- Rise in tropical nights and hot days
registered over the past few decades
- +2.3 degrees celscius
projected warming by 2050
- 2019-ongoing
Implementation timeline
Replicability
How Herne’s legally binding framework, standardised tools and multistakeholder approach for urban climate resilience can be adapted by other cities.
Best suited for
Cities with dense urban structures, high heat and flood vulnerability, and existing planning frameworks can adopt Herne’s legally binding climate adaptation plan. Herne’s model is particularly relevant for industrial or post-industrial cities with limited green spaces and aging infrastructure.
Stakeholders' role
To replicate Herne’s model, local governments must lead with binding adaptation plans, supported by climate experts providing data, maps and scientific evidence, and national or regional funders. Homeowners, urban planners and any involved stakeholder implement measures via mandatory checks, while public engagement ensures acceptance. This multistakeholder collaboration involving governance, science and contributions from the private sector and citizens, is crucial for replication.
Built-in scalable tools
Herne’s model includes built-in scalable tools designed for replication in other cities. The climate adaptation plan serves as a procedural blueprint, embedding adaptation into planning through standardised checklists, a four-step assessment grid and a climate adaptation catalogue with modular measures for different scales. The climate adaptation map identifies high-risk areas using local data, while the mandatory climate check for private buildings, with its scoring system, creates a replicable framework for homeowner engagement.
Funding pathways
Herne’s climate adaptation initiatives were primarily funded through Germany’s national climate protection initiative, a federal programme administered by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. This funding supported the development and implementation of the 2019 climate adaptation plan, integrating adaptation measures into Herne’s urban planning and building processes. The plan’s legally binding framework ensures ongoing implementation through existing municipal budgets, embedding climate resilience into standard planning and development procedures.
