Levees to defend against flooding remain a critical part of flood risk management. The effects of ongoing climate and socio-economic change have been exemplified by the serious disasters in recent years in USA (Hurricanes Katrina and Rita) and France (Tempête Xynthia) where extensive property damage and loss of life occurred following levee failures or overflowing. An international team from France USA and UK/Ireland supported by Netherlands and Germany have identified the need for a new comprehensive guidance handbook , ruling out lesser options such as bibliographies or gap filling guidance. The new 1000 page expert and practitioner written handbook will enable mutual lesson-learning between the participating countries in the project consortium. This scoping report explains the detailed background and basis for proceeding. It also gives a detailed contents list explaining the contents of the proposed chapters. Guidance for levee owners/managers will cover operation, maintenance, condition assessment and emergency preparedness and management; guidance for designers will cover site characterisation and data requirements, physical processes and design tools, and practical design and construction aspects. The work is expected to take three years to publication and be completed in 2013.