After a comprehensive evaluation by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the research programme Climatools has been extended up until and including the year 2011 and received a grant of SEK 14 million.

The results to date of Climatools and expectations for its continuation have been studied since March by three external researchers from Sweden, Great Britain and Finland, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
 
“Climatools was started in 2006, so this was a half-time evaluation. The evaluation process has been thorough and drawn out over time. The programme group began by putting together an evaluation report. A hearing was held with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency based upon this report. So, after having considered their views and responded to their questions we wrote an application for an extension, which was fortunately approved in its entirety,” says Annika Carlsson-Kanyama, Programme Manager for Climatools. The goal is for the various subprojects in the fields of health, buildings, tourism and recreation to develop tools that can be used to support decisions on climate adaptation in municipalities and regions.

The research programme has received publicity in various media, for example regarding the gender aspect of climate adaptation, conflicts of interest that can arise in the area, and the geopolitical and human health effects of the expected rise in temperature.

“We see a great need for knowledge and a continuously growing interest in climate adaptation issues. Research on climate adaptation is also being established on an EU level and Climatools will, of course, also participate in this work,” says Annika.
During the second half of the programme period, the focus will be on developing user-friendly climate adaptation tools.