Solutions
The Polish Centre for EU Transport Projects (CEUPT) acts as an intermediate body, managing EU cohesion policy, while also supporting the implementation of other EU-funded transport programmes. These funding streams require that all long-term infrastructure projects (minimum duration of five years) integrate climate resilience as a core requirement. The CEUPT therefore works to strengthen climate proofing in EU-funded transport infrastructure through technical analysis, capacity building and awareness-raising.
- Climate-proofing analysis: The CEUPT implements a thorough approach to assess climate-proofing in the context of transport infrastructure, ranging from the local to the national level. This climate-proofing method follows the European Commission’s technical guidance on climate proofing (2021), which first screens a project’s exposure and vulnerability to climate hazards, then conducts detailed risk analysis for medium- and high-risk events in order to guide adaptation measures that improve infrastructure resilience and long-term economic viability. A practical example is the reconstruction of the Rzeszów railway station in Poland, where such a climate analysis introduced measures such as biodiverse plantings for better water retention and extreme-weather monitoring, improving the station’s resilience even after construction had begun.
- Capacity building: The CEUPT, through its Environmental Protection Unit and Climate Adaptation Expert Team, raises awareness and provides practical support to developers in terms of project climate-proofing. Resources available include an online knowledge base with EU-aligned guidelines, climate data sources and examples of adaptation measures applicable to transport projects. These resources are complemented by workshops and training sessions organised by the CEUPT.
Co-benefits
Economic
Climate-proofing transport infrastructure in Poland generates long-term cost savings by reducing damage and disruption from extreme weather events. It also lowers maintenance costs and improves system reliability. More resilient transport networks reduce costly interruptions such as flooded roads or heat-affected rail systems, which can significantly disrupt regional economies. In addition, aligning projects with EU funding requirements (Cohesion Fund and Recovery and Resilience Facility) helps ensure continued access to financial support, strengthening overall economic stability.
Social
Climate-resilient transport infrastructure improves public safety, mobility and quality of life. By reducing disruptions from floods or heatwaves, it ensures continued access to essential services, including healthcare, education and employment, particularly for vulnerable communities. Examples include the introduction of street-tree planting along roads and public transport corridors, as well as the redesign of streets and public squares to incorporate blue–green infrastructure. In Gdańsk, the transformation of streets into shared public spaces (woonerfs) with rain gardens and new vegetation has improved pedestrian safety, enhanced neighbourhood attractiveness and created spaces for social interaction while also strengthening stormwater management. In Warsaw and other Polish cities, the replacement of selected parking areas with vegetated areas and trees has contributed to cooler and more liveable urban environments, improving residents’ well-being, public health and the overall quality of urban space.
Environmental
Designing resilient infrastructure in Poland is combined with introducing greenery and nature based solutions – where possible. For example, integrating permeable pavements, roadside vegetation, bioswales and rain gardens into roads and parking areas can reduce surface run-off, enhance stormwater retention, mitigate urban heat island effects and improve local biodiversity. Such measures (e.g. native and biodiverse planting beds in the city centre and the development of green tram tracks and flower meadows along transport corridors) absorb and retain rainwater, reduce temperatures during heatwaves, improve air quality and create more attractive and ecologically valuable public spaces.
Best suited for
The model is particularly suitable for regions facing increasing climate risks, especially those with ageing or vulnerable transport infrastructure and exposed to hazards such as flooding, extreme heat and storm-related events. It is especially relevant for EU Member States and countries accessing EU funding, where climate resilience is a mandatory requirement in the assessment of infrastructure projects.
Stakeholders' role
Successful replication relies on a multilevel governance model that brings together national, regional and local stakeholders. The European Commission is responsible for developing and updating the relevant regulatory framework, while national or EU-linked implementation bodies such as the CEUPT ensure policy application, compliance checks and technical support. Project developers, including engineers and contractors, are responsible for translating climate-proofing requirements into practice during project design and implementation. Other stakeholders involved in projects also benefit from awareness-raising and capacity-building activities, which help strengthen understanding and uptake of climate resilience principles across the sector.
Built-in scalable tools
The scalability of this approach is ensured through several embedded mechanisms. Climate-risk analysis is structured in phases, allowing regions to prioritise the most exposed infrastructure first and progressively extend adaptation measures over time. Open-access resources, such as the CEUPT’s online knowledge base, support low-cost dissemination of technical guidance, data sources and best practices. Completed projects also function as replicable reference cases, demonstrating practical and cost-effective solutions that can be transferred to other contexts. In addition, training programmes strengthen institutional and technical capacity, enabling consistent application of climate-proofing approaches beyond initial pilot projects.
Funding pathways
This model is supported by EU and national funding instruments, including the programme ‘European funds for infrastructure, climate, environment 2021–2027’ and the national recovery and resilience plan. These frameworks require the integration of climate resilience criteria, which further reinforces the systematic uptake of climate-proofing practices in transport infrastructure investments.
