P1 : Climate and Environment

P1 : Climate and Environment

Priority 1 – Smart climate and environmental resilience for NWE territories refers to Policy objective 2 ‘A Greener, low-carbon Europe’. It aims to improve the climate resilience, mitigating the effects of climate change via green/blue infrastructure, and to protect biodiversity and ecosystems by relying on the high potential of the area.

Combating climate change represents one of the main territorial challenges for the cooperation area. The Programme shall contribute to the objective of the European Green Deal (COM (2019) 640 final) to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. It also feeds into the Sustainable Development Goal 13 “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact”. Despite differences between urban, rural and coastal areas, the NWE area is one of the most economically developed in the EU, with a high density of population and infrastructures (incl. transport) as well as industries. Energy consumption and GHG emissions are very high, contributing to a significant exposure of territories and communities to climate change related risks and threats to nature and ecosystemic services.

SO 2.4 Climate adaptation and disaster risk prevention

Rising temperatures resulting from climate change tend to aggravate natural disaster risks and water management challenges, exposing the North-West Europe (NWE) region to greater local climate variability, negatively affecting human health and safety. Large territories within the NWE Programme area are affected by natural disaster risks and water management concerns. The Programme seeks to promote climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention, and resilience considering ecosystem-based approaches.

SO 2.4 Climate adaptation and disaster risk prevention

SO 2.7 Nature protection and biodiversity

The potential for additional green / blue infrastructure is relatively low in the North-West Europe (NWE) region due to intense land use and fragmented natural ecosystems. The maintenance and improvement of connectivity between protected areas and the restoration of natural areas is therefore crucial. There is also a strong need to improve the ecological status of blue infrastructure by addressing pollution and discharges caused by agriculture, industry, or wastewater treatment plants. Reducing heat stress and improving air quality by addressing – notably – transport issues as well as the impact of industries and farming on air pollution are also major challenges to be tackled in the NWE region.

SO 2.7 Nature protection and biodiversity

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PREWAPHARM

Prevent water pollution by pharmaceuticals

Reducing pharmaceutical pollution in waterA transnational mission for a healthier Northwest EuropePharmaceutical residues are increasingly contaminating water bodies across Northwest Europe – a growing concern driven by ageing populations, rising med...

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URBAN

Understanding Recovery of Biodiversity and Animal Networks

Urban Animal Network supports urban stakeholders with knowledge, tools and validated solutions to enable the safe and free movement of urban animals. This movement takes place across four ecological layers: air, tree canopy, shrubs and water.By impro...

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FARMBIRD

Hi-Tech FARMBIRD monitoring to enhance farmbird populations and sustainable habitats

Across the wide, windswept landscapes of Northwest Europe, a quiet crisis has been unfolding. For generations, farmland birds have filled these fields with movement and song, following ancient routes along the Atlantic Flyway. This region—stretching ...

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NEW WATER

Enabling tapping of NEW sources to ensure climate proof drinking WATER supply in NWE

Climate change puts pressure on the availability of our current drinking water sources. Unlocking new and sustainable drinkable water sources for households and industry is fundamental for climate resilience. NEW WATER addresses this challenge. Partn...

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MUDCAP

MUDdy flood mitigation through transnational action-oriented CAPacity building

What is a Pluvial Muddy Flood (PMF)?Pluvial Muddy Floods (PMFs) are increasingly frequent and disruptive in North West Europe (NWE). They are largely caused by run-off and erosion of cultivated land, resulting in significant damage. Climate change, u...

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LivableCities

Blue-green infrastructures (BGI) for livable and sustainable cities

In LivableCities, 6 NWE cities and 7 partners from science, practice, education and civil society join forces to tackle common territorial challenges caused by unsustainable urban development: biodiversity loss, air pollution and climate vulnerabilit...

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Wetlanders

Scaling up GBN restoration for biodiversity, ecosystem services and stewardship

Across North‑West Europe, green‑blue networks (GBNs) are disappearing at an alarming pace. Some regions have already lost more than 90% of their wetlands, while others are facing extensive peatland degradation. These are the ecosystems that filter wa...

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REBORN

Unlocking seagRass rEstoration in NWE as a BGI and natural capital OppoRtuNity

Seagrass meadows once provided millions in ecosystem services across NWE coastlines (e.g. CO2 sinks, fisheries support). However, today over 50,000 ha of NWE meadows are degraded and suitable for restoration - an unparalleled natural capital opportun...

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RAINBOW

Improve climate resilience in cities by restoring water cycles

Cities in North-West Europe face problems with flooding, droughts, and water shortages, which are increasing due to climate change. Natural and artificial water systems no longer function as they used to, leading to challenges with water quality and ...

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Streets2030

Streets2030 - making streets climate-resilient and active by 2030

Streets2030 delivers the change needed to ensure NWE streets remain safe and attractive to cycling and walking, making them climate-resilient and active by 2030.The successful shift to active travel across NWE faces a major threat: climate change and...

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