Slovak
Adaptation strategy and measures
The adverse effects of climate change, such as increase in extreme temperatures and heat waves, torrential rainfall and prolonged periods of drought, are affecting the quality of life of Žilina's residents. They can pose a significant threat to the health of the elderly, young children and chronically ill patients in particular.
The management of the city of Žilina perceives the need to respond to the current and projected impacts of climate change in the urban environment and has decided to have the document "Strategy and Action Plan for Adaptation to the Adverse Effects of Climate Change in the City of Žilina" prepared. This strategic document should lay out an approach to climate change related issues and identify measures for the sustainable functioning of the city of Žilina in the changing climate conditions of the 21st century.
The document identifies vulnerabilities and proposes specific adaptation and mitigation measures. The Strategy and Action Plan for Adaptation to the Adverse Effects of Climate Change, once approved by the City Council of Žilina, will provide a basis for decision-making and development of the city that will be more sensitive to the adverse effects of climate change.
The Adaptation Strategy is the city's basic plan for adaptation to climate change. It enables to effectively implement measures to prepare for climate change in a safe and timely manner, ensuring the future sustainability of the city.
A fundamental element of any adaptation strategy is to assess the current state of the territory, identify its most vulnerable points and define the overall vision of the adaptation strategy - that is, the target state we would ideally like to achieve.
ADAPTATION MEASURES
The adaptation strategy includes adaptation measures - a set of actions that mitigate the impacts of climate change on the territory. The designed adaptation measures will be based on data and expert assessment of the territory and its specificities in order to maximize their potential benefits.
The Strategy and Action Plan for Adaptation to the Adverse Effects of Climate Change in the City of Žilina must contain specific feasible measures that will enable the city to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change in a timely and safe manner. A successful adaptation of the city will lead to a reduction in overall vulnerability.
Following the mapping and assessment of the city's vulnerability and risk analysis, adaptation measures will be specified for individual threats that reduce the likelihood of a given threat manifesting itself or mitigate its negative impact. To recommend appropriate adaptation measures, the provider will draw upon examples of good practice, existing catalogues of adaptation measures, etc.
Adaptation measures will be assigned to individual threats and characterized in terms of how the client should proceed with their preparation so that they have a high potential to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
During the process of developing the adaptation strategy and action plan, emphasis will be placed on the active involvement of the general public and local stakeholders.