Climate change impact assessment and related adaptation research are emerging scientific and policy areas in Europe. Expert scientific advice has been increasingly called upon to enable informed decision-making. In April 2013 the European Commission adopted an EU strategy on adaptation to climate change which has been welcomed by the EU Member States. The strategy aims to make Europe more climate-resilient. Countries, regions and local authorities are at different stages of preparing, developing and implementing national adaptation strategies. The development depends on the magnitude and nature of the observed impacts, assessments of current and future vulnerability and the capacity to adapt.

The adaptation strategies session is aiming to share experience how climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation (CCIVA) issues are addressed in European countries, regions and at local levels. We welcome contributions on how to:
• Foster the cooperation between scientists and policymakers;
• Facilitate the transfer of research outcomes that decision makers need to design effective yet economically efficient adaptation initiatives and strategies;
• Share knowledge on adaptation and foster the production of research along identified needs contributing to the development of a European knowledge base on climate change and support European countries in their efforts to adopt appropriate climate adaptation strategies, action plans and measures;
• Identify existing knowledge gaps and research needs;
• Maximize the degree to which research outcomes address national, regional and European climate policy needs;
• Share experiences and lessons learnt on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation (CCIVA) research funding and management and on the development of national and regional adaptation practices;
• Improve information flow among Europe's national and regional CCIVA research programmes and international frameworks.