Climate change impact on small coastal river basins: from problem identification to adaptation in Klaipėda City

Abstract

Climate change is a process which is global in nature, but which has direct consequences at regional and local levels. Coastal areas as a whole, and small coastal river basins across the Baltic Sea in particular, are especially vulnerable since they directly suffer the influences of phenomena such as heavy precipitation and flash floods, the frequency of which has been increasing over the last few years, as well as rising sea levels. This paper describes the framework of the process of adaptation to climate change in small coastal river basins, based on a case study from the city of Klaipėda in Lithuania. In particular, the paper outlines the degree of vulnerability of coastal areas and describes some of the work undertaken and experiences gathered by the EU's BaltCICA project (Climate Change: Impacts, Costs and Adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region), which has been undertaken with a view to identify the problems and developing adaptation options in the region.