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Climate change in North Rhine-Westphalia

Climate change in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia affects various environments and industries.

Greenhouse gas emissions

In 2021, 221 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent were emitted[1]

Impacts of climate change

Rhine

The stability of the water level of the Rhine would be reduced because there would be a change in the seasonal melting of glaciers, providing water during the summer.[2] Areas along the Rhine will be more dry.[3]

Ticks and mosquitoes

Ticks and mosquitoes and will become more commons.[3]

Public health

Heat illness will become more common.[3] This would affect children, pregnant people, disabled people, elderly people and those with chronic disease worse.[3] It would also disproportionately affect those exposed to heat through work.[3]

More people would become allergic due to pollen and invasive species.[3]

Response in terms of mitigation

Approximately, 90% of municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia have appointed a climate protection manager, even though they don't have any specific legal obligations.[4]

Legislation

Climate Protection Act of North Rhine-Westphalia

The legislation made NRW the first state to adopt a climate protection law.[5] The legislation was first adopted in 2013, and tightened in 2021.

In order to meet the obligations under the legislation, the NRW state government presented a package of measures, including an expansion in the provision of wind energy in the state.[6] In order to meet the obligations under the legislation, the NRW state government presented a second package of measures, consisting of an allocation of €750,000,000 to climate change projects including wind turbines on country roads and the production of hydrogen.[7]

Response in terms of adaptation

In October 2024, the state government announced a package of 110 measures relating to adaptation to climate change.[8]

The city of Essen uses fountains, artificial lakes to reduce the effects of increased temperature.[8]

References

  1. ^ "NRW: Emissionen von Treibhausgasen sind 2021 gegenüber dem Vorjahr um 5,8 Prozent gestiegen". www.it.nrw (in German). Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  2. ^ "Gletschersterben: Wie sich der Klimawandel auf den Rhein auswirkt" [Glacier death: How climate change affects the Rhine]. Westdeutscher Rundfunk. 2025-03-21. Archived from the original on 2025-03-21. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Kießler, Jörn (2024-11-24). "So wird sich unser Leben bis 2050 verändern" [This is how our lives will change by 2050]. Westdeutscher Rundfunk. Archived from the original on 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  4. ^ Lübbers, Annette (2022-05-13). "Klimaschutzmanger kritisiert fehlende Strategie" [Climate protection manager criticizes lack of strategy]. Kommunal. Archived from the original on 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  5. ^ "Grünen-Chef: „Der Bund lässt NRW im Stich"". wa.de. 2013-06-15. Archived from the original on 2025-03-28. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  6. ^ Zacher, Tobias (2023-06-14). "Landesregierung will beim Klimaschutz Tempo machen" [State government wants to speed up climate protection]. Westdeutscher Rundfunk. Archived from the original on 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  7. ^ Sartre, Benjamin (2025-02-10). "NRW-Landesregierung legt zweites Klimaschutzpaket vor". Westdeutscher Rundfunk. Archived from the original on 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  8. ^ a b "So soll sich NRW an den Klimawandel anpassen" [This is how NRW should adapt to climate change]. Westdeutscher Rundfunk. 2024-10-01. Archived from the original on 2024-10-01. Retrieved 2025-04-14.