Flood and coastal risk consultant Meredith Hanson recently attended the ICE/CIWEM Yorkshire and Humber Flooding and Water Quality Conference, where industry leaders gathered to discuss pressing challenges and emerging solutions in flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM).
Here Meredith reflects on the day and her key takeaways
I had the privilege of attending the ICE/CIWEM Yorkshire and Humber Flooding & Water Quality Conference, where experts from across the flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) sector came together to share insights and innovations. It was an inspiring event that reinforced the importance of collaboration and forward-thinking approaches in our work.
Collaboration
One of the strongest messages throughout the day was the need for collaboration. Successful projects rely on partnerships between risk management authorities (RMAs), consultants, communities and wider stakeholders. Breaking down organisational and financial barriers is essential if we want to deliver resilient solutions.
Making space for water
The discussions highlighted the stark contrast between this year’s droughts and the recent devastation caused by Storm Claudia. We discussed how nature-based solutions can reduce catchment-scale flood risk by slowing, storing, and increasing infiltration of water through measures such as wetlands, woodland creation and floodplain restoration.
Personal responsibility and resilience
It was surprising to learn that only 6% of UK residents have considered flood preparedness, compared to 10% who have a zombie apocalypse plan! The role of Artificial Intelligence in FCERM sparked lively debate. While AI offers speed, accuracy, and efficient data interpretation, concerns around over-reliance, energy use, ethics, and public trust cannot be ignored. Transparency is key to public trust.
Funding challenges remain
The new DEFRA policy reducing reliance on partnership funding and increasing investment in Natural Flood Management (NFM) by 3–4% is promising, but securing private finance is often still difficult due to investor reluctance and misaligned approval cycles.
Overall, the conference reinforced that collaboration, innovation, and community engagement are vital to building a resilient future.