Privacy policy

1. Name and Address of the controller

European Science Communication Institute (ESCI) gGmbH
Lindenstrasse 87
26123 Oldenburg, Germany
Phone: +49 441 779 222 80
Email: info@esci.eu
Website: www.esci.eu

2. Name and Address of the Data Protection Officer

Maike Bartlmae
European Science Communication Institute (ESCI) gGmbH
Lindenstrasse 87
26123 Oldenburg, Germany
Phone: +49 441 779 222 80
Email: mb@esci.eu
Website: https://www.esci.eu

3. General Information on Data Processing

We process your personal data in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable German data protection laws (BDSG). This privacy notice informs you about the nature, scope, and purpose of data collection and use when visiting our website.

4. Data Collection When Visiting the Website

When accessing our website, the following information is automatically transmitted by your browser and stored temporarily:

  • Anonymized IP address
  • Date and time of the request
  • Time zone difference to GMT
  • Accessed URL and status code
  • Referrer URL
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system and interface
  • Language and version of the browser

Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR
Legitimate interest: Ensuring website stability, functionality, and security.

5. Matomo Web Analytics (without cookies)

We use the open-source web analytics platform Matomo to analyze visitor behavior on our website. Matomo is hosted on our own servers, and no data is transferred to third parties. IP addresses are anonymized before storage, and no cookies are set.

This means the use of Matomo does not require prior consent under applicable data protection law, as it does not rely on tracking technologies that access or store information on users’ devices.

The data is processed based on our legitimate interest in improving the functionality and performance of our website (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR, § 25(2) TTDSG).

6. Embedded YouTube Videos

Our website embeds videos hosted on YouTube, a service by Google Ireland Limited. We use the “privacy-enhanced mode,” which means that no cookies are set and no personal data is transferred to YouTube until you play the video.

Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR
Consent: Clicking the video constitutes valid consent under GDPR.

If you are logged in to a Google account, YouTube may associate your visit with your profile.
More info: https://policies.google.com/privacy

7. Links to Social Media Platforms (X)

Our website contains outbound links (not plugins) to the following platforms:

  • X (formerly Twitter):
    Provider: X Corp., 1355 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
    Privacy policy: https://twitter.com/en/privacy. No data is transmitted to these platforms unless you click the link. Once redirected, the platform’s respective privacy policies apply.

Legal basis: Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR
Legitimate interest: External communication and presence on social networks.

8. Integration of LinkedIn Content

Our website includes embedded content from the social media platform LinkedIn, provided by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company, Wilton Plaza, Wilton Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. This may include embedded posts, feeds, or other interactive elements.

When you visit a page on our website that contains such an embedded LinkedIn element, your browser establishes a direct connection to LinkedIn’s servers. This may result in the transfer of your IP address and other technical information to LinkedIn, even if you are not logged into a LinkedIn account or do not actively interact with the content.

The integration of LinkedIn is carried out in order to present our social media content directly on our website and to enhance communication and interaction with visitors. This constitutes a legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR. However, since this may involve tracking technologies or the setting of cookies by LinkedIn, such content will only be loaded after you have given your explicit consent via our cookie banner (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR, § 25(1) TTDSG).

Data may also be transferred to LinkedIn Corporation in the United States. LinkedIn ensures compliance with European data protection standards via Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.

For more information, please refer to LinkedIn’s privacy policy:
https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy

9. Newsletter

If you subscribe to our newsletter “The Climate Resilience Post”, you agree to receive regular updates on climate change adaptation and resilience. This newsletter is a joint activity of four Horizon 2020 projects supporting the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change: REGILIENCE, ARSINOE, IMPETUS, and TransformAr. The newsletter shares project-related news, results, events, and opportunities.

To subscribe, you must provide at minimum your email address. Additional information such as your name, country, and professional background (e.g. policymaker, academic, company representative) may be submitted voluntarily to better tailor the content. Subscriptions use the double opt-in procedure: You will only receive the newsletter after confirming your email address via a verification email.

The newsletter is technically managed and sent by REGILIENCE, on behalf of all four projects. The distribution is handled via Mailchimp, a service provided by The Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA.

