Updating an existing online adaptation support tool: insights from an evaluation

Abstract

The Klimalotse (“climate navigator”) is an online tool to support climate change adaptation. Its target audience is decision makers at the local and regional levels. The tool was first published in 2010 by the German Federal Environment Agency. After several years, the Agency evaluated the changing needs of decision makers and the real use of the tool. Decision makers are confronted with various challenges and barriers both prior to and while creating and implementing climate change adaptation measures. In order to be able to take these factors into account in the revision of the Klimalotse, the accompanying research looked into climate change adaptation from the perspective of public institutions and their decision-making processes. In the light of that work, the Agency published a completely revised second edition. This article summarises the lessons learned on that journey.