Climate Change and Water UN-Water Policy Brief Version September 2019 2
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Climate Change and Water UN-Water Policy Brief Version September 2019 2 Source of title page photograph: UN Photo by Tobin Jones (2017) The production of this document was coordinated by the UN-Water Expert Group on Water and Climate Change. Special thanks go to Ingrid Timboe and José Gesti Canuto for preparing the initial draft and for incorporating, and adapting when needed, the numerous comments received by the UN-Water Members and Partners. Contents Key messages 4 I. Introduction 7 II. Water and climate in the global sustainable development agenda 8 III. Observed and projected water-related climate impacts 10 IV. Mitigating climate change 13 Mitigation strategies 13 V. Adapting to climate change 16 Additional adaptation measures 16 With support from: 3 VI. Integrating approaches to managing water and climate change 19 A. Transboundary water management 19 B. Nexus considerations 20 VII. Climate finance for water 24 VIII. Actionable recommendations 25 A. Global and regional climate and water negotiations and processes 25 B. National and subnational capacity-building, planning, implementation and monitoring 26 IX. Conclusions 27 4 UN Photo by Albert González Farran (2014) Albert UN Photo by González Farran Source: Key messages The global climate change crisis is inextricably linked to water. Climate change is increasing variability in the water cycle, thus inducing extreme weather events, reducing the predictability of water availability, decreasing water quality and threatening sustainable development, biodiversity and enjoyment of the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation worldwide. The growing global demand for water increases the need for energy-intensive water pumping, transportation and treatment, and has contributed to the degradation of critical water-dependent carbon sinks such as peatlands. In addition, some climate change mitigation measures, such as expanded use of biofuels, can further exacerbate water scarcity. National and regional climate policy and planning must take an integrated approach to climate change and water management. Increased water stress and meeting future demand will require increasingly tough decisions about how to allocate water resources among competing water uses, including for climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. If a sustainable future is to be created, continuing along a “business as usual” pathway is no longer an option, and water management needs to be scrutinized through a climate-resilience lens. Increased investment is needed in improving hydrological data, institutions and governance, education and capacity development, risk assessment and knowledge- sharing. Policies need to ensure the representation, participation, behavioural change and accountability of all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society. Adaptation plans need to incorporate targeted strategies that assist lower-income populations – those who are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts – to navigate new conditions. 5 There are significant co-benefits to managing climate and water in a more coordinated and sustainable manner. Solutions for addressing the above integrated challenges are available and are being implemented by an increasing number of countries and international river basin authorities. Meeting the climate challenge means: 1. Acting now water management practices in ways that will allow communities, countries and basin authorities to make Uncertainty about the future cannot be an excuse confident, risk-informed decisions that can help to for inaction today; if the world is to limit the global increase climate resilience, improve ecosystem health temperature increase to well below 2°C above and reduce the risk of water-related disasters. pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, action must be taken immediately. Securing water for 4. Ensuring transboundary cooperation communities, economies and ecosystems is critical in adaptation for poverty reduction, green energy transformation Transboundary cooperation is needed to address and creating a buffer from natural disasters. climate impacts that cross national boundaries Climate policy must address water across all sectors (for example, droughts or flooding of transboundary of the economy and the environment to ensure rivers), to avoid maladaptive consequences from a climate-resilient and sustainable future for all. a basin perspective and to harness the potential co-benefits of improved regional cooperation, such as 2. Considering water as part of the solution reduced uncertainty due to exchange of data, peace Improved water management, including sanitation, and stability, enlarged planning space, and shared is an essential component of successful climate costs and benefits. mitigation and adaptation strategies, as called for in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Water is also key to 5. Rethinking financing attaining the goals and targets of the Transforming Climate finance for water resource management our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable and sanitation supports community climate Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster resilience and job creation at the local level, Risk Reduction 2015–2030. Climate-resilient water and helps to improve sustainable development management can therefore act as a mechanism outcomes. Innovative, blended finance solutions for of coherence among these global frameworks. water and climate, such as green and blue climate bonds, can help to leverage climate investment 3. Improving water management practices across the economy. Barriers to increased access As countries begin to review and implement their to climate finance, such as lack of capacity and national plans in the context of the Paris Agreement, lack of institutional coordination, must be urgently there is a unique opportunity to improve and enhance addressed. Source: UN Photo by Phil Behan (2011) 6 7 I. Introduction Water is a precondition to life on Earth and is essential for some face both sets of extremes. Slower-onset impacts sustainable development. Safe drinking water and sanitation derived from accelerated sea-level rise affect coastal areas, are human rights.1 Water – including sanitation – is critical posing a particularly direct threat to small, low-lying island for socioeconomic development, food security and healthy nations. At the same time, increased demand for water for ecosystems, and is vital for reducing the global burden energy, agriculture, industry and human consumption is of disease and improving the health, welfare and productivity leading to gradually more difficult trade-offs for this limited of populations. and precious resource, especially in areas of the world already facing water stress. For these reasons, it is often said that The science is clear: the global climate change crisis is increasing variability in the water cycle, thus reducing climate change is felt most directly through water. the predictability of water availability and demand, affecting Climate change represents a profound threat and an water quality, exacerbating water scarcity and threatening unprecedented opportunity to invest in and transform sustainable development worldwide. These impacts water governance and management systems so humanity disproportionately affect poor and vulnerable communities can thrive in an increasingly uncertain and variable future. and are compounded by contributing factors, including With regard to intergenerational justice, the global climate population increase, unmanaged migration, land-use change, crisis raises particularly pressing issues, such as which risks reduced soil health, accelerated groundwater extraction, society should be allowed to impose on future generations. widespread ecological degradation and biodiversity loss. Young people around the world are using their knowledge While all regions of the globe are affected, the impacts of and innovation to offer solutions, raise awareness, protest climate change are highly variable and uneven. Some regions for their rights and advocate for enhanced global action to are experiencing extraordinary periods of drought, others address and combat the climate crisis and its consequences. increasingly severe and frequent floods and storms, while As they correctly and urgently insist, the time to act is now. 1 Resolutions A/RES/64/292 and A/RES/70/169. 8 II. Water and climate in the global sustainable development agenda Over the last decade, floods, storms, heat-waves, droughts and other weather-related events have caused more than 90 per cent of major natural disasters.2 These events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity because of climate change.3 Against this background and with the aim to end all forms of poverty and hunger, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, countries adopted the Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. Its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are interlinked and intended to support one another. For instance, “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” (SDG 6) supports the attainment of the other 16 SDGs. Realization of SDG 6 and other water- and ecosystem-related targets are essential for society’s health and well-being, improving nutrition, ending hunger, ensuring peace and stability, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity, and achieving energy and food security. Water is also an essential component of national and local economies. Water management fosters gender equality and social inclusion,