Companies can be affected by climate change in many ways. Effective adaptation to climate change will only be possible if the associated risks and opportunities as well as their own strengths and weaknesses are sufficiently known. Following the conceptual framework of a SWOT analysis, this article outlines the self-perception of companies from the Upper Rhine region regarding their climate change vulnerability. Based on 26 qualitative semi-structured company interviews, managers' statements on climate change-related strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are divided into three categories based on the business function concerned. The resulting 4 × 3 matrix is used to analyse which aspects companies do not pay much attention to. We also highlight typical, frequently cited strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It appears that the majority of companies perceive climate change as an external threat but see themselves in a position to counter this threat with the help of internal qualities. Klimawandel-Anpassungsbereitschaft von Unternehmen in derOberrhein-Region aus Sicht der Unternehmen -Eine multidisziplinäre, grenzüberschreitende Analyse Zusammenfassung Unternehmen können auf vielfältige Weise vom Klimawandel betroffen sein. Nur wenn die damit verbundenen Risiken und Chancen sowie die eigenen Stärken und Schwächen hinreichend bekannt sind, ist eine effektive Anpassung an den Klimawandel möglich. Dieser Artikel skizziert in Anlehnung an den Konzeptrahmen einer SWOT-Analyse die Eigenwahrnehmung von Unternehmen aus der Oberrheinregion bezüglich ihrer Klimawandelvulnerabilität. Basierend auf 26 qualitativen semi-strukturierten Unternehmensinterviews werden Aussagen von Managern bezüglich klimawandelrelevanter Stärken, Schwächen, Chancen und Bedrohungen anhand der betroffenen Unternehmensfunktion in drei Kategorien aufgeteilt. Anhand der entstehenden 4 × 3 Matrix wird analysiert, welche Bereiche von den Unternehmen wenig beachtet werden. Außerdem zeigen wir auf, wie typische, häufig genannte Stärken, Schwächen, Chancen und Bedrohungen aussehen. Es zeigt sich, dass die Unternehmen den Klimawandel mehrheitlich als externe Bedrohung wahrnehmen, sich aber in der Lage sehen dieser Bedrohung mit Hilfe von internen Qualitäten zu begegnen.

Abstract. Wind and windstorms cause severe damage to natural and human-made environments. Thus, wind-related risk assessment is vital for the preparation and mitigation of calamities. However, the cascade of events leading to damage depends on many factors that are environment-specific and the available methods to address wind-related damage often require sophisticated analysis and specialization. Fortunately, simple indices and thresholds are as effective as complex mechanistic models for many applications. Nonetheless, the multitude of indices and thresholds available requires a careful selection process according to the target sector. Here, we first provide a basic background on wind and storm formation and characteristics, followed by a comprehensive collection of both indices and thresholds that can be used to predict the occurrence and magnitude of wind and storm damage. We focused on five key sectors: forests, urban areas, transport, agriculture and wind-based energy production. For each sector we described indices and thresholds relating to physical properties such as topography and land cover but also to economic aspects (e.g. disruptions in transportation or energy production). In the face of increased climatic variability, the promotion of more effective analysis of wind and storm damage could reduce the impact on society and the environment.

Julie gobert, docteur en aménagement du territoire et environnement, chercheure associée au Lab'urba et au Leesu ; florence rudolf, professeure des universités à l'insa de strasbourg, directrice adjointe de l'équipe d'accueil amup (architecture, Morphologie/Morphogenèse urbaine et Projets, ea 7309) ; alexandre Kudriavtsev, doctorant en urbanisme, eD 519 shs-Pe, unistra, insa de strasbourg, chercheur dans le projet clim'ability, interreg v ; Paul averbeck, enseignant-chercheur, université de Koblenz-Landau, institut des sciences de l'environnement.Texte écrit avec la participation de amandine amat, cédric Duchêne-Lacroix, valentine erné-heintz, nadja Lützel et nicolas scholze, chercheurs dans le projet clim'ability, appuis aux entreprises pour une prise en compte du changement climatique à l'échelle du rhin supérieur, interreg v, sous la coordination de l'institut national des sciences appliquées (insa) de strasbourg (coordination scientifique : florence rudolf).

Abstract. Drought and heat events are becoming more frequent in Europe due to human-induced climate change, affecting many aspects of human well-being and ecosystem functioning. However, the intensity of these drought and heat events is not spatially and temporally uniform. Understanding the spatial variability of drought impacts is important information for decision makers, supporting both planning and preparations to cope with the changing climatic conditions. Currently, data relating to the damage caused by extended drought episodes is scattered across languages and sources such as scientific publications, governmental reports and the media. In this review paper, we compiled data of damages caused by the drought and heat of 2018 until 2022 in forest ecosystems and relate it to large European data sets, providing support for decision making both on the regional and European levels. We partitioned data from 16 European countries to the following regions: Northern, Central, Alpine, and South. We focused on drought and heat damage to forests, and categorized them as (1) physiological (2) pest, and (3) fire damage. We were able to identify the following key trends: (1) Relative defoliation rates of broadleaves is higher than of conifers in every country with the exception of Czech Republic (2) the incidence of wood destroyed by insects is extremely high in Central Europe and Sweden (3) Although forest fires can be related to heat and drought, they are superimposed by other anthropogenic influences (4) In this period (2018–2022), forests in central Europe are particularly affected, while forests in the Northern and Alpine zones are less affected, and adaptations to heat and drought can still be observed in the Southern zone. (5) Although in several regions 2021 was an average year still high levels of damages were observed indicating strong legacy effects of 2018–2020. We note that the inventory should be continuously updated as new data appear.

Abstract. Wind and windstorms cause severe damage to natural and human-made environments. Thus, wind-related risk assessment is vital for the preparation and mitigation of calamities. However, the cascade of events leading to damage depends on many factors that are environment-specific and the available methods to address wind-related damage often require sophisticated analysis and specialization. Fortunately, simple indices and thresholds are as effective as complex mechanistic models for many applications. Nonetheless, the multitude of indices and thresholds available requires a careful selection process according to the target environment. Here, we first provide a basic background on wind and storm formation and characteristics, followed by a comprehensive collection of both indices and thresholds that can be used to predict the occurrence and magnitude of wind and storm damage. We focused on five key environments: forests, urban, transport, agriculture, and wind-based energy production. For each environment we described indices and thresholds relating to physical properties such as topography and land cover but also to economic aspects (e.g. disruptions in transportation or energy production). In the face of increased climatic variability, the promotion of more effective analysis of wind and storm damage could reduce the impact on society and the environment.