Western Lesvos

Greece

Reapplying water management and Nature-based solutions from RH1 to address heatwaves, seasonal water scarcity and extreme weather in a Mediterranean island community.

About Western Lesvos

RN1 is a rural community in on the island of Lesvos in Greece facing significant climate pressures such as heatwaves, seasonal water scarcity and increased exposure to extreme weather.

Like many Mediterranean rural regions, it experiences limited resources and demographic challenges that influence its climate resilience needs.

Climate Context

Key Challenges

Heatwaves

Increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves affecting both population health and local ecosystems.

Water Scarcity

Seasonal water shortages driven by low rainfall, high summer demand and ongoing aquifer pressure.

Extreme Weather

Growing exposure to storms and other extreme climate events threatening rural livelihoods and infrastructure.

Demographic Pressures

An ageing and declining rural population limits institutional capacity for long-term climate adaptation.

REAPPLICATION FOCUS

Water Management & NbS Transfer

RN1 will work with knowledge and practices developed in RH1, particularly in sustainable water management, nature-based solutions for water retention, flood reduction, fire prevention and digital tools for climate risk monitoring.

Water retention NbS: Applying RH1's systems for capturing rainfall and recharging local water sources to address seasonal scarcity.
Flood reduction: Replicating nature-based flood mitigation approaches trialled in Skiathos to manage extreme precipitation events.
Fire prevention: Adapting wildfire risk management practices developed at RH1 to the specific conditions of Western Lesvos.
Digital monitoring: Using climate risk monitoring tools developed and tested at RH1 to support local decision-making.