Mapping climate change - barriers and opportunities for action

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embankments in the event of long periods with intensive rain, and is also securing well-functioning drainage systems for a large number of trenches along the railway. Furthermore, Rail Net Denmark is looking at drainage systems at stations where drainage problems have already been observed, and efforts to prevent trees from falling across the tracks have been boosted. In connection with planning of new rail stretches, Rail Net Denmark is carrying out analyses on a routine basis of the need to incorporate climate change adaptation into projects. This is important as the climate is expected to change over the course of some years leading to problems for rail installations that have life spans of up to 100 years. Up-to-date climate-proofing of the upcoming new rail link between Copenhagen and Ringsted As a consequence of the most recent knowledge about climate change, in terms of precipitation, groundwater and sea levels, assumptions underlying the original environmental impact assessment have changed. Therefore, an updating of the climate change impact assessment was launched as part of the detailed planning phase, so as to ensure that the new rail link between Copenhagen and Ringsted can withstand future climate change. Below are some examples of areas in which the assessment gives rise to amendments that need to be clarified and ultimately included in the project. A screening (blue-spot analysis) of the topography along the railway identifies local spots at risk of flooding in the event of extreme precipitation. Flooding of the railway terrain due to precipitation: A "critical spot height" is defined, and the frequency of flooding, as well as its implications for the design of drainage systems, including pumping stations on tunnel stretches, are examined for particularly critical stretches (tunnels and troughs). Technical installations must be located taking into account the critical spot height and the likelihood of flooding. In several locations, the vertical alignment of the railway has been sunken relative to the programme phase, which gives a higher number of potential trouble spots along the railway track. Any increase in the groundwater level will therefore be critical. Mitigating initiatives will be assessed specifically for the individual location. With the implementation of climate change adaptation measures, it will be possible to prevent the climate change predicted over the next 120 years from damaging the infrastructure or operations on the new Copenhagen-Ringsted rail link. Barriers and opportunities for future action Knowledge and consulting services The impact of climate change adaptation initiatives carried out today is associated with the uncertainties linked to current projections of climate change. One of many issues related to longterm planning is that current projections run up to the year 2100, while bridges, tunnels and underpasses according to Rail Net Denmark's standards must be constructed with life spans of at least 120 years. 42
Climate change adaptation is carried out with assistance from large engineering firms, which are also widely used by local governments and other authorities. As the same mindset has been applied in risk perceptions, methods and solutions, collaborative efforts with municipalities and other players have been good. However, long-term planning of climate change poses special challenges which only few municipalities relate to in practice in their work on climate change adaptation. Recent years have seen a huge increase in the availability of tools due especially to work taking place within the framework of the Danish Ministry of the Environment's portal on climate change adaptation at www.klimatilpasning.dk. With regard to long-term planning, an especially useful tool, Sea Water on Land (Havvand på Land), makes it possible to plan for any surprises relative to current climate forecasts. The blue-spot analysis is another interesting tool developed by the Danish Road Directorate. Regulation Planning by Rail Net Denmark is generally based on a series of standards. In future years, Rail Net Denmark will carry out a revision of the drainage standard which determines the dimensioning of drainage systems for surface water etc. Summary Greater rainfall amounts and more powerful storms may have different effects on the rail network. Rail Net Denmark is preparing to cope with increased precipitation and stronger winds by analysing road-related events, establishing warning systems, revising existing technical railway standards, and by analysing the need to incorporate climate change adaptation in the planning of new rail installations. Finally, Rail Net Denmark is also working on managing climate change impacts on the basis of performance requirements. This involves preparing an action plan for climate change adaptation on the basis of the Ministry of Transport's climate change adaptation strategy. This action plan is to contain targets and a milestone plan as well as a "declaration of services" concerning the availability of the railway infrastructure. 43
Page 1: Mapping climate change - barriers a
Page 5 and 6: 1. Introduction Climate change will
Page 7 and 8: From a central-government perspecti
Page 9 and 10: encourage plant diseases and, in pa
Page 11: sectors and industries. A legislati
Page 14 and 15: the same or at a greater level than
Page 16 and 17: Winter 1.5 ºC (± 0.2 ºC) 3.5 ºC
Page 18 and 19: from increased wind conditions, the
Page 20 and 21: Frosty days The number of days in a
Page 22 and 23: 4. Climate change impacts, and barr
Page 24 and 25: 4.1 Physical infrastructure 4.1.1 C
Page 26 and 27: Owners of buildings could also bene
Page 28 and 29: Public construction and public buil
Page 30 and 31: Summary The construction and housin
Page 32 and 33: fairways and/or port basins are dre
Page 34 and 35: Directive. The coastal conference w
Page 36 and 37: 4.1.3 Transport Roads, bridges, tun
Page 38 and 39: out that linear drainage is better
Page 40 and 41: may be realigned. The Danish Road D
Page 44 and 45: 4.1.4 Water Water plays an importan
Page 46 and 47: A proposal for an amendment of the
Page 48 and 49: More precipitation means higher ann
Page 50 and 51: context it will be relevant to acco
Page 52 and 53: 4.2 Business sectors 4.2.1 Agricult
Page 54 and 55: aspects are influenced by climate c
Page 56 and 57: The increased risk of losses of nit
Page 58 and 59: 4.2.2 Forestry Forests are the natu
Page 60 and 61: New forests adapted to future clima
Page 62 and 63: 4.2.3 Fisheries Climate changes, in
Page 64 and 65: the Ministry of Food, Agriculture a
Page 66 and 67: 4.2.4 Energy Climate change will af
Page 68 and 69: An increase in summer temperatures
Page 70 and 71: Possibilities for adaptation Adapta
Page 72 and 73: The most important impacts for the
Page 74 and 75: Not only along coasts but also in l
Page 76 and 77: Noticeable improvement in condition
Page 78 and 79: 4.3.2 Human health The health-relat
Page 80 and 81: The Danish Health and Medicines Aut
Page 82 and 83: in these efforts, as the health ser
Page 84 and 85: events. Nordic and EU agreements ex
Page 86 and 87: Barriers and opportunities for futu
Page 88 and 89: property. In the city of Odense, th
Page 90 and 91: Barriers and opportunities for futu
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flooding or other damage that may p
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5. Socio-economic climate change ad
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Kolding Municipality - assessing wa
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In principle, all consequences shou
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Mapping climate change - barriers and opportunities for action

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