Earth observation and advanced technologies for making agriculture more resilient against extreme events in the water cycle: floods and droughts

Floods and droughts are not independent events but linked, and collective efforts are required to build climate resilient agricultural systems and to reduce risks.

Water is a critical input and limited resource for agricultural production. Due to climate change and the persistent water crisis that goes along with it in the Mediterranean area, improved water management plays an important role in maintaining food security and increasing the resilience of the agricultural sector.

After setting the scene with a perspective on near-term projections for water resource availability, the workshop opens with a panel discussion on European, national and regional policies for agriculture. It continues with a keynote speech titled “European and Global Flooding and Drought Observatories” and concludes with a panel discussion on added value data and innovative technologies that improve water management and support both producers and consumers.

Session Chairs

Giovanni Federigo De Santi, Ecomondo Scientific Committee
Stefano Corgnati, Polytechnic of Turin
Piero Boccardo, Polytechnic of Turin
Guido Levrini, ESA-ESRIN

Programme

14.30-14.45 Welcome address
Giovanni Federigo De Santi, Ecomondo Scientific Committee
Fabio Fava, Ecomondo Scientific Committee President

14.45-15.00 Keynote speech:
Climate change: flooding and drought assessment in the Mediterranean area
Chiara Cagnazzo, ECMWF

15.00-16.15 Panel discussion – European, National and Regional Policies for agriculture

Chaired by:
Giovanni Federigo De Santi, Polytechnic of Turin
Stefano Corgnati, Polytechnic of Turin

Panellists:

Maciej Golubiewski, Head of Cabinet, European Commissioner for Agriculture
Alessio Mammi, Councillor for Agriculture, Regione Emilia-Romagna
Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, Commissioner for Reconstruction in Emilia-Romagna (TBC)
Ettore Prandini, Coldiretti, Italy, President
Massimiliano Giansanti, Confagricoltura, Italy, President
Alessandro Bratti, Po-river basin authority, Secretary General

16.15-16.30 Keynote speech:
Earth Observation from global to local
Bettina Baruth, European Commission, Deputy Head of Unit Joint Research Centre

16.30-17.30 Panel discussion – From policies to practices

Added value information and innovation technologies to improve water management in normal and extreme water conditions supporting producers and consumers
Chaired by:
Piero Boccardo, Polytechnic of Turin
Federica Mastracci, ESA-ESRIN

Panellists:

Michael Pielke, European Commission, Head of Unit DG AGRI (TBC)
Veronica Manfredi, European Commission, Director DG ENV
Francesco Ubertini, President of Cineca, University of Bologna
Diego Vanelli, Planet Labs
Giuseppe Bortone ARPAE, Director General
Fabio Santeramo MEDECC, Co-Coordinator Special Report
Enrico Borgogno Mondino Associazione Italiana Telerilevamento, President
Cristiano Fini, CIA Italian Farmers, President

17.30-17.45 End of the Workshop