Overview
- The Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft and ERGO released a Klimarisikoindex for all 400 German districts and independent cities, assessing infrastructure vulnerability to ten hazards now and in 2050 using the K.A.R.L. model and multiple climate simulations.
- Wilhelmshaven tops the list with an overall score rising from 5.67 to 5.88 by 2050, with Wesermarsch, Wittmund, Emden and Bremerhaven also flagged as highly exposed; Bremerhaven increases from 4.78 to 5.03 and Bremen from 4.38 to 4.51.
- Coastal and riverine areas, along with the Rhein‑Neckar region, face the greatest combined risks, while Kempten in the Allgäu remains the least exposed at 2.8 today and 3.1 by mid‑century.
- Storm is already a pervasive threat nationwide, heavy rain strain grows especially in hilly regions, and heat stress shows the sharpest projected rise with 372 of 400 regions exceeding an index value of 3 by 2050.
- IW experts warn of a funding and staffing gap for local adaptation measures, pointing to prior estimates of roughly €55 billion in costs and about 16,200 additional positions needed through 2030.