H2020 IMPREX: Improving Predictions and management of hydrological Extremes

In recent decades, Europe has repeatedly experienced large-scale floods and droughts, resulting in major economic and ecological damages as well as property and personal injury. Often, affected actors have not been sufficiently prepared for these events. Due to climate change, extreme hydrological events are likely to increase in the future and present actors from different sectors and administrative levels with ever-greater challenges. To counteract the increasing threat posed by such events, sustainable water management strategies and improved emergency plans based on reliable hydro meteorological forecasts are needed. However, predicting extreme events has been a major challenge for science for years, especially in view of climate change.

The European research project IMPREX (IMproving PRedictions and management of hydrological Extremes) has been funded under the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020 and has been comprised of a consortium of 23 renowned partners from 9 countries that have taken up the challenge of developing methods and tools to improve predictions of hydro-meteorological extremes. The research focused on adapting climate information to the needs of six core sectors (flood forecasting, hydropower, transport or urban water management, agriculture and water economics). This approach ensured a concrete application of the research results.

Based on research results generated in IMPREX and further investigations, adelphi developed policy recommendations for European water and climate policy and compiled three policy briefs and one position paper on selected important topics. adelphi examined how climate change has been considered in the drought and flood directives, the challenges that exist in implementing the directives, and the contribution the IMPREX research results could make in this context. adelphi also developed factsheets for the different involved setors, summarising most important outcomes of the project activities and providing case study examples relevant for decision-makers. These products ensure that the results are also applied beyond the research context.