disaster management

RisKLIM project: Understanding climate risks and strengthening regions together

The RisKLIM research project by GeoSphere Austria and partner institutions from Austria and Germany strengthens the resilience of Alpine regions to climate change through new climate data, understandable risk communication and modernised avalanche warning systems.

On 4 November 2025, a workshop will be held in Unken im Pinzgau (Salzburg) as part of RisKLIM, with representatives from science, local authorities, emergency services, business, schools and associations. The aim is to jointly assess the need for optimal regional measures and information on adaptation measures to climate change.

Climate change is noticeably altering life in the Alpine region: extreme weather events are on the rise and familiar patterns of natural hazards are shifting, for example in the case of avalanches and snow loads. As a result, tried-and-tested protection and planning systems are increasingly reaching their limits.

The cross-border research project ‘RisKLIM’ is dedicated to addressing these challenges. Its objectives are to better understand risks, communicate information in a comprehensible manner and strengthen the resilience of Alpine regions.

Leading institutions from Austria and Germany are collaborating on the RisKLIM project: GeoSphere Austria (project management), Montanuniversität Leoben, German Weather Service, Avalanche Warning Centre at the Bavarian State Office for the Environment. The pilot regions are Unken (A) and Berchtesgaden (D).

The project will run from July 2024 to June 2027 and is funded by the EU programme ‘Interreg Bavaria–Austria’.

The RisKLIM team is working on three key priorities:

  • Cross-border climate data and climate scenarios: Development of harmonised, cross-border climate data and climate scenarios for the Alpine region, particularly with regard to snow parameters. These form the basis for forward-looking adaptation strategies in municipalities, infrastructure and tourism.
  • Risk communication and climate services: Research into how information on climate change and natural hazards can be presented in a way that is understandable, accessible and usable for decision-makers and the general public.
  • Avalanche warnings and avalanche commissions: Further development of existing warning systems, integration of modern snow cover models and development of new feedback tools and learning opportunities for avalanche commissions and emergency response organisations.

Workshop in Unken

As part of RisKLIM, the workshop ‘Reallabor Unken – Together safely into the future’ will take place on 4 November 2025 in Unken in Pinzgau (Salzburg).

Here, the project organisations, together with representatives from local authorities, emergency services, businesses, schools and associations, will assess the need for regional communication strategies and concrete measures to better deal with natural hazards.

Bridging the gap between research, practice and the general public

RisKLIM project manager Arno Studeregger from GeoSphere Austria: ‘The aim of the workshop and the entire project is to incorporate as much experience, knowledge and ideas from the regions as possible. RisKLIM aims to bridge the gap between research, practice and the general public.‘

Renate Renner from the Montanuniversität Leoben: ‘Only by combining scientific findings with regional requirements can we develop sustainable and effective strategies for adapting to climate change.‘

Gudrun Mühlbacher, Head of the Regional Climate Office Munich: ‘An important part of RisKLIM is also the cross-border standardisation of data and methods. This will enable us to optimally and efficiently solve the challenges of climate change in the Austria-Germany border region.’