Climate adaptation

Climate change is no longer an abstract issue for the future, but has long since become part of our everyday lives. The consequences are also being felt in Aachen: summers are getting hotter, heatwaves are occurring more frequently and are more stressful, heavy rainfall events are becoming more intense. At the same time, longer periods of drought are increasing, affecting nature and agriculture as well as our drinking water supply. These changes pose new challenges for our city, its residents and the local economy.

While climate protection focuses on minimizing greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate climate change, climate adaptation aims to make the city more resilient to the consequences of climate change that have already occurred or are expected to occur.

Climate adaptation measures include, for example

• Preservation or creation of green spaces
• Rainwater management
• Surface unsealing
• Roof and façade greening

Climate adaptation in the urban area can therefore be promoted in particular through the adaptation, further development or realignment of urban open spaces.