Climate change and adaptation in the coastal areas of Europe's Northern Periphery Region

•Future precipitation changes are viewed as important by coastal communities.•Sea level rises will have a significant impact on coastal communities.•Future temperature changes could possibly be beneficial to the Northern Periphery.

Adaptation to climate change in coastal regions of northern and western Norway, Scotland and Ireland and the coasts of Iceland must respond to trends and variability in a number of physical parameters that affect the regional life and economy. Historical trends and variability are apparent in historical data over several decades in temperature, precipitation and winds. Associated changes in waves, sea level and sea surges are also implied. Predictions of future climate change imply further trends in the same parameters. Those physical parameters act according to the local characteristics of various locations producing predictable impacts (both positive and negative) to which local communities will need to adapt.