Climate adaptation through co-creation (Co-Adapt)

Description:

Co-Adapt will develop, test and roll-out approaches to co-creation of nature based (NB) and natural process solutions (NPS) to improve adaptive capacity of the 2Seas region to the water-related effects of climate change. The project will develop more open and transparent governance for adaptive water management by embedding co-creation in policy frameworks, especially spatial and water management strategies - leading to greater awareness and stakeholder-led action to improve climate resilience.

Co-Adapt will result in increased capacity to adapt to climate change and a region that is more flood & drought resilient. It will directly decrease risk of flood & drought to 30,000ha through co-created NBS, leading to €5.4M of savings from reduced damages, and €5.8M of savings compared to using traditional hard engineering. It will involve 3000 stakeholders in co-creation leading to changed public attitudes to water & climate risks, with 80% of participants feeling involved and supporting NBS measures.

Main outputs:

• Guide to the Co-Adapt framework, with tools for co-creation, adaptive pathways and NB&NPS.
• Co-creation approaches to adaptive pathways planning for climate change adaptation developed and tested in 8 regions, engaging stakeholders to demonstrate new, climate-proofed approaches to adaptive water management to at risk communities and land-owners.
• Co-created adaptive water management solutions (nature based and natural process solutions) developed and tested in 8 catchments, demonstrating to all stakeholders how natural flood management measures can deliver cost effective protection.
• A Crossborder strategy incorporating 2Seas vision, and regional transition roadmaps to replicate the Co-Adapt approach for adaptive water management to assist regional/local water and spatial management agencies to replicate and transfer the Co-Adapt approach.

Project information

Lead

Somerset County Council, England, UK

Partners

Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group SouthWest (FWAG SW), England, UK

National Trust, England, UK

Somerset Wildlife Trust, England, UK

Devon County Council, England, UK

Open University, Netherlands

Province of North Brabant (PNB), Netherlands

Municipality of Vlissingen, Netherlands

Flemish Land Agency, Belgium/Flanders

Province of Antwerp, Belgium/Flanders

Permanent Centre for Environment Initiatives (CPIE), France

Boulogne Water Board, France

Source of funding

Interreg 2 Seas Programme