Transformative Approaches to Climate Adaptation in Europe: Enroll in the New MOOC by IMPETUS in collaboration with the SDGAcademy

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Are you ready to take action against climate change? Climate adaptation is no longer a distant goal—it’s an immediate necessity. As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, Europe is leading the way with innovative strategies to become climate resilient by 2050. To help you navigate and contribute to this crucial transformation, the IMPETUS project, in collaboration with partners at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the SDGAcademy, is excited to present its new MOOC: From Commitments to Action: Transformative Approaches to Climate Adaptation in Europe.

Why This Course Matters

The impact of climate change is undeniable, affecting everything from ecosystems and health to economies and infrastructure. The European Union, recognizing the urgency, adopted a comprehensive strategy on adaptation to climate change in 2021. This strategy is a key component of the European Green Deal, aimed at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by mid-century.
But how do these large-scale commitments translate into actionable strategies? How can local communities, businesses, and governments implement sustainable solutions that not only mitigate climate risks but also foster economic and social resilience? This course answers these questions by delving deep into the science, policy, and innovative practices that are shaping Europe’s climate adaptation efforts.

What You’ll Learn

This course offers a holistic view of climate adaptation, covering a wide range of topics designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to make a difference:

  • Climate Change Science & Policy: Understand the basics of climate change, its far-reaching impacts, and the policy frameworks driving global and European climate action, including the Paris Agreement and the EU’s Green Deal.
  • Innovative Adaptation Solutions: Explore cutting-edge approaches to climate adaptation, such as sewer mining technology, sand dune restoration, and marine spatial planning. Learn how these solutions are implemented at local and regional levels across Europe.
  • Data and Digital Technologies: Discover how data platforms and digital tools are revolutionizing climate adaptation, enabling evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.
  • Socio-Economic Narratives & Financial Instruments: Dive into the economic aspects of climate adaptation, from valuation methods to the development of financial instruments that support sustainable and equitable transition pathways.
  • Skills for the Future: Learn about the evolving landscape of the labor market, where new green and digital jobs are emerging, and understand how to prepare for the demands of this transformation.

Who Should Enroll?

This MOOC is tailored for a broad audience, including graduate and advanced undergraduate students, professionals in the sustainable development sector, policymakers, and anyone passionate about climate action. Whether you’re just starting your journey in environmental studies or you’re a seasoned professional looking to deepen your understanding, this course offers valuable insights and practical knowledge.

Course Details:

  • Institution: SDGAcademy
  • Level: Introductory
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English

Enroll Now and start your journey towards understanding and implementing innovative climate adaptation strategies in Europe.

About the SDGAcademy

SDGAcademy is a leader in providing high-quality, accessible education on sustainable development. The courses are designed by experts and practitioners who are at the forefront of their fields, ensuring that you receive up-to-date and relevant information. With this course, you’ll not only gain a comprehensive understanding of climate adaptation in Europe but also learn how to apply these concepts in various contexts, potentially influencing global climate strategies.

High temperatures

Record-breaking summertime temperatures have been recorded in the Netherlands in recent years. With global temperatures rising, such extreme weather events will occur more often, and for longer periods. Prolonged high temperatures, with warm nights as well as hot days, can cause heat stress* and related health issues, particularly among city populations.

*Heat stress occurs when the human body cannot get rid of excess heat and can impact wellbeing through conditions such as heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps and rashes.

Map of Zeeland and Rotterdam in the Netherlands
Heat stress map of Zierikzee in Zeeland

"We want to enable municipality decision makers who are working on spatial developments to identify heat stress 'hot spots' and cool areas, analyse the future effects of climate change, and model the effect of different heat stress-reducing measures. The tool must provide them with an easy starting point to integrate heat stress risks in their projects."

Martine Rottink, Nelen & Schuurmans

Issue

Despite the cooling effect of the sea in the region of Zeeland, the growing risk of heat stress has become a concern.

