Large majority of German cities and municipalities are affected by climate change – and are adapting to it
More frequent extreme weather events due to climate change also threaten people and their property
Source: highwaystarz / Fotolia.com |
Whether heavy rainfall and flash floods, heatwaves or prolonged droughts – 77 percent of municipalities in Germany that participated in a recent UBA survey have been affected by the consequences of extreme weather events and/or other negative consequences of climate change in the past 10 years. And they expect to be even more affected by almost all extreme weather events and climate consequences in the future, for example in form of more forest fires, intense hail, increased allergies and new diseases. Many municipalities are taking action to prepare for the consequences of the climate crisis, which are expected to be predominantly negative for them. Measures on climate adaptation have already been implemented by over 40 percent of the local authorities, and just under 40 percent more are planning them. This includes, for example, planting climate-adapted tree species, limiting land development to slow down soil sealing and reduce warming and fast runoff of rainwater, restoring water bodies and informing population about risks and preventive protective measures.
These are all results of the first nationwide, representative survey on the status of municipal climate adaptation in Germany, which was carried out on behalf of the German Environment Agency (UBA) and in which over 22 percent of municipalities (1,062 in total) participated. The survey also shows that large independent cities (kreisfreie Städte) are at the forefront of climate adaptation and are better prepared than smaller municipalities or counties (Landkreise). For example, while more than half of the independent cities have a climate adaptation manager, this is only the case in 4 percent of cities and municipalities with less than 20,000 residents. Lack of staff (80 percent) and lack of financial resources (73 percent) are the most significant obstacles to planning or implementing climate adaptation measures for German municipalities.
Dirk Messner, President of the German Environment Agency, states: “Adaptation to the climate crisis is one of the central tasks of the coming years and decades. We therefore need a joint task (Gemeinschaftsaufgabe) that is rooted in the German constitution, in order to ensure that local authorities are well equipped with staff and financial resources.” Climate adaptation is about risk prevention and reduction, protecting health, wellbeing and prosperity. Local authorities play a key role, because they have the best knowledge about local conditions and can therefore adopt suitable and appropriate measures.
