Research

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Karnak

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Literature review on land-use change, biodiversity, and climate (Karnak)

The project partners study changes in land-use, natural diversity, and climate.

Dette prosjektet ser på kor vidt omsyna til klimatilpassing og utsleppskutt er i konflikt med kvarandre eller dreg i same retning, og korleis klimapolitikken påverkar vilkåra for å nå måla om berekraftig utvikling.

The project is comissioned by the Research Council of Norway, and will create a review of research-based knowledge about connections between land use and land use changes in Norway and effects on and challenges for biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate adaptation, carbon sequestration and storage.

In particular, we will discuss what the research says about the following:

  1. how sustainable land use is in Norway

  2. dilemmas and conflicts between different societal considerations

  3. solutions, tools and development opportunities for land use that takes into account both climate and biodiversity

a scoping review

The work will be carried out as a "scoping review" of both peer-reviewed and gray literature in the area with relevance for Norwegian conditions. WNRI is the project owner, and carries out the work together with the subcontractors Miljøfaglig Utredning AS and the library at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

expert and user groups

An expert group of three ecologists will ensure the quality of search criteria and analyses, while the relevance for spatial planning and management will be strengthened through a user group with representatives of four County governor offices and two municipalities.

Starting date: 1 february 2023

end date: 1 april 2024

Finansiert av: research council of norway

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Comparative analysis of the landscape of climate adaptation policy in the Nordics

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The project looks at climate change adaptation in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.

The purpose of the project is to examine, analyse, and compare climate change adaptation in the Nordics, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

The project will look at the landscape of policy and legislation, identifying differences and similarities between the Nordic countries and analyseing the implications of these in terms of progress. The comparative analysis will include legislation, tools, analytical approaches, mechanisms of funding, as well as levels of intersectorial integration.

highly relevant findings

The results will be of relevance to all of the Nordic countries and can be used to draw lessons and learn from the experience of others, as well as for improving the national effort in the realm of climate change adaptation.

In addition to Western Norway Research Institute, Stockholm Environment Institute, University of Helsinki, and Danmarks Tekniske Universitet contribute to the research.

Starting date: 1 december 2022

end date: 30 june 2023

funded by: nordic council of ministers

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Adapt-map

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Mapping climate change adaptation in a selection of countries (Adapt-map)

Finland er blant landa forskarane har studert med tanke på det nasjonale arbeidet med klimatilpassing.

The prosject looks at climate change adaptation in five countries in Northern Europe. How have the autorities in these countries decided to approach and work with climate change adaptation at the national level?

The Norwegian Environmental Agency (Miljødirektoratet) has assigned Noradapt the task of mapping the climate change adaptation effort in Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria.

systems of governance

The mapping includes a study of relevant documents and interviews with representatives from the countries, with a particular focus on how systems of governance within climate adaptation policy function, including requirements and guidelines various actors are subject to, routines followed in provision of a common knowledge foundation at the national level (risk and vulnerability assessments), and systems used for measuring, reporting, and evaluating.

two noradapt partners

Two of the research partners in Noradapt, Norce and Western Norway Research Institute, are partners in the project in addition to Stockholm Environment Institute and the University of Helsinki.

Starting date: 15 september 2022

end date: 28 february 2023

funded by: norwegian environment agency

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Gotheca

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Glacier Impacts on the Hydrological Systems in Europe and Central Asia

Fieldwork at Tyrstigbreen, Stryn. Photo by Yongmei Gong, NTNU Department of Geography

The Gotheca project develops a comprehensive risk assessment scheme for a timely application of increasingly accurate predictions of freshwater availability and Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in glacierized regions to local mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Mountain ranges are often referred to as the water towers of the world because they store enormous amounts of fresh water as snow and ice and deliver freshwater to large areas further downstream. Global warming is causing increased melting, creating new natural hazards and affecting industries such as energy production and tourism across Europe.

instable water flow

In densely populated areas in Central Asia, frequent changes to the amount of meltwater from snow and glacial ice results in great variation in water flow throughout the year. This has a negative impact on the ecosystem, but also markets. These regions also face a recurring threat of flooding as a result of increased melting and GLOFs (Glacier Lake Outburst Floods).

climate adaptation tools

Gotheca will develop a risk assessment method that allows for prediction of the amount of freswater areas close to glaciers will have access to at different points in the year. The tool will also be helpful in predicting risk of GLOFs. This insight will constitute a resource for local and regional authorities involved in climate adaptation.

