{"id":2204418,"date":"2026-10-17T05:01:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T02:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2204418"},"modified":"2026-10-17T05:01:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T02:01:57","slug":"europes-sponge-cities-are-turning-rain-from-waste-into-a-valuable-resource","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2204418","title":{"rendered":"Europe\u2019s sponge cities are turning rain from waste into a valuable resource"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/20\/24\/1200x675_cmsv2_9fd807d4-6946-57ec-956d-7d4d4223f876-9952024.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2934454-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2934454\" data-cid=\"9956481\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934454-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/64\/81\/189x106_cmsv2_3a8e9738-1fb6-5d2c-bcf4-9f17502eb423-9956481.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People wade in the water as cargo ships are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, early Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Super tanker ablaze after striking mine in Strait of Hormuz: IRGC\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934445-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2934445\" data-cid=\"9956432\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934445-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/64\/32\/189x106_cmsv2_c38dcdde-c5f7-5df7-9dbb-57df9f4356d7-9956432.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A TV screen shows file images of North Korean missiles launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    North Korea<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    North Korea says it tested new AI-powered torpedo system\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933912-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933912\" data-cid=\"9953528\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933912-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/35\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_2545eead-e301-5487-97ff-0d3879ec968f-9953528.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen delivers her speech in Henin-Beaumont, northern France, 13 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    No Ukraine aid and EU budget cuts: What does Le Pen mean for the EU?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934422-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2934422\" data-cid=\"9956346\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934422-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/63\/46\/189x106_cmsv2_51129e71-7db1-5ff2-a565-9efcfb5b10d8-9956346.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago club, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump signs executive order waiving new Russia sanctions\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Earth<\/p>\n<p>                          Climate<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Europe\u2019s sponge cities are turning rain from waste into a valuable resource<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/20\/24\/1536x864_cmsv2_9fd807d4-6946-57ec-956d-7d4d4223f876-9952024.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"The &quot;Fish Tail&quot; sponge park was built on a former coal ash dump site in Nanchang, China\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              The &#8220;Fish Tail&#8221; sponge park was built on a former coal ash dump site in Nanchang, China<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo \/ Ng Han Guan<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo \/ Ng Han Guan\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspCraig Saueurs\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1792213317\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-10-17 07:01:57 +02:00\">17\/10\/2026 &#8211; 7:01 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"share-comment-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The EU is creating a \u2018Sponge Facility\u2019 to help implement nature-based projects that aim to make cities less prone to droughts and floods.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--earth js-article-content\">\n<p>Wild weather swings have turned water into a dual threat for Europe\u2019s cities. When storms hit, there\u2019s too much of it. When droughts come, there\u2019s too little. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>But some experts believe that the \u2018sponge city\u2019 model \u2013 a <strong>nature-based<\/strong> approach to urban planning pioneered in China two decades ago \u2013 could help cities put a new spin on the old saying \u2018save for a rainy day\u2019. <\/p>\n<p>The model involves retrofitting urban areas with green spaces, permeable surfaces and water storage systems to absorb, retain and reuse rain rather than letting it drain away. This eases pressure on drainage systems and conserves water to use during dry spells.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the most impactful ways cities can adapt is by reversing a century of urban design that treated rainfall as waste rather than as a valuable resource,\u201d says Justin Abbott, fellow and Europe water leader at engineering consultancy Arup.<\/p>\n<h2>What is a \u2018sponge city\u2019?<\/h2>\n<p>The sponge city model was developed in the early 2000s by Chinese landscape architect Kongjian Yu. <\/p>\n<p>He proposed using features such as ponds, wetlands and planted drainage channels to catch rainfall before it rushed into sewers and rivers. Slowing the runoff would reduce flood risk during storms, he argued, while rainwater could be used to replenish groundwater supplies or irrigate parks during dry spells. <\/p>\n<p>The greenery would also help cool city streets during <strong>heatwaves<\/strong>, and in some cases, healthy soil and wetlands could help protect against wildfires.