Mapping climate adaptation options in energy efficiency projects

The study assesses the integration of climate adaptation into energy efficiency projects in the Baltic Sea Region, finding that mitigation and adaptation are largely treated as separate policy areas. While new buildings more frequently implement adaptation measures above minimum standards, retrofitted buildings primarily focus on mitigation. The report identifies key synergies, such as green roofs and automated indoor climates, but notes that their implementation is often ad hoc rather than planned. Significant barriers include a lack of legal requirements, funding gaps, and limited awareness among developers.

• In EU-funded energy efficiency projects in the Baltic Sea Region, mitigation and adaptation are generally treated as separate focuses, with very few synergies encountered between the two policy areas.
• Integration of mitigation and adaptation in these projects typically occurs through practical reasoning or coincidence during implementation rather than through intentional, programmed planning.
• New building projects generally implement climate measures to a greater extent above minimum standards compared to renovated buildings.
• Among the analyzed countries, Russia demonstrates the lowest level of implementation for climate measures in both new and renovated buildings.
• Feasible adaptation measures for existing buildings include automated indoor climates, permeable roads and car parks, the removal of dangerous trees, and stronger attachment of building elements like rain gutters.
• Innovative synergies for new constructions include green roofs, higher foundations to protect basements from flooding, and the use of moisture-resistant construction materials.
• Some mitigation and adaptation measures can have negative trade-offs; for example, passive solar heating may increase indoor discomfort during heatwaves, and stronger building envelopes can increase the carbon footprint of materials.
• Sweden and Germany have more proactive municipal actions through local spatial plans that set demanding adaptation requirements, whereas Estonia, Latvia, Russia, and Poland have fewer or no such local action plans.
• The primary barriers to wider implementation of adaptation in the building sector include a lack of legal rules/guidelines, insufficient funding for adaptation-specific measures, and a lack of knowledge or awareness among planners and developers.

APA

Kirsimaa, K., Org, M., & Kuldna, P. (2020). Mapping climate adaptation options in energy efficiency projects. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mapping-climate-adaptation-options-in-energy-efficiency-projects.pdf

Chicago

Kirsimaa, Kerli, Madis Org, and Piret Kuldna. Mapping climate adaptation options in energy efficiency projects. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2020. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mapping-climate-adaptation-options-in-energy-efficiency-projects.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kirsimaa |first1=Kerli |last2=Org |first2=Madis |last3=Kuldna |first3=Piret |title=Mapping climate adaptation options in energy efficiency projects |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=29 May 2020 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mapping-climate-adaptation-options-in-energy-efficiency-projects.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kirsimaa2020mapping, author = {Kirsimaa, Kerli and Org, Madis and Kuldna, Piret}, title = {{Mapping climate adaptation options in energy efficiency projects}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2020}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mapping-climate-adaptation-options-in-energy-efficiency-projects.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }