Too much and yet not enough water

The stakeholder workshop encourages dialogue between academia, policymakers, and practitioners on the challenges posed by hydrometeorological extreme events, strengthening interdisciplinary communication.

How should we prepare for a future in which water is both abundant and scarce? This central question was the focus of a stakeholder workshop organised by the project HydroExtremes as part of the Helmholtz Forum Earth and Environment (formerly SynCom). The workshop took place on 14 and 15 April 2026 at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and brought together representatives from politics, science, and industry. The project is coordinated at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The IMKIFU, the IMKTRO and the IWU are involved at KIT. Other centres of the Helmholtz Association (FZJ, GFZ, Hereon, UFZ and AWI) are also participating in the project, contributing their expertise in hydrometeorological extremes and sustainable water management.

In the wake of climate change, hydrometeorological extremes such as floods and droughts are becoming increasingly common. These developments have far-reaching consequences for society, the economy, infrastructure, ecosystems, and health. Addressing these risks is one of the central societal challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, collaboration between the various stakeholder groups is essential for developing viable, implementable solutions.

The workshop provided an intensive setting for this exchange. Different perspectives were discussed, specific needs were identified, and new contacts were established. Small, focused working groups facilitated direct dialogue between stakeholders from politics, industry, and academia.

A particular highlight of the event was the two political keynote speeches, which impressively emphasised the political relevance of the topic. Steffi Lemke, a member of the German Bundestag and former Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, emphasised the high societal relevance of the water issue and the need for better preparation for extreme events. Water is critical infrastructure. Regina Paas and Dr Britta Ammermüller (both division heads at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, BMUKN) presented the National Water Strategy from an administrative standpoint. They emphasised that its implementation is a joint process involving the federal government, the states, and local municipalities. The growing challenges posed by floods, droughts, and heatwaves can only be addressed through coordinated, cross-sectoral action — an approach also embedded in the National Water Strategy.

The workshop examined the core content of the HydroExtremes project along the entire process chain of hydrometeorological extremes, from meteorological triggers, through hydrological processes, to impacts on society, infrastructure and ecosystems, as well as governance and risk management issues. A key focus was the draft synthesis report based on the results of a previous synthesis workshop. This report consolidates existing models and data within the Helmholtz Association, identifies key research gaps and aims to inform further dialogue with decision-makers. At the same time, it highlights that innovative approaches, such as AI/ML, open up new possibilities for predicting, analysing, and assessing the risks of hydrometeorological extremes.

Another format featured joint presentations by experts from industry and academia on current research and application-oriented approaches to drought and flood management. In the area of flood management, the focus was on new methodological developments. Uwe Ehret (IWU/KIT) and Manuel Perschke (Rhineland-Palatinate State Office for the Environment) presented a co-design approach, involving the development of an AI-supported flood prediction model through close collaboration between academia and practitioners, with the aim of direct integration into operational warning and management systems (Project KI-HopE-De).

The workshop demonstrated the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration in effectively addressing hydrometeorological extreme events. These findings will feed into the ongoing development of the synthesis report and will underpin future dialogue with decision-makers and interested members of the public.

In this way, the project contributes significantly to strengthening resilience, from natural ecosystems to society.

Gruppe von Menschen auf einer Dachterrasse mit Berlin-Skyline im Hintergrund. — Participants at the workshop chatting on the rooftop terrace of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (© Helmholtz Forum Earth and Environment).

Zwei Männer (Projektkoordination) bei einer Präsentation vor einer Projektion an der Wand. — Opening of the workshop and introduction to the project HydroExtremes by the project leaders, Prof. Dr. Harald Kunstmann (IMKIFU) and Prof. Dr. Peter Knippertz (IMKTRO; © S. Mohr, IMKTRO/KIT).

MdB Steffi Lemke hinter Rednerpult im Rahmen des Workshops. — Steffi Lemke, MdB, emphasises the significant societal relevance of this issue from a political perspective, and the opportunities of a coordinated approach to water-related extremes. Water is critical infrastructure (© Helmholtz Forum E&E).

Gruppe von Erwachsenen diskutiert um einen Stehtisch mit Notizen, Whiteboard im Hintergrund. — Small, focused working groups facilitated direct dialogue between stakeholders from political, professional and academic backgrounds, providing a forum for in-depth discussion of key challenges (© Helmholtz Forum Earth and Environment).