Med-IREN project heads to Cyprus to test flood and urban heat island monitoring

(ANSA) - ROME, 27 OTT - From digital monitoring to nature-based solutions, the project aims to protect Mediterranean communities and critical infrastructure from extreme weather events. The fifth meeting of the partners involved in the European cooperation project Med-IREN took place in Larnaca, Cyprus, on 21-22 October. The project brings together nature-based expertise and engineering developments to protect critical infrastructure from the impacts of climate change. The meeting in Cyprus provided an opportunity to review the project's progress and discuss the next stages of work, with a particular focus on moving from the development of methodologies to their practical application in the participating territories. Med-IREN is a joint initiative involving several European countries, including Italy. It provides local authorities, academics and civil society with an opportunity to share experiences and best practices to address the specific challenges facing their territories. During the two-day meeting, partners presented the latest developments in the Digital Toolset, a suite of tools combining monitoring systems, satellite data, digital models and indicators to assess climate risks and support decision-making processes. Discussions also focused on integrating nature-based solutions with traditional infrastructure, taking into account the specific characteristics and vulnerabilities of different territories. Larnaca serves as a case study for monitoring water flows in the Kamares area and investigating urban heat islands in Ayioi Anargiroi. The activities include tools to assess thermal comfort and environmental monitoring initiatives. The Med-IREN project involves nine European regions in total. Five Mediterranean areas are testing solutions to strengthen climate resilience, while four other EU regions are replicating the activities to assess their applicability in different contexts. The case studies address a range of climate-related risks, from heatwaves and wildfires to floods and coastal erosion. The next project partners' meeting is scheduled to take place in Ischia during the week of 5-11 April 2027. (ANSA).
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