Author insights: Exploring 'Greening Water Risks: Natural Assurance Schemes' with Nora van Cauwenbergh
Amid increasing environmental and societal challenges, it is crucial to identify innovative and sustainable approaches to water management. Traditional methods that rely on gutters, drains and pipes – engineered solutions known as grey infrastructure - are limited in their effectiveness and adaptability and therefore resilience. Nature-based solutions (NbS), which involve water managers working with nature, form a promising alternative. A new book, ‘Greening water risks: Natural Assurance Schemes’, highlights tools and methods to support the use of NbS and help maximise their benefits
Nora van Cauwenbergh, IHE Delft Associated Professor Water and Societal Transitions, Head of the Land and Water Management department and one of the book editors, answered a few questions about the book.
Q: What is the focus of the book, and what motivated you and your co-authors to write it?
A: The book is the result of a large European H2020 research project that focuses on the insurance value of NbS. Traditionally, water management, floods, and droughts have relied heavily on grey infrastructure, which has shown significant limitations over time. Grey infrastructure is rigid, decays over time, and fails to adapt to the changing environment. In contrast, NbS offer a more flexible approach to dealing with floods and droughts while generating co-benefits. The book aims to explore how we can shift from relying solely on grey infrastructure to incorporating nature in our strategies to protect against natural disasters and maximize benefits.
Q: What are the main ideas conveyed in the book, and what impact does it aim to create?
A: The research aims to make a tangible impact by providing real-life examples of NbS use to address floods and droughts. It presents case studies from various geographies, scales, and contexts, and discusses how well NbS work – or not - in different scenarios. Both researchers and practitioners can find valuable insights, tools and methodologies in the book. It serves as a guide for those interested in transitioning from grey infrastructure to hybrid and NbS – it showcases the steps involved, including stakeholder engagement, and practical approaches. The book also leaves some questions unanswered, inviting future researchers to explore and expand upon the benefits and challenges of NbS.
Q: Who is the intended audience for the book, and what valuable insights do you hope readers, including students and early-career professionals will gain from it?
A: The book is intended for researchers, practitioners, students and early-career professionals in the field, in particular those who want hands-on examples and practical guidance. It offers insights into real-world projects, tools, and methods that can be applied to their own contexts. Students and early-career professionals can gain a comprehensive understanding of NbS and its potential applications, learning from the experiences and challenges shared in the book.
Q: How does your book contribute to the current discourse in your field and address any emerging trends or challenges?
A: The book positions NbS as a natural assurance scheme that can effectively reduce damage costs compared to grey infrastructure: this is a significant contribution to discussions about NbS. It highlights the importance of considering co-benefits and demonstrates how NbS can be a more cost-effective approach in the face of climate change. The book also explores the concept of insurance value, collaborating with the insurance sector to operationalise it. This collaboration with multiple stakeholders and the emphasis on linking NbS to climate change damage sets it apart from other works in the field, addressing emerging trends and challenges.
van Cauwenbergh will present the book to a broader audience during a World Water Week seminar on ‘Governance: The enabling environment to foster innovation’.
The book’s co-editors are: Elena López-Gunn (iCatalist, Spain), Peter van der Keur (GEUS, Denmark), Philippe Le Coent (BRGM, France), Raffaele Giordano (CNR, Italy)
Download the book
This book is Open Access, click on the link below and download it
