13 November 2009: Advice on coping with the uncertainties of climate change and effectively tackling its impacts on water in a concerted way has been developed in the framework of an agreement on transboundary freshwater under the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The fifth meeting of the parties to the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention), held on 10-12 November 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, adopted Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change.
The Guidance provides step-by-step interdisciplinary methodology on how to develop and implement an adaptation strategy in a transboundary context. Based on the concept of integrated water resources management, the Guidance provides advice to decision-makers and water managers on how to: assess impacts of climate change on water quantity and quality; perform risk assessment, including health risks; gauge vulnerability; and design and implement appropriate adaptation strategies. The Guidance also contains nearly 40 case studies.
UNECE Water Convention parties decided to foster implementation of the Guidance through a programme of pilot projects and the establishment of a platform for exchanging experience on cooperation on adaptation. [IISDRS Sources][Meeting Website][The Guidance]