Green sponges for water and climate resilience

This event, organised by the Living Rivers Europe NGO coalition, aims at contributing to the public debate on water storage and showcasing the benefits of nature based solutions to cope with climate hazards such as drought, floods and wildfires.

It will promote EU policies and practical solutions which foster ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change, in particular a new EU water and climate resilience Law. Increasingly severe climate risks call for urgent action to improve water management. While science is clear on the necessity to improve water retention in order to guarantee water security, how to retain and store water is a political choice. In this event, you will hear speakers representing different interests and organisations confronting their visions. 

A first panel discussion, focused on policies and governance, will touch upon the various options for adapting water management to cope with increasing droughts and floods, with speakers from national governments, businesses and NGOs. In a second panel discussion, we will hear about practical ways to upscale ecosystem-based solutions to water retention, with speakers representing local authorities, landowners and NGOs.

The event targets representatives from the EU institutions working on the topics of water and climate resilience, relevant stakeholders and the media, and the general public. We will keep sufficient time for Q&A with the audience after the two discussions.