Mobilising flood risk management services from rural land: principles and practice

Increased exposure of urban areas to flood risk, especially related to climate change, has promoted interest in sustainable approaches to flood risk management (FRM), including the use of natural processes. In this context, the study set out to review the potential contribution of rural land management to the alleviation of flood risk and the suitability of a range of instruments, such as land sales, leasebacks, easements and annual payments that have been, or can be used to mobilise the provision of FRM services by land managers. Insights from literature, key informants, a review of international experience and a stakeholder workshop were used. Frameworks were developed to conceptualise and guide the selection of mechanisms of exchange between buyers and sellers of rural land-based FRM services. Key challenges concern the definition of units of FRM service and the design of exchange mechanisms to satisfy the different needs of flood risk managers, land managers and other interests.