PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
River floods are among the most damaging extreme climate events in Europe, and very severe flood events are increasing in frequency in the EU. In this context, the Mediterranean region is one of the most affected areas in Spain. A relevant role is played by the river Ebro, specifically the middle course with frequent episodes of flooding, causing damage to agriculture and livestock, infrastructure, as well as to the 62 towns in the surrounding area.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFE EBRO RESILIENCE P1 project is to modify the middle course of the Ebro River in Spain to make it more resilient to floods. The project team will do this through the implementation of two interventions (demonstration and pilot-scale).
The project will contribute to the implementation of EU policy related to climate change adaptation, particularly the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change (COM/2021/82 final), and water management, including the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC). By protecting riparian habitats and their associated species, it also contributes to the objectives of the EU Habitats Directive.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Improvement to the middle course of the Ebro River with reduced risk of flooding and other effects of climate change:
- A 40% improvement in economic benefit in relation to flood risk mitigation (estimated);
- Improvements in 60% of the territory (800 ha) affected by floods for a return period of 10 years, with an estimated reduction in costs of 50% derived from these events; and
- Optimisation of riverbank protection (23%), removing 1 800 m of levees (dykes) and setting back 4 000 m levees.
- Improvements of the ecological status of the river Ebro:
- Increase in riparian habitats by 15%, especially those favourable for the 3 protected species of the territory. For this, 60 ha of recovered river land space will be incorporated (20 ha of river forests and 2 ha of alien species will be eliminated);
- Reconnection of 2 meanders and creation of 2 high-water channels; and
- Reclamation of 1 km of a branch of the river Ebro and its reconnection with the active channel.
- Improvements in the capacity of local communities (22 873 inhabitants) to manage flood risks in 3 regions:
- Training of stakeholders (16 campaigns) and people to disseminate ideas;
- Participation of actors in decision-making, through 5 co-creation groups;
- Participation and information on the actions of the project (18 workshops); and
- Diffusion of the project, via a website, social media and a quarterly newsletter.
- Replication:
- Short-term replication in other areas of the middle course of the Ebro River with an additional potential of 307 km of riverbed, 56 municipalities, 21 interest groups and 1 million inhabitants;
- Replication at mid-term in other Ebro river basins with similar problems; and
- Replication at mid and long-term in national and international basins (4 networking).
