Climate-related risks in the construction of Xiongan New Area, China

Abstract

In the paper, we analyze the climate-related risks of rainstorm floods, droughts and water shortages, high temperatures, and heavy hazes in the Xiongan New Area. A warming and drying trend was seen in Xiongan New Area during 1961–2018, as evidenced by the increase in the number of high-temperature days and the maximum rainfall intensity per hour, a decrease in surface water resources and groundwater levels, a reduction in wind speeds, and weakening of the self-purification capacity of the atmosphere. It is estimated that the areas at high risk of floods and heats will increase by 15.7 and 15.6% in around 2035 relative to 1986–2005, respectively. Although the runoff in the Daqing River Basin will increase, the construction of Xiongan New Area means that the imbalance between the supply and demand of water resources will remain. Climate change adaptation measures should therefore be improved in the planning and construction of Xiongan New Area. Finally, we discuss the approaches to address climate-related risks in this new area.