The project combines natural and social sciences with communication strategies to reach local stakeholders and develop a tool for risk analysis.

Glacial lake at Tyrstigbreen. Photo by Yongmei Gong, NTNU Department of Geography

sustainability goals

The research project Gotheca will use local insight to deliver new, research-based insights to local stakeholders and decision-makers so that they can develop appropriate measures. This will be of help to both developed and less developed areas that are directly dependent on meltwater to fulfil the UN’s Sustainability Goals.

TwO NORADAPT PARTNers

The project is lead by the Department of Geography at NTNU and involves participants from the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences in addition to other institutions outside of Noradapt.

Visit the project website

Start date: 1 october 2021

end date: 31 december 2025

Funded by: the research council of norway and NTNU

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Conflict and interaction in climate politics

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The fact that ski resorts follow the safe snow to the high mountains can quickly lead to conflict with other environmental considerations (Photo: Rudy and Peter Skitterians, Pixabay).

This project looks at the extent to which climate adaptation and emission reductions are in conflict with each other or moving in the same direction, and how climate policy affects the conditions for achieving the goal of sustainable development.

The main goal of climate politics is to cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to reduce the consequences of man-made climate change. At the same time, we must adapt society to the effects of climate change. Within climate politics and climate management, however, the government has to a small extent seen these political areas in context. Such a comparison is important because measures for one affect the other.

Adaptation can create new emissions

An example of conflict is adaptation in ski tourism: when the winters become shorter and we get less snow in the lowlands, people will travel longer to get safe snow. Driving far to find good snow conditions will lead to greater climate emissions and thus strengthen the greenhouse effect. We do not have a policy to prevent this behavior.

The ski destinations will also adapt, among other things by moving ski lifts higher up in the mountain sides. At the same time, this means that the skiing can come into conflict with the supervision of biological diversity in the high mountains - for example the wild reindeer. These animals are dependent on large, non-invasive areas, and Norway has committed itself to ensure their living conditions. This example shows the need to see adaptation, climate emissions and sustainability in context, so that measures for one do not affect the other.

Klimatilpassing bør ikkje føre til nye klimautslepp eller andre miljøbelastningar. Eit godt døme på berekraftig klimatilpassing er blågrøne strukturar, som både førebygger flaum og skapar grøne lunger i urbane strøk. Figuren viser open og lokal handtering av overvatn, og er henta frå NOU 2015:16, Overvann i byer og tettsteder — Som problem og ressurs.

Blue-green prevention

Fortunately, there are good examples of measures moving in the same direction. Establishing so-called "blue-green structures" in urban areas and cities, ie green areas combined with open streams and ponds, will both reduce the risk of surface floods and reduce the effect of heat waves in the local environment. Blue-green structures will also stimulate biological diversity by providing animals, plants and insects with better living conditions.

Advice on coordination

The researchers will study how politics can stimulate to good interaction between the various climate perspectives, but also how conflicts arise. They will study this at national, regional and local level; in addition, there is the connection between the different levels of management. The project will be limited to studying one county, and the study will include both the county municipality and the county governor’s politics. In addition, the researchers will look at two municipalities, with emphasis on spatial planning, transport and the built environment.

The work will result in advice to the governing authorities on how they can stimulate better coordination of policy so that society achieves interaction and not conflict between cuts in climate emissions, climate adaptation and sustainability management.

Four of the Noradapt partners

The research project is led by Western Norway Research Institute. In addition, researchers from the CICERO Center for International Climate Research, SINTEF and Nordland Research Institute participates in the project.

Start date: 01.08.2020

end date: 31.12.2022

financed by: The research council of norway & norwegian Ministry of Education and Research

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Jostice

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Natural and societal consequences of climate-forced changes of Jostedalsbreen Ice Cap (Jostice)

The Jostice research project is the first major study of the Jostedal glacier. From the glacier front by the Nigard glacier. (Photo: Maria C. Knagenhjelm, County Governor of Western Norway)

The international research project with the short name Jostice will map various aspects of the Jostedal glacier. It involves measuring mass balance, runoff, ice volume and the local climate in the area around the glacier.

In addition to the scientific studies, there are assessments of how the glacier is affected by climate change and what the consequences will be for the local communities around the glacier - especially power production, tourism and agriculture.

