Addressing urban climate adaptation through Strategic Environmental Assessment: Progress and perspectives

Abstract

The effects of climate change and related risks are widely recognised worldwide, requiring the incorporation of adaptation strategies in policies, plans, and programmes (PPPs) and especially in urban plans considering that cities are particularly vulnerable and, simultaneously, are major contributors to climate change. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the key tool for integrating climate change considerations into urban plans for improving territorial resilience. However, experiences and empirical evidence on integrating climate change adaptation strategies in urban plans through SEA are still limited. To support urban adaptation, SEA needs to assess both the expected impacts of climate change on PPP's objectives and actions, and the effects of PPP on the exposure and vulnerability to different climatic events. The urgency of climate change has stimulated SEA practitioners to integrate new topics and methods able to deal with climate adaptation into SEA procedures, innovating the traditional SEA approach to climate. The Special Issue investigates how SEA practices address climate adaptation and, more precisely, how SEA applications can improve adaptation strategies. The articles in this issue adopt various methodologies, such as scenario-based modelling of land use changes, qualitative research using narrative interviews, comparative analysis of climate indicators in SEA applications, and assessments of the regulatory frameworks guiding adaptation policies. These different perspectives and approaches provide insightful information about the changing role of SEA, allowing for an understanding of its potential and added value in climate adaptation. By tackling these critical problems, SEA will develop into a more well-organised and beneficial framework for advancing sustainability and long-term climate resilience in urban planning.