RANQUIL MUSIC (On-screen title: From a meeting in 2005... To a worldwide network. At the bottom of the screen is an I-STORM logo.) MARC WALRAVEN: My name is Marc Walraven, Senior Advisor, Storm Surge Barriers, within Rijkswaterstaat and also the co-founder of the I-STORM network. All storm surge barriers, not only in the Netherlands, but worldwide, are unique in design and maintenance operations. So, we can learn a lot from each other's experiences to protect the environment and people behind them against flooding. A lot of new people will be working on those barriers, so we have to pass on knowledge to new generations. I met my colleague Andy Batchelor, who is leading the Thames Barrier in London, in 2005. We went to a bar that evening, and we discovered we had so many things in common, challenges with all the knowledge we have in our organisation, that we thought: we have to cooperate one way or the other. I-STORM is the international network of specialists who work on storm surge barriers. It gives them the opportunity to learn from each other and to share their knowledge in circumstances in which trust is very important, and in an informal way, which makes it even easier to share knowledge and expertise. It's interesting that a lot of countries can learn from our experiences regarding maintenance operations when they build new barriers. But we can learn from them as well, as they use new techniques, innovations, which will help us, for the future of the Netherlands, to adapt our storm surge barriers. I think that the value of I-STORM is that it's so informal. People really get the feeling that I-STORM is trustworthy, they can share knowledge and expertise and they even feel that they can share their problems. That's really helpful in learning from each other on a global basis. The main objective of I-STORM is that it's available for storm surge barriers specialists, that they can share their knowledge and expertise, not only now, but also in the future. It's not about growth, it's just for them to share more in-depth knowledge than that the network has to grow. I-STORM will be needed even more in the future, with more and more countries that will build storm surge barriers and will have to maintain and operate them. So, we will have the challenge to share that knowledge with new generations. It's interesting to see that even universities are joining us now. And we also have I-STORM Next Generation now, so younger people are really enthusiastic in sharing knowledge, and expertise as well, with us. When I see what we started with a beer in 2005, and now seeing how many people and specialists are interacting, and even I-STORM Next Generation is starting with younger people, it's really, really good to see. (The Dutch coat of arms, next to: Rijkswaterstaat. Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The screen turns yellow and white. On-screen text: More information? Go to: i-storm.org or rws.nl/en. A Rijkswaterstaat production in collaboration with I-STORM. Copyright 2022.) THE TRANQUIL MUSIC CONTINUES AND THEN STOPS
Global Networks
Find out more about some of the global networks in which Rijkswaterstaat is active.
I-STORM
I-STORM is the international knowledge sharing network for all those working in the storm surge barrier industry, established in 2006. Within our network, specialists around the world are getting together to face common challenges. I-Storm enables continuous improvements in storm surge barrier design, operation, maintenance and management.
Rijkswaterstaat is the operator of the Netherlands’ storm surge barriers and is therefore a member of this network. Other core members are England (Environment Agency – Thames Barriers), Italy (Venice Barrier) and USA (New Orleans Barrier and others).
Barrier managers
Each year a conference is organised in which barrier managers meet and discuss different topics of similar interest. Members are encouraged to share their knowledge, experience, research and developments, by bringing them together. They collaborate on joint projects and develop resources, which can be used by everyone in the network. In this way our members can:
- Improve: continuously improve the design, operation, maintenance and management of storm surge barriers.
- Inform: inform each other about how to improve the design and development of new barriers and how to strive towards continuous improvement of existing barriers and its teams.
- Optimise: optimise the operations of barriers within Flood Risk Systems.
- Understand: understand the impacts of environmental factors on storm surge barriers to help anticipate and adapt to future challenges.
ICOLD
The International Commission On Large Dams (ICOLD) is a non-governmental international organisation, which provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam and levee engineering.
ICOLD was founded in 1928 and has National Committees from more than 100 countries with approximately 10.000 individual members. ICOLD members are essentially practising engineers, geologists and scientists from governmental or private organisations, consulting firms, universities, laboratories and construction companies.
ICOLD leads the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically and without detrimental effects on the environment.
Focus
Focus is put on subjects of current concern such as dam safety, monitoring of performance, reanalysis of older dams and spillways, effects of ageing and environmental impact. More recently, new subjects include cost studies at the planning and construction stages, harnessing international rivers, information for the public at large and financing.
ICOLD leads the profession in setting standards and guidelines, to ensure that dams are built and operated safely, efficiently, economically, and are environmentally sustainable and socially equitable.
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987) was introduced for the purpose of protecting the ozone layer. The objective is to eliminate substances such as CFCs, HCFCs, CTC, Methyl Bromide and Halons, which are mainly used as refrigerant, fire extinguishing, solvent, propellant, foam blowing, feedstock and pesticide.
The recent Kigali Amendment (2016) aims to gradually reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons. The impact of the Amendment will avoid an up to 0.5 ℃ increase in global temperature by the end of the century.
Rijkswaterstaat assists the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy at international meetings under this treaty.
More information: website Ozone Secretariat.
CFIT - Circular & Fair ICT Pact
The CFIT is an international procurement-led partnership to accelerate circularity, fairness and sustainability in the ICT sector. CFIT will stimulate the use of common, easy-to-use procurement criteria, provide guidance and facilitate knowledge sharing. Together we will leverage our collective procurement power, in close dialogue with the ICT supply side, to affect the change and innovation we need. CFIT is an action under the UN One Planet Network SPP programme.
The ambition of CFIT is to accelerate the transition towards circular and fair ICT products through the power of procurement. It wants to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals by reducing carbon emissions and primary materials usage, reduce e-waste and promote human rights and worker rights. To achieve this, CFIT wants to build up its collective procurement power, aiming for 3 million users served by 2023.
More information: website CFIT.