About This Project

SPONGE2020 Conference – Absorbing Insights for Climate Adaptation

The SPONGE2020 Mid-Term Conference ‘Absorbing Insights for Climate Adaptation’ was held on 20 September 2018, to launch the SPONGE2020 toolbox, a new digital resource for sustainable water management.

This key international event on climate adaptation focused on both the launch of a cross-border toolbox for stakeholder engagement, as well as community participation and co-designing of climate adaptation solutions.

The event was a success with strong turnout from a variety of industry professionals from across the UK, Netherlands and Belgium Some of the key speakers included Ben Coles of Groundwork London, susdrain SuDS Champion Chryse Tinsley of Leicester City Council and Dusty Gedge, President of the European Federation of Green Roofs.

A trip to Basildon Hospital to visit a completed pilot project site was a highlight of the conference, where delegates had the chance to see first-hand how sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) have been installed in the courtyards of the Cardiothoracic Centre. The visit was attended by the Mayor of Basildon and local councillors.