Resilient inland waterways

03 April 2024

In the framework of the Connecting Europe Days, Karin De Schepper moderated a debate on the good navigation status of inland waterways and sustainable infrastructure management. How to keep waterways reliable for transport and in good status when cascading effects of climate change are increasing pressure on multiple uses of waterways? What are potential conflicts and where do we have to step up synergies.

In cooperation with the Commission, INE looked into the subject from different angles with experts:

• Lucia Luijten, secretary general at the Central Commission for the Rhine reported on the overall Rhine strategy to build resilience against drought encompassing infrastructure, fleet, logistics and information.
• Krista Maes, COO at De Vlaamse Waterweg set out the plan being implemented to climate proof the Scheldt and Meuse basins giving room to the rivers and increase the navigation status. She also illustrated the integrated approach for the Seine-Scheldt project and the water saving measures for canals.
• Andreas Baeck, executive project manager at viadonau explained the ongoing transnational fairway management of the Danube and the promising first results of the implementation of dynamic river management next to permanent measures
• Elena Visnar Malinovska, deputy director at DG CLIMA gave the latest update on the accelerating pace of climate change in Europe and the EU climate adaptation policy aiming at improving the decision-making process. She stressed the interrelation between sectors and cascading effects.
• Claudia Olazabal, head of unit at DG ENV reflected on the plans presented and underlined the multiple crises of climate change and biodiversity impacting Europe. She reminded the need to harness the complexity of natural systems as they strengthen the resilience.

All speakers stressed the need for integrated waterway management. Drought and flood management have to be combined. More synergy and better governance at all levels are paramount to avoid maladaptation for a multi-functional and critical infrastructure that waterways are. Dredging remains necessary to ensure reliable waterways and to enable nature based solutions for a more resilient water environment, but sustainable criteria apply. Solutions exist, but fragmented governance and funding present the greatest risk to effective and timely action.

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