The Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) have published a background paper on managing the water-related impacts of climate change. It argues that water is key to effective climate change adaptation.

The 42-page report titled, ‘Adaptation’s Thirst: Accelerating the Convergence of Water and Climate Action,’ outlines the anticipated impacts of climate change on water,  including floods, drought, tropical storms, decline in water quantity and quality, and changes to fundamental hydrology. The authors call for climate-resilient water management to be ‘the common ground and a unifying agenda’ for adaptation.

They provide six detailed recommendations, namely:

• system-wide action rather than fragmented, infrastructure-focused decision making – for example, multi-level governance and self-organization at lower levels of administration is encouraged;
• preparations for greater uncertainty in climate conditions, including greater variability in water resources;
• investments in adaptation, taking full account of likely future water risks;
• investments in water and climate information systems;
• aligning water finance with climate finance; and
• using water as an enabler of adaptation, ensuring policy coherence.

The publication maps out high-level actions that should be taken by water and climate policy and management communities. Its ‘Action Framework on Climate-Resilient Water Management’ cites promising examples from many countries in terms of governance and participation; information and learning; diversity and connectivity; and infrastructure, technology and water management options.

The background paper was commissioned by the Global Commission on Adaptation, which seeks to promote concrete solutions to adaptation needs. The Commission is co-managed by the Global Center on Adaptation and the World Resources Institute (WRI). The report is one of four AGWA policy reports released on the occasion of the UNFCCC conference in Madrid, Spain. [SDG Knowledge Hub story on Watering the NDCs] [SDG Knowledge Hub story on Source to Sea] [SDG Knowledge Hub story on Wetlands]