A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) has been concluded with Mailchimp in accordance with Art. 28 GDPR. The transfer of personal data to the United States is based on the EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) to ensure an adequate level of data protection.

Your data will be processed on the basis of your explicit consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the unsubscribe link in the footer of every email or by contacting us directly.

You may also opt in to receive additional information about events and initiatives promoted by the four projects. This is voluntary and based on a separate checkbox consent during registration.

For more details, please refer to REGILIENCE’s privacy policy and Mailchimp’s privacy practices:


If you subscribe to the newsletter offered on our website, we require your email address and information confirming that you are the owner of the email address provided and that you agree to receive the newsletter (double opt-in procedure). No other data will be collected unless provided voluntarily.

 

The newsletter is sent using “Mailchimp,” a newsletter distribution platform operated by The Rocket Science Group LLC, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Suite 5000, Atlanta, GA 30308, USA. We have concluded a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with Mailchimp pursuant to Art. 28 GDPR. Data transfers to the USA are secured by EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs).

Processing is based on your consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR). You may revoke your consent at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the newsletter or by contacting us at info@esci.eu. The legality of prior data processing remains unaffected.

Further information is available in Mailchimp’s privacy policy:
https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy

10. Contact Forms and Email Contact

If you contact us via contact form or email, your personal data will be processed exclusively to respond to your inquiry.

Legal basis:

  • Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (contract initiation or performance)
  • Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest in responding to inquiries)

Data will not be shared without your consent.

11. Your Rights Under the GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right to access (Art. 15 GDPR)
  • Right to rectification (Art. 16 GDPR)
  • Right to erasure (Art. 17 GDPR)
  • Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18 GDPR)
  • Right to data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)
  • Right to object (Art. 21 GDPR)
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (Art. 77 GDPR)

Use of Cookies

Our website uses “cookies” – small text files stored by your browser on your device. Cookies do not harm your device and do not contain viruses.

Cookies help make our website more user-friendly, effective, and secure. Some cookies are technically necessary to ensure basic website functionality. Others are used to analyze usage behavior anonymously or to enable the display of external content such as embedded videos or social media feeds.

The legal basis for the use of essential cookies is § 25(2) TTDSG in conjunction with Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest). The use of all other (non-essential) cookies requires your explicit consent (§ 25(1) TTDSG, Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR), which we obtain via a consent banner.

icon_storm

Extreme events

Reports from European Environment Agency indicate that over the past decades, Europe has been experiencing frequent and severe weather and climate-related natural hazards like droughts, forest fires, heatwaves, storms and heavy rain. Climate change will make these events even more intense and more frequent. The summer of 2024 was the hottest on record for Europe and globally. While up to recently the extreme events were not considered usual in Zemgale region, experience from few previous seasons raise precautions. In summer 2024, there were heaviest rains that Latvia has experienced since 1945.

The impact of various extreme weather events has been particularly pronounced in places with high population density, such as the city of Jelgava. The region’s flat topography and land surface elevation relative to sea level result in high groundwater levels, which place additional stress on the city’s drainage and storm water drainage systems.

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Storm in Zemgale – damage on tourism infrastructure, 2023 (© Latvian Radio)
Storm in Zemgale – damage on tourism infrastructure, 2023 (© Latvian Radio)
Storm in Zemgale, 2023 (© Latvian Radio)
Storm in Zemgale, 2023 (© Latvian Radio)
Damaged corn field in Zemgale, 2023 (© Latvian Radio)
Damaged corn field in Zemgale, 2023 (© Latvian Radio)

Issue

In Jelgava, the main challenges from rainfall include high risk of flooding and damage to infrastructure during prolonged rainfall. The Lielupe River and its tributary floodplains, as well as low topography and high-water tables, make drainage and stormwater drainage systems difficult to operate. The extreme rainfall of July 2024 confirms that the existing sewerage system is inadequate to cope with such situations.  In the region’s rural areas, the threats affect both settlements and villages and fertile agricultural land, which plays an important role in the region’s economy.

