Climate Impacts Germany

Also Germany is affected by climate change. Nearly all areas of society are concerned by the consequences. However, these have very different effects in the various regions and sectors. You can access further information on the climate impacts in the individual sectors or regions of Germany using the search function below. After selecting a sector OR a federal state, you will be shown detailed information on this.

It is, for example, highly probable that heat waves like those that occurred in the summer of 2003 will increasingly become the norm in the future. This can have diverse and profound impacts on the various sectors of agriculture, forestry, health or industry. Furthermore, climate change has an impact on the availability of water resources. Water shortages affect the water and energy industry (due to a lack of cooling water) and agriculture. In order to develop effective adaptation strategies and measures, climate impacts have to be taken into account in a balanced and comprehensive manner. In particular, the climate impacts that were examined in the 2021 climate impact and risk assessment are presented.

In case you are particularly interested in possible adaptation measures for a specific sector, you can access these in the menu regional and sectoral adaptation.

Fields of action

State

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Climate Impacts: Field of Action Biological Diversity

colourful flowering summer meadow

Climate change and thus changes in temperature and precipitation patterns as well as the frequency of extreme events influence the seasonal development, behaviour, reproduction, competitiveness and food relationships of species in the long term. Biodiversity is also threatened by climate change. read more

Climate Impacts: Field of Action Tourism

Beach chairs at the Baltic Sea

As an economic sector and growth industry, tourism is dependent on the weather on both the supply and demand side, as a large number of tourism activities take place outdoors. Accordingly, tourism is also influenced by climatic changes. These affect tourism offers and regions in very different ways. read more

Climate Impacts: Field of Action Fishery

Fishes under water

In general, climate change is expected to have significant negative impacts for all types of fisheries. For marine fisheries, increasing warming and acidification of the oceans are particularly relevant. For inland water fisheries and fish farming in aquacultures, higher water temperatures and increasing drought are relevant. read more

Climate Impacts: Field of Action Agriculture

Field with farming tailer - a single spike in the foreground

Increased temperatures, heat waves, late frosts, drought, heavy rain, hail and storms have a direct impact on agricultural production. Due to this high dependence on weather and climate, it is particularly important for agriculture as well as fruit cultivation, viticulture and horticulture to be aware of the impacts of climate change and to prepare for them in time. read more

Climate Impacts: Field of Action Forestry

Stack of wood logs

Climate change poses major challenges for forests: Extreme events such as heat and drought periods and storms are severely affecting the forest. Pest infestations and forest fires can cause damage over large areas. In many places, the natural adaptive capacity of forests has already been exceeded and is increasingly endangering the climate and forestry yields. read more

Climate Impacts: Field of Action Soils

freshly ploughed field

Soils fulfil a variety of functions. They are the basis for the production of healthy food, provide settlement and living space for humans and animals, and are crucial for the water balance and protection of groundwater. Soils are the world's largest terrestrial store of organic carbon and thus also of central importance for climate protection. read more

Climate Impacts: Field of Action Human Health

A baby hand holding the finger of an adult

Humans react sensitively to extreme weather events. Heat is a direct burden on human health and can lead to severe diseases of the cardiovascular system and, in extreme cases, to death. In addition, climate change favours allergies and pathogens or their vectors. Sunny years increase the risk of UV-related health damage. read more

The Umweltbundesamt

For our environment