Earth Observation Applications in Agriculture and Rural Development

Agriculture and rural development will benefit greatly from remote sensing and other earth observation information technology and services.

Optimal use of earth observation can help achieve global food security. ADB staff participated in this one-day training to build awareness on the utility and potential benefits of using Earth Observation information services for agriculture and rural development. The training was orgnized by ADB's Water Sector Group and and Agriculture and Rural Development Thematic Group in cooperation with the European Space Agency.

Christian Walder

Christian is excited about infrastructure financing and the application of innovative, high-level technologies for urban development projects. Before joining ADB in 2018 he worked in the private sector on projects in Central and Eastern Europe, Namibia, Egypt, and India in the various fields of urban water management: water supply, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, and plant operations.

Eline Boelee

Dr. Eline Boelee, senior researcher and advisor for water-environment-health interlinkages at Deltares, discussed how an integrated approach contributes to the understanding of health risks in water systems. She focused mainly on freshwater systems, looking at drivers, pressures, state, impact, and responses. Boelee also provided examples of innovative monitoring and modeling used in forecasting and preventing health risks and spread of diseases.

Collaborating on innovative and sustainable solutions for integrated water management

This presentation discussed ‘The Climate Resilient City Toolbox’ (CRCT), which supports collaborative spatial planning of adaptation measures and/or explores alternatives for a resilient and attractive urban area. Participants learned how a well-balanced plan can best be co-created by multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders in the conceptual phase of planning. A customized CRCT used in an ADB pre-feasibility study of ecosystem-based adaptation measures for Xiangtan (People’s Republic of China) was also discussed.

Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways and Climate Adaptation

Many investments and policy decisions in water management have significant and often long-term consequences. At the same, there are investments being made that influence adaptation requirements and long-term options to adapt. Therefore, making sound near-term decisions is critical—unfortunately, we live in an increasingly unpredictable dynamic world governed by competing and changing beliefs and preferences.