Implementation of national climate change adaptation activities in Estonia.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

In Estonia, climate change is leading to rising temperatures, decreasing snow and ice cover, increasing flow rates of rivers, more frequent winter storms, and a forecasted increase in precipitation of approximately 20% per year. Due to this, coastal floods and erosion are predicted to become more common, and residents of cities are threatened by heatwaves, floods, or hazards related to the rising sea level. Changes in water level, temperature and flow also harms the integrity of ecosystems, which in turn affects all areas of life and activity, including agriculture, forestry and fisheries that provide sufficient food supply. Moreover, the increase in the average temperature is predicted to have negative effects on the health and well-being of people and thereby also regional planning, healthcare, industry, and transportation. The places that are most vulnerable to climate change in Estonia are densely-populated coastal areas and areas around inland water bodies. The main problems related to climate change for habitats and protected species in these areas are increased water levels and floods.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the LIFE-SIP AdaptEst project are to increase the resilience of different ecosystems to a changing climate, and to improve society’s readiness to adapt to climate change. The project team will also ensure positive socio-economic effects through sustainable use of resources, via several good-practices, and demonstration and capacity building activities.

The project aims to:

1. Maintain the diversity of species, habitats and landscapes by: i) creating favourable condition in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and ii) the provision of socio-economically important ecosystem services in sufficient volume and quality.
2. Support the bioeconomy sectors crucial for Estonia in their sustainability, by planning for forestry, water resources and fisheries in a climate-conscious manner.
3. Support economic sectors in their adaptation process, by informing them about the risks and possibilities of climate change, and through measures for the restructuring process.
4. Prepare authorities and citizens to meet the challenges and opportunities of climate change.

Ιn addition to the IP budget itself, the project will facilitate the coordinated use of €418 584 671 of complementary funding from EAFRD, ERDF, Cohesion Fund, and the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

RESULTS

Expected results:

 

• Data gathered on the physio-chemical properties of floodplain meadow hay.
• Wetland restoration work finished on 3 400 ha.
• Implementation of a database for studies assessing the impacts of climate change on surface water and groundwater, and on their interaction.
• Over 100 km of historical river habitats and spawning areas for migratory fish species and over 1 000 m² of existing spawning areas reopened.
• Published guidelines for setting up the demonstration areas for new tree species.
• A prototype of the fire hazard map compiling tool ready for testing and operational implementation by the Estonian Weather Services.
• Datasets of observed atmospheric and marine climate change in Estonia compiled.