We had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Joan Estrany,, regarding the recently held RiscBal Conference 2025. The following blog reflects the insights that Dr. Estrany (Director of RiscBal, Full Professor of Physical Geography, Department of Geography and INAGEA, University of the Balearic Islands), shared with us.
On February 27, 2025, the Natural Risks and Emergencies Observatory of the Balearic Islands (RiscBal) and the Institute of Agro-Environmental Research and Water Economics (INAGEA) hosted the “Conference on Natural Risks and Emergencies in the Balearic Islands” (RiscBal Conference) at the Centre Bit Raiguer in Inca, Mallorca, Spain. The significant event brought together over a hundred researchers, emergency management professionals, and policymakers to address critical challenges in natural hazard management and emergency response.
The conference, chaired by Dr. Joan Estrany, served as a platform for knowledge exchange, technological innovation, and collaborative discussions aimed at strengthening disaster resilience in the Balearic Islands.
The Discussions:
Discussions on this edition of the RiscBal Conference focused on several critical areas. Dr Joan reflects on the key points discussed.
Enhancing early warning systems was discussed as one of the key focuses of the event. The RiscBal-App was introduced as an innovative mobile solution that provides real-time updates on flood risks, water discharge, and hydrometeorological alerts. Since its launch in August 2024, the app has already reached over 5,000 users and is set to broaden its coverage to include alerts for forest fires, droughts, storms, and landslides.
A compelling keynote by Rafael García Sánchez (Director of the Project Office, Ghenova Digital) emphasised the significance of large-scale data compilation and processing. His insights shed light on how accurate data generation plays a critical role in issuing timely and reliable warnings, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of disaster response strategies.
Additionally, the conference witnessed in-depth discussions on integrating technological innovations, such as environmental sensors and artificial intelligence, into territorial and emergency management. This integration aims to improve early detection and response strategies for natural hazards.
Out of the standout sessions, "Natural Hazards Planning: Practical Interadministrative Examples", moderated by Dr. Joan Estrany, was focused on strategies and methodologies for anticipating and mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. Speakers stressed that building resilient communities requires a comprehensive approach, one that incorporates community engagement to tailor plans to local needs, conducts thorough risk assessments to identify hazards and vulnerabilities, and allocates resources efficiently to ensure municipalities are well-equipped with the necessary personnel, equipment, and funding. Moreover, the session highlighted the importance of regular training programmes and simulation exercises, as well as the integration of Municipal Emergency Plans (MEPs) with regional and national emergency frameworks to secure coherent and effective responses during large-scale emergencies.
In parallel, the event served as a platform for exchanging scientific knowledge and practical experiences, fostering collaboration among institutions to address socio-environmental challenges and enhance emergency planning.
Another key theme of the event was the vital role the tourism sector plays in disaster preparedness. Mr. Alejandro Borrás Domingo, Director of the Iberostar Foundation, emphasised the importance of engaging tourism stakeholders by presenting innovative efforts to raise awareness through scholarships that analyse the exposure of tourist resorts to natural hazards across the Balearic Islands.
Adding to these discussions, Professor Alexander Fekete (Professor of Risk and Crisis Management at TH Köln, University of Applied Sciences, Cologne, Germany) delivered a keynote presentation on the lessons learnt from the catastrophic floods in Germany in 2021, providing valuable insights for improving local emergency response strategies.
What’s Next?
The discussions at RiscBal 2025 outlined several strategic initiatives to enhance natural hazard risk management in the Balearic Islands. Implementing early warning systems, such as RiscBal-Warnings, was identified as crucial for delivering timely flash flood alerts. In addition, developing real-time hydrological models will further improve decision-making during emergencies. Comprehensive vulnerability assessments, including those being developed through the C2IMPRESS project, are expected to play a vital role in identifying at-risk areas and formulating targeted mitigation strategies.
C2IMPRESS & II RiscBal Conference
The RiscBal 2025 Conference was closely linked to the C2IMPRESS project as it served as a platform to showcase the project's advancements in improving disaster resilience and risk management. The conference highlighted the integration of innovative tools and research developed through C2IMPRESS, particularly in the areas of early warning systems, risk assessments, and the use of advanced technologies for natural hazard management. This alignment helped demonstrate how C2IMPRESS’s collaborative efforts are contributing to the improvement of disaster preparedness and resilience, particularly in the Balearic Islands.
Several key tools and technologies developed under the C2IMPRESS project were showcased during the conference. These tools exemplify C2IMPRESS's dedication to advancing the scientific understanding and technological solutions needed for more effective natural hazard management:
- RiscBal-Warnings Tool: This Early Warning System (EWS) for flash floods in the Balearic Islands was introduced, highlighting its capability to provide timely alerts and aid in the prevention of flood-related damage. It will be a tool developed by C2IMPRESS that helps determine evacuation zones during floods, enhancing the safety of communities during high-risk events.
- Information Physical Quantum Technological Intelligence (IPQuTI): This advanced tool, developed by Prof. Dr. Rui Perdigão and Dr. Julia Hall (https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-5308) integrates pioneering sensing, analytics, modelling, and decision support systems to provide next-generation dynamic intelligence on multi-hazard risks, offering an innovative approach to risk management and disaster resilience.
These tools stand as a testament to C2IMPRESS’ collaborative efforts, driving significant improvements in disaster preparedness and resilience throughout the Balearic Islands. The Observatory of Natural Risks and Emergencies of the Balearic Islands -RiscBal, an initiative of the University of the Balearic Islands, is a consolidated research and innovation group of analysis and systematic observation (observatory). In the C2IMPRESS Project, the Universitat de les Illes Balears contributes to the development of forecasting and early warning systems for extreme events.
A Call to Action:
The conference ended with final remarks that went over the main ideas shared during the sessions. Speakers highlighted improvements in high-resolution detection tools and stressed the importance of working together to manage natural hazards. They urged keeping the research ongoing and embracing the application of innovative solutions to effectively address the challenges posed by natural hazards.
To know more about the Conference: https://riscbal.uib.eu/jornada_2025.html
This project is funded by the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (HORIZON) under grant agreement No 101074004.