Information on national adaptation actions reported under the Governance Regulation

Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula and more than 400 islands. It has a total area of 43,098 km2 and lies at about 55º N and 11º E. All of the country is lowland and the surface was formed by Ice Age glaciers and glacial streams and the highest hill is approximately 170 meters above sea level.

The Danish coastline stretches approx. 8,000 km. To protect low-lying land against flooding and storm surge, it has been necessary to build dikes or other permanent installations along about 1,800 km of coastline. In addition, sandbags, breakwaters and similar protect other parts of the coastline, which would otherwise erode because they consist of soft materials deposited during the last Ice Age. A rise in the water level due to climate change would obviously affect the protection of the coasts and create a greater risk of flooding and erosion.

According to the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), the Danish climate is temperate with precipitation more or less evenly distributed over the year. The country lies in the zone of prevailing westerly winds, which is characterized by fronts, low pressures, and changeable weather. Compared with other regions on the same latitude as Denmark, the climate is relatively warm due to the warm North Atlantic current that originates in the tropical sea off the southeast coast of the USA.

Denmark has a distinctly coastal climate, with mild, damp winters and cool, unsettled summers. Average monthly temperatures vary from about 1,5 degrees in winter to about 16,9 degrees in summer. However, the weather in Denmark is greatly affected by the proximity of both the sea and the continent. This means that the weather can change, depending on the prevailing wind direction. The westerly wind from the sea brings relatively uniform weather in summer and winter: mild in winter and cool in summer. When the wind comes from south or east, the weather in Denmark is more similar to that of the continent: warm and sunny in summer and cold in winter. The weather in Denmark thus depends very much on the wind direction and the season.

Today, Denmark has a population at around 5.9 million and the population growth has been relatively small in the last +30 years (Statistics Denmark, 2023). The latest forecasts show that population growth will continue to be moderate in the years ahead. It is estimated rising to approx. 6.3 million in 2050. Today, the population density is 137 per km2. No extensive research on how climate change adaptation affect different population groups in Denmark exists.

The Danish public administration is divided into three distinct levels; the central government level with 23 ministries, the regional level with 5 regions and the local level with 98 municipalities. The municipalities have the responsibility for nearly all of the main public services to the citizens.

One-twentieth of the area of Denmark is urbanized and around 85% of Danes live in urban areas. Most enterprises, institutions, etc., are situated in or around towns. Almost 1 million Danes live less than 1 km from the coast, which also means that Denmark is one of the EU member countries with the highest total economic losses per capita caused by weather- and climate-related extreme events, estimated to >2.000 EUR per capita (European Environment Agency, 2022, Economic losses and fatalities from weather- and climate-related events in Europe.

In 2021 Danmarks Nationalbank has estimated that flood risk can potentially affect a large share of credit institutions exposures. These exposures account for DKK 41 billion today and could increase to DKK 198 billion by the end of the century.

The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) carries out observations of climate parameters (atmosphere and ocean) under the World Meteorological Organisation's (WMO) programmes and sub-programmes: the World Weather Watch Programme (WWW), Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), the Global Observing System (GOS), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). DMI also participates in the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC).

DMI is working closely together with research institutions in Europe on analyses of the climatic consequences of an increased greenhouse effect. The main emphasis is on Denmark and the European region, as well as the Arctic, but global research is also being carried out. The funding stems both from the Danish state through the National Centre for Climate Research (NCKF) and from research grants, e.g. from the European Union.

The work includes both development and employment of models for scenario calculations of the climate of the future. The models include:
• Regional dynamic ocean models for calculating changes in ocean and sea ice. The focus areas are the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, Greenland waters, and the Arctic Ocean.
• A regional dynamic atmosphere-climate model for calculating regional/local climate change and variations. The main focus has been on Denmark, Europe, and Greenland, with applications also in Arctic regions, West Africa and India.
• Global Earth System modelling: dynamically coupled models of the atmosphere, ocean, sea-ice, and ice sheets, which are used to study climate change (primarily as a consequence of increased greenhouse effect) and internal variability in the climate on decadal to centennial time scale.
• State-of-the-art models of the surface of the ice sheets, integrated with both global and detailed regional climate models, are used for comprehensive studies of ice mass changes, e.g. applied to study the changes of the

Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets in the past, present and future.

Regional climate simulations, currently with resolution down to kilometer-scale, are carried out in connection with national, European and international projects, covering Europe in particular, but also Antarctica, Greenland and the wider Arctic.

With regard to regional simulations, the most important focus areas for Denmark are changes in (extreme) precipitation, drought, and extreme temperatures. These simulations lay the foundation for the Danish Climate Atlas that shares data and information on the future Danish climate with stakeholders and the wider public. For Greenland, changes in simulated snow accumulation, melting and refreezing on the ice sheet are of special interest.

Output from the regional model simulations are made available to all groups of researchers who are studying the effects of climate change, and to decision makers taking part in planning and implementation of adaptation to climate change. DMI contributes to the WCRP CORDEX projects, and hosts and shares climate model data within the so-called ESGF network. These data are accessible to researchers across the world as well as the general public, and are used as a basis for the assessment reports from the UN Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change (IPCC).

The NOVANA Programme:

The Danish National Monitoring Programme (NOVANA) under the Danish EPA monitors the state of the Danish environment. NOVANA consists of eight subprograms: seas and fjords, lakes, watercourses, groundwater, particle transport and land surveillance, environmentally harmful substances and point sources, nature and finally, air. The programmes provide the knowledge on the state of the environment that feeds into development of national river basin management and Natura2000 plans. Climate indicators are included in a number of the subprograms, particularly those concerning the aquatic environment. For watercourses for example, 35 climate stations monitor hydromorphological and physical-chemical parameters including continuous logging of flow, levels, temperature and oxygen, along with regular testing of acidity, nutrient content and variations in depth and width.

