THE BAY OF KIEL CLIMATE ALLIANCE

ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN MOUNTAIN & COASTAL AREAS: A TRANSATLANTIC DIALOGUE APRIL 16 19, 2013, Climate Service Center, Hamburg, Germany Experience of Adaptation Activities in THE BAY OF KIEL CLIMATE ALLIANCE Prof. Dr. Horst Sterr Institute for Coastal Geography & Climate Impact Research

2 Contents I. Introducing the region: I. Geography II. Threats and chances of climate change II. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance I. Idea and formation II. III. Adaptation activities achieved Future aims III. Conclusions 26/04/2013

3 Contents I. Introducing the region: I. Geography II. Threats and chances of climate change II. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance I. Idea and formation II. III. Adaptation activities achieved Future aims III. Conclusions 26/04/2013

4 Commuting Area 20 participating communities plus the state capital Kiel in the southern Bay of Kiel Population Dänischenhagen 3.560 Population Kiel 239.000

5 Tourism as main economic activity

6 Contents I. Introducing the region: I. Geography II. Threats and chances of climate change II. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance I. Idea and formation II. III. Adaptation activities achieved Future aims III. Conclusions 26/04/2013

7 Main Threats Sea level rise and intensified storm surges Cliff degradation Loss of beach sand Damages on touristic infrastructure Flooding Rising sea temperatures Enhanced Algae growth Accumulation of algae and other organic material Salt intrusion Change in marine organism 26/04/2013

Threats: Cliff degradation 8

Threats: Loss of beach sand 9 Kieler Nachrichten vom 02.09.2012

Threats: Flooding 10

Threats: Algae accumulation

12 Chances Temperature warming Extended season Change in tourism flows more guests? New economic perspectives Aquaculture: Breed of new species 26/04/2013

13 Contents I. Introducing the region: I. Geography II. Threats and chances of climate change II. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance I. Idea and formation II. III. Adaptation activities achieved Future aims III. Conclusions 26/04/2013

The Kiel of Bay Climate Alliance Foundation in January 2010

15 1st period: Fields of action Focus areas were acquired with partners Finding answers to the high communal costs caused by coastal erosion Developing a climate-friendly destination Informing about climate change and adaption measures enhancing environmental education Measures to reduce the communities CO2 output Lobbywork 26/04/2013

Contents I. Introducing the region: I. Geography II. Threats and chances of climate change II. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance I. Idea and formation II. III. Adaptation activities achieved Future aims III. Conclusions 26/04/2013

Activities achieved Feasibility analysis bicycle-carrying vehicle for a climate friendly destination

Activities achieved Climate change Infotainment: Klimapavillon Schönberger Strand

19 Activities achieved Community of Strande: Preoperating study for strategic retreat? 26/04/2013

Activities achieved Lobby Work Kiel Declaration (4.11.2011) The communities and local decision makers of the Bay of Kiel (if not the entire Baltic Sea coastline of Schleswig-Holstein) agree on the following points regarding the impacts of climate change and how to address them: 1. The coastal communities in the area of the Bay of Kiel assume that climate change will intensify in the coming years and decades. 2. The foreseeable impacts of climate change, including greater risks of floods, changes in the system of coastal erosion and deposition, and an increased occurrence of things washed ashore in certain locations, necessitate a science-based regional development forecast to inform sustainable coastal management and integrated strategies for coastal use. 3. Almost all of the communities in the region lack the financial and technical resources to implement programs to handle the upcoming, above-mentioned impacts; additionally, in many cases the existing legal regulations narrow the scope for pragmatic solutions. 4. Effective adaptation to climate change and its accompanying challenges for coastal areas cannot be achieved with action solely at the municipal level. It is considered vital that the Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance continue to exist, even after the end of the RADOST project. However, more financial support will be needed. 5. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance serves as a forum for the coastal communities to articulate their common interests and goals regarding sustainable coastal management. Support from the state and federal governments will also be necessary for the coastal communities to plan effectively in the long term and handle problems and events adeptly in the short term. In the medium term, the Climate Alliance aims to develop into a model region for climate change adaptation along the German coastline.

21 Contents I. Introducing the region: I. Geography II. Threats and chances of climate change II. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance I. Idea and formation II. III. Adaptation activities achieved Future aims III. Conclusions 26/04/2013

22 New period 2013 2016 Funded by the Federal Ministry of Environment (DAS-German Adaptation Strategy) Intention: Shape up as a model region for climate adaption and sustainable coastal development 26/04/2013

23 Partner Approx. 20 communities and cities State Planning State Ministry of Environment LLUR Trade associations, tourism organizations NGOs Scientific institutions Federal Ministry of Environment 26/04/2013

24 Concrete actions Providing information on climate change and adaptation E. g. information sessions and workshop for different target groups Public relations: e. g. newsletter, press releases Networking internally and externally Strengthening the dialogue between communities and state authorities Lobbywork for the implementation of adaption measures Assistance in developing communal adaptation strategies Conception of a climate conscious destination Pooling climate relevant activities Gathering data for regional and federal state planning Arrange student thesis for communities with research requirements 26/04/2013

25 Contents I. Introducing the region: I. Geography II. Threats and chances of climate change II. The Bay of Kiel Climate Alliance I. Idea and formation II. III. Adaptation activities achieved Future aims III. Conclusions 26/04/2013

Conclusion: What did we achieve? Climate Alliance and the need to adapt to climate change is well known among regional communities, institutions and political decision makers Good media attention Cooperation with similar networks Communities are benefiting from the Alliance: More want to join. International attention 26/04/2013

27 Visit from a Chinese expert delegation arranged by the GIZ

28 Conclusion: Barriers to progress Tight financial situation hampers implementation of achieved solution approaches Successful implementation would enhance motivation for cooperation Communities focusing there own needs, not yet considering themselves as a region Enterprise representatives still need to be convinced to collaborate low economic benefits expected from adaptation measures (contrary to mitigation measures) 26/04/2013

THE KIEL BAY CLIMATE ALLIANCE A BLUEPRINT APPLICABLE TO OTHER REGIONS? www.klimabuendnis-kieler-bucht.de

30 Conclusion: Recommendations for successful networking Confidential person to initiate the project Salaried trouble shooter with the ability to listen and enough time to coordinate the network internally and externally At least one convinced communal representative to encourage others Personal contact is mandatory. This needs to be cultivated not only on official events such as workshops but also informal meetings Speaking the target groups language Identify and understand the partners situation and aims 26/04/2013