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Vertical gardens are a practical \u2013 and beautiful \u2013 way to cool down cities<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Siestas, green space and vertical gardens: How Paris could keep people alive in 50 degree heat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>After catastrophic flooding killed 79 people in Beijing in 2012, his ideas gained greater attention. <\/p>\n<p>In 2014, China adopted national guidelines for sponge city development, and the next year the country launched a 16-city pilot programme, including Wuhan, Xiamen and Chongqing. Another 14 cities, including Shanghai and Shenzhen, were added in 2016.<\/p>\n<p>By 2030, China now aims to have 80 per cent of its built-up urban areas function as sponge cities.<\/p>\n<h2>Could sponge cities make Europe more resilient?<\/h2>\n<p>Europe has been experimenting with similar water management projects for decades.<\/p>\n<p>Between 1998 and 2002, the southern Swedish city Malm\u00f6 transformed its flood-prone Augustenborg neighbourhood by installing <strong>green roofs<\/strong>, wetlands, retention ponds and six kilometres of water channels. During major storms in 2007 and 2014, it suffered much less flood damage than other neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n<p>In the Netherland\u2019s Rotterdam, the Benthemplein water square \u2013 opened in 2013 \u2013 doubles as a basketball court and recreational space in good weather, but during heavy rains, its three basins temporarily hold up to 1.7 million litres of water.<\/p>\n<p>Opened one year later in Denmark, Copenhagen\u2019s T\u00e5singe Plads collects water from nearby rooftops using underground storage and rain gardens \u2013 shallow, planted areas that allow rain to soak into the soil.<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission hopes to expand projects like these across the continent. Its 2025 <strong>Water Resilience Strategy<\/strong> called for more sponge cities, as well as to restore more wetlands, and now the bloc is developing a \u2018Sponge Facility\u2019 to help develop them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-2\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Only 13 countries in the world breathe safe air. Three of them are in Europe<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Huge victory for Spain as two cities crowned greenest in the EU. Which countries missed out?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>The changes won\u2019t necessarily be easy. Protected buildings, crowded streets and buried utilities make it difficult to <strong>retrofit<\/strong> historic city centres. But Abbott says that\u2019s no excuse for failing to think outside the box.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese challenges should encourage better targeting, not inaction,\u201d he says, suggesting smaller interventions such as removing courtyard paving, planting more trees and installing green roofs partially or completely covered with vegetation.<\/p>\n<h2>Sponge cities are a \u2018powerful\u2019 tool but not a fix-all<\/h2>\n<p>Even the greenest city can only absorb so much rain, though. During extreme storms, soil becomes saturated and storage systems fill up, leaving excess water nowhere to go.<\/p>\n<p>The catastrophic floods around <strong>Valencia<\/strong> in 2024 revealed the tragic consequences that can occur when extreme rainfall overwhelms a city\u2019s defences like this.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSponge measures are powerful, but they cannot address every challenge independently,\u201d Abbott explains.<\/p>\n<p>Cities also need conventional drainage systems, larger reservoirs and designated routes that can carry floodwater away when rain gardens and wetlands reach capacity, he says. <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s a matter of more than engineering. Abbott argues that city authorities, water utilities, developers and landowners all have a responsibility to manage rainfall. Decisions made by one entity, he explains, can affect entire neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn planning and designing cities, we need to put water first,\u201d he says. \u201cWe need to \u2018design with water\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2931363-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2931363\" data-cid=\"9941065\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931363-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/10\/65\/480x270_cmsv2_a84f49e4-2a98-522a-aaff-897f3cbbb6ab-9941065.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"COP31 President-designate and Turkiye&apos;s Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum speaks during the Istanbul Climate Finance Summit, Sept. 4, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Electrification, climate finance and crises: What to expect at COP31<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931137-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2931137\" data-cid=\"9939722\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931137-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/97\/22\/480x270_cmsv2_481b1cff-d831-5f7a-ab3b-8493cf70d35a-9939722.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Extreme heat is putting greater strain on pregnant women and newborns, according to a new report\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How extreme heat is putting mothers and newborns at risk<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933625-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933625\" data-cid=\"9952024\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933625-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/20\/24\/480x270_cmsv2_9fd807d4-6946-57ec-956d-7d4d4223f876-9952024.