News And Updates
Dialogs for Water and Climate Change |
During the 16th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16), held in Cancun, Mexico from November 29 to December 10, 2010, a series of relevant partners, led by the National Water Commission of Mexico, has come together to organize the Dialogs for Water and Climate Change. The Dialogs aimed to shed new light on the importance of water management for climate change adaptation.
In order to wrap up the outcomes of the panels, a synthesis team was formed during the conference. This team was made up of 12 individuals from different organizations and sectors, areas of expertise and geographical scope, brought together with the mission of summarizing the main substantive outcomes of the D4WCC. The results of the synthesis team's analysis of the D4WCC go as follows:
Climate science informs us that the hydrological cycle will be the main medium through which climate change expresses itself. Water-related impacts will be felt by everyone. Many crucial sectors related to water will have to adapt to these changes: agricultural production practices must adapt to cope with climate change, hydropower production must be climate-proofed and livelihoods of vulnerable societies and economies (both coastal and urban) must be adequately protected against water-related hazards and changed water quality and availability.
Mexico, with its partners, took a leadership role in organizing the Dialogs for Water and Climate Change (D4WCC) during the UNFCCC COP-16. These Dialogs were meant to discuss the implications and responses of climate change through water. The Dialogs have shaped an emerging climate and water agenda, which includes the following points:
1. It is critical that water and the impacts of climate change on water resources and services are considered in development planning at the regional, national and local scales and in all water-affected sectors.
2. Under the changing climate, it is of prime importance to assess and reduce water-related risks and vulnerabilities in other fields, including agriculture, energy, health, environment, urban water utilities, development, planning and others, under the reality of uncertainties about the precise nature, magnitude and timing of impacts.
3. Institutional arrangements should be adapted to the new conditions, which implies close linkages between ministries of environment, water, energy, agriculture, planning, health, etc, including NAPAs, PRSPs, NSDSs and IWRM plans.
4. The three I's (Institutions, Information and Infrastructure) should be addressed in any development planning as packages of key elements.
5. Well-functioning watersheds and aquifers can be incorporated into planning as natural infrastructure to increase the resilience to impacts.
6. Information needs to be developed, supplied and tailored to the needs of the users.
7. Water is also an important aspect of mitigation and should be taken into consideration when working on this agenda.
These are the main points discussed during the D4WCC.
Mexico and the participants of these dialogs will elaborate and carry forth this agenda on development under uncertain changing hydrological conditions. The water community is ready to listen and act in cooperation with and subsidiary to the climate change negotiations.
For further information, please visit: www.d4wcc.org.mx