PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Changing hydro-meteorological conditions resulting from climate change, intensification of land use and lack of related adaptation measures contribute to water-related risks such as landslides or flash floods. Worldwide, floods are the most common disasters, accounting for 44% of natural disaster events reported over the last two decades. Furthermore, climate change effects escalate, resulting in more frequent floods and their impact on several river basins at the same time.
Both natural and human activities are the cause of floods, while sudden or intensive rainfall is one of the main causes of local flooding. Central Europe is particularly vulnerable to flood hazards, as a consequence of increasing autumn and winter rainfall. Although new technologies to improve flood risk prevention have been introduced in both Slovakia and Poland, these are still insufficient in forecasting flood risks and threats to locations. Authorities responsible for local water governance, and members of the general public such as farmers and landowners, lack the knowledge and capacity to address problems arising from the floods.
Therefore, there is a need to develop an innovative solution – an analysis and modelling tool that allows all target groups to track and understand climate risk related events, particularly flash floods, and to create forecasts for better risk management. These measures also includes nature-based solutions (NBS) which significantly contribute to the overall increase of the ecological stability of the territory and adaptation to climate change. Designing accurate solutions require detailed and up-to-date open data, long-term knowledge about the hydrological systems and the territory and finally active engagement of all key stakeholders.
OBJECTIVES
The project aims to contribute to participatory NBS decision-making processes in the management of water risks and disasters, based on up-to-date information, increased knowledge and strengthened collaboration among stakeholders, experts and public.
Specific objectives:
- Develop and pilot a smart Web GIS-based system which enables end users to access, analyse and model different hydro-meteorological scenarios for simulating and predicting their impact in particular locations (e.g. storms, flash floods, floodplain restoration).
- Improve and update data about current climatic and hydrological characteristics in the selected areas, in order to provide reliable and accurate information for regional planning authorities, which can then be used to formulate nature-based climate change adaptation measures, implement risk reduction interventions and manage land use.
- Help to reduce the negative impact of flooding incidents by developing an innovative early warning system for flash floods based on real-time data monitoring and integrating it into the national (regional) emergency system.
- Increase the capacities and knowledge of water management and planning authorities in Poland and Slovakia about climate change adaptation, flash floods risk, implementation of NBS for landscape sustainability and natural water retention measures.
- Raise awareness of land use and flood risks amongst citizens, relevant stakeholders, and local authorities, and to promote their collaboration on climate change adaptation actions.
- Ensure the transferability, replicability, and sustainability of the project results through market uptake of the key exploitable outputs and stimulation of international cooperation.
RESULTS
- Creation of a smart Web GIS-based system (FLOPRES) which enables end users to access, analyse and model different hydro-meteorological scenarios, with 250 active users, 100 paid subscriptions, 85% of users with positive experience and 150,000 new entries in the database of the pilot plots with installed sensors.
- 80% increase in reliability and accuracy of the flash-flood predictions compared to before the project.
- Two NBS policy recommendations/guidelines.
- 30% reduction in economic losses due to floods (compared to 25% before the project).
- 100 local authorities and stakeholders with the desired knowledge and skills of NBS and flash floods hazards.
- 50 municipality representatives with a favourable attitude towards climate change adaptation measures.
- Improved awareness on the reduction of the risk of causalities thanks to NBS for land use.
- 1,000 users that actively use at least one of the promoted key outputs.
- 60% return on investment within five years of launching the project.
- Reduced flood damage and disaster relief costs due to improved flood emergency preparedness.
- Reduced vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change thanks to climate adaptation measures of the project.