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The &quot;Fish Tail&quot; sponge park was built on a former coal ash dump site in Nanchang, China\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Can \u2018sponge cities\u2019 help Europe cope with floods and droughts?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  urban planning<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Sustainable development<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Floods<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Design<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  green architecture<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  climate change<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2932286-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932286\" data-cid=\"9945821\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932286-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/58\/21\/320x180_cmsv2_4587184f-6477-5547-a807-84c78dd6f3e7-9945821.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Gunnar Thelin, an EARA farmer, farms V\u00e4stra Gatug\u00e5rd, a 5-hectare holding in Vedersl\u00f6v, Sweden, where he manages regenerative pasture and grassland. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why Europe\u2019s farmers need more than drought-resistant crops to survive<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2934144-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934144\" data-cid=\"9954452\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934144-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/44\/52\/320x180_cmsv2_331f2f0e-d4f0-55b8-99b6-3f89086b983d-9954452.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a Leaders&apos; Summit ahead of the start of the UN Biodiversity Conference, or COP17, Yerevan, Armenia, Oct. 16, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018End handouts\u2019 for fossil fuels, urges UN chief ahead of COP17<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2933864-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933864\" data-cid=\"9953323\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933864-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/33\/23\/320x180_cmsv2_d464dbdf-8e35-5bc1-aa10-65df67b38d42-9953323.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the Doomsday Glacier.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The Doomsday Glacier is \u2018committed\u2019 to melting. Can we stop it?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2932084-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932084\" data-cid=\"9953616\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932084-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/47\/70\/320x180_cmsv2_481c908b-168f-570e-b847-64f9fdfcbae8-9944770.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The ninth prototype of the Snow Sled, designed to reduce the vehicle\u2019s own weight so it could carry more scientific equipment.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Completely unique&#8217;: Wind sled crosses Antarctica with zero emissions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2933821-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933821\" data-cid=\"9952877\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933821-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/28\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_97a09feb-1cec-50fd-ba1a-6f09774d2730-9952877.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wide of Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Zgornje Jezersko, Slovenia. October 11, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018Striking change\u2019: Slovenia\u2019s last glacier is rapidly shrinking<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2932084-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932084\" data-cid=\"9953616\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Completely unique&#8217;: Wind sled crosses Antarctica with zero emissions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2933627-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933627\" data-cid=\"9952354\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mont Blanc rises by almost two metres, now standing at 4,807.47 metres<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2933643-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933643\" data-cid=\"9952129\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How a laboratory accident revealed a new way to rescue dying corals<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2933821-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933821\" data-cid=\"9952877\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018Striking change\u2019: Slovenia\u2019s last glacier is rapidly shrinking<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2933864-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933864\" data-cid=\"9953323\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The Doomsday Glacier is \u2018committed\u2019 to melting. Can we stop it?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931363-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2931363\" data-cid=\"9941065\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931363-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/10\/65\/480x270_cmsv2_a84f49e4-2a98-522a-aaff-897f3cbbb6ab-9941065.