The data is also used for state of the environment reports that since 2019, have been presented in an online format (https://xn--miljtilstand-yjb.nu/). The website is updated annually.

In 2021, the University of Aarhus produced a report for the Danish EPA that collects and presents existing NOVANA data that potentially can be applied in further documentation of the effects on climate change on natural environments in Denmark . The Danish EPA is working on applying the results of this report, to identify which indicators, or combination of indicators in the NOVANA programme, can be used to monitor effects of climate change on the environment. Indicators used for monitoring coastal waters, including temperature and chlorophyll concentration, have promising prospects for application. Monitoring frequency of some indicators may need to be adjusted for application as climate indicators.

DMI has estimated the expected climate change in Denmark based on the latest Danish and European scenario projections focusing on climate change towards the end of this century. The assessment of future climate change is based on the scenarios used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Climate simulations and understanding of associated uncertainties are constantly being improved. DMI here presents the latest results based on IPCC and the Climate Atlas (https://www.dmi.dk/klimaatlas/) hosted at DMI where observations and climate simulations are being combined to provide detailed future projections of expected changes across Denmark. The projections of future climate change are based on an ensemble of climate models, making the estimates more robust and allowing assessments of uncertainties. For specific planning, assessment and risk analysis aimed at climate adaptation, it is important to consider the full range estimate as indicated by the uncertainty interval in the Climate Atlas, instead of simply considering the best estimate.

A key challenge in Denmark, with low elevation and long coastlines, is the ongoing and future sea level rise. Sea level rise is a consequence of melting of snow and ice on land and ocean warming. Aside from being dependent on the level of greenhouse gas emissions, the future amount of melting ice is associated with large uncertainties. Global sea level change, corrected for regional effects and land rise, is presented along with specific statistics on storm surges to illustrate together with scenarios of future sea level rise in the Climate Atlas.

Towards 2100 there is a tendency towards increased precipitation with the largest increase in the winter season. Summer precipitation is expected to increase in Northern Scandinavia and decrease in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, and Denmark will likely be on the border between these two zones, making predictions of future overall summer precipitation in Denmark rather uncertain. But even with an unchanged total precipitation amount, the summer precipitation will be characterized by longer dry spells and more heavy precipitation events, e.g. an increased risk of cloud burst events.

Warming generally results in increased frequency, intensity and duration of extreme weather events. Denmark will experience increased frequency and duration of heat waves. The occurrence of frost days with sub-zero temperatures will decrease dramatically, while the length of the growing season similarly will increase. Higher sea level will result in increased storm surge height by 0.3 to 0.6 meters towards 2100 depending on location and scenario. The sea level is currently rising along all Danish coastlines, except in the northernmost Jutland. Further sea level rise is expected in the future due to climate change. In the northern part of Denmark, sea level rise will also in the coming years, be partly compensated by land uplift.

As part of the project Kystplanlægger (Coastal Planner), the climate impact on coastal flood and coastal erosion related vulnerabilities and risks were mapped using RCP 8.5 in 2070 and 2120. In this national assessment, the coastal flood risk (EAD) increases by a factor 1.5 in 2070 and 2.7 in 2120 compared to 2020. Additionally, the number of people affected by coastal flooding or erosion increases with a factor 1.2 in 2070 and 1.6 in 2120 compared to 2020. Based on the national risk assessments in Kystplanlægger, recommendations for risk management (reduce risk or do nothing) were made for the entire stretch of the Danish coastline (approx. 8000 km). In 2020, the risk is recommended reduced for approx. 2,000 km coastline. This increases to approx. 3000 km in 2070 and 4300 km in 2120.

In 2012, the centrally convened Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation prepared an analysis called ‘Mapping climate change – barriers and opportunities for action’. This report presented a sectoral and cross-sectoral analysis of climate risks/vulnerability was made. 14 sectors was analyzed: construction and housing, coasts and ports, transport, water, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, tourism, nature, health, emergency preparedness, insurance, and spatial planning. For each sector, it presented a basic analysis of important effects of climate change, relevant division of responsibilities between the authorities and private citizens, possibilities for adaptation, initiatives planned and in progress, and barriers and opportunities for future action. A review of the significance of climate change up to 2050 for the individual sectors and industries shows that Danish society may experience both positive and negative impacts of climate change. The positive impacts will relate primarily to the higher temperatures that will result in, e.g a longer growing season and increased productivity for forestry and agriculture. Milder winters will moreover reduce energy consumption and construction costs, as well as the costs of winter-weather preparedness and road salt. The negative impacts of climate change will relate primarily to more frequent extreme rainfall and elevated sea levels, which can lead to flooding and damage to infrastructure and buildings as well as erosion along coasts. The report was based on the scenarios used by the IPCC 4th Assessment Report. In 2016 the Coastal Authority conducted a detailed risk assessment regarding erosion and flooding for the entire Danish coastline. The assessment was conducted in a cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Food, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate and the Ministry for Economic affairs and the Interior. The assessment was focusing on the effects of a future changing climate on the Danish coasts and has been used as a basis for the significant coastal adaptation initiatives being laid out in 2017/18. DMI estimates based on the IPCC 5th Assessment Report were used as a basis for the assessment.

In a warmer climate Denmark faces a higher risk from water-related compound events leading to flooding. This risk is due to frequent, and sometimes comprehensive, storm surges, cloudbursts and heavy rainfall combined with rising sea level.

Some sectors may experience secondary effects of both the observed hazards, but also the future hazards. Please refer to the replies under “Affected Sectors”.

