"WATER SCARCITY AND DROUGHT, THE IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH WE CAN MANAGE? STILL A CHALLENGE?

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1 "WATER SCARCITY AND DROUGHT, THE IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH WE CAN MANAGE? STILL A CHALLENGE? SIDE EVENT: 14 NOVEMBER 2016 FOURTH SESSION OF THE MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE PROTOCOL ON WATER AND HEALTH NOVEMBER 2016 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

2 THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 17 GOALS TO TRANSFORM OUR WORLD addresses a range of social needs including education, health and social protection by developing CC measures and environmental protection. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years. Governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals. Regional follow-up and review will be based on national-level analyses and contribute to follow-up and review at the global level. Climate change is already having an impact on socio-economic sectors including public health, water security, agriculture, energy and so on. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without climate actions. Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 11 and 13 / common actions between water, health and other sectors in order to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events and to improve the efficient management of water and sanitation services in drought conditions and water scarcity.

3 Climate change affects economies and lives due to extreme weather events PARIS AGREEMENT at the COP 21 in Paris on 12 December 2015: - The Paris Agreement aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2ºC (1.5ºC) above pre-industrial level. The Agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of CC on socio-economic sectors by implementation of the adaptation plans that will protect human health from the worst impacts of climate change, such as, heat waves, floods and droughts, and the ongoing degradation of water and food security. - On 5 October 2016, the threshold for entry into force of the Paris Agreement was achieved. 109 Parties have ratified of 197 Parties to the Convention. - The Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November The first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA1) take place in Marrakech in conjunction with COP 22 and CMP 12 (7-18 November 2016, Morocco). Implementation of the Paris Agreement is essential for the achievement of the SDGs by providing a roadmap for climate actions that will reduce emissions and build climate resilience including water resources and health, an other vulnerable economic sectors. Support for adaptation must became a higher priority in order to protect lives especially in the most vulnerable communities is set to break even the temperature records of 2015 Source: Provisional WMO Statement on the Status of the Global Climate in 2016, Press Release on 11 November 20

4 At the Third Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, in March 2015, the United Nations stresses the need to substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by CREWS INITIATIVE 2 December Launch of CREWS, climate risk & early warning systems Weather extreme events such as heat waves and droughts, floods and storms lead to significant losses of life and socio-economic impacts, especially in countries with the low capacity for adaptation. CREWS is the result of collaboration between the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster (UNISDR) and World Bank (GFDRR). CREWS is an initiative which aims to significantly increase the capacity for developing Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS), to generate and communicate effective impact-based early warnings, and risk information for hazardous hydro-meteorological and climate events. GLOBAL INITIATIVES

5 NATIONAL POLICICIES ROMANIA In October 2016, the Romanian Government approved by Government Decision no. 739/2016 the National Climate Change Strategy and economic growth based on reduced carbon emissions over period and National Action Plan for the implementation the National Climate Change Strategy and economic growth based on reduced carbon emissions over sectors: industry; agriculture and fisheries; tourism; public health; construction and infrastructure; transport; water resources and flood protection; forestry; energy; biodiversity; insurance; recreational activities; education. The implementation of the Strategy and National Action Plan to CC falls into the Government responsibility, under the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MEWF).

6 COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROVISION OF CLIMATE SERVICES NMHSs are expected to play a key role and committed to the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) in order to develop and deliver services for agriculture and food security, water, health and disaster risk reduction. NMHSs carries out its work through scientific projects concerning the socio-economic sectors vulnerable to CC impacts. Climate change, water scarcity and drought are one of the most challenging issues for water and health at the global level, problems that we are facing. Population safety and security, water and food security, economic growth and sustainable development, increasing prosperity, enhancing resilience to disasters and climate change, and improving public health, are issues of fundamental importance of every government. Energy

7 REASON FOR CONCERNS??? CLIMATIC CONDITION IN ROMANIA IN THE CONTEXT OF CC In Romania, the mean annual air temperature rose by 0,6 C in the last 100 years. The evolution by decades of the mean multiannual air temperature over the period show that the increasing trend is obvious especialy begining with 1991, 2015 being the warmest year of the records. As regards precipitation, the period highlighted a general decreasing trend in the annual precipitation amounts especially in the last 30 years and a parallel enhance of the precipitation deficit in the South, South-East and East of the country. Since 1901 until now, Romania has seen in every decade one to four extremely droughty/rainy years, an increasing number of droughts being more and more apparent especially after 1991.

