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Climate change, environment and state aid

In focus
Event
24 June 2025

Ensuring resilience of infrastructure projects in 2021-27

Access the webinar on Resilience in Infrastructure Projects to explore best practices and tools for climate-proofing infrastructure in the 2021–2027 EU programming period, organised by the EIB Advisory through its JASPERS mandate. Learn from experts and EU Member States about implementing climate resilience strategies, overcoming challenges, and enhancing capacity building. Ideal for managing authorities, implementing bodies, and policymakers focused on sustainable, future-proof infrastructure development.

Event
23 June 2025

Practical application of the European Commission's technical guidance on climate proofing

Discover how to apply the European Commission’s Technical Guidance on Climate Proofing in infrastructure projects during this JASPERS EIB Advisory webinar. Gain insights into climate risk screening, adaptation planning, and regulatory compliance for the 2021–2027 EU programming period. Designed for managing authorities, implementing bodies, and project developers aiming to align with EU climate resilience and mitigation standards.

Event
18 June 2025

Climate resilience and adaptation plans of the urban mobility system

On 18 June 2025, JASPERS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Spain, hosted an online workshop focused on integrating climate change adaptation and resilience into Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). The session brought together representatives from Spanish cities and regions, aiming to strengthen the alignment of urban mobility planning with the EU Green Deal, TEN-T regulation, and the broader climate objectives of the European Union. The workshop explored the dual challenge of mitigation and adaptation in the transport sector, with a particular emphasis on the latter. Participants discussed the increasing vulnerability of transport infrastructure to climate-related hazards and the need for robust Climate Change Vulnerability and Risk Assessments (CCVRA) as a foundation for planning resilient urban mobility systems. Key topics included: • The role of SUMPs in addressing climate risks at urban node level within the TEN-T network. • The EU’s climate proofing requirements for infrastructure (2021–2027) and their implications for urban mobility. • Tools and methodologies for assessing climate sensitivity and exposure in transport systems. • Examples of adaptation strategies and action plans from across Europe, including Spain’s national road and rail networks. The event also highlighted the importance of intersectoral collaboration, public engagement, and the use of digital tools in building climate-resilient mobility systems. The presentation shared during the workshop is now available for download This initiative is part of JASPERS’ ongoing support to Member States in mainstreaming climate resilience into infrastructure planning and investment, in line with the EU Taxonomy and EIB Climate Bank Roadmap.

Focus areas

Climate change considerations are crucial for infrastructure projects because they ensure long-term sustainability and resilience. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, infrastructure must be designed to withstand extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions.

Our assistance on climate aspects is deeply aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to fight climate change and help countries adapt to its impacts.

By integrating climate considerations into our project advice, we contribute to the EU’s ambition of achieving climate neutrality and ensure that infrastructure is climate resilient.

Our support involves:

  • Developing national climate-proofing guidance: We tailor guidance to the specific needs and priorities of each country, ensuring that national infrastructure projects are designed with climate resilience in mind.
  • Capacity building programs and knowledge sharing initiatives, that empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and take climate action towards a more sustainable future.
  • Supporting the implementation of climate-proofing requirements: In accordance with the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR), we assist in the implementation of climate-proofing requirements, guaranteeing that EU-funded infrastructure can endure the challenges posed by climate change.
  • Applying the DNSH Principle: We aid EU countries in applying the ‘Do No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) principle to EU-funded investments, providing guidance on its incorporation into project guidelines and calls.

We support the environmental aspects of projects through a range of activities.

We tailor our guidance according to specific sectors. We draw on existing legislation, best practices, and knowledge across the EU to provide practical advice. This exchange of experience helps enhancing the quality of projects.

We review projects to ensure compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) which aims to achieve good ecological and chemical status for European water bodies. Considerations include water quality, quantity, and ecosystem health.

Our environmental experts review the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) reports that are submitted by the project beneficiaries. These evaluations analyse the potential environmental impacts of projects, considering factors like air quality, water resources, biodiversity, and land use. The goal is to ensure that projects minimize negative environmental effects and promote sustainable development.

We provide guidance on applying relevant EU Directives, including case law from the Court of Justice of the EU and Commission guidelines. This ensures that the projects adhere to the legal requirements related to environmental protection.

In addition, we also evaluate whether projects comply with the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive. This involves assessing potential impacts on protected habitats and species. If a project is expected to have significant effects on a Natura 2000 site, additional measures or alternatives may be recommended.

Through capacity-building activities, we enhance the environmental skills and knowledge of project planners, authorities, and stakeholders. This includes organising training sessions, workshops, and authoring specialized documents to support their development.

State aid within the European Union refers to any form of financial assistance or support granted by a State authority that has the potential to create unfair advantages and distort competition and trade in the internal market. Hence, the Treaty generally forbids the provision of State aid unless it is justified for the purpose of promoting overall economic development. To guarantee compliance and ensure that any exceptions are applied uniformly throughout the European Union, the European Commission verifies that State aid adheres to EU regulations.

Our experts in State aid ensure that EU Member States can effectively navigate State aid issues, facilitating the successful preparation and implementation of projects. JASPERS offers advice and guidance in implementing State aid rules in projects, ensuring that projects are designed and implemented in compliance with these regulations and preventing any legal complications that could arise from non-compliance.

They also conduct thorough assessments of the projects. They evaluate the project’s eligibility for State aid and identify potential issues that could hinder the approval of the aid. By suggesting solutions to these issues, they help to streamline the project’s progress.

Lastly, we offer training sessions and workshops to project teams. These sessions enhance the understanding of State aid rules among the team members, equipping them with the knowledge they need to apply State aid principles effectively.