Climate change adaptation in Denmark is primarily based on initiatives at local level. Planning and implementing measures for adaptation is largely a municipal responsibility, which is outlined in a number of laws and executive orders. Main elements of the national regulatory framework are the Planning Act, the Floods Act, the Act on Watercourses, the Water Supply act, and the Waste Water executive order under the Environment Act. The main role of the central government is to establish an appropriate framework for local climate change adaptation by, for example, adapting laws, regulations and strategies, but also by ensuring coordination and providing information.

A sectorial and cross-sectorial analysis of climate risks/vulnerability was carried out in 2012 by the centrally convened Task Force on Climate Change Adaptation.

In 2020 a new nationwide risk assessment, Kystplanlægger, was completed for the entire Danish coastline, which stretches approx. 8000 km. It includes mapping of coastal erosion and flood hazard, vulnerability and risk. It also includes suggestions for strategies for risk management and specific initiatives for coastal protection that can be applied directly by municipalities in their planning. Three time perspectives have been examined: 2020, as well as a 50-year and 100-year perspective up to 2120, using RCP 8.5.

In the period February to August 2016, a working group with representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate and the Ministry of Business and Growth carried out an evaluation of municipal climate change adaptation efforts . Efforts include climate change adaptation plans that map the risk of flooding, specify priorities and provide an overview of achievements. The results included a description of discrepancies in detail and scoping of topics, identification of financing mechanisms, and indications of successful coordination of climate change adaptation efforts with other spatial planning efforts.

The Coastal Authority finds that implementing the EU Flood’s Directive in Denmark, results in a positive impact on raising awareness of flood risk. After two cycles, experience shows that the municipalities designated as risk areas and that therefore prepare risk management plans, are further ahead in their climate adaptation compared to other municipalities. Drawing up risk management plans encourages the municipalities to, within a statutory framework, analyse hazard and risk maps in relation to flooding, set targets for risk reduction, prioritise efforts, identify responsible units and follow up on implementation. Thereby, the municipalities become aware of the consequences of flooding and have to deal with the subject and the dilemmas and challenges that climate adaptation entails, as well as to make plans for how the challenges are to be handled.

Concrete action has been taken in updating regulation, providing better guidance for municipalities and stakeholders, improving flood-warning systems, implementing national support schemes and developing collaborative partnerships. Much of this action is a result of close collaboration and dialogue with stakeholders.

In 2018, new regulation in the planning act were introduced. The objective is to prevent flooding and erosion when planning for new urban areas, urban densification of existing city, technical facilities or changed to land use and so on. Besides mapping areas in danger of flooding and erosion, it is now compulsory to introduce mitigation or remedial measures, if the planned area is assessed to be exposed to flooding and erosion. The final guidelines on the planning act were published in 2022 and can be found here: https://www.klimatilpasning[…]emmelse-og-erosion-2022.pdf

For projects that may have a significant impact on the environment and climate, a screening or environmental assessment is carried out, including an assessment of climate change, before an EIA permit is granted.

The municipalities are responsible for ensuring that the local emergency services (the fire brigade) are dimensioned to local conditions. Most of the municipalities handle the tasks in joint emergency services with two or more municipalities. The municipal emergency services create plans for the emergency services, which are reviewed by the Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), however, DEMA does not approve the plan. The plan is adopted by the municipal council or the joint emergency services commission and at least revised once in each municipal election period (4-year period).

The National Risk Profile 2022 (NRP) analyses the largest risks to Danish society. NRP has a medium-to-longterm perspective and describes incidents that DEMA assesses warrant most attention in the next five years. The NRP 2022 features, as a new thing, a chapter on heat waves and drought. Storm and hurricanes, coastal flooding and extreme rainfall are already included.

National data, relevant for climate change adaptation are showcased on the Danish web portal, Klimatilpasning.dk , as interactive GIS, web platforms and software tools for climate change mapping purposes. One of the tools is KAMP which is a screening tool that compares selected national data, calculations and projections. The tool and it is aimed in particular at planning and environmental works in local government. The tools showcased on the web portal are made available by the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Coastal Authority, the Agency for Data Supply and Infrastructure, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), the Danish Society of Engineers (IDA), and Danish universities. As part of a national digitalisation strategy, the Danish Ministry of Environment has received funding to ensure better digital support of climate change adaptation action. The initiative is known as Water from all sides.

The Danish work with climate change adaptation revolves mainly around water. When it comes to climate change risks in Denmark, water related hazards such as flooding from increased rainfall events, flooding, storm-surges and sea level rise are the most predominant. Water related hazards affect most sectors and therefore it is an overarching goal to gather and create knowledge in these particular areas for further use. The sectors are: Coastal management, Buildings and construction, Water, Energy, Agriculture, Forest, Fisheries, Planning, Health, Preparedness, Nature, Insurance, and Transport.

Another priority is to maintain and enhance the Danish web portal Klimatilpasning.dk . The platform collects and presents data, technologies, and technological development in the field of climate adaptation and combines it with prospects of financing and government subsidies.

In June 2018, the European Commission evaluated Denmark’s work through the ‘Adaptation preparedness scoreboard’. In this evaluation, the Commission highlighted that although all municipalities have developed local action plans, they are uneven in terms of detail and coverage. The practical implementation of the adaptation plans has begun, but also here the progress is uneven. Currently there is no systematic monitoring or evaluation mechanism using relevant indicators for the NAS, NAP or local adaptation plans. No systematic monitoring of results of sectoral policies is conducted or disseminated. Local and regional effects of climate change may differ, making the decision-making on climate change adaptation initiatives subject to some uncertainties and this constitutes a challenge in itself for municipalities, enterprises and individuals when prioritizing efforts, including the scope of these.

