Author(s): Elpida Kolokytha; Yannis Mylopoulos

Linked Author(s): Elpida Kolokytha, Yannis Mylopoulos

Keywords: Water management; Adaptation; SDG6; Resilience; Water engineering; Climate crisis

Abstract: Climate change is already affecting nearly every part of the planet according to the recent IPCC report published in 2021. Water as a vital component for life but also for economy and development is at the heart of the climate crisis. Alterations in the hydrological cycle, water scarcity, extreme events in the form of floods and droughts, water depletion and water quality degradation are some of the impacts of climate change into water resources. Generally, the Mediterranean basin is characterized as a “hot spot” area in relation to climate change impacts. Water availability in the Mediterranean basin is expected to experience one of the largest decreases in the world, as a consequence of precipitation decrease, temperature increase, and population growth. To effectively deal with this threatening context on water resources a re-orientation is needed in water resources management and engineering. A wide range of interconnected drivers and interdependencies among sectors are needed to be taken into account to help adopt a new thinking and practice in water resources management and engineering. This paper highlights the reorientation of strategic water policy options to cope with the new climate conditions in management and engineering in the water sector to meet SD6s.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC2521711920221086

Year: 2022