Description
The accelerating impacts of climate change pose significant challenges for post-mining operations, particularly in regions undergoing structural transformation. RAG’s 2025 Climate Risk and Resilience Analysis provides a scientifically grounded framework to identify and assess physical climate risks and adaptation potentials across former coal mining sites in North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland. This approach aligns with European sustainability regulations, including the EU Taxonomy and DNSH criteria for Environmental Objective 2, “Adaptation to Climate Change.”
The methodology integrates high-resolution regional climate projections (provided by DWD; Germany's National Meteorological Service) and scenario analysis based on IPCC pathways (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5) to evaluate chronic and acute hazards such as heat stress, drought, heavy precipitation, and flooding. Systematic screening of site-specific vulnerabilities—covering infrastructure, technical systems, ecosystems, and workforce—enables a qualitative risk assessment using ISO 14091 principles. A case study at the Ensdorf-Duhamel site (Germany) illustrates practical implications for water management, land use, and emergency planning under extreme weather conditions.
Beyond compliance, the analysis supports strategic resilience planning and operational adaptation measures, including retention systems, green infrastructure, and climate-sensitive redevelopment of industrial brownfields. These measures aim to reduce exposure and enhance adaptive capacity without compromising other environmental objectives, fulfilling DNSH requirements.
The findings underscore the necessity of integrating climate risk management into governance, investment decisions, and safety strategies for post-mining operations. By linking regulatory obligations with actionable resilience measures, RAG demonstrates how legacy mining landscapes can transition toward climate-resilient and sustainable land use. This contribution offers insights for industry stakeholders seeking robust approaches to climate adaptation in mining contexts, ensuring safety and sustainability under evolving climatic conditions.