Stakeholders often emphasize the challenge in the lack of adequate funding and financial support towards climate change adaptation. They request a better overview of funding opportunities both on a national level and on the EU level.

In March 2008, the Danish government launched the first Danish strategy for adaptation to a changing climate (NAS). The strategy was followed by an action plan for a climate-proof Denmark which was launched in December 2012 and is the first Danish NAP.

The action plan is based on the notion that a responsible climate policy must do more than just work towards limiting climate change in the long term. It must also ensure the action necessary right now to adapt our society to a climate that is already changing, and that all parts of society contribute to climate adaptation. The NAP presented 64 new initiatives and presented an overview of initiatives already set in motion by the government to ensure that Denmark will become resilient to climate change. Central to climate change adaptation efforts is a strong interaction between central government authorities and municipalities. In 2012, the government and the municipalities agreed that the municipalities will increase investments in climate change adaptation and that all municipalities carry out a risk assessment and prepare municipal climate change adaptation plans.

From 2012-2014 the Minister of Environment established a task force with specific expertise on local issues as well as web-based mapping of risks of flooding, rainfall and storm surge as a sounding board for the municipalities with regards to their preparation of municipal climate change adaptation plans. All 98 Danish municipalities finalized their first action plans by 2014.

The Danish web portal, klimatilpasning.dk contains news and concrete cases about climate change adaptation measures. Links to interactive geographic information systems, web platforms and software tools for climate change mapping purposes can be found on the portal. The portal is aimed at municipalities, enterprises and individuals and is updated regularly with casestudies, results from concrete projects throughout the country, relevant workshops and so on.

From 2017-2020 a new mobile task force was established, comprised of adaptation, flooding and erosion experts from the Danish Coastal Authority and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. The goal was to meet needs for guidance on holistic climate change adaptation solutions, with particular focus on flooding and erosion. Annual workshops, seminars and thematic meetings with groups of municipalities, utilities, emergency management groups and other relevant stakeholders were held throughout the country, based on concrete and commonly expressed needs, fostering knowledge exchange and gain.

A new Joint Agreement on coastal protection of the Danish West coast for the period 2020-2024 was agreed on between 4 municipalities and the Danish state. The coastal protection is primarily carried out with sand nourishment in larger or smaller quantities along the stretch.

As focus on adaptation to climate change has increased in the municipalities and among stakeholders, a series of amendments to relevant regulation, along with new regulation, has been implemented. Amendments have been made to the planning act and the coastal protection act and new regulation on wastewater utility’s investments in climate change adaptation has been developed.

In 2021, new regulation on wastewater utilities’ investments in climate change adaptation went into effect. Municipalities can decide to heighten wastewater utilities’ service levels in accordance with socio-economic viability, calculated using a defined method. This prevents over-investment. Wastewater utilities can collaborate with any relevant partner to finance the most efficient climate change adaptation initiative. The wastewater utilities’ increased investments in climate change adaptation continues to be within their financial framework, as supplements to their financial frameworks are available, subject to approval by the Danish Water Regulatory Authority. Wastewater utilities are required to report their level of investment and service provided on a yearly basis. In 2022 a guidance on wastewater utilities’ investments in climate change adaption was published and can be found here: https://www.klimatilpasning.dk/[…]/978-87-7038-405-6.pdf

In 2020, the previous Danish government, with broad support in parliament, started work to investigate possible national climate adaptation initiatives. The work has been carried out by cross-ministerial working groups, representing the many sectors affected by a changing climate. In addition, interest organizations and companies were involved. Due to parliamentary elections further process and decisions are pending.

At the end of 2022, a new Danish government took office. In the new government's work plan for its term of office, it is highlighted that despite significant efforts to counteract climate change, it is also necessary to further secure Denmark against floods and extreme weather. The government will therefore present a national climate adaptation plan, which supports that the necessary measures are implemented in a timely manner, as well as ensuring that the measures are organized as best as possible.

Agriculture:

There is no overall strategy for climate change adaptation for the agricultural sector. However, several political agreements such as the Political Agreement on a Green Transition of the Agricultural Sector from 2021 have multiple climate mitigating measures with positive climate adaptation effects. The agreement aims to take 100,000 ha of organic soils, including peripheral areas, out of production and rewet them, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change adaptation is an additional benefit, by adapting production areas to increased rainfall and thus reducing flood-risk on productive land. The Political Agreement on Drought from 2018 has also supported this overall goal.

There is an ongoing crop breeding effort to develop new varieties better adapted to the evolving climate and with better resistance towards existing and emerging pests and diseases. Emerging pests and diseases are monitored and information campaigns are run.

New regulation in the Danish CAP plan will from 2023 allow for support to mixed and more diverse cropping systems such as agroforestry.

Tourism:

In June 2022, the Danish government launched a new national Strategy for Sustainable Growth in Danish Tourism that sets a common direction for the development of Danish tourism towards 2030. The strategy presents three major goals and 26 initiatives that aim to balance environmental, economic and social sustainability and contribute to the national goal of 70% emissions reductions by 2030. Initiatives focusing on green transition of the tourism industry include areas such as investment in green infrastructure for recreational purposes, distribution of electric charging points and climate-friendly domestic aviation.

The National Tourism Forum will oversee the implementation of the national Strategy for Sustainable Growth in Danish Tourism (2022) and publish annual reports on the progress on goals and initiatives, including those on climate change adaptation.

