Theme of CAETS 2027
Water: From Foe to Friend
Eight frontier engineering solutions.
Water: From Foe to Friend is organised around the problems engineers are actually solving right now — from sea-level defence to offshore energy.
Water is the cornerstone for life–it is essential for our livelihoods, wellbeing, and economic progress.
Climate change makes working with water difficult through weather extremes, rising sea levels, and negative effects on water quality.
These problems ask for a combination of engineering and nature-based solutions on a systems level: engineering and technological sciences allow us to capitalize on the opportunities water brings, and to minimize risks.
The theme
Engineering and nature-based solutions, on a systems level.
The Dutch have centuries of experience protecting land almost 7 metres below sea level — engineering feats such as the Delta Works. CAETS 2027 asks how that mindset scales globally: combining engineering and nature-based solutions to capitalise on the opportunities water brings, and minimise its risks.
Safety
Smart solutions for sea-level rise and subsidence.
Quantity
Coping with freshwater shortages and extreme downpours.
Drinking
Clean water security for a growing population, now and in the future.
Quality
A healthy water ecosystem, chemically and ecologically.
Waste water treatment
Removal of more pollutants, and reuse of raw materials.
Infrastructure
Preparation for critical infrastructure.
Energy
Smart ways to generate or (long term) store clean energy.
Maritime
Smart, safe and sustainable ships and offshore solutions.
Programme format
Plenary in the morning. Parallel tracks in the afternoon.
Both days of the symposium open with a plenary keynote and introductions to the four themes discussed that day. In the afternoon, we split into two parallel sessions so delegates can deep-dive on those themes most relevant to their work and interests. Both days close with another plenary session to bring insights back together.