C3-ALPS

C3-Alps is a transnational capitalisation project. Building on the results of previous projects and initiatives on adaptation to climate change in the Alps, C3-Alps seeks to synthesize, transfer, and implement in policy and practice the best available adaptation knowledge. By applying a knowledge transfer concept driven by the information and communication needs of target groups, the project optimizes the usability of available knowledge resources in an attempt to bridge the gap between the generation of adaptation knowledge and its application in real-world decision-making. C3-Alps supports bottom-up adaptation measures in Alpine regions and municipalities, contributes to the implementation of national adaptation strategies, and disseminates Alpine adaptation capital within the Alpine community and beyond.

The project’s main goals are:

• Preparing a state-of-the-art synthesized knowledge base on climate change and adaptation in the Alps, tailored to the specific needs of decision-makers.
• Providing customized adaptation tools and action portfolios, harmonized across sectors
• Effective transfer and communication of information to target groups.
• Analysing the performance of existing adaptation policies and the science-policy chain in Alpine countries and providing options for enhancing policy effectiveness.
• Informing, initiating, supporting, and implementing adaptation processes, strategies, action plans, and measures in pilot regions and municipalities.

The C3-Alps initiative is conducted by a transnational consortium of 17 partners from all Alpine countries. The partnership combines authorities responsible for climate adaptation policies on national and regional levels and expert institutions that support national and European adaptation strategies.

C3-Alps has provided strong support for national adaptation policy processes and fostered bottom-up action on adaptation. By preparing a web knowledge platform for the Alps, C3-Alps responded to major gaps in accessibility, usability, and transfer of adaptation knowledge. Effective knowledge provision is needed to increase skills, know-how and implementation capacities of decision makers and to leverage the impacts of available knowledge. C3-Alps has successfully synthesized, transferred, communicated and implemented in policy and practice knowledge about climate change adaptation, including results of previous Alpine Space projects.

• Climate Adaptation Platform for the Alps (www.c3alps.eu/kip): Web-based portal for the brokerage of adaptation knowledge and services for decision makers in Alpine territories from transnational to local scale (incl. thematic collections of knowledge items with synthesis dossiers)
• Permanent transnational exchange network of national adaptation policy makers of all Alpine countries
• 12 policy assessment reports analysing climate adaptation policies, governance and the science-policy chain in Alpine countries and regions, plus one transnational synthesis report with practice examples of good adaptation governance and recommendations for enhancement of adaptation policy making
• Communication manual “Overcoming communication challenges: how to successfully communicate climate change adaptation”
• Communication guideline “Climate change in still and moving images”
• Report on transfer of adaptation knowledge “From science to practical application”Collection of multi-lingual fact sheets with key messages for adaptation in sectors
• 3 survey reports on key dialogue groups: public administration, municipalities, banks and insurances
• 12 summary reports about pilot activities successfully conducted in Alpine regions, plus one transnational synthesis report with evaluation of lessons learnt
• Climate Adaptation Fitness Check Tool for municipalities, incl. transfer manual
• Final print publication: Illustrated climate adaptation calendar with key messages (multi-lingual)