and Recommendations

3. For further information and the full text of the Strategic

Agenda, please visit