Coastal Regions

What is it about

Rising sea levels and the increasing potential of storm surges pose a growing threat to coastal infrastructure such as power generation, water treatment and transport. Protecting this critical infrastructure is of paramount importance to safeguarding our livelihoods.

Global sea levels are rising at an accelerated rate which puts low elevation infrastructure in coastal areas at growing risk. Thermo-electric low-lying power plants and generation infrastructure (located near water bodies for cooling), water treatment plants, and offshore wind turbines are particularly exposed to coastal flooding and storm surge risks. Coastal flooding on the road and rail network can have downstream impacts on businesses and manufacturing, and a risk of ‘cutting-off’ communities in isolated regions.

The potentially emission-intensive construction and improvement of protective structures such as sea walls, storm surge barriers, dykes and dams is necessary, but also the relocation of assets must be considered, especially to protect sensitive oceanic ecosystems – all under the condition that the declining emissions budget is not exceeded.

In order to ensure sufficient supply through critical infrastructures and to compensate for possible failures, not only investments must be made, but in particular a much more responsible use of finite goods such as energy and resources is needed. This concerns us all.

Coastal Demonstrator Region

Coastal Follower Regions

KNOWING in joint efforts with...

Policy Makers & Administrations

Policymakers and administrators play a key role in climate adaptation, but success depends on aligning strategies with realistic institutional, governance, and budgetary conditions. Strong institutions, cross-sector and cross-department collaboration, and enforceable policies support resilience and climate neutrality. Awareness, clear governance, and financial resources are essential but not sufficient—political will and broad stakeholder engagement are crucial. Transparent, evidence-based decision-making helps overcome barriers. Tools like the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) align – if available – local strategies with broader goals. Effective climate action requires administrators to coordinate efforts across departments and sectors. Ultimately, realistic assessments of local capacities determine feasibility and impact.

How can policymakers and administrators leverage KNOWING effectively?

KNOWING provides policymakers and administrators with the tools and insights to develop effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, ensuring their region moves toward climate neutrality.

A Better Basis for Decision-Making

The KNOWING Follower Questionnaire integrates a capacity mapping to assess existing laws, regulations, institutions, and governance structures, helping decision-makers understand the feasibility of climate strategies in their specific context.

At the core of KNOWING’s methodology is an impact interaction model framework, which combines system dynamics with sectoral models to map complex interactions between climate risks, adaptation and mitigation measures. This framework simulates multiple sectors—including energy, mobility, land use, and urbanization—enabling a precise assessment of political decisions regarding their long-term ecological, economic, and social impacts.

Key Services for Policymakers and Administrators

KNOWING delivers actionable insights through a set of tailored services:

The Climate Impact Knowledge Base provides scientifically sound information on climate risks and effective adaptation strategies.
The Decision Support System (DSS) combines data-driven scenario analysis, sector models, and system dynamics modeling to evaluate the long-term effects of policy interventions across multiple sectors. This allows policymakers to make informed choices based on risk and feasibility assessments, ensuring robust strategy development and pathway planning.
The Climate Impact Coping Typology helps institutions understand societal perceptions and responses to climate policies, enabling better stakeholder engagement, optimized communication strategies, and increased public acceptance of climate measures and interventions.
Playful Training raises awareness of climate risks and hazards while helping policymakers navigate conflicting priorities in specific environments.
Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis (via Stakeholder Questionnaires and Workshops) helps identify key actors, their motivations, and potential barriers to action.
Vision Building and Consensus Development are facilitated through Structured Workshops that align regional priorities and stakeholder interests.
Climate Communication Tools such as Storytelling and the Shape Your Future App support effective public engagement and communication strategies.

Science & Education

Science and education are key to climate adaptation, translating complex challenges into actionable insights. Beyond generating data, they must equip policymakers with practical solutions and necessary skills. Effective knowledge transfer requires clear communication through policy briefs, scenario analyses, and interactive platforms. Strong networks between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners enhance collaboration and best practices. Science helps simplify climate complexity using risk assessments and scenario planning. By fostering ambition and systemic change, it encourages bold climate strategies. Ultimately, science and education empower decision-makers to build a resilient, climate-neutral future.

KNOWING: Empowering Civil Society for Science-Based Climate Action

KNOWING helps create livable, resilient cities and regions by ensuring that climate decisions are grounded in scientific knowledge. By providing tools and insights, the project supports communities in adapting to climate change while working towards long-term sustainability and climate neutrality.

