The “Municipal Survey on Climate Adaptation 2027” continues and further develops the nationwide, representative survey conducted in 2023. It assesses the current status, needs, and implementation of climate adaptation in German municipalities. In addition, the project team is evaluating whether the survey can be established as a permanent monitoring tool for the DAS. The goal is to create a robust data foundation for the further development of the DAS and for cooperation among the federal government, the states, and municipalities.
Research Approach
Building on the 2023 Municipal Survey, the 2027 survey is being further developed as a monitoring tool. The goal is to ensure better comparability over time and greater regional relevance, while taking into account current political and legal developments (DAS 2024, KAnG). The study provides an up-to-date, scientifically sound picture of the status of municipal climate adaptation in Germany. It also evaluates instruments, programs, and support services offered by the federal and state governments. The survey provides a current, Germany-wide, and empirically sound database that enables conclusions to be drawn regarding the improvement of cooperation between the federal, state, and local governments, as well as the updating of the DAS.
The survey is embedded in a transdisciplinary accompanying project that supports the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) in the further development of the DAS. The project results are intended to provide impetus for the further development of the DAS beyond the year 2028 and to strengthen policy coherence and integration across individual sectors and levels.
Background
Effective climate adaptation requires collaboration among the federal government, states, counties, cities, and municipalities. The municipal level plays a key role in this process, as adaptation measures are planned and implemented there. To systematically incorporate future developments and needs at the municipal level into the updating of the DAS, the municipal survey is being further developed as a central empirical tool. It serves to assess the status and progress, as well as the obstacles and potential, of municipal adaptation practices in Germany, and to enable conclusions for the further development of the DAS. In this way, the municipal survey provides evidence-based feedback between the decision-making levels.
Research and Project Partners
- IÖW, Berlin (Lead)
- Bosch & Partner, Munich
Client
The project “Accompanying Research on the Further Development of the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change” is commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA).
