- Chair of Biodiversity and Nature Tourism
- Chair of Economics in Rural Economy
- Chair of Environmental Protection and Landscape Management
- Chair of Horticulture
- Chair of Hydrobiology and Fisheries
- Chair of Landscape Architecture
- Chair of Plant and Crop Science
- Chair of Plant Health
- Chair of Soil Science
- Polli Horticultural Research Centre
- Rõhu Experimental Centre
Photos: Indrek Melts; Lauri Saks; Kaie Kriiska; Tiina Nõges
Climate change adaptation strategy and measures for thematic fields of natural environment and bioeconomy: BioClim
Duration: 01.01.2015 - 31.08.2015
Climate change can considerably and sometimes in an unexpected way affect ecosystems and different bioeconomy-sectors related to them. In addition to climate change mitigation it is relevant to know relevant adaptation options.
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What does climate change mean in the Estonian context?
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How does climate change affect biodiversity and different ecosystems?
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How does temperature rise, changes in precipitation rates and occurrence of extreme weather events affect bioeconomy sectors that are important for Estonia, such as forestry, agriculture, fishery or tourism?
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What can be done to mitigate negative effects and make better use of positive effects?
The EU coordinates adaptation policies of the member states and in 2013. a common framework for developing adaptation plans was launched.
Many EU states already have national adaptation strategies and action plans. Finland (2005), Sweden (2008), Denmark (2008) and Lithuania (2008) are examples of Estonia’s nearest neighbours who have such policies.
Climate change adaptation is one priority for the Estonian environmental policy as well. For instance, in 2013. an action plan 2012-2020 for mitigation and adaptation for agricultural sector (in Estonian) was compiled.
Estonia will have a comprehensive national adaptation strategy and action plan in 2016.
BioClim project advises the compilation of the adaptation strategy concerning 11 topics under two general themes: natural environment and bioeconomy.
From January till August 2015 climate change impacts on biodiversity, terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems (including their ecosystem services) will be mapped, as well as impacts on relevant bioeconomies, e.g. agriculture, forestry and hunting, fishery, tourism and peat mining.
The project will
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define priority themes for Estonia under these 11 topical areas;
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analyse climate change impacts and existing measures to adaptation (on the basis of pre-defined climate change scenarios);
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develop adaptation measures for the national adaptation strategy and action plan.
Climate change impacts and adaptation measures will help to comply with several international agreements, EU law and national policies and legislation. The results will specify impacts on certain sectors that have been outlined for example, in Estonia’s 6th climate report to the IPCC (foremost on water management, forestry, peat extraction, agriculture and tourism).
Climate adaptation is a rather new topic for Estonia, but is yet practically relevant for different societal groups. So, the project also aims to raise stakeholder awareness and promote public discussion on climate change impacts and adaptation. We will actively communicate and consult with relevant sectoral practitioners and other interest groups from e.g. environmental conservation, agriculture, forestry, or tourism, to get their feedback on our analyses and discuss suitable adaptation options.
BioClim project is funded by European Economic Area Grants www.eeagrants.org and Environmental Investment Centre (KIK), athmosphere programme.
