Executive Summary

Abstract

Within the framework of the CIRCE project, 11 case-study locations were selected to reflect three generic environments (urban, rural and coastal), to quantify current and future climate change and to undertake an integrated assessment of the potential consequences to human communities and ecosystems at the regional to local scale. A rigorous common framework, referred to as the CIRCE Case studies Integrating Framework, was developed to facilitate a structured and systematic approach, based on indicators and the concept of vulnerability. Natural and human systems in all 11 case studies were found to be vulnerable to current climate variability and change as well as to social dynamics or drivers. In the absence of mitigation or adaptation, all case studies will experience continuing and increasing vulnerability to climate change.