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

Integrating Adaptation into Policy Decisions

- The example of North Rhine-Westphalia

Michael Theben

Brussels - 17.02.2009

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

Overview

1. Integrating Adaptation into Policy Decisions – why?

2. Integrating Adaptation into Policy Decisions – who?

3. Adaptation policy in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)

Adaptation Strategy 2009

Supporting Measures

Cooperation and Networkingbetween regions

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

1. 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

1. 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

2. Integrating Adaptation into Policy Decisions – Who?

Actions to be taken at all levels: private and public, individuals,… EU:

Cross-border approach Integration and coordination Integration adaptation into funding policy

Federal government: Outline problems Set a framework for national action

Regions: 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

3. 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

GDP: 462 billion €

31% of Germany‘s electric energy production

15,000 km2 of arable land (43 % of the region’s surface area) and 9150 km2 of forest land

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

3. 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 - to be published in April

Supporting measures:

International cooperation

Public Relations/information campaigns

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

Adaptation Strategy 2009

Content and objectives of the adaptation strategy:

Regional high resolution climate projections

Regional effects of climate change

Vulnerabilities in the regions of NRW

in the following fields: water management, nature conservation, agriculture, forestry, health, energy management, tourism, urban management, safety of industrial installations

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

Adaptation Strategy 2009 – Methodology

Regional high-resolutionclimate projections

Vulnerabilities in North Rhine-Westphalia for different sectors

Ecological and socio-economic indicators

+ =

Source: PIK

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

Adaptation Strategy 2009 – Methodology II

Sealed surface area by local government area (in %)

Population density (in %)

Urban heat island potential

Population over 65 (in %)

Sensitivity

Number of heat daysSource: PIK

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

Adaptation Strategy 2009 – Measures

Varying sensitivities and varying causes for vulnerability Adaptation measures tailored to regions needs Example heat waves:

Age of population: information campaigns, cooling in nursing homes, special training for nursing staff,…

Urban heat island potential: urban management, green corridors

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

Concrete Measures – Examples

Water Management Adapting draining infrastructure

Urban management/Planning Green spaces and parks Wind paths

Nature conservation: Creation of networks of fauna and flora habitats

In Branches of Industry: Forestry, Agriculture, Tourism supportive measures

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

Provide necessary information:

Regional climate projections

Funding of further research on adaptation (innovation fund)

Forestry: Developing digital maps containing information about specific conditions of a given forest site

Integrate adaptation into funding policy

Agriculture: Sponsoring counselling services for farmers to help them develop cultivation strategies tailored to specific regional conditions

Improving general awareness of the issue of adaptation, e.g. web portals and training schemes

Supportive Measures

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

Cooperation and Networking between regions

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

Thank You for Your Attention!