Advancing coastal and water resilience in the EU: encouraging the implementation of multi-level Decision-making frameworks
27 June 16:15 - 17:30
Location: Sala Martín y Soler
Enhancing water resilience across Europe requires the analysis of coordinated decision-making frameworks for water management spanning local, regional, national, and broader levels. This panel discussion will explore how multi-level decision-making can support robust, integrated, basin-scale understanding and coordinated actions for watershed restoration. This will be analysed through the experience of the Municipality of Draz (Croatia) within the EcoDaLLi project (Danube Lighthouse Coordination and Support Action). This initiative aligns with the three main objectives of Mission Ocean and Waters 2030, focusing on biodiversity, water quality, and blue and circular economy.
In parallel, Central Denmark region is advancing the integration of Nature-based solutions within the Atlantic biogeographical area through their participation in NBRACER. This project seeks to implement multilevel decision-frameworks to enhance climate and water resilience across coastal, rural, and urban landscapes.
Moreover, existing planning tools that support these multi-level decision-making processes will be discussed. For this, we will showcase the CoCliCo digital platform for coastal climate services at PAN European level and its role on the path of the City of Barcelona towards coastal resilience. Additionally, the need of capacity building to enable decision-making will be highlighted through the UrbanbyNature Program, a digital platform that facilitates co-creation approaches, structured under a 7-step planning methodology.
This session is part of the Water resilience and the Blue Economy in and beyond the Mediterranean region stream.
Speakers
Associate for General Administration, EU Projects, and Development, Municipality of Draž (Croatia)
Bernarda Matijevic, Associate for General Administration, EU Projects, and Development, Municipality of Draz
Bernarda Matijević, from the Municipality of Draž, Croatia, is involved as a partner in the EcoDaLLI project. The project aims to restore, protect, and preserve freshwater environments in line with the EU's Green Deal goals for 2030 and 2050. In addition to addressing the impacts of climate change on water systems, EcoDaLLI promotes sustainable management of water resources in the Danube Basin. The project involves collaboration with European partners from various sectors to integrate innovations in water protection. EcoDaLLI also supports the Danube Lighthouse Mission, fostering better freshwater resource management through knowledge exchange and innovative practices.
Project manager in the Strategic Office for the Coastal Area, Barcelona City Council
Lucía Cuesta Fernandez, Project manager in the Strategic Office for the Coastal Area, Barcelona City Council
Lucía Cuesta Fernández is an environmental and coastal project manager in the Strategic Office for the Coastal Area at Barcelona City Council. Degree in Environmental Sciences and International Master’s Degree in Management of Coastal and Estuarine Zones. More than 20 years as a project manager and technical advisor in projects at European, regional and local level in the public and private sector, research and investigation in environmental and marine themes. She has participated in documents such as the Strategic Plan for the coast of the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona and recently in the Strategic Plan for the city’s coastal areas (2018-2028) currently in the project implementation phase.
Director at SPL, United Kingdom
Paul Sayers, Director SPL, United Kingdom
Paul specialises in the strategic management of climate-related risks and opportunities. This includes supporting adaptation in catchments, coasts, cities, and infrastructure systems to provide greater resilience to climate-related hazards (such as floods, droughts and coastal erosion). Recently Paul co-lead the infrastructure theme of the European Climate Risk Assessment and is a member of the CoCliCo programme developing the next generation of the climate change services for the coast.
Researcher / Advisor, Deltares
Etiënne Kras, Researcher / Advisor, Deltares
Etiënne Kras is an advisor and researcher in the Hydraulic Engineering unit at Deltares. In 2019, he obtained his engineering degree from the Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, in Hydraulic Engineering with a specialization in Coastal Engineering. For this, he joined Deltares in 2018 for his MSc thesis work and he subsequently started as advisor and researcher in the department Resilient Ports & Coasts. Currently, he is involved in a broad range of advice and research projects. Many of these projects evolve around the digital transformation within Deltares, where Etiënne brings various Earth Observation applications into Coastal Engineering practice. Some other projects concern (seabed) morphology modelling analyses, metocean studies, climate change assessments and physical modelling in Deltares' facilities.
Technical Project Manager, Kilmatorium (Denmark)
Charlotte Rosenkilde SØrensen, Technical Project Manager, Kilmatorium
Charlotte Rosenkilde Sørensen, Technical Project Manager, Klimatorium.
Charlotte Rosenkilde Sørensen, Technical Project Manager at Klimatorium, representing the EU NBRACER project. NBRACER focuses on demonstrating and replicating sustainable Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the European Atlantic biogeographical area, integrating these solutions into regional adaptation pathways.
Klimatorium's mission includes developing solutions for climate challenges, green energy, and water management. Klimatorium hosts a diversified Living Lab of 510 square kilometers, focusing on climate adaptation and water management. Klimatorium collaborates with public and private sectors, knowledge institutions, and civil society, aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
At the conference, Mrs. Rosenkilde Sørensen will contribute with perspectives from Klimatorium, Central Region Denmark and NBRACER framework.
Moderator
Expert, NBS and Biodiversity, ICLEI Europe
Expert, NBS and Biodiversity, ICLEI Europe
Carme Machí Castaner works as an Expert on NbS and biodiversity at ICLEI Europe. Carme holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences, where she carried out an evaluation of the performance of NbS and green and blue interventions in degraded watersheds of humid su-tropical urbanised regions (Brazil). She works at ICLEI on de-centralised water-treatment NbS, green and blue infrastructure for watershed restoration, and sea-level rise adaptation.
Expert, Biodiversity and Nature based Solutions, ICLEI Europe (Germany)
Karen Naciph Mora, Expert, Biodiversity and Nature based Solutions, ICLEI Europe
Karen Naciph Mora is an Expert in the Nature Based Solutions and Biodiversity team at ICLEI European Secretariat, where she focuses on topics related to pollution, environmental quality, and water management. Karen has a background in environmental engineering and a MSc. Degree in Water Resources and Environmental Management. She is supporting the implementation of several EU level initiatives and projects like Urban ReLeaf, EcoDaLLi, NBRACER, Soils for Europe (SOLO), NICE, among others.