What does climate adaptation look like in mountainous regions facing both water shortages and natural disasters? In this interview, we speak with Valentina D’Alonzo, the leader of the Mountain demo site. She shares how local authorities are navigating a lack of resources, growing public awareness, and the challenges of long-term climate planning. All while building a stronger, more connected community of practice.
According to the European Committee of the Regions, 90% of climate change adaptation measures are undertaken by local and regional authorities. Looking at your own region, do you think the local authorities have the resources to implement these measures? What do you think they are missing?
VD: “Many local authorities want to take action, but they face major roadblocks. One big issue is the lack of accessible data: essential information isn’t always available or easy to understand. National plans exist, but they often overlook local needs, and there’s little guidance for creating effective regional strategies. On top of that, often it’s unclear where funding should come from. Without clear direction and resources, it’s hard for local actors to move forward.”
Have locals, policy-makers or businesses generally become more vocal about changes in their environment due to climate change?
VD: “Yes, definitely. Through the IMPETUS project, we saw that people are becoming more aware of climate change and how it affects their daily lives. One good example was the water shortages we experienced in 2022–2023; this really opened people’s eyes and got them talking.”
You have been developing climate adaptation packages in the project. Is there one measure that has stood out to you, or that you’re most proud of?
VD: “Rather than highlighting one specific measure, I’m proud of the bigger picture: we developed and proposed several adaptation actions that will hopefully be included in future planning processes. That’s a big step forward. This progress wouldn’t have been possible without the strong relationships we built with local authorities, especially the Valley Community and municipalities.”
Throughout the project, you collaborated with partners from the six other demonstration sites. Were you surprised to find any problem (or solution) that was common to another demo site?
VD: “Yes, what really stood out was how widespread water-related issues are. Some places struggle with flooding, some with water scarcity, and some with both depending on the season (like our demo site). It’s clear that water is becoming one of the most vulnerable and valuable resources across all regions. If we don’t act now, the situation will only get worse.”
What are the next steps for your demo site, and for your research?
VD: “A big challenge ahead is keeping the “community of practice” alive, meaning the great network of stakeholders and collaborators we’ve built. For my research, I will continue to work on projects that support decision-makers in navigating the complex yet vital journey towards energy and climate transition.”
We recently saw the Swiss village of Blatten get destroyed by a landslide caused by a melting glacier. Have you noticed events like these have brought more attention to your work?
VD: “Yes, every time a tragic event happens (like the landslide in Blatten) people start paying more attention to climate issues. But unfortunately, we’re still stuck in a reaction mode. Real change means planning before disaster strikes. In IMPETUS, we focused on this forward-thinking, prevention-first mindset, and I believe that’s where the biggest impact lies.”
The work done in the Mountain demo site underlines just how urgent and complex climate adaptation is, particularly in regions where water scarcity and extreme weather collide. With continued collaboration and a proactive mindset, the Valentina and her team remain committed to supporting local authorities and communities as they shape more resilient futures.
