IB-Green’s Post

I am delighted to share my Nature commentary co-authored with Sameer Shah. In this piece, we provide an account of various floating climatopias currently built or under construction around the world. We examine whether these floating houses can enhance the resilience of coastal communities to climate change and outline six criteria for evaluating them - specifically focusing on their environmental, social, economic, cultural, and legal impacts as well as their financial cost compared to other adaptation strategies such as managed retreat or nature-based solutions. If you are unfamiliar with floating climatopias, this short piece offers an excellent insight into what they are. We call on the United Nations to consider reconstituting the mandate of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to include floating climatopias (floating cities, reclaimed islands, and amphibious houses), or to establish a new international agency tasked with developing clear guidelines and regulations for these projects.    https://lnkd.in/eHBHTR-S

https://lnkd.in/dKWNY2RA Hennops River Revival In a compelling article by Professor Anthony Turton, featured in the Daily Maverick, we are reminded of the critical importance of integrating ecological considerations into urban planning and development. As we face increasing urbanization and climate challenges, Turton's call for Systems Thinking in environmental management resonates more than ever. This approach not only emphasizes understanding the interconnectedness of human and natural systems but also the necessity of foresight and comprehensive planning. In our work at Aquaperm South Africa, we are committed to advancing water treatment and management solutions that honor these principles. By considering the holistic impacts of our technologies and strategies, we aim to contribute to sustainable urban development and environmental stewardship. Engage in meaningful dialogues and partnerships that prioritize ecological integrity to ensure our progress is sustainable. #SystemsThinking #SustainableDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #EnvironmentalManagement #WaterConservation

In alignment with #SDGs, Digital Earth Africa has put in place a simple way to monitor several phenomena #rainfall #crops #settlement #water on the continent. Summary of #notebooks and target #SDGs could be accessed https://rb.gy/nepnwz

Hope to see you there - registration link below!

E12 - The Significance of Redundancy in Transport Networks Join Theuns Henning and Eduardo Allen for the upcoming session in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Green Roads Webinar Series. They will introduce a novel methodology to assess road criticality, focusing on how redundancy can reduce transport disruptions caused by climate-related hazards. Discover how this strategy, implemented in New Zealand's South Island, highlights the crucial role of secondary and tertiary roads in reducing transportation expenses and bolstering network resilience. Acquire knowledge that will assist in prioritizing investments towards more resilient road networks. Register here bit.ly/3XF75KD. #TransportNetworks #Redundancy #ClimateResilience #RoadCriticality #GreenRoads #NetworkResilience #SustainableTransport

SHARING GOOD PRACTICES 🗂 💦 The Blue Deal is an initiative of the Flemish Government. It tackles #waterscarcity and #drought by implementing a comprehensive set of actions and collaborating with various #stakeholders. The program focuses on restoring natural landscapes, enhancing #biodiversity, and improving #watermanagement infrastructure. Key projects include ecological restoration of #water bodies, deployment of mobile pumps, and opportunities for managed drainage. The aim is to create resilient and sustainable water systems, ensuring water availability for both nature and communities. Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (Flemish Land Agency) in #Belgium, has been interviewed about this good practice. ❓ Why do you think that this GP is unique in your region?  🎤 While the concept of integrating green and blue infrastructure is not new globally, the Blue Deal project is pioneering in our region by combining comprehensive water management strategies with extensive green #landscaperestoration. This unique approach not only addresses flooding but also enhances biodiversity and recreational spaces. A notable example of a Blue Deal project, which we visited with the NBS4LOCAL partners in November 2023, is located in the IJsevallei (south of Brussels) at Zwanenlaan and Meeuwenlaan in Overijse. This project focuses on improving water management to address flooding and drought by enhancing water infiltration and retention. Key activities include removing pavements to allow water penetration, revitalizing a pond, and creating wildlife tunnels. The total budget is approximately €1.5 million, funded 70% by Flanders and 30% by local municipalities. ❓ Have you received any feedback from those people who are/were not involved in the implementation of your GP? If yes, what was their opinion about your GP?  🎤 In Flanders, the Blue Deal has received positive feedback from various stakeholders, including local communities and environmental groups. Citizens have noted the benefits of having more accessible green spaces and better #floodprotection. Inspired by the success of the Blue Deal, several municipalities are now incorporating similar nature-based solutions in their planning processes. 🌐 https://lnkd.in/dQwivss Interreg Europe #KözigazgatásiésTerületfejlesztésiMinisztérium Lapin liitto / The Regional Council of Lapland Centar kompetencija d.o.o. za istraživanje i razvoj Diputación de Alicante Rzeszowska Agencja Rozwoju Regionalnego S.A. BURST #naturebasedsolutions #naturebasedsolution #nbs #nbs4local #interregeurope #eufunding #euproject #eufunds #greenprojects #project #interregionalcooperation #policyinstrument #policyimprovement #goodpractices #exchangeofexperience #climateresilience #climatechange

