About the region

The Île-de-France is the most populous of the eighteen regions of France, with an official estimated population of over 12 million.

People wait on a dimly lit train platform labeled "Montfermeil" as a train speeds by, creating a motion blur effect.

© Île-de-France

Main climate risks

floods

Île-de-France has experienced multiple river floods, including severe events in 2016 that led to oil and chemical pollution [1]. A major Seine flood could affect around 5 million people, disrupting businesses and key sectors like tourism, food distribution, and the automotive industry [2]. Depending on the severity, direct damages could range from EUR 3 billion to EUR 30 billion, with a significant impact on regional GDP.

A river with ducks and swans, bordered by leafless trees and a snow-dusted path, with a distant bridge under a cloudy sky.

© Île-de-France

heatwaves

Île-de-France has had to contend with more frequent and longer heat waves and is going to see this phenomenon worsen in the future. The most significant one occurred in 2003, when 5,000 people passed away in Île-de-France. Heat waves lead to health problems and discomfort and have a more serious impact on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women and the sick. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the major urban context which is characterized by a high concentration of human activities, as well as by soil sealing and artificialization.

droughts

The Paris region is already experiencing drought phenomena due to a lack of precipitation and drying winds. This hazard can lead to a series of other hazards: clay re-swelling causing damage to buildings and infrastructure, forest fires, conflicts over water use between agriculture, domestic needs and industry, as well as serious damage to ecosystems. Climate projections point to a future increase in droughts.

Focus during Pathways2Resilience

During P2R, the Île-de-France region expressed interest in mobilising local public authorities, elevating their climate adaptation related ambitions and knowledge, and supporting them in their climate resilience implementation efforts. The region plans to map out all relevant actors and their climate adaptation related actions. These actions will be based on the already existing resources, like the Regional Climate Adaptation Observatory, which provides consistent climate-related data. This data will promote shared knowledge among different stakeholders and develop a good understanding of the region’s ecosystem.

Interesting highlights

The Region is working to deepen the work with its partners, notably on the Observatory on adaptation to climate change which work is underway.

The Region also works on the implementation of nature—based solutions. It has recently acquired Bois du Piple, a 110 hectares natural space in the eastern suburbs of Paris that had been closed to public for years. The objective is to arrange for public opening by 2026, so that it can serve as a green space during heatwaves and a refuge to biodiversity.

Regional Resilience Journey

Île-de-France has medium readiness for all 3 RRJ steps.

Île-de-France has the highest capacities in Knowledge and Data and Capabilities and Skills.

Key community systems priority areas

  • water-management

  • nature-based-solutions

  • infrastructure

  • land-food

Key enabling conditions priority areas

  • knowledge-data

  • governance-engagement-collaboration

  • finances-resources

References

[1] –

Cedre. “Flooding in France (Ile-de-France and Yonne).” Ifremer. Accessed November 4, 2024.

[2] –

Seine Basin, Île-de-France, 2014: Resilience to Major Floods. OECD Reviews of Risk Management Policies. OECD Publishing, 2014.