ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Institutional Priorities and Challenges for 2026
Scientific excellence, technological capacity and multi-stakeholder collaboration
In a global context marked by climate change, growing pressure on water resources and accelerated technological transformation, IHCantabria faces a new generation of challenges that require integrated, innovative and impact-oriented approaches.
The complexity of socio-ecological systems associated with water requires a combination of scientific excellence, technological capacity and multi-stakeholder collaboration to anticipate risks and design effective solutions. Within this framework, the Institute focuses its activities on a series of strategic challenges that will define its contribution in the coming years.
IHCantabria’s main challenges
Prediction and management of extreme events
The increase in the frequency and intensity of floods, storms and extreme events requires improved prediction and response capabilities. IHCantabria will continue to develop advanced models, early warning systems and operational tools to anticipate impacts and reduce risks to people, property and infrastructure.
Water scarcity and water security
Water availability is increasingly compromised by climatic and socio-economic factors. Addressing this challenge requires optimizing integrated water resources management, improving water use efficiency, and developing tools to facilitate decision making in uncertain scenarios.
Water quality and environmental health
Water quality degradation directly affects ecosystems and human health. IHCantabria will continue to advance in the monitoring, modeling and control of pollutants, promoting solutions that guarantee the protection of natural systems and society.
Adaptation to climate change
Adaptation of territories and infrastructure is essential to reduce vulnerability to climate change. The Institute will develop methodologies, scenarios and solutions to anticipate impacts and design robust, flexible and evidence-based adaptation strategies.
Integration of nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions represent an opportunity to increase the resilience of aquatic systems. IHCantabria will promote their integration with conventional engineering, evaluating their effectiveness and promoting their application in different territorial contexts.
Digitization of the complete water cycle
Digitization opens up new possibilities for efficient water management. The development of digital twins, data platforms and intelligent systems will optimize infrastructures, improve operational efficiency and facilitate real-time decision making.
Application of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a key tool for dealing with complex systems. IHCantabria will consolidate its application in areas such as prediction, data analysis and optimization of solutions, strengthening its capacity for technological innovation.
Integrated planning for socio-ecological systems
Water challenges require approaches that integrate environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The Institute will continue to develop planning frameworks that address this complexity in a coherent manner, supporting sustainable and science-based decisions.
Knowledge transfer and real impact
Maximizing the impact of the knowledge generated is a strategic priority. IHCantabria will strengthen its role as a bridge between research and its practical application, facilitating the transfer to public administrations, companies and society.
Attracting and developing talent
Talent is the engine of excellence. The Institute will continue to promote attractive, multidisciplinary and international work environments, capable of attracting, training and retaining highly qualified professionals.
Together, these challenges form an ambitious roadmap that will allow IHCantabria to continue advancing in its mission to generate knowledge and innovative solutions at the service of society, contributing to a more sustainable, resilient and intelligent future.