AQUARIUS: The Farmer as water manager – and adaption to climate change Irene Wiborg, Project manager

AQUARIUS Interreg IVB-project, North Sea Programme Runs January 2009-December partners from 6 countries around the North Sea (public national,regional and local authorities, research institutes, advisory service organisations) Total budget of EURO

Changed climate, - new posibilities

Aim Develop sustainable farming under changing climate Involve farmers in water management (bottom-up) Develop methods and recommendations for integrating CC in 2. generation of river basin management plans (WFD)

What do we want to do? To enable farmers to act successfully as water managers in changing climatic conditions. The project will put in place sustainable measures that will reduce the consequences of flooding, droughts, water shortage and nutrient transport from land to the water environment.

Create a win win situation Good for environment Good for farmers … if we can find the solutions The partnership has the capacity

What to be done? Looking at all tools/ possibilities –The evolving approach in focus –Sociological –Legal instruments –Economic incentives –….

Sensor farming?

Water storage

No ploughing – reduced erosion

Conclusions New challenges and new opportunities in the triangle –Farming –Clean water –Climate