Federal Cabinet adopts German Adaptation Strategy
At the proposal of Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel the Federal Cabinet adopted the "German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change" today. "The climate is changing throughout the world. As the climate changes so do mankind's living conditions - and Germany is no exception", said the Federal Environment Minister. "We are doing everything we can to reach the ambitious EU target of limiting the rise of the average global temperature to less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. But even if we achieve this, the consequences of climate change will be felt, and Germany has to be prepared."
The Strategy adopted by the Federal Cabinet today creates a framework for adapting to the impacts of climate change in Germany. It primarily describes the contribution of the Federation and in this way provides guidance for other actors. The strategy lays the foundation for a medium-term, step-by-step process undertaken in cooperation with the federal Länder and other civil groups and aimed at assessing the risks of climate change. On this basis, appropriate goals will be defined and adaptation measures will be developed and implemented. The Strategy sums up the current status of knowledge on the anticipated climate changes and the impacts these could entail. Possible climate impacts and options for action are outlined for 15 spheres of activity and selected regions. In addition, the Strategy describes the international context and the German contribution to adaptation in other parts of the world, and explains the next steps for further developing the German Adaptation Strategy.
As a next step, the Federal Government will draw up an Adaptation Action Plan by spring 2011 together with the federal Länder and other actors. This is being supported by a broad-based communication process and initiatives for improving the knowledge base and foundations for decision-making.
Depending on the global development, experts expect a temperature rise in Germany of 0.5 to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the period 2021-2050 and of 1.5 to 3.5 degrees Celsius by the period 2071-2100. This warming will be most noticeable in the winter months. Winter precipitation could increase by an average of up to 40 percent, and in some parts of the central upland areas of the federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and north-eastern Bavaria the increase could even be up to 70 percent. Summer precipitation could decrease by up to 40 percent on a nationwide average, with the south-west of Germany being particularly affected.
Central parts of eastern Germany, the north-east German plain and the south-east German basin and hills could be increasingly affected in future by reduced water supply. The hill country on both sides of the Rhine is assumed to see a general increase in precipitation. This can be expected to have consequences for agriculture and forestry, and for flood control. Heatwaves in the Rhine rift valley could become more frequent and more intensive, and the risk of flooding could increase. The Alpine regions are very sensitive from the point of view of biodiversity. The retreat of the glaciers would have an impact on water resources, while reduced chances of snow would adversely affect the attractiveness of winter sports regions. The risk of natural dangers, such as rock falls or mudslides, must be expected to increase. The coastal regions could be greatly at risk from the rise in sea level and changes in the storm climate. However, there is great uncertainty about the probable extent of changes in sea level and the storm climate.