Extreme floods and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe across Europe, posing increasing risks to society and ecosystems. These risks are complex and interconnected, and recent disasters highlight the need for innovative approaches to water-related risk management. Nature-based solutions (NbS)—which harness ecosystem processes for risk reduction and climate adaptation—offer promising options. However, more research is needed to better understand their effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and co-benefits, especially under extreme conditions.
GreenAdapt2Extremes focuses on three flood- and drought-prone tributaries: the Dora Baltea (Italy), the Geul (Netherlands), and the Erft (Germany). The project aims to co-develop strategies for resilient futures in these catchments by closely engaging local stakeholders.
Key goals include: 1) Co-creating future visions for each catchment, 2) Building a shared understanding of risks, 3) Developing green adaptation pathways, 4) Co-designing recommendations for governance and risk management.
The project (2024–2027) is led by the United Nations University (UNU-EHS) in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the CIMA Research Foundation.
