The project focused on the effects of climate change for groundwater systems. CLIWAT aimed to identify the challenges caused by the higher water levels and to develop climate scenarios focussing on surface water and water supply as well as the impacts of it on buildings. This would enable the North Sea Region to react more efficiently to the consequences of climate change.

The project built on and improved existing geo-physical methods and these were tested in the partner regions in order to be able to develop recommendations for the North Sea Region on how to deal with the consequences of increased groundwater levels.

CLIWAT was also represented in the WaterCAP cluster and in WaterCAP Taskforce.

Aim
To adapt to climate change, reduce risks and protect society and nature in a more extreme climate.

Technical investigations, modelling and prediction tools with focus on transboundary regions:

• Field investigations in pilot areas developing new techniques focusing on determining the effects of climate change on the quantity and quality of groundwater systems and ultimately surface water, wetlands and water supply for drinking water and irrigation. Existing data was reused where possible.
• Develop and deliver new groundwater related geophysical methods.
• Modelling and prediction tools innovated on different scales for sustainable management of the environment in selected regions seen in relation to to the Water Framework and Groundwater Directives and the associated guidelines. 
• Analysing and defining areas of the region that are vulnerable to the forced leaching from point sources and agricultural sources in a new climate regime.
• Demonstrate how effects of different climate change scenarios will affect spatial planning and technical engineering in the North Sea Region. 

Responsiveness and adaptation:

• Establish and facilitate a working process in regional and transnational boards being contact points where results of the project are delivered and the process towards adaption to climate change is focused, initiated and continued.
• Identification and elaboration of the challenges and solutions for engineering design of buildings, roads etc. Delivered through network of experts in boards.
• Identification and deliverance of new measures to relevant authorities.
• Active communication of the results of the project and adaptation process by use of webpage, communication plans (newspapers, TV stations) and conference in conjunction to the UN climate summit in Copenhagen 2009.

• New geo- and hydrological tools for evaluation and demonstration of the effects of climate change scenarios for the North Sea region
  Handbook 
  Scientific special issue in HESS.   
  
• Extend the knowledge in climate change impacts on the hydrological cycle with emphasis on groundwater influence on dependent aquatic ecosystems in the North Sea Region
  Database 
  
•  Transnational and regional management plan for groundwater protection, considering climate change
  Handbook  
  
•  2 and 3D geological models, visualisations
  Database
  Newsletter October 2010 
  Newsletter June 2011   
  
•  Maps of groundwater table scenarios, maps of flood risk areas
  Database
  Newsletter June 2011  
  
• Handbook(s) with maps
  Handbook  
  
• Recommendations to better practice in spatial planning/urban development
  Handbook 

The WaterCAP project ensured the recommendations for the EU level. The results have been given to the national climate adaptation responsibles in the different countries and further delivered to the stakeholders in the different pilot areas.

CLIWAT on klimatilpasning.dk
The project WaterCAP