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As extreme climate events become increasingly frequent, the global conversation is shifting toward the urgent need to build more resilient infrastructure
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Cristina Contreras, CEO and Founder of Sinfranova, along with other experts in the field, advocates for a combined approach that integrates both green and grey infrastructure
In October 2024, Valencia (Spain) was affected by catastrophic flash floods that resulted in hundreds of fatalities and caused severe damage to basic infrastructure. Beyond the loss of lives and damage to infrastructure, extreme weather events also result in significant economic losses. According to data from the European Court of Auditors, such events have cost the European Union around €26 billion per year over the past decade. In the aftermath of this disaster, and in light of increasingly extreme climate conditions, the debate on the urgent need to build more resilient and sustainable infrastructure has been reignited.
The Spanish newspaper El Pais gathered the opinions from several experts in engineering and sustainability in an article published in November 2024. Cristina Contreras, CEO and Founder of Sinfranova, was among the contributors. Citing World Bank data, she noted that every dollar invested in resilient infrastructure results in four dollars in benefits. She also emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to climate change, as each country faces its own unique infrastructure challenges and threats. While learning from successful solutions implemented in other countries can be helpful, tailored and fit-for-purpose strategies are essential.
Like other contributors to the article, Cristina advocates for a combined approach that integrates both green and grey infrastructure. Countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States have successfully implemented these solutions and can serve as inspiration for others. They also agreed on the need to update the emergency response systems and building codes, many of which are still based on climate patterns from 50 years ago.
The full article is available here.
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