CLIMAAX Community of Practice webinar
21 May 2026, h. 11:30 CEST
Register here
Jointly organized by the CLIMAAX and ARCADIA Project, this special session is part of the CLIMAAX CoP ‘Voices from the field’ series, drawing on local risk assessment and adaptation experiences worldwide. The webinar will explore the role of regional climate risk assessment within the wider adaptation ecosystem. Drawing on the Bay of Plenty experience, the session will examine how regional risk assessments are framed, who is involved, what they are effective at achieving, and where their limitations lie. It will also address how place-based adaptation can be kick-started, including the use of community-led approaches, cultural heritage as a motivator for action, and other “circuit breakers” that help move from risk awareness to locally owned action.
Speaker: Nic Newman, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, New Zealand
Nic Newman is the Climate Change Programme Manager for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in New Zealand, working at the interface of climate science, policy, and on‑the‑ground adaptation. He coordinates regional and community‑led adaptation initiatives, develops tools to support climate‑informed planning, and works closely with decision‑makers to embed climate risk and resilience into core regional government functions.
CLIMAte risk and vulnerability Assessment framework and toolboX (CLIMAAX) is a four-year Horizon Europe project that provides financial, analytical, and practical support to improve regional climate and emergency risk management plans. CLIMAAX is designed to contribute to the harmonisation and consolidation of climate risk assessment practices, leaving a lasting legacy for future European initiatives. The CMCC Foundation plays a central role in CLIMAAX by developing a common framework for inclusive and harmonised climate risk assessment at the local and regional levels, while also leading key activities related to dissemination, communication, stakeholder engagement, and project management.
The TrAnsformative climate ResilienCe by nAture-baseD solutions in the contInentAl bio-geographical region Project (ARCADIA) is funded by HORIZON Europe Innovation Actions, committed to accelerating climate adaptation through the strategic implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) across Europe. The CMCC Foundation leads cross-regional support & synthesis, and supports design and performance of nature-based solutions and infrastructures as well as their integration in governance, policy and finance.