Climate Change Adaptation: Willingmann Grants Nearly €350,000 to Burgenlandkreis

The district of Burgenlandkreis in Saxony-Anhalt is taking significant steps to combat the effects of climate change, with a district-wide heat action plan and expanded weather disaster protection measures on the horizon.

The climate ministry is subsidizing a 70,000 euro heat action plan in the Burgenlandkreis, contributing 63,000 euros towards its cost. Meanwhile, the state government is providing funding for the expansion of weather disaster protection measures, though specific details on the financing of these projects are not yet clear.

Dr. Ariane Koerner, Deputy Regional Councilor of the Burgenlandkreis, has emphasised the district's top priority as the protection of its population from the consequences of climate change. This priority is aligned with the goals of the "Saxony-Anhalt Climate III" program, which aims to support adaptation measures to climate change.

The need for flood management and climate resilience measures in Saxony-Anhalt is immense. The "Saxony-Anhalt Climate III" program will not fund projects that have already been supported, suggesting it is for new projects or additional funding for existing ones.

The program supports municipal investments in flood management and climate resilience, with funds that can be used for various projects such as the development of heat action plans, de-sealing and greening of public spaces, and investing in mobile flood protection and water retention basins and reservoirs.

Currently, four projects are being implemented and seven more are in preparation and planning in the Burgenlandkreis. The district has also received funding of over 348,000 euros from the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE) for climate change adaptation.

A mobile flood protection system, costing around 317,000 euros, will be acquired with the funding, which can be deployed flexibly and set up quickly on site to a length of 600 meters. The climate ministry is providing around 285,300 euros in funding for this system.

Climate Minister Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann has praised the Burgenlandkreis for choosing the scientifically founded path in addressing climate change. He has also highlighted that Saxony-Anhalt is already a hotspot, with heat days and tropical nights set to increase disproportionately in the region.

The heat action plan will focus on the use of a heat warning system, long-term urban planning, reducing heat in indoor spaces, and the special protection of risk groups such as children, chronically ill, elderly, and physically active people working outdoors. The Burgenlandkreis has had a heat protection concept for a year, and by creating a heat protection plan, they will supplement this and be able to reach the particularly vulnerable groups in the population.

The Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and Environment of Saxony-Anhalt has announced the availability of €35 million from the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE) for the "Saxony-Anhalt Climate III" program. This program has been heavily oversubscribed, indicating a strong commitment from municipalities to address climate change in the region.

Since 2002, around 20 construction measures to improve flood protection with a total volume of around 50 million euros have been successfully completed in the Burgenlandkreis. This history of successful flood protection measures bodes well for the district's ongoing efforts to adapt to climate change.