Provision of a management for the “Climate Adaptation Competence Network”.

Service content:

The issue of climate adaptation has so far played only a minor role in a large number of companies, despite clear signs of climate change and existing or expected effects on individual operations. In preparation and accompanying investment measures to increase climate resilience, it is therefore necessary to raise awareness among companies on the topic of climate change adaptation and to bring about thematic exchange and knowledge transfer through networking. With the increase in the visibility of the effects of climate change, such as drought, heat and heavy rain events, the demand for products, technologies and services to mitigate these climate impacts is also increasing.

However, the focus of companies on climate change adaptation as a business model is still the exception. The much-needed development of promising solutions for climate adaptation is still pending or can still be expanded due to the novelty of the branch of the industry in many areas. However, due to the increasing importance of the topic, growth potential at home and abroad is obvious and new opportunities for innovation and business opportunities can arise, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is already the largest supplier of environmental products and services in Germany. It is to be expected that this expertise will also benefit from and can be built on climate adaptation.

Due to the driving force of innovation for economic growth and employment and the public interest to minimize the impact of climate change, it is necessary to support small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, in the development of climate resilience solutions to market maturity. In doing so, it is necessary to keep an eye on thematic developments at international level and to integrate important findings into the ongoing network work.

Against this background, the “Competence Network Climate Adaptation” takes on tasks to raise awareness, motivate, network and support small and medium-sized enterprises in North Rhine-Westphalia on the topic of climate adaptation. In particular, the following work packages are part of the project:

AP 1 Networking — Structure, Integration & Conduction

— 1.1 contact management, development and mediation,

— 1.2 Networking.

WP 2 Awareness & Opening

— 2.1 event and dialogue formats

— 2.2 Knowledge transfer on corporate climate change.

AP 3 Communication

— 3.1 Press and public relations,

— 3.2 Best practice communication.