Insurance:

The Danish Natural Hazards Council is an independent council established by law, which, among other things, determines whether there has been a storm surge, flooding from streams and lakes or drought that merits a compensation from the council. Insurance companies underwriting fire insurance in Denmark are required by law to collect an annual fee of DKK 40 per fire insurance policy to finance the Danish Natural Hazards Council. This sum covers the cost of a compensation scheme for damages caused by storm surge, drought, windfalls and flooding from watercourses and lakes conditional on certain remedial actions having been taken thus incentivizing adaption efforts. The scheme is administered by the Danish Natural Hazards Council assisted by the insurance companies.

Climate change adaptation in Denmark is first and foremost based on initiatives at local level and involves municipalities, water utility companies and landowners. These stakeholders know the local conditions best, and are consequently in the best position to make decisions on adaptation. In Denmark, municipalities are the climate change adaptation authority and their close collaboration with central government, provides the basis for good stakeholder engagement.

The Coastal Authority has developed guidance material for municipalities, to support their development of risk management plans under the Floods Directive. The material is based on the Coastal Authority’s experience working with municipalities in this process and aims to provide support and guidance, including on how to engage local stakeholders and secure ownership.

The national web portal, klimatilpasning.dk, is developed in a collaborative effort across sectors and levels of governance. The portal contains news and concrete cases about climate change adaptation measures, and engages stakeholders by enhancing dissemination and sharing of knowledge. A number of good practice case studies are presented below.

New Lakes Retain Rainwater in the Town of Tommerup Stationsby on Funen:

In the Municipality of Assens on Funen, three new retention ponds are keeping the town of Tommerup Stationsby dry-shod, even after persistent and heavy rainfalls. The three lakes - together known as Tallerupsøerne - are the largest climate adaptation project to date on Western Funen. The lakes are interconnected via meandering channels, and during heavy rainfall the three lakes become one large lake able to retain as much as 22,000 cubic metres of water. When the lakes fill up with water, the water is led on via a controlled pipe system into the Brende Å watercourse. The lakes were established on a 7-hectare land area acquired for the project by the local public utility company, Assens Forsyning A/S. The land was already gently undulating. The project entailed digging the hollows deeper and adding the soil dug up to the hilly parts, thus accentuating the undulating terrain. The local inhabitants of the area have been actively involved in creating the new landscape and recreational area surrounding the lakes. The lakes were designed to withstand a five-year rainfall event but have proven capable of withstanding more.

The Municipality of Assens, Assens Forsyning A/S and the neighborhood council (Tommeruppernes Lokalråd) worked closely together throughout the project from the planning phase to the establishment phase. Local citizens were also involved throughout the process. The project is a step in the Municipality of Assens' storm water management plan for Tommerup Stationsby. The plan was prepared collectively between the municipality and Assens Forsyning A/S and was adopted by the city council in autumn 2019. Assens Forsyning A/S subsequently bought the land for the project. Prior to start-up of the project, a hydraulic analysis was performed for the Brende Å watercourse, and the project was subjected to environmental assessment screening as required by law. Furthermore, permission was obtained for controlled discharge into Brende Å. The local inhabitants were involved in designing the recreational elements from the beginning. The involvement was through workshops that allowed everyone to contribute their ideas and wishes. The municipality financed a visualization of the area based on the input from the workshops, and the neighbourhood council used this visualization in its fundraising efforts.

Storm surge protection and new harbour environment in Svendborg:

The Blue Edge (Den Blå Kant) will be the residents of Svendborg's new common harbour space between the city and the sea. Three sluiceways and a belt of fixed and mobile dikes along the outer perimeter of Svendborg Harbour will protect the area against storm surges of up to three meters above mean sea level. Svendborg city lies elevated compared to the harbour. The project will therefore also establish several emergency flood channels leading stormwater runoff from the city directly into the harbour basin. The harbour basin can be used as a reservoir to protect the harbour area onshore against flooding during cloudbursts when the city sends cascades of water downhill. Svendborg Municipality estimates the total project cost to be several hundred million kroner. The municipality therefore also expects the full project will take more than ten years to complete. Once complete, however, the harbour area of Svendborg will be able to withstand a 100-year storm surge event and a 100-year rainfall event.

The first stage of The Blue Edge project is already underway. The first stage includes a new footbridge to the Frederiksø harbour island. The next stage of the project has been approved and will involve a storm surge protection solution for the most exposed part of the harbour. The municipality prepared an overall development plan for the harbour area in 2014. The municipality then issued an architectural competition on the basis of the plan in 2017. Comprehensive efforts were made to encourage stakeholders to contribute ideas and identify needs. Workshops and dialogue meetings were held with young people, local businesses, shipping companies, utility companies, private property owners, Svendborg International Maritime Academy, SIMAC, and many more. Furthermore, a large public meeting was held. The municipality continuously cooperates with stakeholders in the project. The winning project from the architectural competition is being monitored along the way, so that both technical solutions and financial aspects are continuously adapted to what is practicable.

Read more examples of good practice case studies on en.klimatilpasning.dk/cases/.

On Klimatilpasning.dk, a catalogue of technologies and methods has been established and updated in collaboration with Danish Environmental Technology Association. Both well-known and new, effective technologies and methods is described, in particular solutions to manage implications of rising sea levels and more frequent and intense rainfall. The catalogue is not exhaustive but is updated on a regular basis as new technologies become available.

On the Danish adaptation portal, there is a thematic entrance for industries. This page is maintained and developed in cooperation with the Confederation of Danish Industry.

A national MRE system related to reducing climate impacts, vulnerabilities, risks, and increasing adaptive capacity is currently not available.

