Cities along rivers and coast most affected by climate change in Germany – researchers
Clean Energy Wire
Coastal regions and cities along large rivers are most vulnerable to the damaging effects of climate change in Germany, the Climate Risk Index (Klimarisikoindex), developed by the Institute of German Economics (IW) and insurance company ERGO, found.
The researchers examined the threats posed by various climate risks, including storms, heavy rain, and heat, to assess the overall risk that German regions run due to climate change. They found that cities and municipalities near water are more vulnerable overall. The city of Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea has the highest risk score, whereas Kempten near the Alps in southern Germany has the lowest.
Storms and heavy rain were found to be the most significant natural hazard threats to Germany as a whole today, while heat stress looks set to become a more serious problem over time.
IW’s Hanno Kempermann said it is difficult for local authorities to appropriately prepare for these increasing risks, as they often lack the financial resources to adapt to a changing environment. “If the federal government and the states continue to overburden municipalities with responsibilities, without providing additional funding, necessary investments would fall by the wayside in the future”, he said in a press release.
As one of the fastest-warming regions on the planet, Europe increasingly grapples with climate-related risks. Changing climate conditions, combined with environmental and social factors pose risks to European water and food supplies, energy security, and public health.
Increasing extreme weather events also seriously affect Europe’s economy. Economic losses from drought, floods and heatwaves cost Europe 43 billion euros in summer 2025, according to estimates by researchers at the University of Mannheim and economists from the European Central Bank. Southern Europe – including Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece – were particularly affected extreme weather events between June and August, they said in a report.
As part of its efforts to help EU member states deal with climate change effects, the European Commission is working on a package of policies for European climate resilience and risk management. It is expected for release by the end of 2026.
