Glossary
Key terms of municipal climate adaptation.
24 central terms from adaptation law, risk assessment, funding and implementation, explained in plain language and linked to in depth articles.
- Climate adaptation
- Climate adaptation covers all measures by which society, infrastructure and nature adjust to the consequences of climate change, such as heat, drought and heavy rain. It complements climate mitigation: while mitigation limits the causes of climate change, adaptation reduces its unavoidable impacts. For municipalities, this means identifying risks early and making public services and infrastructure (Daseinsvorsorge) resilient. → _climate-adaptation-municipalities_
- Climate Adaptation Act (Klimaanpassungsgesetz, KAnG)
- The federal Climate Adaptation Act (Klimaanpassungsgesetz, KAnG) came into force on 1 July 2024 and, for the first time, creates a nationwide framework for precautionary climate adaptation at all levels of government. It obliges the federal government and the federal states (Länder) to adopt adaptation strategies and provides that municipalities should draw up climate adaptation strategies, as further specified by state law. Concrete duties and deadlines for municipalities mostly follow from the state laws that the Länder are expected to enact by 2027. → _climate-adaptation-act-municipalities_
- Duty to take account of adaptation (Berücksichtigungsgebot)
- The duty to take account of adaptation (Berücksichtigungsgebot) is a central requirement of the KAnG: public authorities must take the goal of climate adaptation into account in their planning and decisions. It is a factor to be weighed in decision making, not a duty to take specific individual measures, meaning climate adaptation must be considered and given weight, but can be balanced against other interests. The provision has had effect since the beginning of 2025. → _climate-adaptation-act-municipalities_
- Climate adaptation strategy (Klimaanpassungskonzept)
- A climate adaptation strategy (Klimaanpassungskonzept) is a municipality's strategic planning document, which analyses exposure, sets objectives and prioritises concrete adaptation measures. It typically combines a climate impact or climate risk analysis with a catalogue of measures and responsibilities. Such a strategy is often a prerequisite for funding and serves as the basis for step-by-step implementation. → _climate-adaptation-strategy-development_
- Climate impact analysis (Klimawirkungsanalyse)
- The climate impact analysis (Klimawirkungsanalyse) examines which climatic changes occur in an area and what effects they have on people, infrastructure and the environment. It combines climate data (for example heat and heavy rain scenarios) with the local spatial situation. The results are usually maps and assessments that show where action is needed. → _climate-risk-assessment-municipalities_
- Climate risk assessment (Klimarisikoanalyse)
- The climate risk assessment (Klimarisikoanalyse) evaluates the risk arising from the interplay of climate hazard, exposure and vulnerability of a system. It ranks risks by probability of occurrence and potential extent of damage, making them comparable. For municipalities, it is an important basis for prioritising measures and targeting resources. → _climate-risk-assessment-municipalities_
- Exposure analysis (Betroffenheitsanalyse)
- The exposure analysis (Betroffenheitsanalyse) determines which areas of a municipality, such as residential areas, infrastructure or vulnerable groups, are affected by climate impacts and to what extent. It links the spatial distribution of hazards with the sensitivity of the affected uses. This provides the basis for setting priorities for adaptation measures. → _climate-exposure-analysis_
- Vulnerability
- Vulnerability describes how susceptible a system, such as a population group, a city district or an item of infrastructure, is to the effects of climate change. It results from sensitivity to a given stress and the capacity to adapt to or cope with it. Older people, young children and people with pre-existing conditions, for example, are considered particularly vulnerable to heat. → _heat-protection-vulnerable-groups_
- Climate resilience
- Climate resilience refers to the ability of a municipality or a system to withstand climate-related stresses, recover from them and continue to develop. A resilient city can cushion the effects of heatwaves or heavy rain, for example, without central public services failing. Climate resilience is an overarching goal of climate adaptation. → _climate-adaptation-municipalities_
- Urban heat island (UHI)
- The urban heat island (UHI) describes the phenomenon whereby cities heat up more than their rural surroundings. Causes include sealed surfaces, dense development, little greenery and the storage of heat in building materials. Affected districts cool down less well, especially at night, which increases the health burden during heat. → _urban-heat-islands_
- Heat action plan (Hitzeaktionsplan)
- A heat action plan (Hitzeaktionsplan) bundles measures by which a municipality reduces the health impacts of heat, especially for vulnerable groups. It usually comprises short-term precautions such as warning chains, drinking water provision and adapted operating procedures, as well as longer-term structural and planning measures. Heat maps, which make particularly affected areas visible, often form the basis. → _heat-action-plan-municipalities_
- Heat map / heat register (Hitzekarte / Hitzekataster)
