INFORMATION ON ADAPTATION ACTIONS
IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
First report on national adaptation actions under Article 15 of
the Mechanism for monitoring and reporting (MMR)
Submission to the European Commission
Prague 2015
Introduction
The information on adaptation actions by the Czech Republic was prepared pursuant to the
Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of
21 May 2013 on a mechanism for monitoring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and for
reporting other information at national and Union level relevant to climate change and
repealing Decision No 280/2004/EC, OJ L 165, 18.6.2013, p. 13. It also takes into account
additional guidance provided by the European Commission.
The main sources of information compiled in this document are the Sixth National
Communication of the Czech Republic to the UNFCCC, information available
at Climate-ADAPT portal and several sector specific documents and studies.
The report has been prepared by the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic and
discussed within experts from all relevant ministries, in particular members of the
Interdepartmental working group on climate issues.
Contact Person:
Jana Paluchova
Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic
[email protected]
Vrsovicka 65
100 10 Prague
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1.
Policy and legal framework
The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the implementation of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and relevant EU legislation in the
Czech Republic.
The National Programme To Abate the Climate Change Impacts in the Czech Republic (2004)
is valid document and it was reviewed in 2007. It was focused mainly on mitigation rather
than adaptation issues. On the basis of this revision and in accordance with new scientific
knowledge and development of negotiations within the EU and UNFCCC, it was decided by
the Government to replace this document and prepare 2 separate strategies – one on
mitigation (Climate Protection Policy) and one on adaptation. Preparation of the Strategy on
Adaptation to Climate Change in the Czech Republic (Adaptation Strategy) was approved by
the Government Resolution no. 1452 in November 2009.
The draft Adaptation Strategy was prepared in line with an EU Strategy on adaptation to
climate change and it was adjusted to specific conditions prevalent in the Czech Republic.
The document was prepared in cooperation with a number of individual Ministries and
organisations. Work was organised within several thematic working groups (e.g. agriculture,
water, biodiversity, etc.) and coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment. Final draft was
consulted with the Environment Center Charles University in Prague and Global Change
Research Centre, Academy of Science (CzechGlobe). The objective of the Adaptation
Strategy is to reduce anticipated climate change impacts, adapt to these impacts, maintain
good living conditions and develop economic potential for the future generations.
The draft Adaptation Strategy includes observed climate change and recommends appropriate
adaptation measures including their mutual linkages and linkages to mitigation. Adaptation
measures are proposed in the following areas: Water regime in landscape and water
management, Agriculture, Forest management, Biodiversity and ecosystem services,
Urbanized landscape, Health and hygiene, Crisis situations, protection of the population and
environment, Tourism and recreation, Transport, Industry and Energy sector.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment process (SEA) of the Adaptation Strategy should
start in February 2015 followed by an interdepartmental consultation. The document should
be presented to the Government for adoption by the end of the 2015. The implementation part
of the document, the Adaptation Action Plan, will be developed afterwards on the basis of the
Adaptation Strategy and outcome of upcoming comprehensive assessment project.
More recent information on adaptation measures and state of implementation could be found
in The Sixth National Communication of the Czech Republic on the UNFCCC and its Kyoto
Protocol. Adaptation is also one of the most important topics of the State Environmental
Policy (2012 to 2020).
2.
Impacts, vulnerability and adaptation information and assessments
a) Observations and projections
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI) provides information on actual weather
conditions and alerts for extreme hydrological and meteorological situations. It also publishes
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data and information on climate change science, observations and scenarios (available in
Czech language only).
The basis for climate change scenario in the Czech Republic comprises of ALADINCLIMATE/CZ regional climate model output with 25 km resolution for the 1961–2100 period
according to emission scenario SRES A1B, corrected for errors in the model, which were
identified when comparing the model simulation for reference period 1961–1990 with
actually measured values. Scenario has been prepared for the basic set of climatological
elements: average daily temperature, daily precipitation amount, daily sum of global
radiation, average daily wind speed, average daily humidity, daily minimum and maximum
temperature. Selection of these climatological elements is based on the requirements of
individual sectors involved in estimates of climate change impacts. Changes of climatological
elements calculated by the ALADIN-CLIMATE/CZ model for 2010–2100 period in
accordance with emission scenario SRES A1B are only one of the possible variants of the
future climate development. These changes must be included into the context of uncertainties
arising from use of various RCMs, governing GCMs and emission scenarios. For the purposes
of estimating climate change development in the Czech Republic, we have used, from the set
of compiled scenarios, the short-term (2010–2039) and medium-term timeframe (2040–69).
The final scenario is a result of an R&D project completed in 2011.
