Building resilience through coastal protection of critical infrastructure

24 October 2025

Climate change is increasing the risk of storm surges in coastal cities across the world, including Copenhagen. To protect critical infrastructure, such as the airport, from flooding, Sund & Bælt is initiating an environmental impact assessment of a flood protection system in southern Amager, and COWI has been selected as the technical and environmental consultant for the project.

Due to its coastal location and low elevation, the Copenhagen metropolitan area is vulnerable to storm surges. A preliminary study of storm surge protection around Copenhagen from May 2025 highlights that the risk of flooding is a current concern and that the existing protection level is insufficient in light of rising sea levels.

Therefore, Sund & Bælt has taken an important step to protect critical infrastructure in the Copenhagen region from future flooding, launching an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a new coastal protection scheme in southern Amager, Copenhagen.

The protection will cover some of the country’s most vital assets, including Copenhagen Airport, the Oresund Motorway and Railway, ensuring they remain safe and operational even in the case of extreme weather.

COWI will be the technical and environmental consultant.

"This project is an important step towards securing critical infrastructure against storm surge events. Our role is to ensure sustainable solutions that are both technically sound and environmentally responsible"

Henrik Søgaard Olsen, Senior Vice President of Water and Environment, COWI

Christian Henriksen, Head of Environmental Sustainability & Authorities with Sund & Bælt, adds:

“We look forward to conducting the environmental impact assessment in close collaboration with COWI. The studies we will undertake are crucial in progressing towards a comprehensive and effective protection of critical infrastructure, residents, businesses and other functions in the area.”

A part of something bigger

The work will unfold over the next two years and form a key part of Copenhagen’s broader storm surge protection efforts.

“This project is the first phase of protecting Copenhagen from future storm surges. We will draw on the many varied competencies we have in COWI, including within marine structures and dykes as well as environmental expertise,” says Project Director Jørgen Juhl, who will be the project manager on the project, and adds:

“One of the fascinating aspects of this project will be to combine the efforts and interplay between technical solutions, such as the routing and design of dykes and coastal protection, and consideration for the environment. To create the best possible solution, you can’t have the one without the other.”

Executive Business Development Director for infrastructure Jesper Asferg emphasises the enormous relevance this project has for society.

"This is climate adaptation and resilience building on a big scale and a critical priority in society. We have worked extensively with Sund & Bælt on major transportation projects and are grateful to be chosen for this new initiative. The results will help guide future storm surge protection work in Copenhagen and support other urban resilience projects around the world, " he says.

Facts:

The environmental impact assessment will include the development of technical solutions and investigations of environmental impacts related to implementing effective storm surge protection for the area.
Read more about the preliminary study of storm surge protection around Copenhagen on Sund & Bælt’s website .

Building resilience through coastal protection of critical infrastructure

A part of something bigger

Facts:

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