Storms are the second most pronounced weather extreme in the region and, although on average winds are not expected to change significantly over the 21st century, by the end of the century (relative to the period 1971-2000) there will be a greater number of both windless days and stormy days per year.  In recent years, the Zemgale region has been severely affected by thunderstorms and storms that have brought heavy rainfall in the form of both rain and hail, destroying agricultural crops and damaging infrastructure in many places. Severe storms in summer and early autumn, when trees and shrubs are still in leaves, have caused severe damage.

Climatologists believe that the current extreme values will become the norm in the future, while extreme weather events will cause even more damage. Climate models also predict an increase in total annual precipitation over the 21st century, with an average annual precipitation in Latvia of 775.7 [±60.0] mm for minor, 806.5 [±72.8] mm for moderate and 814.2 [±79.7] mm for major climate change. Predictions foresee substantial increase in duration of heatwaves from climatic norm of 8 days to 16 [±8] days for minor, 22 [±9] days for moderate and 33 [±12] days for major climate change.

Forecasting extreme weather events is quite complicated task, as these events are characterized by short-term nature, they and spatially limited, and thus short warning times are operational. Measures for adaptation to climate change thus become essential by preparedness for more days with extreme temperatures and for more extreme precipitation events. Decision-makers and local authorities need data and information to make the necessary preparations in advance by adapting to the different scenarios and possible consequences.

Within activities of IMPETUS project, the Adaptation Pathways are elaborated for Zemgale region with particular focus on flooding occurrences from river spring floods and heavy rain events:

  • Adaptation pathways are developed to support in better management of river flood risks and heavy rain floods (flash floods).
  • Aimed to implement a set of measures for reducing the frequency and extent of flooded areas in both rural (agricultural) land and urban settlements.
  • In exchange with the stakeholders, adaptation options are identified, assessed and included in the pathways to increase adaptive capacity in Zemgale region.
  • Structural measures, e.g., upgrading of existing drainage and stormwater drainage systems, and aligning them with nature-based solutions for water retention in rural and urban areas, and cleaning of riverbeds are considered.
  • Non-structural measures for improving flood risk early warning system (EWS), increasing awareness of inhabitants and improving the efficiency of actions of competent authorities in case of floor risks are addressed.
Flooding
Eutrophication
icon_flood

Flooding

Zemgale is a very flat region, located in a lowland area with a high density of rivers. The Lielupe River is characterized by its slow course, due to Zemgale’s flat topography and the low gradient of the riverbed. The height of the Lielupe floodplain does not exceed 1 m above water level. Downstream of Jelgava, the Lielupe River drops only 5-10 cm/km. The riverbed is much lower than the average level of the Baltic Sea.

Screenshot_1
Screenshot_2
River Svēte in Jelgava; Photo by Valters Toropovs
River Svēte in Jelgava; Photo by Valters Toropovs
Flooded area in city of Jelgava; photo by Zemgale planning region
Flooded area in city of Jelgava; photo by Zemgale planning region

Issue

Climate change in the Zemgale region by the end of the 21st century will have a major impact on the hydrological regime.  One of the most significant changes will be increased precipitation: under a moderate climate change scenario, winter precipitation will increase by 24-38%, while under a significant climate change scenario, precipitation is expected to increase by as much as 35-51%. Maximum daily precipitation will increase by about 3-6 mm, in some places by as much as 10-12 mm. On a seasonal basis, the greatest increases in precipitation are expected during the winter and spring seasons, so that the risk of flash flooding increases significantly during the cool season, when evapotranspiration is not intense. Periods of high rainfall will alternate with prolonged droughts, which will have a particular impact on heavy rainfall events, increasing the frequency of flash floods. During heavy rainfall, short, localised flooding can be observed in both larger and smaller towns, as well as in flat rural areas.

One of the activities in Zemgale in the IMPETUS project is the improvement of the Flood Early Warning System using the HEC-RAS 2D model. This model simulates water flow in two dimensions, which is particularly useful for flood modelling and forecasting. The HEC-RAS 2D model uses two-dimensional Diffusion Wave Equations to calculate the water flow. The developed model performs 2D

Key Benefits of Using Such a Hydraulic Model

  1. Accuracy and Detail: The HEC-RAS 2D model provides high accuracy and detail, which is essential for flood risk assessment and management.
  2. Integration: The HEC-RAS 2D model can be integrated with other geographic information systems (GIS), facilitating data processing and visualization.
  3. Early Warning Systems: The model is crucial for the development of early warning systems, as it allows for the prediction of flood spread and impact, thereby helping to timely warn residents and take necessary measures.
  4. This solution automatically reads hydrological forecast data from the forecast system of the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.

