Spatial planning is often considered as an important tool to address the challenges related to natural hazards. European spatial development policy initiatives are also further developed in this respect. The achievements made by policymakers and researchers and their applicability in European spatial development are discussed; in particular the efforts made in the framework of the ESPON Programme. Finally a brief assessment of the achievements and the challenges give an indication of the extent to which it seems feasible to use European spatial development policy initiatives to address natural hazards and climate change impacts.