Climate resilient development: Practical insights across places and sectors

As climate change intensifies, countries around the world are working to reduce risks and adapt to new realities. This project looks at how that transformation, known as climate resilient development, is actually happening on the ground. Drawing on both global examples and a detailed case study of Italy, the project explores what steps are being taken across different sectors (energy, farming, transport and tourism) and at local, national and international levels to build a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Why does this matter?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stresses that building climate resilience is not just about cutting emissions or adapting to rising temperatures, it is also about making sure development is fair, inclusive, and sustainable. Yet, we still know little about how this can be done in practice, especially in places that are especially vulnerable to climate change, like mountains, drylands, and islands. This project addresses this gap.

• Globally: The research reviews experiences from around the world to see how vulnerable regions are responding to climate change, and what makes some responses more successful than others.
• In Italy: The research focuses on three climate-sensitive regions (Aosta Valley, Basilicata, and Sardinia) to understand how climate adaptation and low-carbon transitions are being pursued in farming, tourism, energy, infrastructure, and more.

Italy is a relevant case study because it faces a wide range of climate risks from floods to droughts and is actively aligning its national policies with broader European goals like the EU Green Deal and the European Climate Law.

Research questions

1. What kinds of climate solutions are being put into practice across different sectors and
   places?
2. What factors make it possible for governments, businesses, and communities to turn climate
   policies into action?

How is this pursued?

This project is grounded in:

• A review of global climate experiences
• In-depth policy analysis
• Interviews with people who are making decisions and taking action, including:

- Policymakers at regional and national levels
- Farmers (small to industrial scale)
- Energy companies and infrastructure planners
- Ski instructors and tourism operators
- Academic and research organisations

The project works closely with these stakeholders to co-develop findings and recommendations, ensuring they are practical, useful, and ready to be applied.

Contributions and impact

The project looks at how climate resilience is built in the real world. The research connects the big picture (international and EU strategies) with on-the-ground realities across sectors in Italy, providing lessons that can help guide climate action both in Europe and globally.

Research Outputs

POLICY BRIEF: Favretto N, Stringer LC. 2025. Climate resilient development in Italy: Practical steps and lessons from regions and sectors. UK: University of York.