Citizens’ willingness to act on stormwater management

Key Learnings

• Climate change adaptation requires public and private action: Stormwater management solutions play a key role in reducing flood risks and pollution caused by extreme rainfall. Typically, authorities make investments on stormwater management on public land, while further reducing the risk of damage to private homes and enhancing community resilience requires private investment on private land.
• Citizens in Finland and Norway are keen to invest in stormwater management on their properties. Citizens prefer permeable pavements over rain gardens, green roofs, green walls and green ditches because they reduce flood risk, require little maintenance, cut down runoff and pollution, and improve aesthetics.
• Investment and maintenance cost remain a barrier, particularly among lower-income households. Public financial incentives to support private investments on stormwater management are welcomed.

Summary

A survey in Finland and Norway assessed citizens' willingness to invest in stormwater management solutions on their properties. As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, including urban and river flooding, both countries seek solutions to improve stormwater management. The survey of 2,013 participants explored factors like the reduced risk of damage, stormwater runoff reduction, and aesthetics in exchange for investment in green infrastructure such as rain gardens, permeable surfaces, and green roofs. The findings indicate strong support for stormwater management, with a preference for permeable pavements, due to their low-cost and low maintenance. Higher willingness to invest was linked to those who had experienced floods, owned higher-value properties, or were younger and more educated. Subsidies, financial incentives, and educational campaigns could increase participation, particularly among lower-income households.

Contact

Environmental Economics Research Group, University of Antwerp, Belgium

Jan Cools (jan [dot] coolsuantwerpen [dot] be (jan[dot]cools[at]uantwerpen[dot]be))

Haoran Yu (yu [dot] haoranuantwerpen [dot] be (yu[dot]haoran[at]uantwerpen[dot]be))

Rosaly Severijns (rosaly [dot] severijnsuantwerpen [dot] be (rosaly[dot]severijns[at]uantwerpen[dot]be))

LUT School of Energy Systems, LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland

Liuliu Du-Ikonen liuliu [dot] dulut [dot] fi (liuliu[dot]du[at]lut[dot]fi)