Floods, heavy rains, droughts, water scarcity have dramatically increased in number and intensity in the UE due to climate change. How we can protect and manage water resources in order to maximize their efficient utilization while minimizing the present-day negative aspects? The TEACHER-CE project wants to address these issues by the development of effective adaptation processes and prevention of weather-induced risks for water management in Central Europe. The CMCC is partner of the project.

The current Central Europe Programme (CE), co-financed by the European Union, started an experiment during the last period: combining results of previously funded INTERREG, Horizon2020 and Life projects and developing new ideas, tools or strategies. Thus, the new project TEACHER-CE (Joint efforts to increase water management adaptation to climate changes in Central Europe) was created with partners coming from four different CE-projects (RAINMAN, FRAMWAT, PROLINE-CE, SUSTREE). The University of Ljubljana provides coordination and serves as Lead Partner.

In the upcoming two years 12 Project partners coming from 8 countries (Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary) and different fields of action – like water management, environment, forestry, agriculture, meteorology, spatial planning – will focus on the development of an integrated TEACHER-CE Toolbox for a climate-proof management of water related issues such as floods, heavy rain and drought risk prevention, small water retention measures and protection of water resources through sustainable land-use management. This innovative Toolbox for climate change adaptation and risk prevention will be directly tested in 9 Pilot actions in different countries. Through these experiences and direct feed-back by involved operators, who are also so-called Associated partners in this project (water suppliers, municipalities, cities, ministries, enterprises, NGOs, environment agencies, national parks) the creation of an optimized and tailored instrument can be guaranteed.

At the end of the project an integrated and joint strategy will be released for promoting and stimulating adoption of this innovative TEACHER-CE Toolbox for efficient use by decision makers in the field of water management planning. Due to uncertainties in future climate, the final goal will be to maximize the use of the Toolbox to effectively and robustly mainstream climate change adaption in sectoral plans like Flood-, River Basin-, Drought Management Plans and regional or local spatial plans.

The CMCC Foundation is partner of the project with three CMCC divisions involved: REMHI, RAAS and IAFES. The CMCC scientific leader of the project is Guido Rianna, CMCC researcher at REMHI – Regional Models and geo-Hydrological impacts.

The CMCC will be mainly involved in providing data and information about the expected impacts of climate changes on water resources in Central Europe, and in carrying on the development of tools built in previous and ongoing funded projects concerning the identification of Best Management Practices for the protection of water resources and the assessment of soil losses induced by water erosion.

The CMCC will have in particular the opportunity of carrying on the development and improvement of tools built in previous funded projects: the Decision Support Tool GOWARE (Transnational Guide Towards an Optimal WAter Regime) from PROLINE-CE Project and the web App “Soil Erosion” under development as Demo Case within Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). Furthermore, by exploiting its expertise, also the other tools included in the TEACHER CE toolbox could properly assess and account for the potential impacts of climate changes in Central Europe area.

For more information, visit the official website of the TEACHER-CE project.