Written by: Ahmed Abdel Salam
The Walloon Agency for Air and Climate has announced the launch of new updates to its Climate Portal, aimed at enhancing the ability of local authorities and regional stakeholders to assess and compare expected climate risks in the Wallonia region. This step comes as part of efforts to provide advanced analytical tools that support the path of adaptation to climate change at the local level.
Comprehensive Study to Diagnose Climate Risks
The new update relies on a large-scale study conducted to diagnose vulnerabilities and environmental risks threatening the region. The study includes a detailed report on infrastructure vulnerability, along with an interactive digital platform featuring hundreds of thematic maps covering vital sectors such as water, agriculture, biodiversity, housing, and urban planning.
Global Warming Scenario and Its Repercussions
The data and maps available through the portal show future scenarios for global warming levels; in the scenario of a 2-degree Celsius temperature rise expected by 2030, the region faces the possibility of increased severe heatwaves and unstable seasonal rainfall patterns. However, in the event of a 4-degree temperature rise by 2100, heatwaves become a fundamental feature, with increased risks of forest fires and a decline in snowfall.
Interactive Tools to Support Decision Makers
The digital platform allows users to view about seven hundred interactive maps that enable local officials and municipalities to zoom in to the individual street level. This high precision helps guide local policies and urban development plans to address future environmental challenges more effectively, while providing instructional documents explaining the steps to make the most of the new technical updates.
