7. Climate adaptation (voluntary area)

Builds on measure 1.1: Climate and energy strategy.

The municipality assures that the binding guiding principles also comprise climate adaptation aspects.

Builds on measure 1.1: Climate and energy strategy.

The municipality has a climate adaptation strategy and concept that gives concrete shape to its guiding principles. The concept and its actions are based on an analysis of local and regional climate change effects (present and future).

The concept is aligned with medium-term and long-term goals and strategies. The municipality takes appropriate action to face climate change effects, considering the sensitivity of the municipal territory.

The actions include the monitoring with suitable indicators (qualitative and quantitative). The municipality updates the actions and planning accordingly.

Builds on measure 5.1: Human resources, organisation and 5.1: Committee.

The municipality ensures that the necessary qualified human and financial resources are available for climate issues. There is an interdisciplinary supporting team responsible for the management and implementation of climate related issues.

The municipality knows the local risks of natural hazards and the consequences. It plans and implements measures to reduce the risks and protect people and property (e.g. buildings, infrastructure for transport, communication, energy, etc.).

Builds on measure 1.5: Spatial energy planning.

The municipality plans its spatial and settlement planning with a focus on the avoidance of and adaptation to the effects of climate change (incl. natural hazard risks).

• reduced heat islands, increased air exchange,
• risk areas (flood, drought, fire, heat, sea level rise, etc.),
• rainwater management (areas for retention, seepage areas, etc.),
• building density,
• reduction of ground sealing,
• green areas,
• etc.

The planning is based on

• the investigation of the climatic and air-hygienic situation in the municipality/region (wind conditions, temperature situation, cold air production, cold air transport, air pollution and heat risks).
• the climate adaptation strategy and concept
• the evaluation of the risks of natural hazards on municipal and regional territory.

Builds on measure 1.5: Spatial energy planning.

The municipality plans its future energy supply (heating, cooling and local electricity production) for its entire territory in accordance with the urban development and spatial planning and the targets of climate/energy strategy and spatial/energy planning. They take into account the local and regional climate change effects and their impacts on the energy supply and demand.

The planning includes methods for evaluation.

Builds on measure 1.7: Tools binding for landowners.

The building regulations for landowners reflect the municipality's urban development and spatial planning and the energy planning. They include requirements on how to face climate adaptation aspects sustainably:

• Higher demands of cooling,
• Heat protection in summer,
• Ventilation,
• Green areas,
• Roof greening,
• Seepage,
• Natural hazards,
• Reduction of sealing,
• Etc

Builds on measure 2.1: Exemplary management and construction of public buildings.

The municipality has a declared commitment to constructing, refurbishing and managing its buildings according to the highest energy criteria as well as criteria for a sustainable adaptation to climate changes (e.g., increased demands of cooling, heat protection in summer, ventilation, greening, seepage, reduction of sealing, etc.) with reference to nationally and internationally recognized standards.

Builds on measure 3.9: Efficiency and reliability of water supply.

The municipality supports reliable access to water with high quality and enough quantity. The municipality has an adaptation strategy on how to face the (regional) impacts of climate change risks (drought, flooding, landslides, etc.) on the water supply (quality and quantity of water). It creates decentralized supply (higher resilience) and disposal facilities and develops new sources of water supply and expansion of storage capacities.

The municipality considers the conflicts of water-use (energy production, agriculture, industry, potable water, fire-fighting water, tourism, shipping, etc.).

Builds on measure 3.10: Management of green spaces.

The municipality manages its green areas and open spaces based on the urban development and spatial planning to support climate protection and adaptation. It retains, upgrades and/or extends green and open spaces in densely populated areas.

• Expansion,
• Planting of (local) trees,
• Ecological cultivation; native and resistant plants,
• Reduction of sealing,
• Roof greening,
• Renaturation of rivers and streams.

The municipality enhances the biodiversity within the settlement area (green areas, aquatic areas) in view of the local/regional climate changes (e.g. management of invasive neophytes).

Builds on measure 3.12: Rainwater management.

The drainage plan of the municipality is geared to the increasing demands of climate change and is continuously implemented. The following topics are part of the plan:

• Separation of rainwater and wastewater
• Promotion of infiltration of rainwater (avoidance of sealing, green roofs, dimensioning according to future rainfall patterns, etc.)
• Use of rainwater
• Protection of infrastructure to natural hazards

Optimum treatment of waste water.

Builds on measure 6.1: Communication and cooperation concept.

The municipality sensitizes and motivates the local population to implement energy and climate measures in their decisions and to achieve sustainable living standards.

Builds on measure 6.8: Industry, businesses, trade and service providers.

The community cooperates closely with local businesses and tourism to help them better prepare for the consequences of climate change:

• Identifying possible impacts of climate change on the company and its employees
• Adapting corporate strategy to climate change (e.g., offers for sustainable year-round activities)

Definition and implementation of measures to strengthen resilience and adjustment of alignment.

Builds on measure 6.11: Forestry and agriculture.

The municipality supports/manages the sustainable and climate change adapted use of forests (tree species, etc.) and secures the forest services facing climate changes (protection against natural hazards, wood production, energy wood, biodiversity, recreation areas, etc.).

Builds on measure 6.11: Forestry and agriculture.

The municipality supports/manages sustainable/organic and climate change adapted food production in the city and its immediate surroundings as well as on green roofs and promotes local sales.

• Organic farming, biodiversity
• Resistant crops (drought, stagnant water, etc.)

New cultivation areas (without hazard risks).

The municipality has a protection and emergency plan on how to protect, inform and sensitize its population of health effects caused by climate changes and natural hazards (e.g. heat waves, floods, landslides, changed flora and fauna which leads to transmission of diseases, allergens, etc).

Builds on measure 6.17: Financial support.

The municipality provides financial support for energy and climate protection and adaptation projects of private households, industry and trade within the municipality.

Examples for climate adaptation projects:

• Support of sustainable cooling for private properties
• Financial incentives for roof and facade greening

Financial incentives for the population to reduce water consumption.