Climate Change

The numerous floodings, hurricanes, landslides, and other extreme climate situations of recent years have increased the focus on climate change.

The main tasks for the Danish Coastal Authority are to advise The Danish Ministry of the Environment, municipalities, other public authorities, and not least the public on coastal protection along the Danish coastline.

The Danish Coastal Authority develops methods and tools for the public, authorities, and others for their work with climate change, e.g. the coastal planning tool, a screening tool for coastal planning that allows for the expected future climatic development.

Coastal development on the west coast of Jutland is also analysed, allowing a continuous response to climate change and providing the basis for adjusting coastal protection accordingly.

Moreover, the Danish Coastal Authority publishes updated statistics on extraordinarily high storm surges in Denmark every 5 years, most recently in 2017, where water level statistics were calculated for 55 locations in Denmark. In relation to the statistics, it is described how the expected water level rises caused by climate change can already be incorporated in the planning of near-shore areas.

The EU Floods Directive

Between 1998-2004, Europe experienced extensive flooding more than 100 times, causing casualties and material damage worth billions of Euros. As a result, the EU decided to increase the cooperation on flooding prevention and control, resulting in the adoption of the EU Floods Directive in 2007.

The Danish Coastal Authority has just implemented the first two steps of the directive concerning sea and inlet flooding in Denmark. The first two steps include assessment and designation of the areas in which there is a potential, substantial risk of flooding and the preparation of maps indicating the danger of flooding and the risk of flooding in the designated areas.

The Danish Coastal Authority is currently implementing the first two steps of the directive concerning sea and inlet flooding in Denmark. The first two steps include assessment and designation of the areas in which there is a potential, substantial risk of flooding and the preparation of maps indicating the danger of flooding and the risk of flooding in the designated areas.

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