Feedback on the workshop ‘Water, climate and agri-business’

The Upper Rhine agri-business, and more specifically its SMEs and SMIs, were at the heart of the discussions that brought together several experts and specialists to talk about the link between water and adaptation to climate change for the agri-business sector in its entirety (from agriculture to the agri-food industries). Various project partners were also present in the room to attend this hybrid event: indeed, a live broadcast translated into both French and German was available on YouTube.

Among the speakers, Florence Rudolf, project coordinator, recalled the importance and relevance of the Clim’Ability Design project in the region. In particular, she emphasised that adaptation to climate change in the Upper Rhine requires international collaboration. Amandine Amat, project manager in “Climate Change and Water” at the CCI Alsace Eurométropole, was able to follow up on these remarks by presenting the main uses of water by the agri-business industry, as well as the risks linked to the lack of water in the Upper Rhine region for this industry.

The workshop also discussed water in the agricultural sector and the adaptation strategies that are being considered in the region. Dr. Philipp Staufer, head of the water division and deputy head of the environmental office of the Canton of Solothurn, gave a video conference presentation on an intelligent drainage system that allows for better regulation of water availability in the soil during the seasons, thus encouraging the resilience of agricultural producers. Finally, Gaël Bohnert, PhD student at the University of Haute-Alsace, shared the results of his interviews about adaptation methods and issues in Upper Rhine breweries, using the example of the Potassine brewery.

The replays of the workshop (French / German) are available on the YouTube channels of CYCL’EAU and Clim’Ability Design: