A.1. Baseline update, stakeholder mapping and identification of stakeholder needs

This action aims at setting the baseline and the starting point for the LIFE-IP AdaptInGR project, by analysing the level of implementation of the National Adaptation Strategy and the Regional Adaptation Plans and in general the progress made towards adapting Greece to climate change.

In addition, includes the mapping of actors involved with adaptation planning and implementation at national and regional levels, and the identification of their needs through surveys and semi-structured interviews.

Action A.1 will subsequently inform Actions C.1, C.6, C.7, D.1, E.1, and Ε.2.

A.2: Setup of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and indicators

Action A.2 refers to a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art in adaptation monitoring and evaluation both at EU and internationally, as well as to the development of an integrated climate change adaptation monitoring and evaluation framework. The overall framework will comprise two distinct components:

• • a monitoring component, which will be aimed at measuring through indicators, progress towards the intended outcomes of implementing the National Adaptation Strategy and the Regional Adaptation Action Plans, and progress against the baseline established in Action A.1 of LIFE-IP AdaptInGR;
• • an evaluation component, which will be aimed at providing a broader view of progress, taking also into account ancillary benefits and costs of implementing the National Adaptation Strategy and the Regional Adaptation Action Plans.

A.3. Preparation for the implementation of pilot model actions at regional and local level

The main objective of Action A.3 is to take the necessary preparatory steps in order to implement the pilot projects of Actions C.2 and C.3. It refers to pilot model actions in five adaptation priority sectors: flood risk management, coastal zone management, forest fires in drought-prone areas, water resources management and urban land-use planning and regeneration.

More specifically, Action A.3 includes:

• • the preparation of a background document on methodologies to streamline the assessment of climate-relevant risks, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions across all pilot actions and tender specifications;
• • the elaboration of the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP), in the context of the Covenant of Mayors, for the Municipalities of Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Katerini and Rhodes;
• • the elaboration of a water resources management study for the municipal department of Aigeiros in the Municipality of Komotini;
• • the preparation of relevant tenders for the pilot actions;
• • the elaboration of detailed plans describing how the implementation will be deployed for each of the pilot projects.

A.4: Production of climate projections’ resources to support the regional analysis and the analysis of the pilot projects

In Action A.4 climate projections with an horizontal resolution of about 12km will be produced for the 13 Regions of Greece, while higher resolution projections (about 3-5 km) will be produced for the pilot areas of Actions C.2, C.3 and C.4.

To this end, regional climate models (RCMs) developed within the CORDEX, Med-CORDEX and Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) will be used. Changes in main climate parameters (temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, sunshine, solar radiation and wind speed) between the future and the present climate (2021-2100) and for future emissions scenarios RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 will be examined. The changes in a number of indices such as the extreme temperatures and precipitation and in combined indices related to health (Humidex and PET) and the risk of fire (Fire Weather Index) etc. will be examined as well.

The produced climate datasets and geographical maps will inform the Actions C.1, C.2, C.3 και C.4 of the project. Moreover, they will form an open geospatial database, which will be available through the National Adaptation Hub to be developed in Action C.7.

C.1. Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation policy in Greece – Review of the Greek National Adaptation Strategy and the Regional Adaptation Action Plans

Action C.1 concerns the implementation of the methodologies and indicators (i.e. M&E framework) developed in Action A.2 for the monitoring & evaluation of the National Adaptation Strategy and the Regional Adaptation Action Plans. Moreover, peer-to-peer visits for the national authorities’ staff members will be organized for each adaptation priority sector/thematic area, based on the needs identified in Action A.1.

Two monitoring & evaluation cycles will be performed (January 2021 - December 2022; January 2023- December 2024) aiming to identify and resolve bottlenecks, to prioritize measures and to propose funding priorities for the ESIF and the Green Fund. The two monitoring & evaluation cycles will also test the functionality, applicability and effectiveness of the methodologies and indicators.

Furthermore, Action C.1 includes updating the 2011 study on “environmental, economic and social impacts of climate change in Greece”, developed at the initiative of the Climate Change Impacts Study Committee (CCISC) of the Bank of Greece and served as a basis for the National Adaptation Strategy. The update will draw upon climate projections produced in Action A.4 and latest scientific developments.