8 Droughty/rainy years in Romania / DECADE XX-TH CENTURY EXTREMELY DROUGHTY YEARS EXTREMELY RAINY YEARS , 1912, 1915, , , 1939, , , , 1944, , 1955, 1957, , , , , 1974, 1975, , , , , , , 1997 XXI-ST CENTURY , , , , , 2006, 2008, , , July-September 2016,.. Since 1901 until now, Romania has seen in every decade one to four extremely droughty/rainy years, an increasing number of droughts being more and more apparent after 1981 Climate change scenarios in Romania: - Increasing probability of occurrence for droughty events due to raising temperature and decreasing precipitation especially during the summer season in the Southern, South-Eastern and Eastern regions; - Increasing probability of occurrence for tropical nights, hot days, summer days; - Local factors modulate the magnitude of the increasing probability of occurrence for natural hazards (e.g. topography).

9 OBSERVED SHIFTS IN THE COURSE OF THE MEAN ANNUAL AIR TEMPERATURE IN ROMANIA 12.0 Mean annual air temperature trend in Romania over period 2015: +1.96ºC deviation, Temp. (grade Celsius) / 8.8ºC / 9.3ºC +0.5ºC Anii SUMMER : 18.5 C : 19.5 C, +1 C : 21.8 C, +2.4 C : 21.8 C +2.1 C si 2015: 20.8 C, +1.3 C ROMANIA The warmest 16 years: 2015, 2007, 2014, 1994, 2012, 2013, 2009, 2008, 2000, 2002, 2010, 2001, 2011, 2004, 2006, 2003, 2005.

10 Water scarcity and droughts: coordinated actions in European regions. Water Scarcity and Drought register an increasing frequency due to climate changes. Drought events will affect the European Union on ecological, on economic as well as on a social issues. These impacts will affect the citizens of the European Union in particular on local and regional level. Strategies on regional policy level are required, in order to mitigate these climate change effects. In this context, WATER CoRe offered an exchange platform for water scarcity and drought issues on regional and local level for all European regions. Drought events in Europe over period (EEA, 2012) - Increase in air temperature - High variability and changes of the annual rainfall - Decrease in summer precipitation - Increase frequency and intensity of extreme events, especially droughty events in CEE Europe

11 INTERREG IV C-Project on Water Scarcity and Drought 1. INTERREG IV-C Program, Type 1: Regional Initiative Project, Priority 2: Environment and risk prevention, Sub-theme: Water management WATERCoRe Project WATER scarcity and droughts Co-ordinated activities in European Regions ( ). This was a regional European programme initiative in the field of environmental protection, which is mainly aimed to improve regional development policies, modernize economic systems and increase competitivity in EU as regards the management of water requirements in limitative conditions. The following organizations participated in the partnership: 1. Ministry of Environment, Energy, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of Hessen (Germany) as Project Manager; Partners: 2. Agency for Environment and Geology, Hessen, Germany 3. Ministry for Environment of the Government of Aragon, Spain 4. Aragonese Water Institute, Spain 5. General Directorate for Environment and for Soil and Coast Protection of Emilia Romagna, Italy 6. Environmental Agency of Emilia-Romagna - Hydro-Meteo-Climate Service, Italy 7. Hungarian Ministry of Environment and Water 8. Directorate for Environmental Protection and Water Management of Lower Tisza District, Hungary 9. Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), Hungary 10. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Romania 11. National Meteorological Administration of Romania 12. Agency for Environmental Protection, Covasna, Romania 13. Province of North-Brabant, the Netherlands 14. General Council of Herault, France

