6 June 2010: UN-Water has released a policy brief titled “Climate Change Adaptation: The Pivotal Role of Water.” The brief is addressed to practitioners and policy makers of water resources management and climate change, as well as sectoral decision makers, and seeks to draw attention to the importance of better water resources management in adapting to climate change.
The brief argues that water resources management should be systematically integrated into national plans and international investment portfolios. It describes: climate change impacts on water; water resources management under present climate variability; adaptation measures for water managers; and guiding principles for the required investments and policy shifts. These principles include: mainstreaming adaptation within the broader development context; strengthening governance and improving water management; improving and sharing knowledge and information on climate and adaptation measures, and investing in data collection; building long-term resilience through stronger institutions, and investing in infrastructure and in well-functioning ecosystems; investing in cost-effective and adaptive water management as well as technology transfer; and leveraging additional funds through both increased national budgetary allocations and innovative funding mechanisms for adaptation in water management. [The Policy Brief]