Professor Günter Blöschl, a world-renowned hydrologist and expert in flood risk reduction, water resource management, and climate change impacts on flooding, has been named the 2025 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. Recognized for his pioneering research, Professor Blöschl has significantly advanced the global understanding of flood scaling, regional hydrology, and sociohydrology, making a lasting impact on the scientific and engineering communities.
The Stockholm Water Prize Committee, in its official statement, hailed Professor Blöschl as the world’s leading flood hydrologist, emphasizing his groundbreaking contributions to understanding flood risks under climate change and the role of regional flood processes. The committee highlighted how his observation-based research has revealed that the past two decades have been significantly more flood-prone compared to historical records.
Reacting to the announcement, Professor Blöschl expressed gratitude, stating:
"This is such an honor. It really makes me think about how lucky I am to be working with such brilliant people."
Blöschl, a professor at the Vienna University of Technology, currently heads the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management and serves as the Director of the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems, a program he founded over 15 years ago. He also holds a part-time professorship at the University of Bologna.
Throughout his career, Professor Blöschl has collaborated with leading global scientists, including previous Stockholm Water Prize laureates Taikan Oki and Andrea Rinaldo. His research has taken him across the world, including extended stays in the US, Canada, and Australia, where he gained valuable perspectives on scientific and societal issues related to water management.
Anette Scheibe Lorentzi, Chair of the Stockholm Water Foundation, praised Professor Blöschl’s contributions, stating:
"With his groundbreaking research, Professor Blöschl has made invaluable contributions to our understanding of flood risk reduction and sustainable water resource management. In the face of a changing climate, this knowledge is more important than ever, and I congratulate him on being awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2025."
The Stockholm Water Prize, regarded as the "Nobel Prize of Water", is awarded by the Stockholm Water Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The prestigious award recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to water research and management.
Professor Blöschl will receive the Stockholm Water Prize 2025 from H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the official patron of the award, during World Water Week in Stockholm in August.
About the Stockholm Water Prize
The Stockholm Water Prize is supported by leading international partners, including Ålandsbanken, Bacardi, PDJ Foundation, WEF, and Xylem. The prize honors extraordinary achievements in water science, technology, and policy, addressing critical global water challenges.
With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of floods, Professor Blöschl’s work has become more relevant than ever. His innovative research not only improves flood risk management but also shapes global policies for climate resilience and sustainable water resource management.
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