These model results are crucial for the operation of the Early Warning System, which uses this data to identify potential flood areas and prepare warnings at the property (cadastral unit) level.

Eutrophication
Extreme events
icon_heat

High temperatures

Record-breaking summertime temperatures have been recorded in the Netherlands in recent years. With global temperatures rising, such extreme weather events will occur more often, and for longer periods. Prolonged high temperatures, with warm nights as well as hot days, can cause heat stress* and related health issues, particularly among city populations.

*Heat stress occurs when the human body cannot get rid of excess heat and can impact wellbeing through conditions such as heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps and rashes.

Map of Zeeland and Rotterdam in the Netherlands
Zeeland and Rotterdam in the Netherlands (© ESCI)
Heat stress map of Zierikzee in Zeeland
Heat stress map of Zierikzee in Zeeland (© N&S)

"We want to enable municipality decision makers who are working on spatial developments to identify heat stress 'hot spots' and cool areas, analyse the future effects of climate change, and model the effect of different heat stress-reducing measures. The tool must provide them with an easy starting point to integrate heat stress risks in their projects."

Martine Rottink, Nelen & Schuurmans

Issue

Despite the cooling effect of the sea in the region of Zeeland, the growing risk of heat stress has become a concern.

Elderly and other vulnerable people are more impacted by the effects of prolonged heat, which can cause headaches, dizziness, insomnia and other health issues – even death. Excess temperatures also affect general comfort and liveability of cities. Water quality can be reduced, both for drinking and swimming, and infrastructure can be affected. Buildings and concrete surfaces trap heat, potentially leading to damage, and release it during the night, keeping temperatures warm.

During heat waves, it is important that everyone has access to a cool and comfortable place. Appropriate spatial planning can help to decrease and deal with heat stress. Environmental factors like water bodies, trees, and shade have a major impact on stress caused by high temperatures. Therefore, planting trees, removing concrete surfaces, creating green roofs and cool spaces can improve our comfort and health. The IMPETUS Atlantic team is developing a digital tool to support regional decision making for city planning to address these needs.

Flood risk
Energy and waste water
icon_flood

Flood risk

By 2050, sea-level within this region is predicted to rise by 15-40 cm, with more frequent extreme weather and more (severe) storms triggered by climate change. These changes will exacerbate the natural risk of flooding in the IMPETUS ‘Atlantic’ region, because it is surrounded by rivers and the sea, and is below sea level.

*Risk takes into account two aspects; the chance that an event will occur and the negative impact of such an event once it occurs. When there is a low chance that an event will occur, but its impacts are huge, the risk is still significant.

Zeeland dike
Zeeland dike
Elevation map of Rotterdam and Zeeland
Elevation map of the IMPETUS 'Atlantic' site (© N&S)
Flood risk map of Rotterdam and Zeeland
Flood risk map of the IMPETUS 'Atlantic' site (© N&S)
Elevation map of part of the Netherlands
Elevation map of part of the Netherlands (© N&S)

“In the Netherlands, an extensive system of dikes protects us against sea and river flooding. We have always put our faith in this defence and focused almost solely on flood prevention. However, pressure on our system will increase with climate change and rising sea levels. To adapt and maintain a safe living environment, we should develop other safety measures, like more robust spatial planning and contingency plans."

Martine Rottink, Nelen & Schuurmans

Issue

Rotterdam city, is located in Rijnmond – ‘mouth of the Rhine’. The Rhine river flows through this densely populated area and characterises the region. Protections such as sea dikes and storm surge barriers have been constructed to protect the region, but flooding still occurs.

People living in the city are accustomed to seeing smaller floods. The changing climate affects the interplay between rainfall, river levels and sea storms, increasing the flooding risk. Water levels could rise by a few metres, even in populated areas, with potentially massive impacts. 