The updated climate change impact report for Greece and the results of the two monitoring & evaluation cycles will form the basis for the review and revision of the National Adaptation Strategy and for drafting the terms of reference for the review of the  13 Regional Adaptation Action Plans

C.2. Implementation of pilot CCA actions in 3 Regions

Action C.2 concerns the implementation of demonstrative regional projects in four priority adaptation sectors in the Regions of Ionian Islands, Sterea Ellada and Western Greece. It specifically concerns:

• • the implementation of tendering procedures for pilot project studies and/or construction works defined in Action A.3,
• • the production of high-resolution climate projections for the pilot project areas; NOA will employ downscaling techniques, prepared in Action A.4,
  
• • the elaboration of pilot project studies,
• • the implementation of a number of measures in the studies throughout LIFE-IP AdaptInGR and the identification of complementary funding to implement the remaining measures,
  
• • organisation of demonstration visits to the sites of pilot projects.

Pilot (demonstrative) projects:

• • Delineation of Inahos river in the regional unit of Aetolia-Acarnania (Region of Western Greece).
• • Flood control in Drimatotrema in Lianokladi area of the regional unit of Phthiotis (Region of Sterea Ellada).
• • Sarantaporos stream bed formulation in Amarynthos beach in Euboea Island (Region of Sterea Ellada).

• • Assessment, monitoring and recording of the coastal erosion in the Ionian Islands using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) (Region of Ionian Islands).
• • Coastal zone management in Kalamaki beach in Western Achaia (Region of Western Greece).

• • Forest fire prevention in Peristeri and Geraki areas in Municipality of Ilida (Region of Western Greece).

• • Cleaning of the drainage system in the former Lake Xynias (Region of Sterea Ellada)

C.3. Implementation of pilot CCA actions in 5 municipalities

Action C.3 concerns the implementation of demonstrative regional projects in three priority adaptation sectors in the Municipalities of Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Katerini, Komotini (Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company), Larissa and Rhodes. It specifically concerns:

• • the implementation of tendering procedures for pilot project studies and/or construction works defined in Action A.3,
• • the production of high-resolution climate projections for the pilot project areas; NOA will employ downscaling techniques, prepared in Action A.4,
  
• • the elaboration of pilot project studies,
• • the implementation of a number of measures in the studies throughout LIFE-IP AdaptInGR and the identification of complementary funding to implement the remaining measures,
  
• • organisation of demonstration visits to the sites of pilot projects.

Pilot (demonstrative) projects:

• • Coastal zone management at the North-Western (NW) coast of the island of Rhodes.

• • Network for the collection of rainwater in Gerovouno area and its successive transfer to the Antonis Tritsis park of the Athens metropolitan area (Municipality of Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero).
• • Water resources management in the municipal department of Aigeiros in the Municipality Komotini.

• • Urban regeneration of public spaces and creation of green spaces in the Municipality of Katerini.
• • Urban regeneration of public buildings in the Municipality of Larissa.

C.4: Development of pilot assessments and adaptation guidelines for landscapes, land uses and cultural heritage

Action C.4 will implement the integrated climate change adaptation monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework developed in the A2.2 Sub-Action and model the effects of climate change on nine case studies -three different types of cases: at least two landscape transects, at least two Regions and two character areas within the Regions,  including two within NATURA 2000 sites, as well as on five case studies for cultural heritage (archaeological/historc sites/monuments), on the basis of climate projection produced in Action A.4. In addition, the Action will assess whether the measures proposed in the RAAPs successfully address climate change impacts and will propose additional adaptation measures. Adaptation measures for the two NATURA 2000 sites will be identified together with the LIFE-IP 4 NATURA project and will be integrated in the relevant NATURA management plans.

Based on this assessment, guidelines for climate change adaptation with regard to landscape, land uses and cultural heritage in Greece will be elaborated.

The Pilot transects (landscape & land uses) will be selected from the following list:

• - Nestos (Stavroupoli – Keramoti) - Avdira – Vistonida transect (73km)
• - Ioannina – Zagoria transect (39km)
• - Pylos - Anc. Messini – Taygetos – Mystras – Sparta and Elos– Monemvasia transects (104km)
• - Delos – Rinia – Tinos transect (19km)
• - Itea– Delphi – Mt. Parnassos transect (28km)
• - Mitilini – Kalloni – Sigri transect (52km)
• - Chania – Lefka Ori – Samaria Gorge and Chersonissos- Dikti – Anapodiaris transects (85 km)
• - Natura 2000 site #1 in the area of the Decentralized Administration of Epirus and Western Macedonia and
• - Natura 2000 site #2 in the area of the Region of Attica.

