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Abstract

Climate change poses major challenges globally and is likely to exacerbate competition for water, land, and energy resources. In our study region, the Main River Basin (Germany), this will have considerable consequences affecting the water-environment-energy-food nexus. At present, most adaptation measures are sector-focused, but the challenges are interconnected. The region is at risk for being pushed beyond its resilience threshold and therefore, the future of water resources management must include holistic and multi-sectoral strategies to efficiently cope with climate change negative impacts. The co-design and co-production of science-driven technical, social, and cross-sectoral innovations and governance is required to build new and climate resilient transformation pathways. A systemic transformation of the region requires time and broad societal support, which must be considered when formulating development paths. To address these challenges, we implement Systems Innovation Approach (SIA), a method that facilitates going beyond the immediate problems to achieve a better understanding of the underlying patterns, and how we can learn and adapt to a continuously changing system. Among the pilot areas of the EU funded ARSINOE project (Climate-resilient regions through systemic solutions and innovation), the Main River Basin case study tackles water related challenges by implementing innovative technological approaches. To ensure stakeholders’ engagement a series of Workshops are held to explore the focal water-related issues, the future common vision and the innovative pathways that will solve the needs of the key actors. This contribution presents a successful experience turning research into practice, compiling lessons learnt and main challenges.