Oberbergischer Kreis implements measures for climate change adaptation Funding successfully secured

Oberbergischer Kreis. The heat and drought summer of 2026 has vividly demonstrated how necessary adaptations to the consequences of climate change are, even in the Oberbergischer Kreis. The hottest June followed by the driest July since weather records began have left their mark in our region as well. Low water levels in reservoirs, dried-out meadows, and stressed forests that turn colorful and shed leaves as early as August are visible signs that the climate is also changing here.

The district and municipalities are well-prepared with the Intermunicipal Climate Change Adaptation Concept and have already preempted the legal requirement for concept development. "Climate change adaptation is a continuous task and can only succeed collectively when all affected parties, starting with public authorities, private individuals, companies, and associations, engage and align their actions accordingly," says District Administrator Klaus Grootens.

Implementation of the concept's measures

In the fall of 2025, the district council decided that three initial measures from the comprehensive concept should be implemented. These include raising awareness and activating the population of Oberberg, sensitizing and advising businesses, and a training series on climate adaptation topics in municipal urban planning.

The first training session for municipal staff on implementing climate change adaptation measures in zoning planning took place on 15.09.2026, with the second session planned for 10.11.2026. A checklist for climate-adapted zoning planning is being developed in parallel and will be available to cities and municipalities starting in November 2026. These measures support municipalities in legally addressing climate adaptation in the context of new construction projects.

Many businesses in Oberberg are affected by heat, potential damages from heavy rainfall and flooding, as well as climate change-induced supply chain issues. To future-proof themselves, numerous companies are already engaged in making their locations climate-resilient. To support this transition process, the first certified Klima.Profit consultation in the district began on 08.09.2026 with ten companies from Oberberg. Funding was successfully secured for this initiative, allowing companies to participate free of charge.

Throughout the year, the district has provided information multiple times on topics such as self-protection in disaster scenarios, wildfire risks, and the impacts of heat on public health. The traveling exhibition "Climate in Change: How Can We Adapt?" by the Foundation for Environment and Development North Rhine-Westphalia was well-attended during the summer holidays at the Bergisches Energy and Resource Center on :metabolon.

Heat action planning as a focus for the coming year

The prolonged heat period at the end of June challenged both the population and the healthcare system of the Oberbergischer Kreis and demonstrated that, for example, cooling places are lacking or not well-known, and managing long heat phases needs to improve in many areas. Therefore, the Oberbergischer Kreis supports the municipalities in the district with their municipal heat action planning and aims to conduct a model heat action planning in collaboration with the city of Radevormwald starting in 2027, which will serve as an example for all municipalities in the district.

Funding and limited resources

The commitment of the Oberbergischer Kreis and its municipalities in the area of climate change adaptation is still in its early stages: "We still need to better adapt to the impacts of climate change in many areas within the Oberbergischer Kreis and implement the measures outlined in the Climate Change Adaptation Concept through the collaboration of numerous stakeholders," says Frank Herhaus, Environmental Director at the Oberbergischer Kreis. Wherever possible, efforts are made to apply for funding from state, federal, or EU sources to implement climate adaptation measures.

Information on climate change adaptation in the Oberbergischer Kreis can be found at: www.obk.de/kwak as well as on the topic of heat at www.obk.de/hitze.