Mitigation measures such as storm surge barriers reduce the chance that high water reaches the city, but to minimise the impact of floods when they do occur, adaptation strategies are also needed. A city that can adapt to be safe from floods must be carefully designed. How best to design such an adaptive city?

Critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and evacuation routes, must be accessible at all times. Planning how to best protect them, homes and lives is complex. Flood water behaves in a complex way and flood risks show strong spatial variations. The IMPETUS Atlantic team is developing a digital tool to support regional decision making for adaptive city planning. 

Energy and waste water
High temperatures
icon_factory

Energy and waste water

To become climate-neutral by 2050, climate mitigation* efforts are crucial in our strategy for how to deal with climate change. Reducing our energy consumption is a significant mitigation step. In the Netherlands, 15% of energy is consumed in the Rijnmond area around the port of Rotterdam, in large part by a major petrochemical industry cluster.

*Climate mitigation encompasses measures such as technologies, processes, or practices that reduce carbon emissions or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases.

Map of Zeeland and Rotterdam in the Netherlands
Zeeland and Rotterdam in the Netherlands (© ESCI)
Zeeland dike
Zeeland dike

Issue

The Rotterdam port petrochemical industry cluster is Europe’s largest. It consumes 70% of the Rijnmond region’s energy. A large part of this energy is wasted (64%, 203 petajoules). More than half of that energy is lost with wastewater. In addition, most energy processes within these industries rely on fossil fuels, which has a significant impact on the climate.

Energy use must be minimised and fossil fuels should be replaced by renewable sources if climate change is to be mitigated. Electrification of processes opens up the possibility to use more renewable energy and can greatly impact decarbonisation. Recovering wasted heat would significantly reduce energy consumption and is a first step towards a more circular industry. 

Supporting industries in a transition towards climate-neutrality depends on identifying how best to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing production or performance. The IMPETUS Atlantic team is creating a digital tool that supports decision making about pathways towards an effective energy transition for EU industry.

High temperatures
Flood risk
icon_fertilizer

Eutrophication

Due to its fertile soils, Zemgale region in Latvia is characterised by an intensive agriculture where large-scale farming dominates. Agricultural activities are well developed and focus on the cultivation of crops.

During the last decade, the area of croplands in the region has increased along with application of high amounts of mineral fertilisers. Excessive loading of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) lead to eutrophication of water bodies e.g., causing overgrowing of rivers, and thus putting a pressure on biodiversity and natural habitats.

Crop fields in Zemgale
Crop fields in Zemgale
Crop fields in Zemgale
Crop fields in Zemgale
Eutrophication in a water body in Zemgale
Eutrophication in a water body in Zemgale
Ecological quality of water in water bodies of Latvia in 2021 (source: State Limited Liability Company “Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre” - LEGMC)
Ecological quality of water in water bodies of Latvia in 2021 (source: State Limited Liability Company “Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre” - LEGMC)

Issue

Municipal wastewater effluent is another source of eutrophication in the region. Quite often performance of wastewater treatment facilities is not sufficiently effective to ensure complete purification of waste waters causing water pollution with nutrients. As the result the ecological water quality of the rivers in Zemgale region is mostly moderate or bad.

According to water quality monitoring data of 88 waterbodies located within the Lielupe River basin district, there are 53 waterbodies having significant disperse pollution load and 14 water bodies where point source pollution load prevails (Source: LEGMC, 2024).

Climate change related increase of temperature catalyses eutrophication processes in water bodies. Climate models predict continuation of the increase of temperature thus intensifying the symptoms of eutrophication in freshwaters. Therefore, along with reduction of use of fertilisers, improvement of municipal wastewater treatment facilities, application of additional measures to prevent nutrient runoffs from agricultural land and urban environment to water bodies is of pivotal importance.

Together with regional and local stakeholders in Zemgale region, IMPETUS project partners in Latvia are developing Zemgale regional climate change adaptation plan, that will highlight the possibilities and intention of implementation of nature base solutions, e.g., constructed wetlands in Zemgale region to reduce the nutrient leakages/runoffs, reduce eutrophication intensity and improve the quality of surface waters.

Extreme events
Flooding