The keynote session “Co-production of data and knowledge for decision making with socio-technical approaches” was presented by Prof.Dr. Mariele Evers during the Water Security and Climate Change Conference (WSCC) organized by the Justus Liebig University Giessen and the SDGnexus Network. The talk addressed how scientific knowledge, data, and stakeholder collaboration can support more effective decision-making in water management under conditions of climate change.
The keynote highlights that water security has become increasingly complex due to climate change. Societies face multiple challenges, including water scarcity, flooding, water quality issues, and ensuring reliable water supply. These challenges are intensified by climate variability and growing demands from agriculture, urban development, and ecosystems. As a result, decision-makers must manage water resources under conditions of uncertainty and competing interests.
A central theme of the presentation is the need for a strong and reliable knowledge base to support policy and management decisions. According to the keynote, effective water governance requires accurate data, interdisciplinary research, and tools that help decision-makers understand environmental risks. However, data alone is not sufficient. Strategies must also address uncertainties related to climate change and environmental variability.
The talk identifies three major challenges in water management decision-making. First, decision processes require sound scientific knowledge to build robust policies. Second, strategies must consider existing risks while also accounting for uncertainties in climate projections and environmental data. Third, implementing water management strategies is difficult because it involves multiple stakeholders, institutions, and spatial levels, from local communities to international governance structures.
To address these challenges, the keynote emphasizes transdisciplinary research and the co-production of knowledge. This approach involves collaboration between scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and local stakeholders. By integrating scientific data with practical experience and societal needs, co-production can create more effective and socially accepted water management strategies.
Overall, the keynote stresses that solving global water challenges requires not only technological solutions but also collaborative knowledge creation and inclusive decision-making processes that bridge the gap between science, policy, and society.