Doc WGF4-6-SE-draft outline CC& Floods workshop

Working Group F, Thematic Workshop – Climate Change and Flooding
Karlstad, Sweden, 2nd week in September 2009

Draft Workshop Outline
(as of 2008-10-08)

Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks (the ‘Floods’ Directive) entered into force in November 2007, as part of the implementation of the EU Flood Action Programme. This Directive, inter alia, requires a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment which includes that impacts of climate change impacts on the occurrence of floods are considered, the preparation of Flood Maps (Article 6) which includes identifying the hazard and risk associated with floods under different scenarios, andthe development of flood risk management plans to reduce the flood risk. The directive therefore explicitly required taking Climate Change predictions into consideration while performing the work. The three key steps described above, shall furthermore be regularly updated on a 6 yearly basis.

At the meeting of WG F in October 2007, the European Commission proposed that information exchange on specific issues under the Working Group F should be focused through thematic workshops, and the theme of Climate Change and Flooding was indicated as a theme of high priority for 2008-9.

The Water Directors have furthermore agreed to develop a CIS Guidance document on Climate change and water, focussing on the second River basin management plans (Water Framework Directive), which needs to be coordinated with the Flood risk management plans (Floods Directive). This work is being coordinated by the Strategic Steering Group on Climate change and water, and the input on Floods and climate change is proposed to come from WG F (see seprate note).

Sweden hereby proposes to organise such a workshop as a Swedish Presidency event,to discuss the specific requirements of the ‘Floods’ Directive and also in acknowledgement for ongoing information exchange on this topic.

Workshop objectives and outputs

The core objectives of the workshop are:

  • To discuss and conclude on key issues based on MS experiences regarding climate changeand flooding related to theimplementation of the ‘Floods’ Directive. The conclusions will be reported to WG F for further discussion and way ahead.
  • To exchange information on recent developments from currentresearch in the area of climate change and flooding. Key research projects to be invited for presentations and discussions.
  • Presentations will be made by Member States viewing their situation and needs
  • Contribute to the process of drawing up guidance on climate change and water.

The output of the workshop will be a workshop report that will contain MS situation and needs:

  • The papers and documentation presented at the workshop,
  • Summaries of the discussions heldat the workshop, in particular conclusions and recommendations reached at the plenary sessions for theimplementation of the ‘Floods’ Directive in relation to climate change and flood risk management
  • Identified challenges requiring further analysis and discussion
  • Suggested areas for further research and development

Workshop structure

The workshop will contain a series of thematic sessions. Each session will contain a brief plenary session followed by breakout workgroup sessions to discuss the key issue of that session. Plenary sessions will beheld to summarise the conclusions of the breakout sessions and provide a forum for common discussion.

Workshop themes, e.g.

  • Recent development in CC-scenarios and progress in model predictions, needs for research and development.
  • Ex from MS on governmental and national strategies including legislation regarding climate change
  • Best practice, examples from MS; preparedness, prevention in view of climate change having and impact on floods
  • Synergies with WFD, and contribution to the process of the work of water and climate change.
  • Cross-border cooperation in the view of climate change related impacts on floods.

Venue/Premises

The workshop will be held in the 2nd week of September 2009 inKarlstad, Sweden. Karlstad is situated north of Sweden’s largest lake (Europe’s third largest) Vänern and easy accessible by flying from either Copenhagen, Kastrup-airport or Stockholm, Arlanda-airport. More details about the venue, the premises available for the work and the workshop programme as well as information about hotels, maps and other travel information will be distributed early next year.