Islands United for Water Management: Insights from the 1st LIFE IP RBMP Malta Capitalization Conference in Crete

The 1st LIFE IP RBMP Malta Capitalization Conference, organized by the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) in collaboration with the Hellenic Republic Decentralised Administration Authority of Crete, took place on December 10-11, 2024, in Heraklion, Crete. This event centered on developing an innovative "island water management toolkit" to address the unique challenges faced by Mediterranean islands.

EWA’s CEO emphasized the need for tailored solutions for islands, stating that sharing experiences can lead to a comprehensive management toolbox. The LIFE IP RBMP Malta project aims to enhance Malta’s River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) by providing practical tools to combat water scarcity and extreme weather impacts.

On the first day the conference featured presentations on the House Visit Service, which offers free consultations to households and SMEs to reduce energy and water consumption. Additionally, discussions on Water Demand Management highlighted successful eco-label adoption and its benefits for businesses.The remainder of Day 1 featured focused sessions on Protecting Water Quality. Exploring topics from industrial discharge enforcement to monitoring pollutants and safeguarding water for human consumption. Marine Environment Integration: Offering insights into reverse osmosis discharge impacts, hydrographic modelling, and research on marine discharges. Complementary Projects: Showcasing innovative programs, including the Alteraqua Programme and Net-Zero Water Utility. Representatives from HYDROUSA presented an overview of their groundbreaking project with very positive results, focusing on innovative approaches to water management in Greece.

Workshops on Day 2 allowed participants to engage with hypothetical case studies, fostering collaboration among stakeholders from various sectors including island representatives, academia, funding authorities, and local authorities.. These case studies provided a backdrop for fruitful discussions, exploring solutions and tools to address water management challenges in similar scenarios. 

The 1st LIFE IP RBMP Malta Capitalization Conference marked a significant step in uniting Mediterranean islands to tackle shared water management challenges through innovative solutions and cooperation.