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and Western Norway Research Institute (both in Noradapt) are among the partners in the project. In addition, The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, University of Oslo and University of Bergen and several international partners participated. The project has been awarded NOK 17 million from the Research Council of Norway.

Read more on Jostice's website

Start date: 01.01.2020

end date: 31.12.2023

financed by: the Research Council of Norway (klimaforsk)

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Sustainable climate adaptation in the food sector

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The project is about two types of climate risk in the food sector in Norway, ie agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries. The first is the adaptation to climate politics; the other is sustainable adaptation to climate change.

Because there is little progress in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, both in Norway and around the world, the focus on radical or profound shift is increasing. Such a shift requires extensive changes in how we produce and transport food, but also when it comes to what individuals must do. Therefore, the project will analyze how reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are related to sustainable adaptation to a changing climate. This raises some major questions about sustainability in the food sector related to greenhouse gas emissions, land use, food security, recruitment and a viable agriculture and how one can understand these connections.

Project leader is Grete Hovelsrud at Nordland Research Institute, from where also participated Bjørn Vidar Vangelsten, Leticia A. Nogueira and Brigt Dale participates. Helene Amundsen and Erlend Hermansen from the CICERO Center for Climate Research participates, and Mari Korsbrekke and Tone Rusdal from Western Norway Research Insetitute participates.

start date: 01.01.2020

end date: 31.12.2021

financed by: Noradapt

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Vannklimrisk

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Water management in a changing climate (Vannklimrisk)

More precipitation, but also more natural damage events such as floods and landslides, increase the risk of water pollution. The Vannkklimrisk project is a part of society's prevention of environmental toxins going astray in nature.

The project Vannklimrisk aims to strengthen the prevention of natural damage events that can lead to environmental toxins going astray in nature. Several public enterprises in three counties are involved.

Environmental pollutants accumulates

Climate change will lead to more heavy rainfalls and more drainage from landfills and brown sites on land to water bodies and affect both the ecological and chemical status in water bodies. Old and new environmental pollutants will be absorbed by aquatic organisms, accumulate in the food chains and eventually end up on our food plates.

An unexpected and very heavy rainstorm led to floods and landslides in several places in Jølster on 30 July 2019. Such incidents lead, among other things, to water being polluted, unless one effectively prevents flood-prone areas. (Photo: Linda Olin Reite, NRK)

The water management in Norway today, has too little knowledge of environmental pollutants and their impacts on water quality to assess whether the goal of the EU Water Directive will be reached by 2021.

NEW TOOLS

The project “Water management in a changing climate” will co-produce new knowledge, and develop new tools, that local and regional managers may use to identify local sources of environmental pollutants and analyze the risk of spreading in a changing climate.

Vannklimrisk involves building knowledge and developing new management tools in close collaboration with caseworkers in water management, climate adaptation, planning work and pollution.

digital mapping

The project group will develop a new digital mapping tool for identifying local pollutants, the "Miljøgiftkartleggjaren" and develop a GIS-based ROS analysis to assess whether pollutants may spread to the aquatic environment due to various climate impacts.

Toxicologist Torunn G. Hønsi at Western Norway Research Institute has carried out several projects on environmental toxins and increased runoff. The precursor to Vannklimrisk is Toksklim (2016-17), where public actors in Western Norway (RFF-financed). Photo: Western Norway Research Institute

The project will also explore and analyze how the collaboration between the municipalities, the County Council and the County Governor are in the three regions and explore new forms of interaction where researchers also participate, to better deal with the complex challenges of climate change on water management locally.

Many participants in three counties

The project partners are Western Norway Research Institute, NTNU Department of Geography, Vestfold and Telemark County Council, County Governor of Vestfold and Telemark, County Governor of Trøndelag, Trøndelag County Council, Vestland County Council and County Governor of Vestland and the municipalities, Tønsberg, Larvik, Sønd, Larvik Oppdal, Orkland, Tynset and Rennebu. The project owner is Vestland County Council, where the water region coordinator Merete Farstad is the project manager.

goals of the project

The main goal of the project is to develop forms of interaction and tools to enable the environmental and water management to assess the risk of spreading environmental toxins to the aquatic environment as a result of climate change.