A Science-Based Foundation for Resilient Communities

At the core of KNOWING is the Impact Interaction Model Framework, which maps the complex relationships between climate risks, environmental changes, and adaptation and mitigation measures. This framework integrates climate science with stakeholder knowledge from policy, industry, academia, and civil society, ensuring that solutions are both scientifically sound and locally applicable.

Key Services for Science & Education

KNOWING equips communities with evidence-based tools to actively participate in climate action:

The Climate Impact Knowledge Base provides accessible, science-backed insights on climate risks and adaptation strategies.
The Decision Support System (DSS) integrates data-driven scenario analysis, sector models, and system dynamics modeling to assess the interconnected effects of climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. By simulating interactions across multiple sectors, it supports comprehensive risk and feasibility assessments and enhances the robustness of long-term policy planning.
The Climate Impact Coping Typology helps researchers understand how different societal groups perceive and respond to climate measures and interventions, supporting more effective communication strategies and stakeholder engagement.
Playful Training and Awareness Programs raise understanding of climate risks and challenges, fostering engagement through interactive learning.
Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis identifies key actors, motivations, and barriers to collective action.
Consensus and Vision Building workshops enable communities to shape shared climate strategies.
Strategic Pathway Development helps assess risks, feasibility, and governance capacity, using models and backcasting for long-term planning.
Climate Communication Tools (Storytelling and Shape Your Future App) support inclusive and effective public engagement.

Economy & Industries

Businesses and industries play a strategic role in climate adaptation, benefiting from resilience, innovation, and long-term competitiveness. Climate-resilient regions attract investors, skilled workers, and companies seeking stable environments. Clean Tech and sustainable industries offer major economic opportunities, positioning proactive companies ahead in evolving markets. Regulatory compliance, such as the EU’s CSRD, is becoming essential, giving sustainable businesses a competitive edge. Beyond compliance, sustainability enhances brand value, attracts talent, and improves work environments. Companies should see climate adaptation as a strategic advantage, not a burden. Collaboration with policymakers and researchers is key to future-proofing operations and driving systemic change.

KNOWING: Empowering Businesses and Industries for Climate-Resilient Growth

Businesses play a strategic role in climate adaptation, benefiting from resilience, innovation, and long-term competitiveness. Climate-resilient regions attract investors, skilled workers, and companies seeking stable environments, making sustainability a core business advantage. The transition to a low-carbon economy presents major economic opportunities, especially in Clean Tech and sustainable industries. Companies that integrate sustainability into their strategies gain a competitive edge, while regulations like the EU’s CSRD make climate risk disclosures essential.

Key Services for Businesses and Industries

KNOWING provides tools to help companies navigate and leverage climate adaptation:

Capacity Mapping aligns business strategies with regulatory frameworks.
The Climate Impact Coping Typology helps optimize stakeholder engagement and communication.
The Climate Impact Knowledge Base provides science-backed insights on climate risks.
The Decision Support System (DSS) uses sector models and system dynamics modeling to assess risks and opportunities.
Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis identifies key partners and market dynamics.
Pathway Development supports strategic risk planning and scenario modeling.
Climate Communication Tools enhance sustainability messaging and engagement.

Civil Society

Climate adaptation is not just about policies and technologies—it is about how each individual understands, accepts, and responds to necessary climate measures in daily life. KNOWING equips people with science-based knowledge and practical tools to navigate climate risks, make informed decisions, and embrace sustainable change rather than resist it.

A Science-Based Approach to Personal Climate Action

KNOWING’s Impact Interaction Model Framework helps individuals grasp the connections between climate risks, adaptation measures, and policy decisions. By integrating scientific insights with real-world experiences, the project supports individuals in understanding the necessity of climate measures and their long-term benefits.

Key Services for Individuals

KNOWING provides tailored tools to support personal acceptance and engagement in climate adaptation:

The Climate Impact Knowledge Base offers accessible, science-backed insights on climate risks and solutions, helping individuals see the rationale behind adaptation measures.
The Climate Impact Coping Typology identifies six behavioral types in response to climate policies, helping individuals reflect on their own reactions and fostering greater acceptance of necessary changes.
Playful Training and Awareness Programs use interactive learning to help individuals understand climate risks, dispel misconceptions, and increase openness to climate solutions.
Pathway Development provides data-driven scenario modeling, allowing individuals to assess how climate measures impact their daily lives in the long run.
The Shape Your Future App approaches climate change in a playful way. In several scenarios, complex interdependencies between energy, mobility or urban heat in climate change can be explored in the context of a diverse society.

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Map

Get an overview of all Demonstrator and Follower Regions as well of our project partners on our Project Map.