Baltadapt

Background and Goals

Baltadapt is developing a climate adaptation strategy for the Baltic Sea region that considers the marine and coastal environment and climate change adaptation in a uniform way for the entire region. The project cannot implement such a strategy itself, but seeks to ensure its preparation and pave the way for its adoption.

Objectives:

  • Improved knowledge base: Knowledge broker process between policy makers and scientists, leading to improved institutional capacity. The information portal “Baltic Window”, which contains all available information on climate change in the Baltic Sea region, should be a central point of information for decision makers in the Baltic region.
  • Action plan: The basis for the implementation of the Baltic Sea Region Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and influence the process, programs and regulations. Together with the Action Plan, recommendations are made for the financing of initiatives supporting adaptation to climate change.

Content time

to

Research area/region

Country
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • Latvia
  • Sweden
Region of implementation (all German federal states)
  • Mecklenburg Western Pomerania
  • Schleswig-Holstein
Natural spatial classification
  • coasts: North Sea-/Baltic Sea coasts
Spatial resolution 

Baltic Sea coast and marine areas

Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change

Step 1: Understand and describe climate change

Approach and results 

Numerical models and global (GCMs) and regional climate models (RCMs) will be used.

All inormations are summarized in the "Baltadapt Climate Info"-series, a short bulletins on the impact of climate change on the Baltic Sea. Each issue reviews the expected impacts on one selected indicator.

Parameter (climate signals)
  • River flooding
  • Altered rainfall patterns
  • Higher average temperatures
  • Sea level rise und storm surges
Further Parameters 

water temperature, extreme events, wave height, current flow, salt content, oxygen content, river discharge, eutrophication

Further times 

until 2100

Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact

Approach and results 

The effects of climate change in the Baltic Sea region are reflected in the quantity and type of deposition of nutrients, higher temperatures on land and sea, and sea level rise. The resulting changes will endanger the stability of the Baltic Sea ecosystem and increase the risk of natural disasters.

All inormations are summarized in the "Baltadapt Climate Info"-series, a short bulletins on the impact of climate change on the Baltic Sea. Each issue reviews the expected impacts on one selected indicator.

Step 2b: Identify and assess risks - Vulnerability, risks and chances

Approach and results 

An integrated transnational record of existing and imminent vulnerability will be produced. Sensitivity and adaptation capacity are parts of the vulnerability assessment.

Step 3: Develop and compare measures

Measures and/or strategies 

The project will develop a climate change adaptation strategy for the entire Baltic Sea region. This transnational strategy will focus on the sea itself and the coast line. The project is to provide the foundation for the introduction of a climate change adaptation strategy for the entire Baltic Sea region, and influence politics, programs and policies. Together with the Action Plan, recommendations will be given for funding mechanisms to finance climate change adaptation strategies.

The Action Plan should not constitute an autonomous program, but will be integrated into future objectives, guidelines and programs of existing initiatives in the region.

The "Baltic Window" is one of the essential outcomes of Baltadapt. As a one-stop-shop information portal compiling all available information on climate change adaptation in the Baltic Sea Region, it shall be the central hub for decision makers from the Region. Providing the Baltic Window, Baltadapt supports European decision makers in adapting to climate change and helps users to access and share information.

Time horizon
  • 2071–2100 (far future)

Participants

Funding / Financing 

EU: INTERREG-Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007–2013

Project management 

Danish Meteorological Institute – Denmark

Cooperation/Partners 

National Environmental Research Institute – Denmark;

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety – Germany;

German Environment Agency (UBA) – Germany;

Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde – Germany;

University of Latvia – Latvia;

Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) Lithuania – Lithuania;

Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) – Finland;

Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) – Sweden;

University of Tartu, Estonian Marine Institute – Estonia;

The Secretariat of the Council of the Baltic Sea States – Sweden;

Contact

Danish Meteorological Institute
Lyngbyvej 100
DK-2100 Kopenhagen

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Fields of action:
 agriculture  biological diversity  civil protection and disaster management  coastal and marine protection  energy infrastructure  fishery  human health and care  soil  tourism industry  transport and transport infrastructure  water regime and water management