Towards a climate resilient Europe: Recommendations for the European climate resilience and risk management framework

This scientific opinion paper outlines key recommendations - based on 20 years of experience in Germany - to strengthen the design and implementation of the ECRRMF and proposes key objectives for the framework, as well as actionable pathways across enabling governance mechanisms, the climate adaptation policy cycle and cross-cutting considerations.

We furthermore recommend within the scope of the ECRRMF that the EU and its Member States should:

• Safeguard natural resources and ecosystem services: Promote nature-based solutions, restore degraded ecosystems, and ensure sustainable land and water management as foundational elements of climate resilient livelihoods.
• Protect populations: Strengthen societal preparedness through earlier, more effective warning systems and greater resilience of critical infrastructure and services, supported by public investment. Ensure climate adaptation measures reduce vulnerability and uphold the “leave no one behind” principle.
• Engage the private sector: Encourage and provide knowledge to companies to protect employees from climate change impacts and create incentives for b