Stockholm International Water Institute » climate & energy

Climate Change, Water and Adaptation – Some Fundamental Reflections

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:48:53 +0000

“Few countries have just the right amount of water throughout the year [...] finding ways and means to deal with increased droughts and floods becomes a major task for managers worldwide.”

The impact of the global financial crisis on financial flows to the water sector in Sub-Saharan Africa – Persistent Underinvestment, Minimal Impacts

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:48:51 +0000

The omnipresent nature of the global financial crisis led us at SIWI to question the impact of the crisis on financial flows to the water sector, focusing our attention on Sub-Saharan Africa. SIWI’s lead on water and economics, John Joyce, led a study team to investigate the pathways and estimate the impacts. This article summarises the thrust of the study.

The Effects of Industrial Pollution on Ecosystems and Human Well-Being

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:48:47 +0000

Exploring the links between ecosystems and human well-being, this article looks at the effects of industrial pollution on water quality and their impacts. Informed by a recent UNEP report “Clearing the Waters: A focus on water quality solutions”, released on World Water Day, 22 March, 2010, and also by other UN reports, the article highlights pathways to arrive at the sustainable management of human activities and processes within ecosystems, for improved water quality globally.

Climate Change Adaptation Need Not Be Expensive

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:45:58 +0000

With the protracted negotiations over greenhouse gas reductions making little headway, adaptation to the worst impacts of climate changes will become more and more essential.

Published in Water Front Magazine No.1 2010.

Water and Energy Linkages in the Middle East – Regional Collaboration Opportunities

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:45:50 +0000

To be able to reduce poverty in the Middle East, reliable access to water and energy is a must. Without a reliable power supply, water for domestic use, industry, treatment, irrigation and desalination is at risk.

This report is based on two background papers prepared for the Middle East Seminar at the World Water Week 2009, which explored the specific linkages between development opportunities in transboundary water management and electricity development.

Elaborating on the Nexus Between Energy and Water

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:45:48 +0000

Like energy, water is used in different forms and cuts across most development functions in society. With growing populations and economies, the demand for water for food production and energy production (bio-energy and hydropower), and water for industry and domestic use is steeply increasing at the local, national and regional levels. During the past hundred years the worlds population has tripled and the use of water has increased six fold during the same time.

Published in Journal of Energy Security, IAGS.

Click here to read the article.

Regional Water Intelligence Report Central Asia

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:45:46 +0000

Water is an increasingly strategic resource in the Central Asian region for economic and social development. Water cuts across critical issues such as food and fibre production, energy generation, environmental sustainability and human security.

This paper highlights these issues and their inter-linkages and targets the Aral Sea Basin, with focus on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan (also a part of the basin) and influential neighboring countries like China and Russia are part of the regional analysis.

Stockholm Water Front No. 2 2008

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:39:38 +0000

The Tibetan Plateau and the entire Himalayan region in which it stands is perhaps the worlds most vulnerable area to climate change. That is because warming increases at higher altitudes and the Himalayan mountain system is the tallest on earth. Some describe the glacier waters as ticking time-bombs. Therefore, adapting to Climate Change and effective Basin Water Management are important topics discussed at the 2008 World Water Week and also highlighted in this issue of Water Front.

Water: The Key to Climate Change Adaptation

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:39:32 +0000

A changing climate will have increasingly grave consequences for the worlds poorest, most vulnerable people. Who says so? The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the 2007/2008 Human Development Report (HDR), Fighting Climate Change: Human Solidarity in a Divided World.

Published in Water Front Magazine No. 1 2008.

Stockholm Water Front No. 1 2008

admin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:38:26 +0000

In this issue of Water Front you can read about the multiple recommendations that SIWI will be pushing onto the agenda at the CSD-16 in New York. These will stress both the incredible potential and necessity we have to improve water management, reduce water losses in production and waste, adapt to climate change, and address ongoing water scarcity and sanitation crises.