ministry of the environment and conservation, agriculture and consumer protection of the state of...
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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!