Larvik-Lardal first with pilot project for climate change
How will local governments be affected by floods, landslides/avalanches, extreme precipitation, storm surges and rising sea levels in the years to come? How do you protect people, buildings and infrastructure from the consequences of future climate change?
All Norwegian municipalities are obligated to assess how they will be affected by climate change in the years to come. NGI has prepared a report "Adapting to climate change", which forms the basis of the municipalities' overall risk and vulnerability analysis (RAV) and for the municipalities' work on climate change adaptation. The study is the first of its kind and is a pilot project part-financed by the Norwegian Environment Agency.
"We have already noticed climate change. If we are to be properly prepared for the weather and climate change of tomorrow, we need knowledge on the topic, and NGI's report and work has contributed to this. We have therefore also given this primary focus in Larvik municipality's Climate and Energy Plan," says Marit Vasbotten, director for environmental protection in Larvik municipality.
Extreme precipitation, landslides/avalanches, floods
During the project, Larvik municipality – which in 2018 will merge with Lardal municipality – wished to highlight scenarios that gave a representative picture of different types of incidents and potential consequences. The NGI report addresses probable scenarios and recommended measures within the following areas in the two Vestfold county municipalities:
- Local, short-term extreme precipitation – urban floods and erosion
- Landslides, i.e. quick clay landslides, soil slides, rockfalls and rock slides.
- Floods in the Numedalslågen river, as well as smaller rivers and streams.
- Storm surges and rising sea levels
"The main objective of the work has been to give Larvik and Lardal the best possible specialist basis to take into account natural hazards and climate change in the municipalities' overall risk and vulnerability analysis," says Carl B. Harbitz, Head of Risk, landslide geotechnics and climate impact, NGI.
On Tuesday 13 September 2016, Carl B. Harbitz presented the results of the work at a seminar in Larvik for industry and politicians. The seminar was about climate change and local challenges. Knut Hj. Gulliksen and Odd Arne Bakke-Ludviksen from Larvik municipality provided information on overall RAV and maps as an aid.
FACTS:
- The Act on Municipal Emergency Preparedness stipulates that local governments are responsible for addressing their inhabitants' safety.
- All local governments are obligated to draw up an overall risk and vulnerability analysis (RAV) every fourth year. This work requires local governments to map, systematise and assess the probability of incidents occurring and local governments must take anticipated climate change into account.
- The report "Adapting to climate change" was prepared by NGI and delivered to Larvik and Lardal municipalities in April 2016.
- The Norwegian Environment Agency has part-financed the pilot project for Larvik/Lardal to support the implementation.
- Larvik and Lardal municipalities in Vestfold county merged into one municipality on 1 January 2018.
- On Thursday 13 September 2016 the project was presented at an open seminar for industry and the political community in Larvik and Lardal.
Carl Bonnevie Harbitz
Expert Adviser Climate Adaptation and Hydrodynamics carl.bonnevie.harbitz@ngi.no+47 922 39 636