How Is Climate Change Included in the Implementation of the European Flood Directive? Analysis of the Methodological Approaches of Different Countries

Abstract

Climate change has major effects on the planet, and its consequences on today’s society are undeniable. Climate change is the cause of the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events including floods. Flood management in Europe has experienced a significant change due to the emergence of the Flood Directive and its implementation in national regulations. The Flood Directive requires the inclusion of the effects of climate change. With multiple factors such as governmental and administrative diversity, and various management tools, each country uses a different methodology. This research conducts a bibliographic review to analyze the methodological approaches applied by four different countries—the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain—showing their differences and the causes of such differences and examining the common weaknesses and strengths in the countries’ approach. To this end, it analyzes how to include climate change in the implementation of the Flood Directive in the four countries studied throughout the two cycles. Developing a uniform approach to FD implementation has been hampered by (1) different starting points in the technology of flood prediction, (2) widely varying “traditional” approaches to flood and risk management, and (3) differing levels of the integration of local, regional, and national agencies. Development under the FD has, however, led to increased awareness of the common uncertainty associated with the different current methodologies and the need to deepen the knowledge of climate change as well as the need to develop the technology to reduce said uncertainty.

Integration of GIS-Based Multicriteria Decision Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process for Flood-Hazard Assessment in the Megalo Rema River Catchment (East Attica, Greece)

“…In particular, the flood episodes of the study area were driven by low-pressure systems, which, in most cases, affected the catchment while moving from the west towards the east [49]. However, the recent extreme flood events in Europe, caused by an abnormality in cyclonic seasonal activity, show an increase in rainfall intensity and a rise in frequency of flood rates due to climate change [51]. In Greece, even though the precipitation levels are predicted to decline an average of 17% annually, the flood hazard is expected to rise, thus increasing the cost of direct damage from floods up to 10% annually [52].…”

Participatory Mapping for Enhancing Flood Risk Resilient and Sustainable Urban Drainage: A Collaborative Approach for the Genoa Case Study

“…Even if data on municipal land zoning, areas designated to form public use space, as well as the network of major roads, rail, waterways, and related facilities are easily retrieved by Municipal or Inter-Municipal Master Plans, data concerning the urban drainage (both natural and artificial) network are generally less accessible. The natural hydrographic network, historically flooded areas, and areas exposed to hydraulic risk are collected from the River Basin Management Plans [70][71][72] while it is suggested to consult the managing company of the integrated water service in order to have access to data concerning the design of the drainage network as well as its maintenance. Furthermore, particular attention should be posed to the quantitative and typological analysis of open spaces and green areas (public and private greenery) that should be published in Municipal Green Plans.…”

Management of Global Warming Effects in the European Water Framework Directive: Consideration of Social–Ecological System Features in the Elbe River Basin District

“…Established later in 2007, the FD did not oblige water governance stakeholders to systematically consider climate change projections in management plans. The result is that Member States and River Basin Districts include climate change projections in management plans, but not in a harmonised manner [57][58][59]. For example, comparative studies show that too many different methods for assessing climate change impacts are in place by 2020.…”

“…For example, comparative studies show that too many different methods for assessing climate change impacts are in place by 2020. Each basin and member state projects differently, which leads to even more certainties for flood management in times of global warming [57]. However, global warming effects impact flood risk directly and to such a broad extent that its full consideration in management is urgently necessary.…”