Project overview
Severe floods and droughts are becoming increasingly common in Europe, with detrimental consequences for society and ecosystems. Risk management for these complex risks remains a challenge. Natural solutions, or Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), are crucial for adapting to the changing climate while ensuring safety for people and nature. However, uncertainty remains about their effectiveness, costs, and trade-offs under extreme climate conditions.
The GreenAdapt2Extremes project focuses on three tributaries – Dora Baltea, Geul, and Erft – that are highly sensitive to floods and droughts. It aims to work with stakeholders in these basins to develop strategies to manage these risks through participatory approaches, analysis of risks, and evaluation of NBS. At IVM, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the focus will primarily be on the Geul basin.
Key components
The project emphasises stakeholder involvement from the start, beginning with the co-creation of “vision for resilient basin ffutures” to identify ambitions, needs, and preferences for desirable futures. These visions will guide all subsequent activities.
Green adaptation pathways will be co-created with stakeholders at the catchment scale, based on:
- Current and future drought and flood risks, and
- The co-benefits, potential, limits, and social acceptability of NBS.
The pathways will also account for multi-level governance of risks and adaptation. By mapping future decision spaces, the project seeks to improve protection for people, ecosystems, and economic sectors. A participatory, mixed-methods approach, supported by existing information and local knowledge, will ensure solutions are tailored to the specific conditions of each catchment.
For further information or questions, please feel free to contact Shahana Bilalova.
This study is conducted in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security – UNU-EHS (lead) and CIMA Research Foundation.
Contact information: Dr Marije Schaafsma, Dr Marthe Wens and Shahana Bilalova