7 May 2014: Cap-Net Brasil, a member of the International Network for Capacity Building in Sustainable Water Resources Management (Cap-Net), held the first of two training workshops on using integrated water resources management (IWRM) as a climate change adaptation tool.

The workshop, held 14-17 April 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, dedicated a full day to each of the following themes: introducing water resources management and the causes and impacts of climate change; development strategies and adaptation planning under uncertainty; climate change adaptation in IWRM; and exercises on incorporating IWRM knowledge into climate change adaptation strategies.

Participants learned how IWRM can support both mitigation and adaptation and examined how climate change will affect water resources. In addition to considering changes to the hydrological cycle and impacts on ecological processes, attendees looked at the economics of adaptation. Participants further discussed projected impacts on water use in the agriculture, energy, fisheries and health sectors.

The workshop drew on a training manual, titled ‘IWRM as a Tool for Adaptation to Climate Change.’ Cap-Net, in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Red Centroamericana de Instituciones de Ingeniería (REDICA) and Rhama developed the manual to facilitate educational and training programs, including short courses, workshops and information campaigns. The manual is available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese.

Participants included basin committee members, private and public sector representatives and water users and managers. The second workshop will also be held in Brazil in 2014.

Cap-Net is an initiative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Its members are capacity building networks and international organizations working in the field of water resources management. [Cap-Net Workshop Press Release] [Cap-Net Workshop Agenda] [Cap-Net Workshop Summary] [Publication: IWRM as a Tool for Adaptation to Climate Change: Training Manual and Facilitator’s Guide]