Climate Adaptation in Rhineland-Palatinate

Extreme weather events such as heat waves, intense rain, and flash floods are on the rise — and do not affect everyone equally. This study of climate adaptation in Rhineland-Palatinate examines the extent to which vulnerable groups are particularly susceptible to climate change risks due to a variety of factors ranging from health and social status, to living and working conditions. These include senior citizens, people with chronic illnesses, the homeless, and low-income households. People who perform physically demanding outdoor work or whose livelihoods depend to a significant extent on the ecological stability of their environment — such as winegrowers or farmers — are also particularly affected by climate change.

We therefore examine not only the affectedness of vulnerable groups by climatic changes, but also how this impact is exacerbated by the intersection of social, economic, and political conditions. Taking as a premise that individuals‘ ability to adapt is significantly determined by structural factors, the study enables us to broaden our perspective on vulnerability to include the intersectionality of risks.

As a result low-income households in urban heat islands with limited access to green spaces are for example investigated as their own analytical category. The study thus provides solid evidence regarding the means and measure to be proritized: from low-threshold support services and accessible communication to socially balanced investments in residential environments, infrastructure, and public services.

The study was commissioned by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, and Mobility and is the first of its kind to deliberately include the perspective of vulnerable groups. In addition to the ministry’s oversight, the Rhineland-Palatinate Center for Climate Change Impacts (RLP-KfK) is providing substantive support for the process.

Objectives

The objective of the investigation is to highlight the various ways in which vulnerable groups are particularly affected by the impacts of climate change, as well as the intersectional nature of these impacts. It thereby establishes an empirically sound, socially just foundation for the state’s climate adaptation measures, as they are currently being developed as part of the state-wide climate adaptation strategy.

Tasks of aconium GmbH

In collaboration with our partner organisation Buro Happold, aconium is conducting an empirical analysis of climate impacts on vulnerable groups via a broad set of data-based analyses and an online consultation for stakeholders. As part of a participatory process, the findings of these analyses are presented to representatives of the vulnerable groups for evaluation and subsequent policy recommendation development. The process will culminate in the publication of a comprehensive research paper compiling findings and policy recommendations for Rhineland-Palatine.

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