As climate change accelerates, urbanizing deltas are facing rising sea levels, floods, and droughts. However, there is a path forward to creating resilient structures by combining imagination and evidence through design. A recent article in Nature Portfolio Ocean Sustainability journal by IHE Delft's Chris Zevenbergen, Eddy Moors et. al., argues for the critical role of design in climate adaptation. By integrating long-term spatial visions with scientific evidence, the Netherlands has successfully adapted its delta to flood risks, as shown in July and December 2021 when disaster was avoided following heavy rainfall and storms. The authors call for a similar approach globally using creative, future-focused design to address the urgent challenges of urbanizing deltas. In the Netherlands transformative projects in vulnerable deltas such as Room for the River act as a model for other deltas to integrate nature-based solutions with urban planning. Recent extreme weather events leading to unprecedented #flooding, as seen in Spain and central Europe this year, increase the urgency to navigate climate survival, we must elevate design thinking alongside scientific modelling. By blending imagination with evidence, we can build resilient, future-proof cities. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eeFEmkHX #ClimateAction #Urbanization #DeltaDesign #Sustainability #ClimateAdaptation #DesignThinking #ResilientCities #WaterManagement

👉 When you are attending the Stockholm #WorldWaterWeek2024, join the session Standing their ground: #deltas as connectors from #sourcetosea. Tuesday August 27, 9:00 CEST. Deltas are not disconnected #ecosystems; they bridge the borders between land, freshwater and the ocean. Their successful management highly depends on managing these linkages. The International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas (IPDC) and the S2S Platform have joined forces to launch a discussion on how the source-to-sea approach can strengthen cross-sectoral, multi-level and transboundary cooperation to unlock integrated delta management and accelerate actions towards #climateresilience and #sustainabledevelopment. Deltares SIWI - Stockholm International Water Institute UNESCO Global Water Partnership Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat Ruth Mathews Dana Dedeck Jose Pablo Murillo Koen Verbist Dimitris Faloutsos Valentin Aich Martien Beek Lisa Hartog Shahnoor Hasan Audrey Legat Sabrina Couvin Rodriguez Judith ter Maat Peter Letitre Alyssa Offutt, P.E. Tom Panella

The housing problem in the Philippines amidst the climate crisis requires a multifaceted approach that considers the vulnerabilities posed by climate change while ensuring sustainable and resilient housing solutions. One of the strategies and initiatives that can be implemented is by adopting climate-resilient housing design and green architecture. This includes the use of climate-resilient materials and construction techniques that can withstand extreme weather conditions such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes; and incorporating green architecture principles such as proper ventilation, natural lighting, and rainwater harvesting to reduce the environmental footprint and enhance sustainability. By focusing on sustainable and climate-resilient housing solutions, the Philippines can enhance the safety and well-being of its population while contributing to broader climate adaptation and mitigation goals. Photo was taken during my virtual session with an international NGO focused in delivering housing solutions.

🌊 🌊 How to support marine restoration at scale? 🌊 🌊 Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) can play an important role. Read a take from Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme Oversight and Selection Panel member Dr Tundi Agardy. Some of the points she highlights: - Marine restoration at scale is hard, costly, yet doable. Some of our grantees are showing this. - Building in terrestrial - marine linkages is crucial, requiring organisations (e.g. government agencies, resource users) to bridge between the two. - Donors are hesitant to invest in degraded areas. - MSP can optimise activities and minimise conflicts, highlighting degraded areas that can and need to be restored (especially if we are to meet global targets). - MSP will increasingly need to be climate smart, and provides an important mechanism to strengthen community engagement. #MarineRestoration #MarineConservation #GenerationRestoration #MSP https://lnkd.in/e-aP-eHT