Climate change adaptation is an emerging subject area and has gained increased political and academic attention within the last decade. Whereas most books in the field focus on adaptation in developing countries, this handbook provides an examination of predominantly European policy and offers inter-disciplinary insight into cutting edge knowledge and lessons learnt in a relatively new field of implementation.

Part 1: Introduction and Overview 1. Guiding principles for good adaptation and structure of this book 2. Facing the Specific Challenges of Adaptation 3. Adaptation Research: Where do we Stand and Where should we go? 4. Adaptation Policy Initiatives in Europe Part 2: Phases of Adaptation Processes and Guiding Principles for Good Adaptation 5. Explore Potential Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerabilities and Identify Priority Concerns 6. Initiate Adaptation, Ensure Commitment and Management 7. Build Knowledge and Awareness 8. Identify and Cooperate with Relevant Stakeholders 9. Explore a Wide Spectrum of Adaptation Options 10. Prioritise Adaptation Options 11. Work with Uncertanties 12. Avoid Maladaptation 13. Modify and Develop New Policies, Structures and Processes 14. Moniter and Evaluate Systematicall Part 3: State of Art Outside Europe 15. Adaptation Experiences in other Industrialised Countries and in Development Countries Part 4: Lessons Learned 16 Lessons Learned from Practical Cases of Adaptation to Climate Change in Industralised Countries