Institute of Development Studies

Separate Streams? Adapting water resources management to climate change

Using empirical evidence from case-studies undertaken in Niger and North-east Brazil, this research project identifies how climate change adaptation can be integrated within the water sector to benefit the poor and vulnerable:

• How is climate uncertainty impacting the way the poor manage their water resources in the semi-arid environment; their adaptive responses to climate variability. What are the associated needs to help support these responses?
• What is the policy and institutional context in each country in relation to tackling water and climate change?

Key findings:

Despite the challenges faced, communities have shown resilience in the face of climate variability and are adapting to their circumstances with a number of water and economic-related responses. But at the national level, climate risk considerations are not being factored systematically into water sectoral planning and implementation, and the institutional structures are currently inadequate.

Recommendations:

• adoption of climate risk based approaches
• development of cross-sectoral approaches to water resources management planning
• support to the decentralisation process for the water sector
• ensuring that a pro-poor approach to water resources management encompasses differentiated solutions according to the needs of different groups
• that adaptive capacity is strengthened at the local level by supporting localised water resources approaches that are adapting to climate variability.

• IDS key contact: Merylyn Hedger
• Project dates: October 2007 - December 2008
• Project status: Closed
• Funder: Tearfund

Selected Outputs

• Hedger, M. and Cacouris, J. (2008) 'Separate Streams? Adapting water resources management to climate change' , Tearfund