Minister predicts billion in climate adaptation

Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke predicts large billion-dollar investments for Danish climate adaptation over the coming decades, following a report on the consequences of rising water levels. The report examines the impact on Kerteminde, Kalundborg, and Nakskov if no preventive measures are taken, with scenarios of a 60-centimeter sea level rise by the end of the century. Nakskov could see a third of homes and businesses flooded every decade, costing around 2.4 billion kroner, according to DTU calculations. Heunicke highlights Denmark’s lag in preparedness and stresses the need for a robust and economically sensible approach. Last year’s climate adaptation plan amounted to around 1.3 billion kroner, and a follow-up plan with new risk scenarios, indicating serious risks for over half of the municipalities, is in the pipeline.