Participation of the CROSSEU Project at Two ACCREU Workshops

The CROSSEU project participated in two stakeholder events organised by the sister Horizon Europe project ACCREU (Assessing Climate Change Risk in Europe) on 28-29 April 2026 in Brussels. Bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, investors, and representatives from industry and civil society, the workshops provided an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge on climate adaptation, climate risk assessment, and evidence-based decision-making for a more resilient Europe.

The first event, the Reflexive Forum on “The Economics of Transformational Adaptation: Towards a New Research Agenda” (28 April), addressed an important knowledge gap concerning the economic foundations of transformational adaptation. As climate risks intensify, adaptation is increasingly expected to move beyond incremental actions and support fundamental changes across social, economic, and governance systems.

The forum brought together leading experts from academia and policy to discuss whether existing economic approaches can adequately capture the characteristics of transformational adaptation, including system-level change, equity, inclusion, and long-term resilience. Through keynote presentations, lightning talks, and interactive discussions, participants explored the limitations of conventional economic appraisal methods and examined alternative approaches needed to address deep uncertainty, climate tipping points, and large-scale societal transitions. The event concluded with a discussion on future research priorities, which will contribute to a new research agenda, policy brief, and scientific publication on transformational adaptation.

The second event, the ACCREU Stakeholder Workshop on “Latest Research on the Economics of Climate Impacts and Adaptation” (29 April), showcased the results of nearly three years of collaborative research. Participants reviewed the latest evidence on climate risks, impacts, adaptation costs, and policy responses across Europe.

The workshop featured discussions on sectoral climate impacts and adaptation across areas such as ecosystems, coastal zones, wildfires, health, and energy systems. An interactive poster session presented economic appraisal case studies and policy insights from adaptation initiatives across Europe. Participants also explored ACCREU’s Digital Handbook and web-based Scenario Explorer, providing feedback on their practical applications for policy and decision-making.

CROSSEU contributed to the workshop through a presentation of its objectives, methodology, and progress in developing the CROSSEU Decision Support System (DSS). The presentation demonstrated how CROSSEU complements ACCREU’s economic analyses by translating scientific and economic evidence into practical tools that support climate-resilient decision-making. Discussions highlighted the importance of integrating economic risk assessment into decision-support systems and ensuring that stakeholder needs remain central to the design of climate services.

Both events reinforced the shared objectives of ACCREU and CROSSEU in bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice. Participants emphasised the need for integrated approaches that combine climate science, economics, and stakeholder engagement to support effective adaptation planning. The workshops also created valuable networking opportunities that strengthened collaboration between the two projects and generated insights that will support the further development and testing of the CROSSEU DSS.

Photo 1. Participants discussing the economics of transformational adaptation during the ACCREU Reflexive Forum, Brussels, 28 April 2026.

Photo 2. Presentation of the CROSSEU project and its Decision Support System during the ACCREU Stakeholder Workshop, Brussels, 29 April 2026.

Photo 3. Researchers, policymakers and practitioners exchanging views on climate adaptation and resilience during the networking sessions (photo credits ACCREU).

Author: Dana Micu