Outlook on climate change adaptation

Global level

This section presents the main international conventions and policy documents dealing with adaptation to climate change applicable to the Carpathian region (with a focus on the most vulnerable sectors: water, agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, and tourism). Adaptation is an essential part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is ratified by all Carpathian countries. The Convention distinguishes between adaptation and mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent temperatures rising beyond 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. Adaptation aims to prevent risks and take advantage of opportunities created by

climate change. The UNFCCC obliges Parties to take measures to adapt to climate change nationally and in cooperation since climate change is beyond the point where only mitigation is sufficient. The Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) acknowledged the link between biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation, which includes programmes on mountain biodiversity and forests. The main global financing mechanisms addressing adaptation to climate change include the Adaptation Fund, Special Climate Change Fund, Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund. There are also EU, bilateral, national and private funding schemes.

Buila-Vânturarița National Park, Romania

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