In the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), the appointed municipalities are required to report and give a status on the measures planned in their previous FRMP, as well as additional measures implemented. The measures are categorized as; prevention, protection, preparedness and preliminary work. The status of each measure reported by the municipalities as; completed, continuously, in progress, postponed or cancelled. This gives an overview of the planned measures and the progress of implementing them in the areas of potential significant flood risk (APSFRs) by the municipalities. The progress for each municipality is gathered in the two summarizing reports available at: https://oversvommelse.kyst.dk/[…]/

A national overview of the disbursement of funding to increase climate resilience is currently not available, but a number of municipalities publish climate change adaptation investments on a voluntary basis each year as eg. Copenhagen and Frederiksberg municipalities17. HOFOR, the utility company in Copenhagen, has plans for DKK 13 billion in Copenhagen alone, and the projects will be completed around 2035.

A new Joint Agreement on coastal protection of the Danish West coast for the period 2020-2024 was agreed on between 4 municipalities and the Danish state. The coastal protection of the 110 km stretch from Lodbjerg to Nymindegab has been carried out in cooperation between the State and the municipalities. In the period of 2020 to 2024 a total of around DKK 204 million per/yr. will be invested in coastal protection between the four municipalities along the stretch and will primarily be carried out with sand nourishment in larger or smaller quantities along the coast.

In 2023, 10 new projects along the entire Danish coast were granted a total of DKK 150 million to reduce the risks of flooding and erosion. In 2021 the amount was DKK 50 million and in 2022 it was DKK 40 million.

A national overview of spending earmarked for climate adaptation is currently not available.

A national overview of the share of spending used to support climate adaptation in each sector is currently not available.

In the first Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) from 2015, affecting 10 areas of potential significant flood risk (APSFRs) and 22 Danish municipalities, the municipalities had planned 255 measures within the categories prevention, protection, preparedness and preliminary work. In their second FRMP, the municipalities have reported, that 135 of these measures are completed or continuously measures, while 91 measures are in progress of being implemented, resulting in 88.6 % of the planned measures are implanted or in progress of being so. The rest of the measures were either postponed or cancelled. In the FRMPs from the second cycle of the Floods Directive, the 14 APSFRs affecting 27 municipalities, the municipalities have planned a total of 435 measures in the four categories. This, combined with the fact that 96 of the 98 municipalities have made CAPs as part of the DK2020-network, shows that climate adaptation and risk management for reducing the negative impacts of climate change are in progress Denmark.

Climate change adaptation in Denmark is primarily based on initiatives at local level. Increasing the adaptive capacity is largely a municipal responsibility. The adaptive capacity is strengthened by the adoption of local adaptation action plans and risk assessments. Furthermore, 14 areas of potential significant flood risk have been appointed as a part of the Floods Directive, where the involved municipalities have adopted a Flood Risk Management Plan following the Danish legislation and guidance material.

There is no national obligation to update the local adaptation plans but most of the municipalities have reviewed and updated the plans, either in connection with the municipal plans every fourth year, or as part of the voluntary DK2020-network. No systematic monitoring of results of local measures is conducted or disseminated.

On Klimatilpasning.dk a municipality map will be released in 2023, showcasing all relevant plans and material related to climate change adaptation from each municipality. The portal also contains an elaborated collection of cases carried out around the country.

The Danish work with climate adaptation revolves mainly around water. In 2021, new regulation on wastewater utilities’ investments in climate change adaptation went into effect. Municipalities can decide to heighten wastewater utilities’ service levels in accordance with socio-economic viability, calculated using a defined method. This prevents over-investment. Wastewater utilities can collaborate with any relevant partner to finance the most efficient climate change adaptation initiative. The wastewater utilities’ increased investments in climate change adaptation continues to be within their financial framework, as supplements to their financial frameworks are available, subject to approval by the Danish Water Regulatory Authority.

An initial step in the work with a new national adaptation plan, barriers have been identified in the areas of legislation, financing and data availability. These barriers are expected to be addressed in the coming plan. The work has been carried out by a cross-ministerial working group, representing the many sectors affected by a changing climate.

During the implementation of the Floods Directive, the Danish Coastal Authority review and update the national flood risk assessment for coastal and fluvial flooding, including developing the vulnerability assessment. The developed vulnerability methodology will additionally be used in the update of Kystplanlægger, looking at both coastal erosion and coastal flood. The update of the vulnerability and risk assessments in Kystplanlægger are planned within a few years.

Prior to drafting the current NAP in 2012 a first step was taken in the form of a vulnerability and risk assessment. The report mapped the impacts and opportunities of climate change in Denmark and highlighted the areas in which Denmark was faced with the greatest challenges from future climate change.

At the end of 2022, a new Danish government took office. In the new government's work plan for its term of office, it is highlighted that despite significant efforts to counteract climate change, it is also necessary to further secure Denmark against floods and extreme weather. The government will therefore present a national climate adaptation plan, which supports that the necessary measures are implemented in a timely manner, as well as ensuring that the measures are organized as best as possible.

The Danish Coastal Authority has participated in the EU Interreg co-financed project on adaptation in the North Sea, ‘Building with Nature’ with funds from the ERDF. Furthermore, a number of Danish municipalities and stakeholders have participated in Interreg adaptation projects, including FRAMES dealing with flood resilience, and TOPSOIL dealing with soil and water resilience. Finally, several recent LIFE projects in Denmark have adaptation dimensions, particularly the Inter-municipal cooperation on ‘Water Management and Climate Change Adaptation for The Stream of Usserød’, and the Central Denmark Region leads the EU-funded project ‘Coast to Coast Climate Challenge’, which has had a goal of formulating and implementing a coordinated adaptation strategy for the region between 2017 and 2022.