Elderly and other vulnerable people are more impacted by the effects of prolonged heat, which can cause headaches, dizziness, insomnia and other health issues – even death. Excess temperatures also affect general comfort and liveability of cities. Water quality can be reduced, both for drinking and swimming, and infrastructure can be affected. Buildings and concrete surfaces trap heat, potentially leading to damage, and release it during the night, keeping temperatures warm.

During heat waves, it is important that everyone has access to a cool and comfortable place. Appropriate spatial planning can help to decrease and deal with heat stress. Environmental factors like water bodies, trees, and shade have a major impact on stress caused by high temperatures. Therefore, planting trees, removing concrete surfaces, creating green roofs and cool spaces can improve our comfort and health. The IMPETUS Atlantic team is developing a digital tool to support regional decision making for city planning to address these needs.

Flood risk
Energy and waste water

Flood risk

By 2050, sea-level within this region is predicted to rise by 15-40 cm, with more frequent extreme weather and more (severe) storms triggered by climate change. These changes will exacerbate the natural risk of flooding in the IMPETUS ‘Atlantic’ region, because it is surrounded by rivers and the sea, and is below sea level.

*Risk takes into account two aspects; the chance that an event will occur and the negative impact of such an event once it occurs. When there is a low chance that an event will occur, but its impacts are huge, the risk is still significant.

Elevation map of Rotterdam and Zeeland
Flood risk map of Rotterdam and Zeeland
Elevation map of part of the Netherlands

“In the Netherlands, an extensive system of dikes protects us against sea and river flooding. We have always put our faith in this defence and focused almost solely on flood prevention. However, pressure on our system will increase with climate change and rising sea levels. To adapt and maintain a safe living environment, we should develop other safety measures, like more robust spatial planning and contingency plans."

Martine Rottink, Nelen & Schuurmans

Issue

Rotterdam city, is located in Rijnmond – ‘mouth of the Rhine’. The Rhine river flows through this densely populated area and characterises the region. Protections such as sea dikes and storm surge barriers have been constructed to protect the region, but flooding still occurs.

People living in the city are accustomed to seeing smaller floods. The changing climate affects the interplay between rainfall, river levels and sea storms, increasing the flooding risk. Water levels could rise by a few metres, even in populated areas, with potentially massive impacts. 

Mitigation measures such as storm surge barriers reduce the chance that high water reaches the city, but to minimise the impact of floods when they do occur, adaptation strategies are also needed. A city that can adapt to be safe from floods must be carefully designed. How best to design such an adaptive city?

Critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and evacuation routes, must be accessible at all times. Planning how to best protect them, homes and lives is complex. Flood water behaves in a complex way and flood risks show strong spatial variations. The IMPETUS Atlantic team is developing a digital tool to support regional decision making for adaptive city planning. 

Energy and waste water
High temperatures

Energy and waste water

To become climate-neutral by 2050, climate mitigation* efforts are crucial in our strategy for how to deal with climate change. Reducing our energy consumption is a significant mitigation step. In the Netherlands, 15% of energy is consumed in the Rijnmond area around the port of Rotterdam, in large part by a major petrochemical industry cluster.

*Climate mitigation encompasses measures such as technologies, processes, or practices that reduce carbon emissions or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.

Map of Zeeland and Rotterdam in the Netherlands

Issue

The Rotterdam port petrochemical industry cluster is Europe’s largest. It consumes 70% of the Rijnmond region’s energy. A large part of this energy is wasted (64%, 203 petajoules). More than half of that energy is lost with wastewater. In addition, most energy processes within these industries rely on fossil fuels, which has a significant impact on the climate.

Energy use must be minimised and fossil fuels should be replaced by renewable sources if climate change is to be mitigated. Electrification of processes opens up the possibility to use more renewable energy and can greatly impact decarbonisation. Recovering wasted heat would significantly reduce energy consumption and is a first step towards a more circular industry. 

Supporting industries in a transition towards climate-neutrality depends on identifying how best to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing production or performance. The IMPETUS Atlantic team is creating a digital tool that supports decision making about pathways towards an effective energy transition for EU industry.

High temperatures
Flood risk