Expert Training on Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning – Energy Sector
Date: 16-17.04.2015
Place: Tirana, Albania
Organizer: ECRAN Secretariat with EC TAIEX Unit
Many countries are already affected by climate change including the Western Balkans and Turkey.
These countries are considered to be highly vulnerable and expected to experience the effects of
rising temperatures and disruption to their precipitation regimes, along with more extreme events,
including droughts, floods, heat waves, windstorms and forest fires. Not in the least climate change
effects can regard to the energy planning and supply sector. These can inter alia include increased
demand for cooling in the summer and decreased demand for electricity, natural gas, heating oil and
wood for heating in the winter potentially requiring new infrastructure investments. Decreased
precipitation affecting hydropower capacity as well as causing increased competition between
energy production and other uses of water.
Adaptation in the energy planning and supply sector means anticipating the adverse effects of
climate change and taking the appropriate action in order to prevent or minimise the damage that
the effects of disrupted climate regimes can cause, or taking advantage of opportunities that may
arise, such as e.g. through an increase in wind and solar options. Identification of vulnerabilities and
risks is at the forefront of adaptation action. In the energy planning sector the link between climate
change mitigation and adaptation is obvious.
Wider Objective
To promote climate adaptation action in the Western Balkan countries and Turkey.
Specific Objectives
To enhance the understanding about climate adaptation action in the urban planning and
development sector among a core of Beneficiary countries’ representatives, supporting the creation
of national climate adaptation policies and planning as a basis for action.
Expected Results of the Workshop
The expected results are:
- Strengthened awareness and understanding of climate change adaptation needs and options among energy planning experts from Western Balkan countries and Turkey;
- Improved understanding of applicability of tools (including the Climate Adapt Tool) for risk and vulnerability assessment in the energy sector;
- Foundation for improved cooperation and coordination among authorities in Western Balkan countries and Turkey in the area of climate adaptation action established;
- Awareness of the need to speed up and enhance climate adaptation action planning in the Western Balkan countries and Turkey.
