There is an increasing need for strategic global assessments of flood risks in current and future scenarios. The GLOFRIS model is aimed to give insight in direct flood damage as result of riverine and coastal floods. The model shows the current state of flood risk and uses socioeconomic and climate scenarios for future projections of flood damage. This tool can be used to guide investments in flood adaptation by showing the economic benefits of several adaptation options, such as flood protection or risk-reducing strategies on the building level.
The tool can be implemented by cities on their own. Some basic knowledge of climate data/adaptation information is available and background GIS knowledge is
required.
A simplified version named REACT tool has been applied for the Amsterdam city hub (APG) and real estate investor AEW. The tool functions well as an early scan/overview of pluvial and riverine flood risk, although some background GIS knowledge is required. The next goal is to add a new financial investment module to the GLOFRIS tool, which incorporates both short- and long-term risks for real estate investments.
Regional policy makers can use this tool to find out which adaptation policy should be prioritized and yields the largest benefits in terms of avoided direct flood damage. Another group that benefits from this tool are real estate investors, where the tool helps determining locations prone to flood risk, which helps guiding sustainable real estate investments.
Low costs, only needs some time to read the technical documentation and collect input data. To gain understanding, it is also possible to use the tool manually and play around to see how several inputs affect flood risk
A link to the REACT tool can be found here
Thijs Endendijk
t.endendijk@vu.nl
VU-IVM
Ward, P., Jongman, B., Aerts, J. et al. A global framework for future costs and benefits of river-flood protection in urban areas. Nature Clim Change 7, 642–646 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3350
The tool is complementary with the FLOPROS database, which is an evolving global database of flood protection standards. The tool outcomes can be integrated with the climate story tool and it can also be complementary to other climate hazard and risk assessment tools.
During an extreme rainfall event, Jan watches in fear as water rises dangerously close to flooding his apartment. His experience highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation in Gdynia, inspiring the community to take action and build a more resilient future together.
