Rio Grande do Sul looks to the Netherlands for water management and climate resilience
A recent mission from Rio Grande do Sul to the Kingdom of the Netherlands marked a significant step in strengthening international collaboration on water management, flood protection, and climate resilience. The mission offered valuable insights into solutions for climate-related disasters, developed through partnerships between government, industry, and academia.
This mission builds on the Dutch Disaster Risk Reduction and Surge Support's visit to Rio Grande do Sul after the devastating floods of 2024.
A Brazilian delegation, led by Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite and Porto Alegre Mayor Sebastião Melo, visited the Netherlands in February, guided by Caspar van Rijnbach, Chief Representative of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Porto Alegre. For a week, the delegates delved into Dutch expertise in water management, flood protection and urban planning.
The importance of an integrated approach
The mission programme started with a welcome meeting at the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, where Meike van Ginneken, the Dutch Special Envoy for Water, highlighted the importance of integrating water management into urban planning, protecting natural water ecosystems, and investing in advanced technologies. She emphasized that making water and soil the guiding principles in spatial planning is a political challenge, but essential for flood prevention.
“We have learnt from experience that controlling water is not just about infrastructure, but about mindset and long-term planning. Adaptation requires commitment at all levels of governance, and collaboration between countries can accelerate progress. The challenges we face today demand a shift towards working with nature rather than against it”, said van Ginneken. Additionally, she pointed out the importance of accessible and innovative engineering solutions but acknowledged that technology alone is insufficient without an integrated approach.
Flood resilience & nature-based solutions
Part of the mission focused on exploring Dutch flood prevention projects, showcasing the ‘Building with Nature’ concept. The delegation visited the Room for the River Programme and the Sand Motor project, which use natural forces to reduce costs and create sustainable solutions. “The Dutch demonstrate how it is possible to develop a new relationship with water. We are learning about some of the best global practices on this topic,” stated the Governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite.
Other highlights included visits to Molenwaterpark (city park adapted for flood prevention), Deltapark Neeltje Jans (home to the world’s largest storm protection system), and the Flood Museum, where Porto Alegre’s Mayor Sebastião Melo announced plans to create a space in Porto Alegre to commemorate the floods of 1941 and 2024. “The Netherlands teaches us the importance of memory for rebuilding and raising awareness among future generations,” he reflected.
Academia & research
The delegation also visited key research centres specialised in water management and climate adaptation. At Delft University of Technology, the Environmental Urban Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Guaíba Islands Region was presented. The project, part of an ongoing collaboration with the Municipality of Porto Alegre, will be conducted with active participation from the local community in the Arquipélago neighbourhood through workshops involving residents, technical experts, and scientists.
At Flood Proof Holland and Deltares, the group explored advanced flood forecasting technologies and real-time monitoring systems, which are essential for responding to extreme weather events.
Rotterdam’s climate resilience
In Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port and a global leader in climate resilience and innovative urban solutions, the delegation learnt about the Rotterdam Climate Proof programme, the Regional Water Authorities’s work, and the "water squares," which serve both as recreational spaces and rainwater retention basins.
Governor Leite noted, "What we saw in Rotterdam shows us a viable path for cities like Porto Alegre. The solutions here are not only technical but also social and urbanistic, integrating water into city life rather than merely containing it." He also announced plans to create a water management body in Rio Grande do Sul inspired by the Dutch model.
Strengthening economic and water cooperation
Both the Netherlands and Rio Grande do Sul face similar water-related challenges and have a wealth of opportunities to innovate. The commitment of Rio Grande do Sul’s representatives in tackling climate challenges and fostering sustainable development was evident throughout the mission. The mission underscored the importance of translating knowledge into public policies, nature-based solutions, and concrete, fundable projects. "Our hope is that this mission marks the beginning of an even stronger partnership, fostering opportunities for research, development, and the implementation of joint projects," stated mission's host Caspar van Rijnbach.
The collaboration, organised by the Dutch Embassy in Brazil and the Netherlands Business Support Office in Porto Alegre, highlighted the value of cross-sector partnerships and will help guide future climate adaptation projects in Rio Grande do Sul.
