New report on environmental risks linked to rural demographic challenges
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Nature and environment
- Demography
Rural areas need comprehensive policies that address their multifaceted challenges through a multi-level approach to tackle environmental risks related to demographic challenges, a new thematic report by the ‘Down to Earth’ project highlights.
Image by Down to Earth project
The report argues that a depopulation and ageing rural population negatively impact the ability to mitigate the environmental risks associated with climate change.
It overviews the dynamics in the project’s regions – Galicia (ES), Gorenjska (SI), Romania, Campobasso (IT), Neckar-Alb (DE), Western Greece – around four main themes: environmental and disaster risk management; economic and place-based development; social and demographic issues; and governance.
The report concludes with a set of recommendations to improve decision-making in relation to environmental risks and demographic challenges:
- Strategic planning for basic services;
- Integrating primary productive sectors with sustainability initiatives;
- Promoting multifunctionality for environmental and economic benefits;
- Considering ecosystem services in decision-making;
- Recognising the value of cultural and leisure initiatives;
- Prioritising training and knowledge transfer for enhanced public policies.