Professor Günter Blöschl is awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2025 based on his world-renowned research and work on flood risk reduction, water resource management, flood scaling and regional process hydrology.
The Prize Committee of the Stockholm Water Prize highlights Professor Günter Blöschl as the world’s leading flood hydrologist. His observation-based connection between climate and floods revealed that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to the historical record. Through meticulous analysis of 500-years of historic archival data, he showed that changes in flood frequencies and magnitudes are not solely due to warmer temperature but involve major shifts in storm tracks. His contributions to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change are truly groundbreaking.
Not one-size fits all
Professor Blöschl’s work makes clear that there is not a one-size fits all influence of climate change on floods, and that regional water cycle processes are critical flood drivers. His work has laid the groundwork for more accurate predictions of flooding but also significantly advanced flood management, saving lives, protecting property, and ensuring a safer future in the face of climate change. His contributions were for example instrumental in the management of the Central European flood in September 2024.
Professor Günter Blöschl is the world’s leading flood hydrologist. He has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding the drivers of increasing flood risks under climate change coupled to the strong influence of regional flood processes. His observation-based connection between climate and floods revealed that the last two decades have been markedly flood-prone compared to the historical record.
Groundbreaking research
“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 Professor Blöschl on being awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2025”, says Anette Scheibe Lorentzi, Chair of Stockholm Water Foundation.
Professor Blöschl himself, who has worked alongside previous Water Prize Laureates like Taikan Oki and Andrea Rinaldo, states:
“This is such an honour. It really makes me think about how lucky I am to be working with such brilliant people”.
FACTS/The laureate
Günter Blöschl is a professor at the Vienna University of Technology, the current head of the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, as well as the Director of the Doctoral Programme of Water Resources Systems. He is also a part time professor at the University of Bologna. He grew up in Vienna, where he lives with his wife, three grown-up children and four grandchildren.
Günter Blöschl, Vienna University of Technology
FACTS/Stockholm Water Prize
The Stockholm Water Prize is awarded by the Stockholm Water Foundation in cooperation with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The prize will be presented by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, during the World Water Week in Stockholm on Wednesday 27 August.
Nominate to Stockholm Water Prize 2026 now!
Nomination for 2026 year’s prize is open as from today, 20 March 2025.
The Stockholm Water Prize is awarded to an individual, institution or organisation that has made substantial scientific or other contribution to our understanding of water resources and the sustainable use and protection of them, thereby leading to improved health and well-being of humans as well as ecosystems.
