The results of a survey of 4000 companies in the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan region in north-western Germany show that climate change is an ever more significant business management factor for companies. In this issue of SHORT AND SHARP, we present an overview of the risks and opportunities which various industries see ahead of them, and of the conclusions which can be drawn for adaptation strategies.
Two circumstances have shaped the vulnerability assessment presented here: the current strong structural dynamics of the energy sector, albeit with no clear direction; and the fact that the energy providers have long been prepared to deal with a large variety of climatic and economic uncertainties.
The vulnerability analysis of the food industry in the Metropolitan Region Bremen-Oldenburg is based on an examination of the supply chains of the poultry, pork, dairy and fish industries.
Political and administrative structures play an important role in climate adaptation. Political scientific analysis can identify factors and scopes of action, which could increase the adaptive capacity. The Governance Team therefore investigated key sectors in the Metropolitan Region, including spatial planning, water management, coastal and inland flood protection,
and civil protection.