France has introduced its third National Climate Adaptation Plan (PNACC3), preparing the nation for potential temperature increases of +2.7°C by 2050 and +4°C by 2100. Prime Minister Michel Barnier presented the plan, which includes 51 measures and over 200 actions across 5 strategic pillars.
Key initiatives involve increasing the natural disaster fund, creating a national risk map, and integrating climate scenarios into regional planning. The plan aims to protect populations, strengthen regional resilience, adapt economic activities, preserve heritage, and mobilize society. While comprehensive, critics note that many measures lack innovation and specific funding. The plan is currently open for public consultation, reflecting France’s proactive stance on climate adaptation since the late 1990s.
A history of adaptation
France’s climate adaptation efforts date back to the late 1990s, spearheaded by the Ministry of the Environment. The initiative complements actions aimed at mitigating climate change causes. Over the years, the French government has developed a robust framework to anticipate future impacts and address factors exacerbating vulnerabilities, such as urbanization in high-risk zones. This proactive approach has established France as a leader in climate adaptation planning.
The new plan, PNACC3, focuses on reducing vulnerabilities through strategic interventions. It emphasizes ‘no regret’ strategies that provide benefits regardless of future climate outcomes. Such strategies aim to enhance resilience against uncertainties, considering the potential for maladaptation, where changes might inadvertently increase climate vulnerability. Examples of maladaptation include inefficient resource use and poorly calibrated protective structures.
The PNACC3 is structured around five strategic pillars: protection of the population, regional resilience, economic and social adaptation, heritage preservation, and societal mobilization. Each pillar addresses specific areas, such as infrastructure and essential services, to ensure comprehensive coverage of climate impacts. The plan’s measures include enhancing insurance availability in high-risk areas and adapting housing to withstand increased heat.
Public engagement and critique
Public consultation is a critical component of the PNACC3, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed measures. The plan is open for consultation until 27 December 2024, facilitating broad engagement. Despite its comprehensive nature, some critics, including WWF France, argue that the plan’s measures lack innovation and specific funding. This critique highlights the challenges of balancing ambition with practical implementation.
Moving forward
While many European countries do consider a +4°C rise in their climate adaptation strategies, it is typically viewed as a scenario for the far future, used to plan for the worst-case outcomes of climate change. However, the French plan explicitly mentions this scenario and proposes a set of measures to prepare for it.
To support the plan’s implementation, the Barnier Fund for natural disasters will see a €75 million increase by 2025. This funding aims to bolster local government efforts in mitigating climate risks such as flooding. Additionally, a national risk map will be created by 2027, providing detailed insights into climate risks like wildfires and cyclones. These initiatives reflect France’s commitment to a coordinated and informed response to climate challenges.
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