Adaptation to Climate Change – Task Group under CEDR

Abstract

Conference of European Road Directors, CEDR, initiated work on studying the effects of climate change on roads. The work belongs to Strategic Plan 2 (2009-2013), Thematic Domain Operation and is organised as twin tasks dealing with adaptation on one hand (task 16) and mitigation of climate change on the other hand (task 17). This paper describes the work within task group 16 on adaptation to climate change, from the initiation of the work to the publishing of the report to CEDR, October 2011. The mandate of the adaptation group can be summarised as follows: Show the consequences of climate change for infrastructures, and propose actions towards adapting the road network and management procedures to climate change. The work started by performing two surveys in road administrations in the participating countries: a survey of risks related to climate change, and a survey of ongoing adaptation work. The report to CEDR consists of a summary of the results of the surveys, and is followed by a more detailed examination of the effects of climate change on the road network. Suggestions for adaptation work are offered and criteria for prioritising possible actions are proposed. A thematic collection of examples demonstrating adaptation work in the participating countries is integrated in the report. Some of the examples refer to R&D programmes. Others describe current practice in one country that may be useful and relevant for application in another country. The report also suggests topics for future research, including opportunities for trans-European joint research programmes.