The Central Denmark Region is participating in the project RESIST, which is a five-year HORIZON project Co-funded by the European Commission, that has emerged from the need to make regions more resilient to climate change. The project will adopt a new practical framework in which climate adaptation pathways will be tested in four EU regions with different socioeconomic profiles: Southwest Finland, Central Denmark, Catalonia and Central Portugal. Each region will test adaptation solutions to five key climate challenges: floods, droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, and soil erosion, and will bring together civil society, business, policymakers and the research community to work towards its future resilience. Know-how and adaptation pathways will be transferred from the four demonstrator regions to eight twinned regions through mutual-learning activities and immersive digital twins.

NEPTUN is an Interreg funded project that connects small and medium sized enterprises and municipalities across the Danish-German border. The aim of the project is to unleash the innovation and growth potential within the water, wastewater and climate adaptation sector. At the same time, NEPTUN seeks to build a bridge between the supply and demand sites within new innovative water technologies. The project runs from March 2020 to the end of May 2023.

According to the EU Floods Directive, Denmark has annual bilateral meetings with the Federal Government in Schleswig Holstein, Germany, to inform about the process of implementing the Directive in both countries and exchanging information about climate change related issues.

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has partnered with civil society in a “Green Partnership” that focuses on developing policies, building capacity and sharing knowledge on green solutions in development work for globally poor communities. The partnership is working in three main tracks: greening of development aid, including green programs, guidelines and development of green competencies in the sector; the green-political cooperative and nature, ecosystems and nature-based solutions. The partnership is open for all civilian organizations working with green development aid in Denmark and is driven by a technical steering committee.

Since 1978, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands have been cooperating to protect the Wadden Sea as an ecological entity. Under this cooperation, the three countries continue implementing the Trilateral Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and update the priorities contained therein where needed.

By September 2022, four out of five Danish regions and three municipalities are now signatories on Charter of the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change in support of the goals of the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Adaptation.

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently implementing their strategy on development aid 2021-2025 “Fælles om verden”. One of the two main strategies is to pave the way for the fight against climate change by enhancing global ambitions for reducing CO2 emissions and forwarding green transitions, by enhancing engagement in the fields of climate change adaptation and nature management and thus increasing resilience of poor and vulnerable countries and people

All municipalities have adopted local adaptation action plans in line with the national adaptation plan (NAP) launched in 2012. There is no national obligation to update the local adaptation plans but most of the municipalities have reviewed and updated the plans, either in connection with the municipal plans every fourth year, or as part of the voluntary DK2020-network . 96 of the 98 municipalities are part of the DK2020-network, which was founded in 2019. In the DK2020-network, the municipalities take inspiration from C40 initiatives and develop climate action plans that are compatible with the Paris agreement. Copenhagen Municipality is not a part of DK2020, but a member of C40 and has adopted a climate action plan.

As part of the Floods Directive, 14 areas of potential significant flood risk (APSFRs) has been appointed, covering 27 municipalities. Each municipality have adopted a Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) following the Danish legislation and guidance material.

A web portal group was created in relation to the maintenance and improvement of the Danish portal for Climate Change Adaptation. The group is jointly responsible for the development and maintenance of this site and include the Danish Metrological Institute, Danish Ministry of Climate, Ministry of Defense, Danish Emergency Management Agency, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Danish Coastal Authority, The Danish Agricultural Agency, Danish Health Authority, Ministry of Transport, Building, and Housing, Danish Regions, GEUS, Local Government Denmark along other relevant actors.

In 2020, a group of public and private organisations gathered their effort in a new National Network for Climate Adaptation . The network unites partnerships and is now consolidating many activities into the new, common network, aiming to develop and market innovative Danish climate solutions. The Local Government Denmark has established a climate adaptation network CLEAN – Environmental Cluster Denmark create innovation within the Danish companies who have or need environmental technology solutions. The Central Denmark Region has taken the role in facilitating the climate adaptation project Coast to Coast Climate Challenge, which was finalized by end of December 2022. By September 2022, four out of five regions and three municipalities are signatories on Charter of the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change in support of the goals of the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Adaptation Strategy.

Apart from the 14 designated areas in substantial risk of flooding (EU Floods Directive), adaptation strategies have not been adopted at the subnational level but all municipalities have adopted local adaptation action plans in line with the national adaptation plan (NAP). Local municipality plans and risk management plans can be found on the web portal: https://www.klimatilpasning.dk/kort/kommunekort.

Since February 2018, the municipalities are obliged to map for future erosion and flood hazards in the municipal development plan. The plan is updated every fourth year. Although not a formal responsibility or obligation, four of five regions have incorporated adaptation into their regional climate strategies: South Denmark , North Jutland, Region Zealand and the Capital Region . Central Denmark Region leads the EU-funded project ‘Coast to Coast Climate Challenge’, which has a goal of formulating and implementing a coordinated adaptation strategy for the region between 2017 and 2022 .

Climate change adaptation in Denmark is first and foremost based on initiatives at local level and involves municipalities, water utility companies and landowners. These stakeholders know the local conditions best, and are consequently in the best position to make decisions on adaptation. In Denmark, municipalities are the climate change adaptation authority and their close collaboration with central government, provides the basis for good stakeholder engagement.

The Coastal Authority has developed guidance material for municipalities, to support their development of risk management plans under the Floods Directive. The material is based on the Coastal Authority’s experience working with municipalities in this process and aims to provide support and guidance, including on how to engage local stakeholders and secure ownership.

The national web portal, klimatilpasning.dk, is developed in a collaborative effort across sectors and levels of governance. The portal contains news and concrete cases about climate change adaptation measures, and engages stakeholders by enhancing dissemination and sharing of knowledge.

