Project KLAR

Adapting to climate change: an opportunity for change

(Bild: Bergauer)

Eight municipalities from the Carnic region are pulling together in the KLAR initiative. They have been working on a climate-friendly concept for years - to make positive use of the changes brought about by climate change. 

The Carnic region is a climate change adaptation model region. The KLAR project, where regions face up to the consequences of climate change, will break new ground in the coming years. "We are aware that adaptation and climate protection must go hand in hand," says Kötschach Mauthen's mayor Josef Zoppoth.

His municipality and the municipalities of Lesachtal, Dellach, Kirchbach, Hermagor, Gitschtal, Weißensee and St. Stefan will be launching the KLAR project in the coming days. The program is currently supporting 91 Austrian regions with over 800 municipalities. "The priority is to reduce the damage caused by climate impacts," says the mayor.

We are ready to start examining the effects of climate change in detail. New strategies are also to be developed.

erklärt Bürgermeister Josef Zoppoth

Because climate change cannot be denied. "These have a profound impact on the Southern Alps, and therefore on the Carnic region, which has already experienced twice as much warming as the average. Extreme events such as heat, drought, heavy rainfall and storms are the result," says Jürgen Themessl, Head of Office.

Project already approved
The eight municipalities in the climate change adaptation region want to develop their own strategies and make positive use of the changes brought about by climate change. The project has already been submitted and approved. There are 224,000 euros available. Working groups are now being set up.