Overview
- The Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft and ERGO published a nationwide index covering all 400 districts and independent cities with projections through 2050.
- Wilhelmshaven records the highest risk score at 5.7 today rising to 5.9 by 2050, while Kempten ranks lowest at 2.8 rising to 3.1.
- Storms are the dominant current hazard with scores above 7.5 in every region, and heat stress increases the fastest, topping 3 in 372 regions by 2050.
- Regions flagged as especially exposed include North Sea areas such as Wesermarsch, Wittmund, Emden and Bremerhaven, as well as parts of West Brandenburg, eastern Saxony-Anhalt and the Rhine-Neckar corridor.
- The index relies on ERGO’s K.A.R.L. risk model using IPCC-aligned climate model families and an assumed ~2.4°C warming by 2050, while experts cite funding and staffing needs of about €55 billion and 16,200 positions by 2030.