Global Challenges – Local Risks. Of Future Lives with Climate Change – A Decision-making Tool for Municipalities

The identification and, in particular, the visualisation of climate-related key risks at municipal level through the "Local Reasons for Concern" serve as a communication and decision-making tool for (local) actors in the area of holistic climate-sensitive risk management. The concept fills an important gap in decision-making and allow for a prioritisation of the manifold available adaptation measures and strategies. It enables the creation and strengthening of awareness and responsibility for existing, emerging and future risks. The procedure can be used to revise common practices dealing with risks and to incorporate potential future developments (climatological as well as socio-economic) into the assessment of risks as well as in community development concepts. The application of the "Local Reasons for Concern" thus supports decision-makers in taking preventive action and measures necessary for their municipality in due time.