The cultural heritage (5) Pilot case studies will be selected from the following list:

• - Archaeological site of Ancient Messene
  
• - Archaeological site of Delos
  
• - Church of Porta Panagia in the regional unit of Trikala
• - Traditional village(s) of the Central Zagori Area
  
• - Old town of Corfu.
• - Archaeological site of Delphi
• - Archaeological site of Mystras
  

C.5: Analysis of synergies between climate change mitigation and adaptation policies, in view of the 2050 long-term low emission strategy

Action C.5 seeks to provide an integrated framework for the future planning of climate policies in Greece. It will analyse the synergies and trade-offs between the national mitigation and adaptation policies. The analysis results will feed both into the review of the Greek National Adaptation Strategy (Action C.1) and into updates of the National Plan for Energy and Climate and into the 2050 long-term low emission strategy.

C.6: Capacity building for adaptation implementation and mainstreaming at national, regional and local level

Action C.6 aims to strengthen the capacity of public authorities and institutions that need to comprehend the concept of adaptation and mainstream adaptation considerations into policy planning and implementation. The Action includes the implementation of:

• • 13 regional 3-day workshops, one per Region, aiming to provide adequate information and know-how to the full range of regional adaptation stakeholders: elected officials, public authorities’ personnel and groups of stakeholders. Wherever possible, the regional workshops will be followed by the regional awareness raising events described in Action E.1.
• • 2 national capacity workshops addressed the personnel of government departs (ministries etc.) as well as stakeholders from the public and private sectors. The national workshops will include a session on local administration authorities, where local adaptation projects will be presented and discussed in an attempt to find similarities, promote good examples and share ways of adapting to climate change at a local level.

C.7. Development and operation of the Greek national adaptation hub

Action C.7 concerns the development an open online national adaptation hub, drawing from the experience of the European Environmental Agency (https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/) and other European countries. The hub will provide tools and resources for assisting decision-makers in the different steps of the adaptation policy cycle, as well as to raise awareness among the different target groups on adaptation, including citizens. It will also promote the sharing of good practices and provide access to the climate datasets and maps produced in Action A.4

E.1. Public awareness and dissemination

Action E.1 includes the development of educational material for primary and secondary school teachers and pupils, as well as the organisation of training seminars for teachers (across the 13 Greek Regions) together with an educational campaign and two school competitions for pupils. It also foresees public opinion surveys and targeted surveys and interviews with key stakeholders to determine the level of adaptation awareness, as well as activities to improve awareness such as project fora and regional awareness-raising events (info days). Action E.1 also concerns the production of dissemination material (leaflets, posters, newsletters, TV and radio sports etc.) and the use of adequate communication and dissemination channels (website, social media etc.).

E.2. Replication and transfer of the project results

Action E.2 aims at boosting the uptake of the project results through promoting the transfer and replication of the project results at regional, national, as well as at Mediterranean, EU and international levelin Greece. The project will benefit from the established links and communication channels of the consortium partners, particularly with regard to the local governance networks of UGR and KEDE, the trilateral agreements among Greece-Cyprus-Israel and Greece-Cyprus-Egypt and MEEN’s membership in European and international networks, fora and organisations (UNFCC meetings, EU working groups, EIONET network, Union for Mediterranean etc.). The Action will also pursue networking and cooperation opportunities with other EU-funded projects, particularly LIFE-projects, as well as with other national adaptation competent authorities and initiatives. The Action also concerns the organisation of ΕU-wide thematic workshops back-to-back with major international events.

Transfer and replicability of results at national level is given a priority. At least 4 Regions and 10 Municipalities will be able to closely follow the development of the LIFE-IP AdaptInGR pilot demonstrative projects, while the development of synergies with the private and public sectors will be pursued. In addition, the Action E.2 foresees the elaboration of guidelines for adapting Regions and Municipalities to climate change.

F.1: Project management

Action F.1 includes both the technical and financial management of LIFE-IP AdaptInGR.

F.2: Monitoring the project progress

Action F.2 deals with monitoring the progress of LIFE-IP AdaptInGR project, including the reporting to the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the external audits. The Action also concerns the development of the project’s “After-LIFE Plan”

F.3: Monitoring, planning and implementation of complementary funding

Action F.3 deals with monitoring, priority planning and levering of funds that are complementary to the LIFE-IP AdaptInGR, in short funds from other funding sources (e.g. the Regional Operational Programmes, the Sectoral Operational Programme “Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development”, the Rural Development Programme, the Operational Programme for Fisheries and Sea, financial institutions etc.), to finance projects and actions that contribute to the implementation of the National Adaptation Strategy and Regional Adaptation Action Plans.