A number of good practice case studies are presented below:

New Lakes Retain Rainwater in the Town of Tommerup Stationsby on Funen:

In the Municipality of Assens on Funen, three new retention ponds are keeping the town of Tommerup Stationsby dry-shod, even after persistent and heavy rainfalls. The three lakes - together known as Tallerupsøerne - are the largest climate adaptation project to date on Western Funen. The lakes are interconnected via meandering channels, and during heavy rainfall the three lakes become one large lake able to retain as much as 22,000 cubic metres of water. When the lakes fill up with water, the water is led on via a controlled pipe system into the Brende Å watercourse. The lakes were established on a 7-hectare land area acquired for the project by the local public utility company, Assens Forsyning A/S. The land was already gently undulating. The project entailed digging the hollows deeper and adding the soil dug up to the hilly parts, thus accentuating the undulating terrain. The local inhabitants of the area have been actively involved in creating the new landscape and recreational area surrounding the lakes. The lakes were designed to withstand a five-year rainfall event but have proven capable of withstanding more.

The Municipality of Assens, Assens Forsyning A/S and the neighborhood council (Tommeruppernes Lokalråd) worked closely together throughout the project from the planning phase to the establishment phase. Local citizens were also involved throughout the process. The project is a step in the Municipality of Assens' storm water management plan for Tommerup Stationsby. The plan was prepared collectively between the municipality and Assens Forsyning A/S and was adopted by the city council in autumn 2019. Assens Forsyning A/S subsequently bought the land for the project. Prior to start-up of the project, a hydraulic analysis was performed for the Brende Å watercourse, and the project was subjected to environmental assessment screening as required by law. Furthermore, permission was obtained for controlled discharge into Brende Å. The local inhabitants were involved in designing the recreational elements from the beginning. The involvement was through workshops that allowed everyone to contribute their ideas and wishes. The municipality financed a visualization of the area based on the input from the workshops, and the neighbourhood council used this visualization in its fundraising efforts.

Storm surge protection and new harbour environment in Svendborg:

The Blue Edge (Den Blå Kant) will be the residents of Svendborg's new common harbour space between the city and the sea. Three sluiceways and a belt of fixed and mobile dikes along the outer perimeter of Svendborg Harbour will protect the area against storm surges of up to three meters above mean sea level. Svendborg city lies elevated compared to the harbour. The project will therefore also establish several emergency flood channels leading stormwater runoff from the city directly into the harbour basin. The harbour basin can be used as a reservoir to protect the harbour area onshore against flooding during cloudbursts when the city sends cascades of water downhill. Svendborg Municipality estimates the total project cost to be several hundred million kroner. The municipality therefore also expects the full project will take more than ten years to complete. Once complete, however, the harbour area of Svendborg will be able to withstand a 100-year storm surge event and a 100-year rainfall event.

The first stage of The Blue Edge project is already underway. The first stage includes a new footbridge to the Frederiksø harbour island. The next stage of the project has been approved and will involve a storm surge protection solution for the most exposed part of the harbour. The municipality prepared an overall development plan for the harbour area in 2014. The municipality then issued an architectural competition on the basis of the plan in 2017. Comprehensive efforts were made to encourage stakeholders to contribute ideas and identify needs. Workshops and dialogue meetings were held with young people, local businesses, shipping companies, utility companies, private property owners, Svendborg International Maritime Academy, SIMAC, and many more. Furthermore, a large public meeting was held. The municipality continuously cooperates with stakeholders in the project. The winning project from the architectural competition is being monitored along the way, so that both technical solutions and financial aspects are continuously adapted to what is practicable.

Read more examples of good practice case studies on en.klimatilpasning.dk/cases/.

A national overview of the disbursement of funding to increase climate resilience is currently not available, but a number of municipalities publish climate change adaptation investments on a voluntary basis each year as eg. Copenhagen and Frederiksberg municipalities17. HOFOR, the utility company in Copenhagen, has plans for DKK 13 billion in Copenhagen alone, and the projects will be completed around 2035.

A new Joint Agreement on coastal protection of the Danish West coast for the period 2020-2024 was agreed on between 4 municipalities and the Danish state. The coastal protection of the 110 km stretch from Lodbjerg to Nymindegab has been carried out in cooperation between the State and the municipalities. In the period of 2020 to 2024 a total of around DKK 204 million per/yr. will be invested in coastal protection between the four municipalities along the stretch and will primarily be carried out with sand nourishment in larger or smaller quantities along the coast.

In 2023, 10 new projects along the entire Danish coast were granted a total of DKK 150 million to reduce the risks of flooding and erosion. In 2021 the amount was DKK 50 million and in 2022 it was DKK 40 million.

There is no national procedure for review and update of the subnational adaptation plans and policies. However, municipalities as Frederiksberg and Copenhagen make annual statements which give a status of the financing and implementation of climate adaptation measures. The Copenhagen master plans were introduced in 2019 and are working papers between the municipality and HOFOR, the Greater Copenhagen Utility, and a kind of a preliminary analyses in order to ensure cooperation between relevant plans and projects to create as much synergy as possible.

Since 1978, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands have been cooperating to protect the Wadden Sea as an ecological entity. Under this cooperation, the three countries continue implementing the Trilateral Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and update the priorities contained therein where needed.

By September 2022, four out of five Danish regions and three municipalities are now signatories on Charter of the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change in support of the goals of the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Adaptation.

The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently implementing their strategy on development aid 2021-2025 “The World we share - Denmark's strategy for Development Cooperation”. One of the two main strategies is to pave the way for the fight against climate change by enhancing global ambitions for reducing CO2 emissions and forwarding green transitions, by enhancing engagement in the fields of climate change adaptation and nature management and thus increasing resilience of poor and vulnerable countries and people.