Figure 1: Average monthly temperature in the Czech Republic in reference period 1961-1990
and in 2010-2039 and 2040-2069 (scenarios)
Source: CHMI, published in 6th National communication
Regarding administration of data and its storage, CHMI and ATACO s.r.o. in Ostrava created
the programme database of the CLIDATA system, which has been highly praised by WMO.
The Czech CLIDATA programme system is based on the modern ORACLE database
environment. It enables easy transition from older database systems, especially the
internationally used CLICOM system. It allows connection of the database with the
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geographic information system (GIS) and this connection can also be used to control data for
other applications. The CLIDATA programme system was developed so as to enable simple
creation of language mutations and the system is capable of set up in any foreign country and
for any meteorological service. In 2013, national meteorological services in 34 countries all
over the world (e.g. Guyana, Georgia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia,
Montenegro, etc.) used the CLIDATA system.
b) Impacts & vulnerability assessment
Thorough vulnerability assessment has been undertaken with respect to water management,
agriculture, forestry and extreme meteorological and hydrological situations within an R&D
project completed in 2011. The Ministry of the Environment is now preparing a call for new
project (assessment), which should focus on remaining sectors and areas of interest, such as
health, urban environment, biodiversity and ecosystem services, tourism, transport, industry
and energy, risk prevention and community protection; as described in the draft Strategy on
Adaptation to Climate Change in the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information regarding each of these areas please see our Sixth National
Communication of the Czech Republic on the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, pages 138148.
c) Research
There are many individual projects closely linked to the issue of impacts, vulnerability and
assessment of adaptation needs. With regards to the research and development of climate
scenarios, the Ministry of the Environment supported two projects that were running from
2007 until 2011.
The first project analysed small river basins with the focus on hydrological aspects of water
retention in monitored areas (SP/1A6/151/07). One of its main objectives was to simulate
changes in outflow, observe the flood wave throughout the river basin and define subsequent
adaptation measures. The other project was focused on the whole area of the Czech Republic
(SP/1A6/108/07). Its aim was to observe and collect data relevant for climate modelling, and
specify and update climate change scenarios and impacts for the Czech Republic, especially
on the water, agriculture and forestry sectors. On the basis of these scenarios, specific
adaptation measures were defined.
For each sector, various adaptation measures were defined and assessed according to the
geographic and climatic conditions of the Czech Republic. General approaches of adaptation
for water management, agriculture and forestry were subsequently proposed. This information
were important for the preparation of the draft Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in
the Czech Republic.
For four of the small river basins that were analysed, detailed maps of adaptation measures
were created on the basis of other thematic maps (tectonic, hydrogeological, etc.), observation
and assessment of land use. Several adaptation measures such as dry polders, terraces, small
retention ponds, country lanes, etc. were proposed.
One of the main project results is the creation of local early warning system that provides
detection of flash flood occurrence based on combination of four risk factors (saturation of
soil cover with water, hydrophobia of soil surface, water flow in the soil destabilized by
gravity and extreme precipitation), which determine the creation of flash floods.
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Research projects focused on mitigation and adaptation measures in the agriculture are
supported by National Academy for Agricultural Research (NAZV) programmes.
The new public research institute "Global Change Research Centre, The Academy of Sciences
of the Czech Republic (so called CzechGlobe)" started in spring 2011. It primarily focuses on
deep expert knowledge of the Global Change issues, including the climate change and the
development of practices that are leading to mitigation or to adaptation to its impacts. The
principal activity of the CzechGlobe is a comprehensive scientific research on issues of the
global change from broader perspective and its impacts on the atmosphere, terrestrial biota
and human society.
3.
Priority
sectors
and
Effectiveness/efficiency.
adaptation
action.
Progress
monitoring.
Priority sectors defined in the National Programme To Abate the Climate Change Impacts in
the Czech Republic were water management, agriculture, forestry and health. These four areas
remain the most important with regards to adaptation actions in the Czech Republic. The
upcoming Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in the Czech Republic also includes
other relevant sectors such as urban environment, biodiversity and ecosystem services,
tourism, transport, industry and energy, risk prevention and community protection.
