About the region

Zealand region makes up most of the island of Zealand, together with the Capital region of Denmark, and covers a range of smaller islands in its immediate vicinity. The region has a population of more than 820.000 people.

Main climate risks

Coastal floods

Coastal floods have been a longstanding challenge for the area, with several major floods disrupting large sections of the region historically. As recently as October 2023 there were major coastal floods with large sections of the eastern and southern coasts experiencing unusually high-water levels, with significant human and economic consequences [1].

Heatwaves

Heat stress is another risk which the Region of Zealand, with its responsibilities for local health, will have to address in the future years. Denmark has traditionally had a mild climate, but the temperature increases estimated to stem from climate change will increase the frequency of heatwaves. Currently, there is about 2 heatwave days on average per year, but by the end of the 21st century this is expected to increase to an average of 8 days per year [2].

Focus during Pathways2Resilience

Zealand currently has no resources allocated to climate change impacts and wants to focus on attracting funding to the area during P2R. Additionally, the formulation of a comprehensive regional emergency management strategy is needed in the region, which will be helped through P2R. One other concern for them is that currently regional efforts to promote natura-based solutions are being categorized as a development task and not climate adaptation.

Regional Resilience Journey

Zealand has medium readiness for the first RRJ step, and low readiness for the second and third RRJ steps.

Zealand has the highest capacities in Finances and Resources and Knowledge and Data.

Key community systems priority areas

  • Health and human wellbeing

Key enabling conditions priority areas

  • Knowledge and data

References

[1] –

The Danish Coastal Authority. “Her ramte stormfloden i oktober”

[2] –

Environmental Protection Agency. “Ændringer i temperatur”