PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Hungary is expected to be impacted by climate change more severely than the global average. According to regional climate models’ forecasts (ALADIN, RegCM) for the period of 2071-2100, the increase in average temperature will be 3-5°C. This is expected to be accompanied by a decrease in precipitation with a more unpredictable distribution and an increase in extreme weather. According to forecasts, the combined effect may lead to a change in the runoff of up to 60%. Hungary will face more frequent and extreme hydrological events: water scarcity and droughts will be more extensive, precipitation will become more intensive and unpredictable floods and excess inland water inundations will increase.
Hungary needs to improve risk awareness and build a shared vision to mitigate water-related challenges. Hungary’s high exposure to climate change is combined with a high level of sensitivity of some key sectors, such as settlements and agriculture. To mitigate detrimental effects, and to provide effective adaptation measures, settlement management (including areas outside urban centres that are managed by the local municipality) must be prepared to handle, relieve and retain water, as well as cooperate with other stakeholders from the water and agriculture sector.
OBJECTIVES
LIFE-MICACC project's main goal was to improve the climate resilience of the most vulnerable municipalities in Hungary by reducing their risks stemming from climate change. To this end, its aim was to introduce and foster the integration of sustainable ecosystem-based water management approaches into local governments’ natural resources management strategies and land-use planning practices. The project also aimed to strengthen the coordinating role of local municipalities in climate change adaptation planning and recognition of risks. More specifically, the project’s objectives were to:
- Raise awareness and increase the knowledge of decision-makers in Hungarian local governments, relevant public administration bodies and economic actors about the impacts of climate change and about ecosystem-based natural water retention measures (NWRM) by showcasing to Hungarian municipalities and stakeholders the relevant knowledge from implemented NWRM pilot cases in Europe;
- Test and demonstrate the practical applicability and viability of selected NWRMs in climate change adaptation within the Hungarian natural, socio-economic and administrative context by developing and implementing prototypes of these measures on five pilot sites;
- Disseminate the practical knowledge gained from the five test cases and foster the replication of the tested NWRM solutions for improved climate resilience in different locations within Hungary, both locally and regionally;
- Build locally coordinated catchment partnerships around a joint vision and prepare plans for the upscaling of NWRM solutions to catchment level, involving stakeholders;
- Build up local capacity in the most vulnerable Hungarian municipalities to strengthen the coordinating and integrating role of local governments in mainstreaming ecosystem-based climate change adaptation measures into natural resources management strategies and spatial planning, and to enhance an enabling environment for them;
- Create innovative and user-friendly smart IT tools for all Hungarian municipalities and other stakeholders that help them understand and manage climate risks, support knowledge sharing and facilitate stakeholder mobilisation; and
- Involve Hungarian local governments in national and European networks of mutual support and cooperation for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The project underlined the multifunctional role of the NWRMs and their important contribution to the implementation of the EU Adaptation Strategy and the EU strategy on green infrastructure along with their integration in other policies such as the Water Framework Directive, Floods Directive and the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. The project aimed to promote Hungarian municipalities’ involvement in the EU’s Initiative of Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which will help them develop their Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans.
RESULTS
The LIFE-MICACC project contributed to improve the climate resilience of vulnerable municipalities in Hungary through nature-based water management approaches. The project team tested five prototype ecosystem-based natural water retention measures (NWRMs) in different parts of the country.
The project partnership improved the knowledge of the decision-makers in the local governments, increased the climate resilience of the pilot sites, enhanced the adaptive capacity of replication sites, and ensured better cooperation between municipalities and relevant stakeholders. They strengthened the coordination role of municipalities and their role in climate change adaptation, and disseminated information on the importance of NWRMs to communities all around Hungary.
The five prototypes were successfully constructed and still continue to serve as good demonstrations of NWRMs in action and can be introduced to other municipalities for further inspiration (and this way support replication).
In total, 70 Hungarian municipalities joined the Covenant of Mayors (target 15), as a result of the project. The project team organised
- 16 study trips to the pilot sites for Hungarian partners
- 5 study trips for foreign municipalities
- 5 press trips
to introduce the implemented prototype NWRMs in practice at the pilot sites;
- 5 study trips to abroad
- 3 networking events
to channel the other relevant European ideas;
- 5 climate conferences
- 8 training occasions
- 14 roadshow events
to spread the idea, share the knowledge and raise awareness nationwide highlighting the importance of local CCA and NWRMs.
The project produced high-quality online available interactive e-learning materials, training materials, and a LIFE-MICACC mobile phone application that can be downloaded for iOS and Android systems for free.
The project team produced 6 video films, and a climate change adaptation guide that is available in four languages (Hungarian, English, Slovakian, and Romanian). The coordinating beneficiary (Ministry of Interior of Hungary) reported that the project website has had 56 000 visitors. The website includes more than 100 articles and 100 uploaded publications.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