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"COP31 President-designate and Turkiye&apos;s Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum speaks during the Istanbul Climate Finance Summit, Sept. 4, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Electrification, climate finance and crises: What to expect at COP31<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931137-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2931137\" data-cid=\"9939722\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931137-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/97\/22\/480x270_cmsv2_481b1cff-d831-5f7a-ab3b-8493cf70d35a-9939722.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Extreme heat is putting greater strain on pregnant women and newborns, according to a new report\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How extreme heat is putting mothers and newborns at risk<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933625-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933625\" data-cid=\"9952024\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933625-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/20\/24\/480x270_cmsv2_9fd807d4-6946-57ec-956d-7d4d4223f876-9952024.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The &quot;Fish Tail&quot; sponge park was built on a former coal ash dump site in Nanchang, China\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Climate<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Can \u2018sponge cities\u2019 help Europe cope with floods and droughts?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932286-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932286\" data-cid=\"9945821\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932286-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/58\/21\/320x180_cmsv2_4587184f-6477-5547-a807-84c78dd6f3e7-9945821.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Gunnar Thelin, an EARA farmer, farms V\u00e4stra Gatug\u00e5rd, a 5-hectare holding in Vedersl\u00f6v, Sweden, where he manages regenerative pasture and grassland. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why Europe\u2019s farmers need more than drought-resistant crops to survive<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934144-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934144\" data-cid=\"9954452\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934144-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/44\/52\/320x180_cmsv2_331f2f0e-d4f0-55b8-99b6-3f89086b983d-9954452.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a Leaders&apos; Summit ahead of the start of the UN Biodiversity Conference, or COP17, Yerevan, Armenia, Oct. 16, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018End handouts\u2019 for fossil fuels, urges UN chief ahead of COP17<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933864-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933864\" data-cid=\"9953323\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933864-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/33\/23\/320x180_cmsv2_d464dbdf-8e35-5bc1-aa10-65df67b38d42-9953323.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the Doomsday Glacier.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The Doomsday Glacier is \u2018committed\u2019 to melting. Can we stop it?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932084-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932084\" data-cid=\"9953616\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932084-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/47\/70\/320x180_cmsv2_481c908b-168f-570e-b847-64f9fdfcbae8-9944770.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The ninth prototype of the Snow Sled, designed to reduce the vehicle\u2019s own weight so it could carry more scientific equipment.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Completely unique&#8217;: Wind sled crosses Antarctica with zero emissions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933821-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933821\" data-cid=\"9952877\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933821-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/28\/77\/320x180_cmsv2_97a09feb-1cec-50fd-ba1a-6f09774d2730-9952877.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Wide of Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Zgornje Jezersko, Slovenia. October 11, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018Striking change\u2019: Slovenia\u2019s last glacier is rapidly shrinking<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932084-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932084\" data-cid=\"9953616\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Completely unique&#8217;: Wind sled crosses Antarctica with zero emissions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933627-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933627\" data-cid=\"9952354\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mont Blanc rises by almost two metres, now standing at 4,807.47 metres<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933643-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933643\" data-cid=\"9952129\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    How a laboratory accident revealed a new way to rescue dying corals<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933821-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933821\" data-cid=\"9952877\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    \u2018Striking change\u2019: Slovenia\u2019s last glacier is rapidly shrinking<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933864-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933864\" data-cid=\"9953323\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The Doomsday Glacier is \u2018committed\u2019 to melting. Can we stop it?