1. Research on Climate Change on Water, including Natural Hazards Contribution to SSG discussions and science-policy interfacing
Philippe QUEVAUVILLER
European Commission
DG Research
Directorate I ‘Environment’

2. Tackling scientific challenges through FP7 in the environment sector
Main drivers:
International commitments, protocols, initiatives concluded by the EU and its Member States
Existing and emerging EU environmental legislation and policies
Implementation of the 6th Environmental Action programme, associated thematic strategies and the action plans
Climate and environmental change, their consequences and the link to energy

3. Environment (including Climate Change)
Activities and sub-activities
Climate change, pollution and risks
Pressures on environment and climate
Environment and health
Natural hazards
Sustainable Management of Resources
Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources and biodiversity
Management of marine environments

4. Environment (including Climate Change)
Activities and sub-activities
Environmental Technologies
Environmental technologies for observation, simulation, prevention, mitigation, adaptation, remediation and restoration of the natural and man-made environment
Protection, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage including human habitat
Technology assessment, verification and testing
Earth observation and assessment tools for sustainable development
Earth and ocean observation systems and monitoring methods for the environment and sustainable development
Forecasting methods and assessment tools for sustainable development, taking into account differing scales of observation

5. Need to establish links with ‘science-users’
POLICY
DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN OF
POLICY
RESEARCH,
SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS,
POLICY INTEGRATION
POLICY
IMPLEMENTATION
POLICY
REVIEW

6. Ideally INTERFACE R&D, tools Research recommendations
When needed (short to long-term)
Scientific
knowledge
INTERFACE
Transfer & dissem.
“usability”
Data infrastructure
“memory”
POLICY-MAKERS
Member States
Commission
Demonstration, practical works
Interactive interface

7. Cross-cutting activities
CIS-SPI initiative (1)
Cross-cutting activities
Ensure efficient transfer of scientific knowledge to policy advisors, regulators and managers
Compile feedback from users and future research needs
Thematic activities
Specific themes to be selected with the aim to:
provide a state of the art of existing knowledge
identify related knowledge gaps and research needs and ensure inclusion in research agendas
ensure diffusion/relay to relevant users at the appropriate level(s)

8. Specific themes to be considered:
CIS-SPI initiative (2)
Thematic activities
Identify further research needs linked to key policy milestones
Provide state-of-the-art of existing knowledge of potential interest to policy implementers and stakeholders
Specific themes to be considered:
Ecological status, including hydromorphology
Priority substances
Floods
Groundwater
Water and agriculture
Water and climate change
Socio-economics
Water and renewable energy policies
Water and biodiversity
Water and the marine environment

9. Links with other activities
WISE-RTD
Web portal
PRB INBO, etc…
Identify WFD relevant projects and products of research
Support demonstration projects
Science-Policy Interface
Transfer technical solutions/best practices
National and EU R&D agendas
Support an evidence-based policy
IWRM-Net, WSSTP…
WSSTP, PRBs…
CIS working groups

10. RTD contribution to the CC Adaptation guidance document
Aim to produce a 2-4 pages contribution based on inputs from relevant RTD projects. So far, contributions received from two Integrated Projects:
WATCH ‘Water and Global Change’: research on current and future global water cycles, evaluating their uncertainties and clarifying the overall vulnerability of global water resources related to the main societal and economic sectors. This will increase understanding of CC extreme events. Five test basins are being investigated in Europe.
CIRCE ‘Climate Change and Impact Research: the Mediterranean Environment’ includes investigations on how strongly climate variations are inducing significant changes to the hydrological cycle with the aim to develop a regional climate model for the Mediterranean. This includes research to deepen CC understanding and to suggest potential adaptation measures.

11. RTD contribution to the CC Adaptation guidance document
In addition, other projects were contacted and indicated their willingness to contribute. This includes smaller-scale projects, e.g.:
XEROCHORE ‘Exercise to Assess Research Needs and Policy Choices in Areas of Droughts’ which will lay down a roadmap identifying research gaps on natural and man-made causes of drought, socio-economic and environmental impacts and management/policy options.
Other contacted projects concern Flood Risks management and preparedness, CC impacts on water quality and quantity, costs of climate change etc.

12. What’s next?
On the short-term, contribution to CC Adaptation guidance using RTD project contributions and written in a synthetic way
On the medium-term, development of the CIS-SPI initiative with a report intended to the Water Directors at the end of 2009
On the long run, science-policy interfacing to be made operational with possible links with international activities (IPCC, UNFCC etc.)