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Ecologic Institute

Regional Adaptation Strategies for the German Baltic Sea Coast (RADOST)

Project in

RAdOst Logo The Ecologic Institute coordinates the five-year project RADOST (Regional Adaptation Strategies for the German Baltic Sea Coast). The Baltic coastline of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein is one of seven model regions in Germany that are supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through the funding activity KLIMZUG ("Managing climate change in the regions for the future"). The aim of the RADOST project is to develop regional adaptation strategies in a dialogue between research institutions, business, public administration and civil society. The research network project RADOST is held its first annual conference, which took place on the 24 - 25 March 2010 in Schwerin. The conference was conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Economics, Labor and Tourism of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Please find a summary and some contributions at the project website

The essential idea of the project is to establish a close linkage between research and practice. In addition to a core consortium of 11 partners that receive direct funding from BMBF, RADOST involves a multitude of network partners from research organisations, business, public authorities and non-governmental organisations, part of which contribute to the research activities as subcontractors. At the time of proposal submission, this network included around 60 partners. It will be continuously expanded in the course of the project. The regional dialogue is complemented by a national and international information exchange involving partner regions in Europe, North America and North Africa.

Today, millions of euros per year are already invested in coastal protection in the region. The efficient usage of these funds requires predictions about the coast line’s future development to be as precise as possible. However, the specific impacts of climate change – caused by the rising sea level, modified currents or an increase of surges – are still very uncertain. Another challenge is posed by water quality alterations in a warmer climate with modified river discharge patterns.

In order to more accurately assess the dynamics of future environmental conditions, RADOST will use combinations of existing models to illustrate changes in more detail than before. RADOST activities in the field of natural science will include investigations into hydrodynamics, sediment transport, water quality and ecosystems. In addition, the socio-economic consequences of climate change and adaptation options in the region will be assessed. Research and strategy development activities focus on the issues of

coastal protection
tourism and beach management
water management and agriculture
ports and maritime economy
nature conservation and use
renewable energies.

Implementation projects with local partners will illustrate the economic opportunities of innovative responses to climate change. The envisaged practical applications include combining coastal protection constructions with diving tourism activities or geothermal energy generation; concepts for the aquaculture industry; design optimisation of ships for the use on routes through the Baltic Sea; and new marketing strategies for beach tourism.

Further information on RADOST is available on the project’s website (in German).

Further links:

Keywords: climate change, adaptation, regional adaptation strategies, nature conservation, ports, maritime economy, tourism, coastal protection, renewable energies, water management, agriculture, Germany, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania; Schleswig-Holstein; Baltic Coastline

Sponsor: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Partners: