Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Changes: A Comparison between Sardinia, Italy and Valencia, Spain

Climate change is a major concern and many regions, such as the European Union, are promoting the development of adaptation to climate change (ACC) strategies. This study examines the legislative contexts of Spain and Italy to guide the integration of climate adaptation measures into regional spatial planning. It specifically evaluates ACC strategies in Valencia (Spain) and Sardinia (Italy), focusing on adapting transportation infrastructure to flood risks. Through comparative analysis, the study identifies strengths, gaps, and opportunities in regional planning, emphasizing the importance of policy coherence and cross-sectoral collaboration to align strategies with global sustainability goals. Methodologically, the study employs a comparative assessment approach to analyze planning documents systematically, revealing complex relationships between sectors. We report that Valencia’s landscape strategy and Sardinia’s ACC strategy demonstrate coordinated planning efforts. Valencia sets clear policy objectives and actions, enhancing implementation effectiveness, while Sardinia’s approach shows ambiguities that could compromise policy outcomes. The proposed methodology is applicable to other regions with developed ACC strategies, offering a way to evaluate how well objectives and actions are integrated across relevant sectors. It aims to assist planners in assessing coordination among various planning sectors effectively.