Multilevel Governance of Urban Climate Adaptation in the European Union: An Overview

Europe is warming faster than the global average, placing climate change adaptation at the centre of urban policy and planning. This article develops and applies a framework to diagnose the maturity of multilevel adaptation governance across European Union Member States in 2025. Governance is operationalised through eight dimensions: (i) National Adaptation Strategies/Plans; (ii) Regional Adaptation Plans; (iii) Local Adaptation Plans; (iv) Sectoral Adaptation Plans; (v) integration in National Urban Policies; (vi) adaptive content in Long-Term Strategies; (vii) adaptation relevance in climate laws; and (viii) participation in the Covenant of Mayors.  Results show pronounced heterogeneity: many systems have up-to-date national strategies but incomplete territorial diffusion, thin legal anchoring, or limited urban-policy standards.  By linking auditable rules to urban-facing instruments, the study provides a practical tool for benchmarking capabilities, prioritising reforms, and tracking progress towards integrated, multilevel adaptation systems that support resilient urban development across the European Union.