The present study will lay the scientific foundation for updating the "Klimalotse", an online manual that assists organisations in adapting to climate change in Germany. A literary analysis and an empirical examination of the adaptive processes in municipalities and municipal institutions form the core components of this guide. The analysis focuses on the incentives for and barriers to dealing with this issue, as well as the various municipal approaches for implementing adaptive measures. Studies show that factors including the impact of extreme weather events, participation in research projects and funding programs, and interests that overlap with climate mitigation issues all present several potential entry points for dealing with the effects of climate change in municipalities.