- A heat map (Hitzekarte) shows the spatial distribution of thermal stress in a municipality and makes heat hotspots visible. A heat register (Hitzekataster) extends this into a systematic, continuously updatable data base that links stress levels with affected uses. Both serve as a basis for heat action plans and for prioritising measures. → _heat-map-heat-register_
- Heat hotspot
- A heat hotspot is a spatial area with particularly high thermal stress, for example a densely built-up, heavily sealed district without greenery or shading. Such areas are particularly dangerous for the population during heatwaves, especially where vulnerable groups live there. Identifying heat hotspots helps to concentrate adaptation measures where they are most urgently needed. → _identifying-heat-hotspots_
- Heavy rain (Starkregen)
- Heavy rain (Starkregen) refers to large amounts of precipitation in a short time, which can exceed the absorption capacity of soils and sewer systems. Such events often occur locally and are difficult to predict, and can cause flooding away from watercourses. With climate change, the probability of intense heavy rain events is increasing, making precaution more important for municipalities. → _heavy-rain-urban-water_
- Heavy rain hazard map (Starkregengefahrenkarte)
- A heavy rain hazard map (Starkregengefahrenkarte) shows which areas of a municipality could flood during intense rainfall events and how high the water is expected to rise. It is based on terrain models and runoff simulations and makes flow paths and low-lying areas visible. Municipalities use it for precaution, land-use planning and informing property owners. → _heavy-rain-hazard-map_
- Sponge city (Schwammstadt)
- The sponge city (Schwammstadt) principle describes a city that absorbs rainwater like a sponge, stores it and releases it again with a delay, rather than draining it away quickly. This is achieved through desealed surfaces, green roofs, swales, soakaway trenches and green spaces that retain water and allow it to evaporate. The principle combines flood precaution with cooling and improves the urban climate. → _sponge-city-principle_
- Desealing (Entsiegelung)
- Desealing (Entsiegelung) refers to the removal of sealed surfaces such as asphalt or concrete, to expose soils again for infiltration, vegetation growth and evaporation. It reduces flood risk during heavy rain and mitigates the heating up of surfaces during heat events. For municipalities, desealing is an effective adaptation measure that is often eligible for funding. → _desealing-potential-funding_
- Green roofs / green facades (Gründach / Fassadenbegrünung)
- Green roofs and green facades are planted roof and wall surfaces that retain rainwater and have a cooling effect through evaporation. They reduce the heating up of buildings, improve the local microclimate and support biodiversity. As structural adaptation measures, they are covered by many funding programmes at federal, state and municipal level. → _funding-greening-desealing_
- Flood prevention (Überflutungsvorsorge)
- Flood prevention (Überflutungsvorsorge) covers all measures by which a municipality prepares for flooding caused by heavy rain or river floods and limits damage. This includes water-sensitive planning, emergency water routes, retention areas and informing affected residents. The aim is to direct or retain water in a targeted, damage-free way where flooding cannot be fully avoided. → _flood-prevention-water-sensitive-design_
- Impact monitoring (Wirkungsmonitoring)
- Impact monitoring (Wirkungsmonitoring) refers to the systematic observation of whether and how implemented adaptation measures achieve their objectives. Indicators and recurring surveys are used to check whether exposure and risk are decreasing. It makes progress traceable and allows measures to be adjusted where necessary. → _adaptation-impact-monitoring_
- Catalogue of measures (Maßnahmenkatalog)
- A catalogue of measures (Maßnahmenkatalog) is a structured compilation of possible adaptation measures, with details on effect, responsibility, effort and priority. It translates the results of risk and exposure analyses into concrete options for action. As a core component of a climate adaptation strategy, it makes prioritisation, decision-making and implementation easier. → _adaptation-measures-catalogue_
- Municipal Guideline (Kommunalrichtlinie, KRL)
- The Municipal Guideline (Kommunalrichtlinie, KRL) is a federal funding instrument under the National Climate Initiative that supports municipalities with climate mitigation and, in some cases, related tasks. It funds, among other things, staff positions, strategies and investment measures. For municipalities, it is a central building block for financing municipal climate activities; funding conditions should always be checked in the currently valid version. → _municipal-guideline-krl_
- National Climate Initiative (Nationale Klimaschutzinitiative, NKI)
- The National Climate Initiative (Nationale Klimaschutzinitiative, NKI) is a federal funding programme that has supported climate mitigation projects in municipalities, business and society since 2008. It is used to implement, among other things, the Municipal Guideline and further funding offers. It is an important framework through which municipal funding for climate activities is provided. → _climate-adaptation-funding_
- Funding roadmap (Förderfahrplan)
- A funding roadmap (Förderfahrplan) is a structured overview that links suitable funding programmes with planned projects and their timing. It shows which measure can be financed through which programme, in which period and under which conditions. For municipalities, it creates planning certainty and helps to align application deadlines and co-financing. → _funding-application-steps_ ---