Climate Change Adaptation in the Water Sector

'This book is indeed a very timely publication that reflects the current thinking in climate-related water management as a much-needed contribution to education efforts dealing with global change. Highly recommended to all - students and teachers alike, as a guide to this complex but vital issue!'
Professor Richard Meganck, Rector, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education

'I welcome this much-needed effort that sheds light on adaptation options for the water sector as a whole. This is a timely and excellent publication and I would highly recommend it to anyone involved in water resources management.'
- Mr. Paul Reiter, Executive Director International Water Association (IWA)

'Climate change will impact first on water. The water sector worldwide will need to mobilise for climate change adaptation and integrate the needs of both people and nature as it does so. This publication will help water managers meet this challenge.'
- Dr Mark Smith, Head, Water Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Today's climate variability already has a large impact on water supply and protection. Millions of people are affected every year by droughts and floods. Future climate change is likely to make things worse. Many people within the water sector are aware that climate change is expected to have serious consequences for water resource management, but they are unsure how to incorporate climate information into their management structures.

Currently no book is available for students and practitioners in the water sector on how to adapt to climate change and variability. So the main purpose of Climate Change Adaptation in the Water Sector is to offer a compendium of specific adaptation strategies for students, water managers and decision makers. After reading this book, water professionals and advanced students should feel much more comfortable in using climate data in decision support and/or managing water resources. They will know what kind of data or information on climate change and variability is available and how they can be used within the water sector.

The book consists of two parts: the first part describes the general issues and is written mainly by the editors of the book and the second part contains specific case studies. These are drawn from a wide range of contrasting countries, including Australia, Thailand, the Netherlands, Germany, Philippines, South Africa, and Yemen.