Climate adaptation concept (KLAK)

What is the goal?

Wolfsburg should remain a safe, liveable and resilient place in the future. The climate adaptation concept combines measures and strategies to better protect people, nature and infrastructure from heat, heavy rain and other extreme weather events.

What does the concept involve?

• Analysis of climate impacts: What changes are already noticeable and what should we expect in the future?
• Assessment of local risks: Which areas of the city are particularly affected?
• Strategy and measures: Prioritized fields of action, concrete proposals and an action plan - from short-term protective measures to long-term solutions.
• Consolidation in the administration: Clear responsibilities and fixed structures for long-term implementation.
• Controlling: Regular review of whether measures are working.
• Participation: Active involvement of citizens and local stakeholders.

What does this mean for Wolfsburg?

The concept is the basis for preparing Wolfsburg for climate change at an early stage, with foresight and in a sustainable manner. The measures adopted will reduce risks and strengthen the adaptability of the entire city.

Brief description and purpose of the project:

It can be assumed that climate change will continue to progress and that weather events with increasing damage potential will therefore also increase in Wolfsburg. With the creation of a climate adaptation concept, the city of Wolfsburg would first like to investigate which existing and expected climate impacts will affect the city. The relevant fields of action are then to be integrated and considered in the long term in order to develop a strategy with countermeasures. Building on previous experience, the stated aim is to be prepared for climate change impacts at an early stage in order to reduce the vulnerability of natural, social and economic systems to climate impacts and at the same time increase the adaptability of these systems and the exploitation of potential opportunities.
As a basis for the climate adaptation concept, the first step is to analyze climate change impacts that have already occurred and to forecast expected future climate change impacts. From this, emerging challenges and opportunities can be derived and fields of action identified that take into account both short-term acute and long-term consequences of climate change. If this data is overlaid with local circumstances, such as the population or settlement structure, the next step is to identify particularly affected or sensitive fields of action and locations (hotspots).

Based on the results of this analysis, an overall strategy is developed that prioritizes fields of action, identifies possible solutions, formulates holistic objectives taking into account the sustainability goals and identifies necessary land requirements for adaptation measures.

A catalog of measures forms the basis for implementing the climate adaptation objectives. This specifies targets with different time horizons and the action required to achieve them. Possible synergies or conflicts with climate protection activities are examined.

In order to permanently integrate climate adaptation activities into the administration and the municipality, a continuation strategy is being developed that starts at the organizational level, specifies responsibilities, creates structures and promotes networking.

A cotrolling concept is also part of the project. It aims to systematically record and evaluate the short, medium and long-term effects of adaptation management.

The entire process will be accompanied by active public relations work and stakeholder and citizen participation. To this end, a communication strategy will be developed to determine how the topic can attract attention in order to achieve broad and active participation and the implementation of measures.