Mid-term evaluation of the urban adaptation initiative within the framework of the covenant of mayors : final report

The objective of this project was to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the European Commission's initiative on urban adaptation to climate change, i.e. Mayors Adapt, and to deliver recommendations for its future implementation. Where appropriate, recommendations are also made concerning its current implementation, under the existing service contract. In order to conduct the evaluation the following methodological steps were taken: a) Collection of data involving a structured desk-based document review, a total of 38 stakeholder interviews and a workshop with the implementing consortium; b) Data analysis and review, with the purpose of developing initial findings and conclusions; c) Data synthesis, which involved the evaluation of the initiative with reference to the evaluation questions and criteria and the preparation of the final report and recommendations. In establishing Mayors Adapt, the Commission aimed to support adaptation in cities by seeking a voluntary commitment from local authorities to adopt local adaptation strategies and through awareness-raising activities. The service contract to set up the initiative was signed in late-2013. This contract covered a 14-month launch phase and aimed to test a similar approach to the one applied by the Covenant for Mayors for climate change mitigation. Mayors Adapt engages local authorities by asking them to sign a document outlining their commitment to adaptation planning and action. Within two years, signatories must either develop a comprehensive local adaptation strategy or integrate adaptation to climate change into relevant existing sectoral plans. The cities are provided with assistance including a technical guidance document, a help desk, workshops and other events and information on other relevant initiatives