Solutions
MountResilience is a Horizon Europe project funded through the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change, aiming at helping mountain communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. The project works across several alpine and mountainous regions to develop, test and scale practical adaptation and nature-based solutions tailored to local needs. It also aims to encourage behavioural change among citizens so they can better respond to climate challenges specific to mountain environments. In the Finnish Lapland region, climate hazards, including rising temperatures and reduced snow cover, are already affecting the vulnerable Arctic environment, causing it to warm faster than the global average. The solutions put forward in this project case study aim to help local and Indigenous communities adapt to these hazards.
Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS)
The PPGIS is an online tool that is in development. This tool leverages citizen science and collects observations from different stakeholder groups to better track climate impacts, including local communities, Sami people, reindeer herders and tourism operators.
Regional and company-specific adaptation plan development
Regional adaptation plans will be developed based on risk mapping and analysis. The plans will promote long-term sustainability, cultural preservation and economic resilience. Aspects such as sustainable reindeer herding and the associated importance of winter tourism will be integrated. Information from surveys and workshops bringing together local actors, such as reindeer herders, researchers, municipalities and tourism companies, will also be collected and used in the design of these plans. Company[1]specific adaptation plans will also be developed, reinforcing the ability of entrepreneurs to identify ways in which their own businesses, which are vulnerable to climate impacts, can be strengthened.
Coaching opportunities
Opportunities for knowledge-sharing and coaching sessions will be organised to help local communities transition to more sustainable and adaptable lifestyles.
Co-benefits
Economic
This case study helps strengthen the resilience of Lapland’s nature[1]based economy by helping municipalities, tourism businesses and reindeer herders anticipate and adapt to climate risks. This includes livelihoods, such as reindeer herding and tourism. These activities are particularly important for the Sami community, Europe’s only recognised Indigenous people, who populate the municipalities in northern Finland where the pilot is taking place. A key aspect of this is the possibility of diversifying tourist activities, such as hiking, wildlife watching and cultural tours, which could reduce dependence on highly seasonal activities such as skiing. In this way, climate-related economic losses are reduced, encouraging more sustainable, year-round economic opportunities. Other examples that are promoted include shifts to more sustainable reindeer herding techniques. Company[1]specific adaptation plans, regional adaptation planning and tailored coaching activities can also support business continuity by improving preparedness and identifying ways forward.
Social
The solutions in Lapland promote inclusive and participatory climate adaptation by bringing together different actors, including municipalities, researchers, tourism operators, reindeer herders and local communities. Special attention is paid to the cultural dimensions of nature-based livelihoods, as through them the effects of climate change also threaten the viability of Sami culture. Important traditional knowledge of the Sami people will be included in adaptation planning, along with input from other stakeholders to facilitate collaboration. Through workshops, surveys and the PPGIS, this data can be used to support sustainable land use and ensure that adaptation measures reflect local needs and cultural values.
Environmental
The project improves understanding of the impacts of climate change on Arctic ecosystems, in Lapland specifically, by combining scientific input with citizen-generated observations through the PPGIS platform. The resulting knowledge informs adaptation planning and supports the long-term protection of Arctic landscapes and biodiversity.
Replicability
How other mountainous regions can adopt digital tools to collect information and co-develop adaptation plans.
Best suited for
This model is best suited for mountain and Arctic regions facing increasing climate risks that affect ecosystems, local livelihoods, and cultural heritage, particularly rising temperatures, reduced snow cover, and shorter winters. It is particularly relevant for regions where adaptation requires balancing with livelihoods such as tourism, forestry, agriculture, or reindeer herding. The indigenous aspect is also important and applies to regions where Indigenous and local knowledge can strengthen climate decision-making.
Stakeholders' role
The case study is built on strong stakeholder participation throughout the development and implementation of the different solutions. Municipalities, regional authorities, Sámi representatives, reindeer herders, tourism operators, researchers, businesses, and local communities contribute to data collection on climate hazards and provide local knowledge through the Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS), participate in workshops and surveys, and help co-design adaptation measures and the regional adaptation plan. This collaborative governance approach ensures that adaptation actions are locally relevant, socially acceptable, and supported by those who will implement them.
Built-in scalable tools
The case study incorporates several tools that can be replicated in other mountain regions. The PPGIS platform provides a transferable method for integrating citizen observations and local knowledge into climate adaptation planning. The methodology for developing a regional adaptation plan, including climate risk mapping, stakeholder engagement, and co-creation workshops, can be adapted to different regional contexts. In addition, the coaching and knowledge-sharing activities provide a practical approach for building local adaptation capacity and supporting the uptake of climate resilience measures across different mountain communities.
Funding pathways
MountResilience project is funded through Horizon EU grant agreement number 101112876.