Sector
Water Management
Status
Name of the policy
agreed/planned EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)
EU Flood Directive (2007/60/EC)
Water Act ((Title IV. Water Planning and Title. IX
Flood Protection)
Conception of the Water Management Policy of the
Ministry of Agriculture until 2015 (agreed)
River Basin Management Plans in the 1st cycle
(agreed):
The Plan of Main River Basins of the Czech
Republic, River Basin District Management Plans
River Basin Management Plans in the 2nd cycle
(under preparation):
National River Basin Management plans
River Management Plans for sub-basins
Czech National Flood Protection Strategy
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The concept of addressing flood protection in the
Czech Republic with the use of technical and
natural measures
Flood Risk Management Plans (under
preparation)
Health
agreed
Health 2020- National Strategy on Health
Protection and Support and Disease Prevention
Agriculture
agreed
Action Plan for Organic Farming 2011-2015 (next
Action Plan for Organic Farming 2016 -2020)is
under preparation
Action Plan for Biomass 2012 - 2020
Agriculture and climate change - leaflet
Manual for soil protection against water erosion
Forest management
agreed
Forest Act
Principal Forestry Policy
National Forestry Programme II
Biodiversity and
ecosystem services
agreed
Risk prevention and
agreed
community prevention
Strategy for Biodiversity Protection of the Czech
Republic
Strategy of Environmental Security
Strategy of Civil Protection
Regional Development Policy of the Czech
Republic (updated version under preparation)
Strategy for Housing of the Czech Republic 2020
Regional Development Strategy of the Czech
Republic 2014 -2020
The Ministry of the Environment provides subsidies for adaptation measures within three
funding programmes with a special focus on water, nature and landscape protection. All
measures that can be supported within these programmes comprise nature protection as well
as adaptation effects. The Landscape Programme (available in Czech language only) and the
Programme of Renewal of the Natural Function of the Landscape (available in Czech
language only) are financed through national resources. The Operational Programme
Environment is supported through EU funds. With regard to the specific areas of intervention,
priority axis 1.3, Reduction of flood risks and 6, Improving the state of nature and landscape
are the most relevant ones for the adaptation action. The Ministry of Agriculture is
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responsible for implementation of measures with adaptation and/or mitigation benefits as
significant side effects (e.g. afforestation of arable land, organic farming, pool regeneration,
gene sources protection) in the agricultural sector. Implementation of these measures is
required within cross compliance (GAEC), national legislation and supported from national
sources or EU funds (Rural Development Programme). Support from the EU funds via
respective programmes will continue also during new financial period 2014-2020 with even
greater focus on the adaptation action and activities. Furthermore, the Ministry of the
Environment is currently preparing a comprehensive National Programme Environment,
which will to some extent focus on adaptation measures, including cities and municipalities’
preparation and development of adaptation strategies and action plans.
4.
Engaging stakeholders
a. Governance
The Ministry of the Environment will be the main coordinating body responsible for
developing, implementing and evaluating the Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change in
the Czech Republic. With regard to particular tasks, the Department of General Nature and
Landscape Protection is responsible for the preparation of the document and the Department
of Energy and Climate Protection was actively involved in this preparatory phase, including
consultations with the CHMI. Implementation tasks should be distributed within relevant
ministries with respect to their responsibilities in particular topics. Interdepartmental working
group on climate issues has been established in January 2015. This group should cooperate,
consult and work further on the basis of the Adaptation Strategy after its adoption by the
Government and take part in developing Adaptation Action Plan.
b. Adaptation capacity, dissemination, education, training
In 2014 the Czech Republic launched a new funding programme for adaptation as one of the
three environmental funding areas supported by the EEA grants (Agreement on the European
Economic Area). In total 9 projects were approved with a focus on 2 main issues – Systems
for information exchange on climate change adaptation (dissemination, awareness raising
campaigns, education) and Strategies and measures for adapting to a changing climate
(strategies, action plans and concrete measures). One of the projects will for example expand
and build upon existing web page with focus on adaptation in cities:
http://www.adaptacemest.cz/. Basic information on climate change and adaptation issues with
useful links to relevant sources (Climate-ADAPT, EEA, UNFCCC, etc.) is available on the
website of the Ministry of the Environment:
http://www.mzp.cz/cz/adaptace_na_zmenu_klimatu
http://www.mzp.cz/cz/adaptacni_strategie_eu
http://www.mzp.cz/en/climate_energy
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5.
Summary table
Item
Status
National Adaptation Strategy
Completed and submitted for adoption
(2015)
Action Plans
NA
Impacts, vulnerability and
adaptation assessments
- National (screening NAS)
- Sectoral & Other (territorial)
Research programs
- National Programmes
- Key research initiatives (added
value)
Climate Services / Met Office
- Observation
- Climate projections and
services
Web Portal(s) /
Adaptation platform(s) (5a)
Completed/
Currently being undertaken
Monitoring, Indicators,
Methodologies
NA
Training and education resources
NA
National Communication to the
UNFCCC
Last NatCom Submitted (2014)
6.
Web links
Currently being undertaken
CHMI (available in Czech
language only)
SP/1A6/108/07
SP/1A6/151/07
CzechGlobe
Established
CHMI
NA
NC6
Contact
Ministry of the Environment
Organisational structure
o
Department of Energy and Climate Protection (770)
o
Department of General Nature and Landscape Protection (610)
o
Department of Water Protection (740)
Czech Hydrometeorological Institute
Climatology Section
Ministry of Agriculture
Department of Environment and Organic Farming (17250)
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