Legal Aspects of Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the current state of affairs with regard to the legal aspects of adaptation to climate change. After a brief introduction into the relationship between adaptation and law, I will discuss the international legal obligations with regard to adaptation that exist under the umbrella of the UNFCCC. The remainder of this chapter will show the impact of adaptation on the fields of law involved, particularly law related to marine and coastal adaptation, water management, biodiversity conservation, planning and land use and buildings and infrastructure, energy and telecommunications, and migration. In fact, there are hardly any policy fields and associated laws that are not impacted by climate change. The big question that arises is whether all of the pieces of legislation associated with these policy fields are suited to facilitate adaptation measures. Is, perhaps, adaptation of the law required, and, if so: what needs to be changed?