Climate Governance in the National Adaptation Policies of EU Member States: A Comprehensive Comparative Analysis

Europe is experiencing rapid warming, with temperatures rising faster than the global average. As a result, climate change adaptation (CCA) has become integral to European policy, aiming to anticipate and manage unavoidable impacts. This study assesses the maturity of CCA policies across the 27 Member States in 2025, updating previous research. It provides a comparative analysis of frameworks at multiple levels — national, regional, sectoral and local — focusing on the planning and execution of adaptation strategies. The research identifies key advancements as well as constraints that hinder the effective implementation of policy. Eight dimensions are analysed: (i) National Adaptation Strategies and Plans; (ii) Regional Adaptation Plans; (iii) Local Adaptation Plans; (iv) Sectoral Adaptation Plans; (v) Integration in National Urban Policies; (vi) Adaptive content in Long-Term Strategies; (vii) Adaptation relevance in Climate Laws; and (viii) Adhesion to the Covenant of Mayors. Cluster analysis was used to identify patterns among countries, simplifying the data in order to highlight both similarities and differences. Based on these findings, five typologies of CCA governance have been established. The results reveal significant variability in CCA across Europe, emphasising the need for integrated, multilevel systems to ensure effective adaptation.