Nature-based solutions: Balancing risk and societal benefits
Organizer: Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, University of Bologna, IHE Delft, ICATALIST
| The increasing frequency and severity of hydro-meteorological events on land and sea have a high impact globally. The science behind these phenomena is complex and multi-disciplinary as the international scientific community explores solutions that not only mitigate the impact of hydro-meteorological events but also can contribute to disaster risk reduction and achieve the broader goals of the Sendai Framework, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS), solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, have the potential to reduce the risk of extreme hydro-meteorological events and simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. This Focus Day event therefore aims to i) explore how balancing perspectives can improve the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS) to reduce hydro-meteorological risks; and ii) promote and share experience currently being developed in Europe and Asia with the best available science and knowledge to establish a coherent approach towards risk management. Examples will be presented from NBS Hydro-Met Task Force supported by the flagship European Union’s Horizon 2020 Work Programme, which comprises four research and innovation action projects (NAIAD, OPERANDUM, PHUSICOS and RECONECT, with a total funding amounting to some 40 million euros) that design, implement and evaluate innovative and locally-attuned NBSs for hydro-meteorological risk reduction at the watershed and landscape scale. |
Speakers:
Ken Ho, Deputy Head of the Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Hong Kong
Anna Scolobig, Risk researcher, University of Geneva and IIASA
Dayan Munasinghe, Senior Scientist at the National Building Research Organisation
Henglin Xiao, Professor, School of Civil Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology
Zoran Vojinovic, Associate Professor of Urban Water Systems at IHE Delft