Swedish Expert Council on Climate Adaptation

The council is appointed by the government. Every five years it decides on a report which will be used to advice the government´s updates of the national climate adaptation strategy.

The chair and members of the Expert Council on Climate Adaptation are appointed by the Government for a specified time.

The Council is independently responsible for the decisions in its reporting to the government. The Council consists of members who, together, have broad expertise including areas such as physical planning, health, food and water security and emergency preparedness.

The Council is affiliated with SMHI (The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute), which hosts a secretariat that assist the Council. The secretariat prepares matters, executes orders and administrates the Council's activities.

About the first report

The first report by the council was submitted to the Government in February 2022. The report include:

• proposals for the focus of the national climate change adaptation work,
• a prioritisation of adaptation measures based on an assessment of risk, cost and benefit,
• an overall analysis of the effects of climate change on society, and
• monitoring and evaluation of the national climate change adaptation work.

Key messages from the Expert Council’s First report

• Strong efforts are needed to move from planning to implementation to accelerate the work on climate adaptation.
• Climate adaptation is a matter of civil security – Physical security and land use, water security and food security are three identified key risk areas.
• Climate adaptation and mitigation should be coordinated.
• The current distribution of responsibilities, organisation and policy instruments create insufficient incentives for action.
• Climate adaptation is essential within all sectors of society, at all levels.
• Action cannot be postponed.