The vulnerability assessments and climate change adaptation plans carried out by the 13 nature reserves involved in the Natur’Adapt Sud 2024–2026 project are now available on the Tour du Valat website.
The Natur’Adapt approach
Developed as part of the LIFE Natur’Adapt project (2018–2023), the Natur’Adapt initiative works to collectively anticipate developments linked to climate change and adapt the way natural areas are managed in response to its consequences. Today, the Natur’Adapt initiative is driven by a community of people concerned and aware of the challenges posed by climate change and nature conservation, on the collaborative platform of the same name.
Launched in 2024 by the Tour du Valat, the Natur’Adapt Sud project was a direct continuation of this work: using the tools and methods developed during the LIFE project, it provided support to the managers of 13 sites and 11 organisations in their efforts to adapt to climate change.
How can we adapt to climate change?
Current climate change is characterised by its intensity, its rapid pace and its human-induced nature.
Although the climate has always been subject to change, the warming observed since 1900 is primarily caused by human activity. It is linked in particular to changes in land use (deforestation, urbanisation, etc.) and to the high levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by human activities. Unfortunately, even if we reduce GHG emissions today, the effects of global warming will continue for decades, or even centuries. However, other measures implemented now can limit the extent of future warming: this is known as climate mitigation.
Adaptation measures, such as those proposed in the adaptation plans drawn up by nature reserves, can also be implemented: these are necessary to prepare for the inevitable effects of global warming that are already underway. Thus, the objectives, strategies and actions set out in the adaptation plans are proposals intended to guide the drafting of the management plan, so that it incorporates climate change and management is designed with a more dynamic view of ecosystems in mind. The proposed adaptation measures may be discussed, amended, clarified and prioritised during future consultations organised with governing bodies, local stakeholders and partners.
The final documents are publicly available
The Natur’Adapt Sud 2024–2026 project has made it possible to:
- Build the capacity of nature reserve managers in the South Region on the topics of climate change and its impacts on nature;
- Carry out, for each participating site, an assessment of vulnerability and opportunities in the face of climate change, and draw up a management adaptation plan, which can then be incorporated into the management document.
These documents are now available on the Tour du Valat website. In line with the Natur’Adapt philosophy, we hope they will inspire other managers to take climate change into account in the management of protected natural areas.
