Results from the WASSERMed project

Transcription

1 Results from the WASSERMed project Prof. Roberto Roson WASSERMed Scientific Coordinator CLIMB GA, Istanbul, January 14-17, 2013

2 Structure of WASSERMed Selection of Regional Climate Models results Macroeconomic analysis of water availability and climate change impacts on the Mediterranean Mediterranean-wide assessment of sensitive strategic sectors: Agriculture Tourism Case Studies: Syros island Jordan river Rosetta area Merguelil watershed Sardinia region

3 Regional Climate Models The monthly precipitation and temperature climatology produced by climate models in the Mediterranean region have been compared with the gridded observational CRU (Climate Research Unit) dataset of the East Anglia University. The results of 5 RCMs have been used for analysing climate change projections at Mediterranean scale and for five case study areas. Results show that in the mid 21st century the Mediterranean region will be warmer and drier than now. The most important feature is the contrasting precipitation signal during the wet season between the northern areas (getting wetter than now) and the southern areas (getting drier than now). The projections for the case study areas that are produced by the selected RCM have been analysed. The increase of temperature is substantially confirmed for all areas. Precipitation in the Jordan river basin and in the interior of Egypt shows the possibility of a transition to a different regime in the mid of the 21st century.

4 Regional Climate Models Regional Climate Models variation of seasonal precipitation (mm)

5 Macroeconomic Analysis Several Mediterranean countries will likely face water shortages with significant implications in terms of agricultural productivity, income and welfare. The water gap in the Mediterranean area will, however, be driven by different reasons. In Northern Mediterranean countries, this will be due to increased temperature and decreased precipitation, while in Southern countries the growing non-agricultural water needs (induced by strong economic and demographic development) will be the main cause of water shortages in agriculture. Improvements in water efficiency appear to curb the economic impact of water scarcity quite significantly, especially in northern Mediterranean countries. Middle East and North Africa economies will, instead, likely find it difficult to put aside precious water resources for purposes of environmental preservation. The analysis of the current virtual water flows reveals that most Mediterranean countries are net importers of virtual water, thereby realizing sizable water savings. Much of the intra-mediterranean virtual water trade occurs between the largest northern economies (Spain, France, Italy) but, in per capita terms, the country which gets the largest amount of virtual water from abroad is Cyprus. This picture will likely change in the future. Both northern and southern countries will be affected by water gaps, although for different reasons. Implications of this scenario in terms of virtual water entail a reduction of intra-mediterranean trade and an increase in virtual imports from central and northern Europe, as well as from the rest of the world.

6 Macroeconomic Analysis

7 Macroeconomic Analysis

8 Macroeconomic Analysis Our analysis of climate change impacts on the tourism industry starts from the computation of a composite index of climate suitability for recreational activities, known as the Tourism Climate Index (TCI), measuring the appropriateness of climate conditions for outdoor activities. Estimates of monthly TCIs for the period suggest that tourism flows are generally expected to increase, with only a few exceptions. This will probably lead to a marginal recovery of the competitiveness of the traditional Mediterranean destinations at the expense of the emerging ones. Our analysis with a numerical macroeconomic model reveals that the tourism expansion (hotels, transportations,restaurants, etc.) would bring about, nevertheless, a reduction in production volumes for other sectors, among them agriculture, because it would trigger a real valuation of the national currency and a loss of relative competitiveness in international markets. Even a small reduction in the agricultural output, however, would bring about significant reductions in water consumption, as agriculture is the most water demanding industry. The analysis highlights some interesting and unexpected consequences in terms of water consumption, namely that a growth in the tourism industry may be associated with a net reduction in water consumption in many Mediterranean countries.

9 Sensitive Sectors: Agriculture The impact of CC in the future will likely be affected by the actual climate and water availability and could be prevalently: positive for the Northern Mediterranean countries and areas characterized by relatively cold and humid climate, and negative for the Southern Mediterranean countries and the areas already characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions. The extension of the areas suitable for cultivation toward the Northern latitudes and higher altitudes and the overall expansion of the cultivation season could bring benefits especially to the Northern Mediterranean countries. Spontaneous adaptation to CC through the anticipation of the sowing/planting dates for springsummer crops could occur. On the contrary, keeping the actual start of growing season could result in the shortening of the crop growing cycle, lower seasonal evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements. Nevertheless, the rates of (peak) crop evapotranspiration and irrigation demands could increase which will require the employment of more flexible and efficient water delivery systems. The overall effects of CC on water productivity could be positive whereas the effects on yield could be seen within a complex scenario that includes the combination of different strategies considering the starting of growing season, the selection of most adequate varieties (short or long maturing), and adopted locally-tailored (water, land and nutrient) management practices. As a whole, the effect of adaptation measure should consider the adaptation capacity of each specific area and could have greater success in the Northern than in the Southern Mediterranean countries.

10 Sensitive Sectors: Agriculture

11 Sensitive Sectors: Agriculture

12 Sensitive Sectors: Tourism Given the strong relationship between climate and tourism, emphasis is placed nowadays on the analysis of anticipated climate change impacts on the tourism sector. Existing studies indicate that there will be a regional and seasonal shift in tourism flows, resulting to an alternative distribution of tourism-generated income. The difference in seasonal TCI values between the future ( ) and the present ( ) reveals: In winter, an increase in TCI values is particularly noticed in the southern Mediterranean basin, whereas the situation is different in the northern part, where both a decrease and increase in values is calculated. In spring, the dominant trend is an improvement in TCI values. In summer, the future trend is an improvement in conditions in northern Mediterranean and a slight deterioration in southern Mediterranean. In autumn, an increase in TCI values is noticed, with the exception of some parts in Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey where there is a slight decrease in TCI. Results indicate that conditions will remain favourable for outdoor activities in the Mediterranean basin; however a change in seasonality is foreseen as there is an improvement in TCI values in spring and autumn time and deterioration in summer time. Particularly, negative impacts for summer tourism are foreseen in Southern Mediterranean countries, whereas the situation is different for northern countries, where an improvement in TCI values is noticed throughout the year.

13 Sensitive Sectors: Tourism

14 Final Steps in the WASSERMed project Final Report Policy position paper Final Conference, February 21-22, Bocconi University, Milan Day 1: Case Studies Day 2: Presentation of Results