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Wild weather swings have turned water into a dual threat for Europe\u2019s cities. When storms hit, there\u2019s too much of it. When droughts come, there\u2019s too little.\u00a0But some experts believe that the \u2018sponge city\u2019 model \u2013 a nature-based approach to urban planning pioneered in China two decades ago \u2013 could help cities put a new spin on the old saying \u2018save for a rainy day\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0The model involves retrofitting urban areas with green spaces, permeable surfaces and water storage systems to absorb, retain and reuse rain rather than letting it drain away. This eases pressure on drainage systems and conserves water to use during dry spells.\u201cOne of the most impactful ways cities can adapt is by reversing a century of urban design that treated rainfall as waste rather than as a valuable resource,\u201d says Justin Abbott, fellow and Europe water leader at engineering consultancy Arup.What is a \u2018sponge city\u2019?The sponge city model was developed in the early 2000s by Chinese landscape architect Kongjian Yu.\u00a0He proposed using features such as ponds, wetlands and planted drainage channels to catch rainfall before it rushed into sewers and rivers. Slowing the runoff would reduce flood risk during storms, he argued, while rainwater could be used to replenish groundwater supplies or irrigate parks during dry spells.\u00a0The greenery would also help cool city streets during heatwaves, and in some cases, healthy soil and wetlands could help protect against wildfires.After catastrophic flooding killed 79 people in Beijing in 2012, his ideas gained greater attention.\u00a0In 2014, China adopted national guidelines for sponge city development, and the next year the country launched a 16-city pilot programme, including Wuhan, Xiamen and Chongqing. Another 14 cities, including Shanghai and Shenzhen, were added in 2016.By 2030, China now aims to have 80 per cent of its built-up urban areas function as sponge cities.Could sponge cities make Europe more resilient?Europe has been experimenting with similar water management projects for decades.Between 1998 and 2002, the southern Swedish city Malm\u00f6 transformed its flood-prone Augustenborg neighbourhood by installing green roofs, wetlands, retention ponds and six kilometres of water channels. During major storms in 2007 and 2014, it suffered much less flood damage than other neighbourhoods.In the Netherland\u2019s Rotterdam, the Benthemplein water square \u2013 opened in 2013 \u2013 doubles as a basketball court and recreational space in good weather, but during heavy rains, its three basins temporarily hold up to 1.7 million litres of water.Opened one year later in Denmark, Copenhagen\u2019s T\u00e5singe Plads collects water from nearby rooftops using underground storage and rain gardens \u2013 shallow, planted areas that allow rain to soak into the soil.The European Commission hopes to expand projects like these across the continent. Its 2025 Water Resilience Strategy called for more sponge cities, as well as to restore more wetlands, and now the bloc is developing a \u2018Sponge Facility\u2019 to help develop them.The changes won\u2019t necessarily be easy. Protected buildings, crowded streets and buried utilities make it difficult to retrofit historic city centres. But Abbott says that\u2019s no excuse for failing to think outside the box.\u201cThese challenges should encourage better targeting, not inaction,\u201d he says, suggesting smaller interventions such as removing courtyard paving, planting more trees and installing green roofs partially or completely covered with vegetation.Sponge cities are a \u2018powerful\u2019 tool but not a fix-allEven the greenest city can only absorb so much rain, though. During extreme storms, soil becomes saturated and storage systems fill up, leaving excess water nowhere to go.The catastrophic floods around Valencia in 2024 revealed the tragic consequences that can occur when extreme rainfall overwhelms a city\u2019s defences like this.\u201cSponge measures are powerful, but they cannot address every challenge independently,\u201d Abbott explains.Cities also need conventional drainage systems, larger reservoirs and designated routes that can carry floodwater away when rain gardens and wetlands reach capacity, he says.\u00a0That\u2019s a matter of more than engineering. Abbott argues that city authorities, water utilities, developers and landowners all have a responsibility to manage rainfall. Decisions made by one entity, he explains, can affect entire neighbourhoods.\u201cIn planning and designing cities, we need to put water first,\u201d he says. \u201cWe need to \u2018design with water\u2019.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/17\/europes-sponge-cities-are-turning-rain-from-waste-into-a-valuable-resource&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/20\/24\/1200x675_cmsv2_9fd807d4-6946-57ec-956d-7d4d4223f876-9952024.jpg&#8221;] Iran Super tanker ablaze after striking mine in Strait of Hormuz: IRGC North Korea North Korea says it tested new AI-powered torpedo system Europe News No Ukraine aid and EU budget cuts: What does Le Pen mean for the EU? USA Trump signs executive order waiving new Russia sanctions Earth Climate Europe\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2204418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2204418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2204418"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2204418\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2204418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2204418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2204418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}