Danish Water Forum

Climate Change, Water & Energy

 

Water and Climate Change

Climate changes have huge impacts on water resources, in terms of changed water balances. This is reflected through changes in water quantity and quality as well as altered patterns in frequency and severity of rainfall, floods and droughts. Combined with rise in sea level and increased sea temperatures the coastal environments are particularly vulnerable to changes. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)has collected climate data since 1970 demonstrating that the anthropogenic climate change has influenced many physical and biological systems. Findings include:

• In temperate areas and some warm tropic areas water availability will increase (wet getting wetter)
• Water availability will decrease in the many of the dry areas if the World (dry getting drier)
• Floods will become more frequent ands serious, and droughts generally longer, the latter resulting in serious reductions in food production
• Seasons are changing, resulting in earlier Spring in many regions
• Water temperature in rivers and lakes get increase, affecting water quality and local ecosystems
• Water storage in ice caps, glaciers and snow cover is decreasing. One effect is that the poles are melting, but this has also serious consequences for the one sixth of the global population living in areas with water supplied from snowmelt from major mountain ranges

Despite universal impacts, four “hot spots” in respect to impacts on water regime are

• Africa south of Sahara
• The large coastal cities
• The mega deltas of Asia
• The small island states

Danish Water Forum will:

• Promote that the water impact of climate change, and the adaptation to such impacts, is high on the Danish and international political agenda.
• Contribute to the branding of the Danish water sector as an internationally leading force in addressing water and climate issues
• Focus on consequences for poor people in developing countries and their possibilities to adapt to climate changes, not least through our Danida “knowledge network on water and development”
• Participate in major activities related to water and climate change such as Copenhagen Climate Solutions on September the 25th
• Cooperate with relevant partners, including the other Danida knowledge networks
• Organise a DWF meeting on water and climate change, October the 2nd. A draft programme will be available soon.
• Present relevant information about and links to knowledge about water, development and climate change

Current activities related to Climate Change include:

Southern Africa Climate Change Network SACCNet

Related Links and Documents

• European Regional Document for the World Water Forum in Istanbul on Adaptation to Climate Change in Europe and Climate Change, Water and Energy
• Our climate, our children, our responsibility. New report from UNICEF, UK on the implications of climate change for the world's children
• Counting the cost of climate change. The future economic costs of climate change - known as the costs of inaction - will be significant in Europe, says a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report
• News on climate change: Press release from COP 13 - Bali meeting, information on Adaptation Fund, etc.
• Read the Sterns Review Report on the economic impacts of climate change and the economics of stabilising greenhouse gas emissions. The Review also considers the complex policy challenges involved in managing the transition to a low-carbon economy and in ensuring adaptation to unavoidable climate changes
• Latest news from UN's Intergovenmental Panel on Climate Change: IPCC's 4th Assessment Report from November 17 and FAQs (frequently asked questions) about weather and climate
• New Danish climate strategy. The Danish government's proposal for a climate strategy has now been released (in Danish)
• SciDevNet: Science and Development Network with news, views and information about science, technology and the developing word.
• 3rd European Water Association conference on European water management and climate change, 5 November 2007 held in Brussels, Belgium, brings together experts and opinion formers to discuss climate change impact on the water sector and mitigation and adaptation
• DWF participates in Copenhagen Climate Solutions on September 25, 2007 in Bella Center with exhibition about climate changes, water management and adapting to a warmer and more unstable climate
• Danish Development Days, June 2007: Presentation "Water and climate change: the added challenge in meeting the MDGs" by Torkil Jønch Clausen, DHI Water Policy
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: "Mitigation of Climate Change" (see summary for policy makers here) and "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability" (see summary for policy makers here)
• United Nations Secretary-General calls for a long-term global response to deal with climate change, along with unified efforts to deal with the problem of scarce resources, warning that countries' lack of access to water, energy, and other essentials can lead to conflict. See Statement and Press Release.
• IWA homepage: Time to panic or plan for a Blue revolution!

Water and Energy

Water is a key element in the move towards sustainable and renewable energy supply. With the international efforts to meet the Kyoto Protocol and to lower the global CO2 emissions, water is a key resource along with wind. In adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change, energy is essential and these measures will require large amounts of water. The water consumption will both include water for first generation bio-fuel production and water losses from hydropower reservoirs etc. The change in the water regimes due to climate changes has severe consequences for the future planning. Water development may, however, also require a lot of energy through desalination and large scale pumping, resulting in increased greenhouse gas emissions. For these reasons the issue of energy is vital for the future adaption of climate change. Currently the energy is largely depending on fossil fuels, however advancements are made in the water and wind power. DWF is supporting research is the area of water and energy as well as supporting projects both in Denmark and internationally.

Current Activities in Water & Energy

The WSSTP Pilot Coordination Committee is creating two new Task Forces and is looking for two leaders to coordinate the missions of each Task Force. read more

Related Links and Documents:

• Water Footprint Network measure your water footprint!
• UN Climate Meeting at Bali COP 13. Outcome of the meeting is available here:
  - Bali Action Plan for activities towards COP 15 in Copenhagen
  - Decision on adaptation fund regarding climate change
  - Desicion on development and transfer of technologies to developing countries
• Water- the major challenge in adopting to climate changes, DWF theme day, 2nd October -  Presentations are now available
• On 29th of June 2007 the European Commission adopted its first policy document on adapting to the impacts of climate change. Read the Green Paper "Adaptation to climate change in Europe - options for EU action" here. For more information about EU and climate changes, read here.