Central Upper Rhine / Northern Black Forest | Umweltbundesamt

CLM data (Climate Limited-Area Model;
SRES scenario A1B);
current climate projections were provided by the German Meteorological Office (DWD);

temperature threshold days, humidity

Changes in climate parameters such as temperature, precipitation and humidity result in a wide range of effects on nature and built-up areas:

•  Deterioration of urban climate due to increased heat load;
•  Increased importance of altitude for local recreation during hot periods;
•  Risk to the framework for winter sport;
•  Increasing flooding events in narrow valleys and in the Upper Rhine basin;
•  Increase in heavy rain with extreme flood risk;
•  Increasing loss of topsoil due to water erosion (Kraichgau, Stromberg);
•  Change in mix of tree species, effects on forests as an economic factor and living space due to primary (storms) and secondary hazards (forest fires etc.).

The consequential effects of climate change have an influence on the model region's vulnerability. Local heavy rain events with extreme local flood risks and increases in flooding along water courses combined with anticipated periods of low water will necessitate different preventive and adaptation actions at regional planning level. The increase in heat loads in the densely populated areas of Karlsruhe and Pforzheim will induce preventive regional planning action.

The impact of climate change is particularly significant in the areas of heat loads in the densely populated areas of Karlsruhe, Pforzheim and Mühlacker and flood events on the Upper Rhine and the narrow Enz, Nagold and Würm valleys.

The focus for adaptation in the model region was to establish climate change as a permanent planning and decision-making factor at regional planning level, lower administrative levels and in autonomous local administration and to enable these stakeholders to take action across various fields. Efforts concentrated on putting in place the awareness of the problem and information needed for collaborative action and on establishing a regional climate change network. Thematically, the area of urban climate was the key focus, as increasing heat loads are expected in densely populated areas and due to the narrow valleys in the Black Forest.

Protecting the climate and air are key elements of spatial (environmental) planning. A report on "climatic compensating functions in the Central Upper Rhine and Northern Black Forest region" was produced, in which model calculations for different climate parameters were used to represent the range of expected climate changes on a map. "Climate and ecology" guidelines were then developed to supplement this. The guidelines indicate how protecting the climate and air can be incorporated into considerations at different planning levels. The urgency of the issue will be communicated and the value of open spaces, ventilation corridors etc. for the urban climate will be highlighted. Optimisation of local energy management will also be pursued.