Adapting to a changing climate will be a major challenge for most countries around the world. For example, low-lying developing countries and the Arctic will be strongly affected.
Europe and Denmark will also be threatened by rising water levels, temperature rise and more extreme weather, with more frequent storms that also will become stronger.
DTU include these challenges in the long-term study perspective. On the research side DTU contributes to the quantification of the magnitude and significance of the changing risk that is caused by climate change. Risk management is an important tool to reduce the high cost of consequential damage and investments.
Buildings and infrastructure
Society's infrastructure such as roads, railways, sewers, water supply etc. needs to be upgraded to be prepared for the expected altered loads caused by climate change.
Rising sea levels and changes in the hydrological cycle mean that the rules for the placement of new buildings need to be changed, just as existing buildings and infrastructure should be adapted to the change in the risk of damage from extreme events.
Future housing should be fitted with intelligent solutions and energy-saving technologies with increased need for ventilation and indoor climate solutions.
Food safety and animal health
Climate change will cause a number of new issues related to food supply and animal health, including changing routes of infection for livestock.
DTU is national laboratory for food safety and risk assessment of danger of infection and transfer of disease from animals to humans and animal welfare. DTU analyze and evaluate these patterns resulting from climate changes such as temperature rise, increased number of disease-carrying insects, etc.