Climate changes, with higher sea levels, more rain and a warmer weather, present Copenhagen with a number of challenges. With this plan Copenhagen is facing up to the challenges now
Copenhagen must adapt to climate changes to keep possible damage
expenses minimize and to offer exciting possibilities at the same
time. The city will be adapting to climate while creating a city
with green roofs and facades and more trees as well as green and
blue areas.
In the future, floodings will occur more frequently and more
extensively. This may have serious financial consequences for
Copenhagen if we do not intervene in time. Sea level will rise
which can cause flooding in the city, and the groundwater level
will probably change. Temperature rises could cause health
problems. These are all problems the plan suggests solutions
for.
Calculations and forecasts in this plan are based on the best
available knowledge of climate. If however, we attempt to foresee
what will happen in a hundred years, there will inevitably be,
some uncertainty. For this reason, the plan will be revised on an
ongoing basis and initiatives will be adjusted in synch with
technological development and take place step by step, so that the
measures we initiate constantly reflect the latest knowledge.
If the risk of damage resulting from the climate is unacceptably
high, it is the strategy of the City of Copenhagen to choose first
and foremost those initiatives which will prevent the damage. This
is climate adaptation level one, where you can find, amongst other
actions, the building of dykes, building higher above sea level,
expansion of the sewers' capacity and local management of
rainwater
The recommendation in the Climate Adaptation Plan is that the
city's green areas should equip Copenhagen for tomorrow's weather.
A long-term, broad and focused commitment to a greener Copenhagen
should be a prophylactic investment in a climate safe Copenhagen. A
green approach may have a broad and wide effect and can solve
several problems related to climate and adaptation, and at the same
time improve the health and well-being of the Copenhageners.