In addition, there are three sub-goals:

  1. Co-create new forms of interaction for water and environmental management

  2. Develop a digital tool for mapping environmental toxin chains - “Miljøgiftkartleggaren”

  3. Develop GIS applications and ROS tools to analyze the risk of spreading environmental toxins and the impact on the aquatic environment as a result of climate change

Start date: 01.01.2020

end date: 31.12.2023

financed by: Regionale forskningsfond Vest

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Debris flow in spatial planning

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Lessons from this summer's landslide events and the work with forest management in landslide-dangerous terrain in Jølster municipality are the basis of this project.

Intense precipitation triggered several landslides in Jølster in July 2019. The tracks on the mountainside were visible for a long time after the events. (Photo: Eivind Brendehaug)

The project draws lessons from landslide events (debris flow) in Jølster, which is now part of Sunnfjord municipality, in the summer of 2019. The goal is to increase knowledge about what is needed to change practice and think about landslide prevention in forest management.

The researchers map debris flows that have been triggered by intense rainfall, and look at the role that landowners, forest management and municipalities (in municipal planning processes) play in the forest in connection with risk management.

The project is carried out by associate professor Denise Ruther and university lecturer Lisbeth Dahle, both at the Department of Environmental and Natural Sciences at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

start date: 01.07.2019

end date: 31.12.2020

Financed by: Noradapt

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ClimTour

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Impacts of climate change on Norwegian nature based tourism (ClimTour)

Development of tourism, one of the world’s fastest growing industries, has become an important strategy for regional economic development in Norway. At the same time, climate change is altering the conditions on which tourism is based. Ski-tourism is already being affected by a lack of snow in multiple destinations across the globe, recently also identified to be the case for some of the Norwegian destinations. Tourism, and nature based tourism in particular, is dependent on ecosystem and climate services such as snow, aesthetic landscapes and wildlife, as well as being dependent of well-functioning physical infrastructure such as roads, harbors and telecommunications; all of which is subject to impacts from climate change.

Some ski resorts in Norway will be negatively affected by climate change after a quarter as mild winters become more common. Photo: Recbecca Sortland

The user partners are:

  • Destinasjon Lofoten

  • Reisemål Hardangerfjord

  • Visit Sognefjord.

  • Den Norske Turistforening (DNT)

  • Flåm AS

  • NCE Tourism Fjord Norway

Norwegian research partners:

  • Western Norway Research Institute

  • Nordland Research Institute

  • Uni Research AS

  • MET Norway

  • Department of Bioscience at the University of Oslo

  • Miljøfaglig Utredning

International research partners:

  • Dr Paul Peeters at Centre for Sustainability, Tourism and Transport, Breda University of Applied Sciences (CSTT)

  • Professor Daniel Scott at the University of Waterloo, Canada

  • Professor Bruno Abegg at the University of Innsbruck, AustriaProfessor

  • Michael C. Hall at the Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Still, little is known about how the Norwegian tourism industry will be affected, or its ability to cope with potential challenges and stress caused by climate change. The overarching aim of the project is to enable a sustainable adaptation to climate change of the nature based tourism industry in Norway.

The sub-objectives are:

  1. Assess climate change consequences for weather conditions critical to the nature based tourism industry

  2. Assess climate change consequences for selected ecosystem services and physical infrastructure critical to the nature based tourism industry

  3. Develop climate change adaptation strategies for the involved user-partners

  4. Develop climate services that can support the tourism industry in comprehending impacts of climate change and developing adaptation strategies and measures.

The tourism industry has responded very positively on this project initiative, seeing a need for better knowledge on these issues. The participating stakeholders will take active part in the knowledge production, in line with the concept of co-production of knowledge. This approach will ensure the quality of the knowledge output, secure ownership to it among tourism stakeholders, and promote the practical use of the knowledge in adapting to climate change.

The project consists of five case studies: Mountain hiking, physical infrastructure, fishing and hunting, winter tourism, and coast- and alpine based tourism. Furthermore, the project will benefit by getting input from some of the highest ranking international researchers on tourism and climate change in the world. The two user-oriented outputs from the project will be a climate services module tailormade for tourism on www.klimaservicesenter.no, and an interactive climate game designed to promote reflections on climate change impacts and adaptation options for tourism.

This short film by Norwegian filmmaker and photographer Johan Wildhagen is made for the ClimTour project to sum up findings, whilst conveying a deeper, melancholic message.

START date: 01.01.2018

end date: 31.12.2022

Funded by: The research council of norway