Workshop on "Building Water Resilience"
This week, our project partners from L'Horta Sud (Spain) took part in an event organized by the Policy Learning Platform, focused on enhancing water resilience in the face of extreme weather events, particularly floods and droughts.
It was structured around experts' presentations and interactive group work sessions, addressing:
- Governance changes;
- Water efficiency;
- Flood risk management: with a strong emphasis on nature-based solutions, such as wetland restoration, urban greening, and floodplain reconnection, which serve as sustainable approaches to mitigating flood risks while enhancing biodiversity;
- Climate adaptation: the critical role of climate change in exacerbating water-related challenges and the need for proactive adaptation strategies, including infrastructure improvements and ecosystem-based solutions;
Study visits in the afternoon provided an opportunity to explore innovative water management infrastructures in Murcia, serving as real-world examples of water sustainability.
Key takeaways from the event:
- Governance improvements: the discussions emphasized the necessity of coordinated governance frameworks that integrate water management with climate policies, land-use planning, and economic strategies. Addressing governance fragmentation is key to improving water resilience.
- Stakeholder engagement: the importance of involving local governments, businesses, farmers, and civil society to ensure a holistic approach to drought and flood management. Raising awareness and building local capacities through education and financial incentives were key takeaways.
- Technological innovation for water efficiency: the need for promoting smart irrigation systems, remote monitoring technologies, and AI-driven water management solutions to improve efficiency and resource allocation.
- Nature-based solutions for flood resilience: restoring natural landscapes, expanding permeable surfaces in urban areas, and rehabilitating wetlands were identified as cost-effective and sustainable ways to mitigate flooding while improving ecosystem services.