The Adaptation Strategy of North Rhine Westphalia

The Adaptation Strategy of North Rhine Westphalia Carina Holl EEA, Copenhagen - 03.07.2009 Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Overview • Adaptation policy in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) • The Adaptation Strategy of North Rhine-Westphalia 2009 • Methodology • Measures • International Cooperation • Adaptation Indicators Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Adaptation Policy of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) NRW – a short overview: • Population: 18.1 Mio.  22% of the total German population • Surface: 34,083 km2 9.5% of Germany • Region with highest population density in Germany  530 inhabitants / km2 • 31% of Germany‘s electric energy production, broad range of industries • 15,000 km2 of arable land and 9150 km2 of forest land (75% of the region’s surface area) Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Adaptation Policy of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) • 2007: Adoption of a White Paper, which contains all available data and information on climate change in NRW: • Effects of climate change, that are manifest already today • Effects that are expected to occur in future • 2009: Adaptation Strategy for NRW - published in April 2009 on the basis of a vulnerability study conducted by PIK • Supporting measures: • Public information • International cooperation Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Adaptation Strategy 2009 - Objectives Main Objectives: • Reduce vulnerability of regions • Take advantage of arising opportunities By • Informing on climate change, vulnerability and adaptation measures • Raising public awareness • Initiating adaptation measures  Objectives not quantified Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Adaptation Strategy 2009 • STEP 1: Regional high resolution climate projections • STEP 2: Vulnerabilities in the regions of NRW in the following sectors: water management, nature conservation, agriculture, forestry, health, tourism, urban management, safety of industrial installations • STEP 3: Proposals for adaptation measures for regions  downscaling to regional level! Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 1: Regional high resolution climate projections Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 1: Regional high resolution climate projections • Nearly equal temperature rise in the regions of NRW: about 1,9°C in the period 2031-2060 • Temperature rise of up to 3°C in the summer months • Great variability in precipitation: • Precipitation increase in the central upland regions • Precipitation decrease in the Rhine Area • Less rainfall in summer months (-20%) • The likeliness of extreme weather events and their intensity will rise Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 2: Vulnerabilities in the regions of NRW - Methodology Ecological and socio-economic indicators + = Vulnerabilities in North Rhine-Westphalia for different sectors Regional high-resolutionclimate projections Source: PIK Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Population density (in %) Urban heat island potential Sensitivity Sealed surface area by local government area (in %) Population over 65 (in %) Number of heat days STEP 2: Vulnerabilities in the regions of NRW - Methodology Source: PIK Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 2: Vulnerabilities in the regions of NRW - Methodology • Tree species • Topography • Soil characteristics • CC: Expected Frequency of Heavy Storms Vulnerability to storm-related tree mortality and damage in a region depends on: Source: PIK Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 3: Measures Who has to take measures? • Public actors • Federal Government: Insurance policy • Regional and Local Governments, Municipalities: Planning • Private actors • Business, insurance companies • Farmers, forest owners • Individuals Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 3: Measures in North Rhine-Westphalia • Provide necessary information: • Regional climate projections, vulnerabilities, measures • Further research on adaptation: 27 projects (innovation fund), e.g. • Development of a procedure for identifying populated areas likely to be affected by intense rainfall • Development digital maps containing information about specific conditions of a given forest site • Integrate adaptation into policy decisions: • Integration of CC Effects in the Regional Development Plan • Integration of CC Effects in the Flood Control Management Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 3: Measures in North Rhine-Westphalia • Integrate adaptation into funding policy • Funding of Afforestation after Kyrill considering CC Effects • Sponsoring counselling services for farmers to help them develop cultivation strategies tailored to specific regional conditions • Supporting a model local authority implementing an „integrated concept of climate protection and climate adaptation“ (Funds granted: € 3 million) • Improving general awareness of the issue of adaptation, e.g. web portals, education • Reinforcing International Cooperation Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

International Cooperation • Symposium“Strategies for Adapting to Climate Change in the Regions of Europe” • 27th-29th October 2009 in Düsseldorf • Exchange of experience and information • Networking of regions with similar problems • Use of synergies • Application for an INTERREG IVc project: REACCT= Regions of Europe Adapting to Climate Change EffecTs Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Indicators • State and development of nature and environment in NRW is well documented by manifold monitoring activities • 8 programs for monitoring of biodiversity, protection of species, forest condition, quality of soil with > 3.600 plots • 11 programs for monitoring of ground- and surface water i.a.: ground water composition, physical, chemical and biological state of surface water, heat measurements with > 11.200 plots • 3 programs for monitoring of ground water level, precipitation and hydrometeorology, water gauge (water level and drain) with > 33.000 plots • 9 programs for monitoring of inorganic and organic pollutants in ambient air, dust precipitation with >440 plots Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Indicators Existing Monitoring Systems in NRW Open questions • Do we need indicators for monitoring climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation for NRW? • For what kind of purpose do we need those indicators? • Who will be addressed with these indicators? • Do we need indicators for all sectors (the same)? Adaptation Strategy NRW Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Indicators • Check availability of existing monitoring systems • Analyze need for new indicators (budget restrictions) • Development of adaptation indicators on • German or EU level • Regional level? Problems: • Availability of data • Usefulness and relevance of national, EU-wide indicators for regional purposes • Need for cost and benefit analysis Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Thank You for Your Attention! Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Adaptation to Climate Change – A Challenge for the Regions • EU: • Cross-border approach • Integration and coordination • Integration adaptation into funding policy • Federal government: • Outline problems • Set a framework for national action • Regions (in Germany: Länder) • Identify the regions' specific vulnerabilities • Develop and implement strategies tailored to the region’s needs • Benefits are visible in the region! Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Integrating Adaptation into Policy Decisions – Why? • Adaptation to environmental change not a new concept  Re-Action (not planned and managed) • Specific conditions of anthropogenic climate change • Climate change occurs faster and to a greater extent than past experiences • Higher vulnerability of society (growing population,…) • Unlikeliness of market forces leading to efficient adaptation • Increased level of knowledge makes early action possible: regional high resolution climate projections Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

Integrating Adaptation into Policy Decisions – Why? • Solution: Climate Policy has to be pro-active and to integrate adaptation into policy decisions • Consideration: • Weigh of costs and benefits of adaptation measures  information is necessary • Long-running nature of policy decisions • Cost benefits of early action  Action: legislation, rules for investment, information, funding Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

STEP 2: Vulnerabilities in the regions of NRW • Agriculture: Most regions in NRW will profit from gradual warming and longer vegetation periods, as there will be enough water available • Forestry: Large storms and heavy gales will become more likely, the risk of storm related tree mortality and damage will rise, especially in the forests of the low mountain range • Human Health: Heat stress will increase in the built-up areas of the Ruhr area with negative impacts on human health Ministry of the Environment and Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

The Adaptation Strategy of North Rhine Westphalia