Bernburg. Developing sustainable ideas for protecting human health and natural diversity despite the pressures of advancing climate change – that is the task facing Luisa Böning, the new climate adaptation manager for the Salzlandkreis district. The geoecologist joined the district administration a few months ago. Over the next year and a half, she will develop a climate adaptation concept for the Salzlandkreis district – together with various specialist services and all external partners who are committed to this task in the interests of the entire region.
The climate adaptation concept is part of the Salzlandkreis 2030 strategy for the future. It complements the existing climate protection concept, which forms the basis for reducing greenhouse gases in the region. District Administrator Markus Bauer says that the Salzlandkreis should continue to be an attractive place to live, work and study between Halle and Magdeburg in the future. "Based on our Salzlandkreis 2030 future strategy, we want to not only develop into a climate-neutral region, but also offer the best possible protection against the extreme weather events that are to be expected." The District Administrator is convinced: "Adapting to changing conditions pays off in the long term rather than regulating the consequences."
As a first step, climate adaptation manager Luisa Böning will analyse climate models for the Salzland district in order to assess the risks. Similar to the Salzland district's climate protection concept, the need for action and potential for adaptation will be identified together with relevant stakeholders in the region. "We will develop scientifically sound measures by mid-2027 that will strengthen the region's resilience and thus improve the quality of life of its citizens," explains the climate adaptation manager.
With this commitment, the Salzland district is taking up the tasks arising from the federal government's Climate Adaptation Act. The creation of the concept is being supported with funding totalling 225,000 euros, which the Salzland district applied for in 2024. This was the district administration's response to the extreme drought in recent years. "We are one of the driest regions in the whole of Germany in terms of rainfall measured over decades," explains Luisa Böning. In recent years in particular, there has been so little rain in summer that the Climate, Environment and Nature Conservation Service has had to issue water abstraction bans. At the same time, there has always been a risk of flooding in the vicinity of the Elbe, Saale and Bode as well as other smaller rivers in the region.
According to Luisa Böning, the main focus will therefore also be on natural measures such as the sustainable management of forests and river landscapes. At the same time, she emphasises: "We will not be building any dykes or other things. That is and will remain the task of the relevant state authorities." The concept will also include concrete proposals for the design of green spaces and shading measures in towns and municipalities. Proposals for structural and technical adaptations to existing and new buildings are also planned. Last but not least, the climate adaptation manager will also set up a monitoring system for the district administration.
District Administrator Markus Bauer is convinced that it is essential for successful action that everyone realises their responsibility to adapt to climate change. That is why the towns and municipalities, research institutions in the Salzland district, companies, associations and interested citizens are invited to participate in the process. "We can only be successful if we tackle the tasks together." The climate adaptation manager will therefore also establish new networks and intensify existing cooperation with partners. In addition, an ideas map will be set up on the website where citizens can enter their own hotspots for heat and drought as well as their own ideas.