12 INTERREG IV C-Project on Water Scarcity and Drought General objectives of the WATERCoRe project: - raising the technical and political level of awareness on the risks posed by diminished water resources and more severe droughts in the context of climate change; - information exchange between partner regions; new know-how instruments and mechanisms that disseminate and implement drought management measures over long intervals and help accommodate to climate change effects; - starting a number of coordinated actions on regional level to implement by common agreements policies in the management of water requirements. The exchange of information aimed to identify and analyze the good practices by four thematic work groups engaged in exchanging and transferring know-how information between partner regions as follows: - Work Group A: improving the management of water requirements strategies for every affected sector (agriculture, services, industry etc.); - Work Group B: managing drought intervals and mitigating their effects; agroclimatic indices and aspects; - Work Group C: adapting to the effects of climate change; - Work Group D: working to increase the general public s participation and awareness of civil society, farmers and authorities on water requirements and drought management strategies. Expected results: a new platform for the exchange of information on water deficit, drought and climate change problems; working out a new manual of good practices and technological measures based on unconventional technologies; specialized economical and financial instruments aimed to implement regional plans of action, e-learning programs with thematic modules to increase awareness and education level regarding the ways to prevent climate change effects.

13 INTERREG IV C-Project on Water Scarcity and Drought OUTCOMES Survey on water scarcity and droughts in Europe: documents, projects, institutions, networks, web resources, lists E-Learning Platform organized in 7 modules: 1. Water scarcity and drought an introduction 2. Technological measures (techniques) 3. Water demand side management (economic) 4. Drought management 5. Adaptation to climate change 6. Communication and participation 7. Roadmap to the implementation of Regional Action Plans Best practices were collected in the Good Practices Handbook ( with 103 best practices) Good Practices Guide focused on practical solutions for dealing with on water scarcity and drought.

14 E-Learning / description (1) INTERREG IV C-Project on Water Scarcity and Drought

15 E-Learning / description (2)

16 E-Learning / description (3)

17 E-Learning / description (4) 5. Adaptation to climate change - Projections of future air temperature and precipitation - Description and selection of the concept: strategies/mitigation policies - Recommendations adaptation measures 4. Drought management - Infrastructure monitoring - Technological measures - Planning - Management Plans on short an long time

18 WATER CoRe target group: - Agricultural authorities - Water authorities - Environment authorities - Forest authorities - National government - Regional and local government - Industry/business/enterprises - Farmers - NGOs and associations - Scientists - Students/schools/universities - Citizens/civil society E-Learning / description (5)

19 This image cannot currently be displayed. Web-page WATER CoRe : E-learning Platform link: E-learning Platform Romanian link:

20 Water scarcity and droughts: Introduction Good Practices Handbook Technological measures Economic and financial instruments Drought management Modelling of climate change Public communication Action plans The Good Practice Handbook includes 103 Good Practices collected by the Water CoRe partners and combined in 5 categories: A1 Water demand-side management (technological measures) A2 Water demand-side management (economic and financial instruments) B Drought management C Adaptation to climate change D Communication/participation

21 INTERREG IV C-Project on Water Scarcity and Drought ACTION PLAN FOR WATER SCARCITY AND DROUGHT PREVENTION COVASNA REGION In Covasna county the strategy for development in the sector of water supply and sewerage systems, the Water Master Plan, has been developed by Covasna County Council. The Intercommunity Development Association AQUACOV, established within County Council is responsible for the administration of the public water system s infrastructure. AQUACOV has delegated the operation of the water infrastructure to the Regional Operator of Covasna County SC Gospodărie Comunală SA. Water management in Covasna region is attributed to the two Water Management Systems, Covasna and Buzău, as the rivers from Covasna County belongs to two Water River Basins, Olt and Buzău Ialomiţa. The Water Management Systems are subordinated to the National Administration "Romanian Waters" and to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. They are responsible for implementation and enforcement of the provisions from the River Basins Management Plans - Qualitative component of Water Management, as well as the management of the county network for hydrologic, hydro-geologic and water resources quality measurements. Study visits and Lessons learnt from WATER CoRe project 24 Study visits have been carried out by PP 10 (Ministry of Environment and Forest), P11 (National Meteorological Administration) and PP12 (Environmental Protection Agency of Covasna) and several bilateral contacts have been established for a better understanding of the selected good practices applied in other partner regions.

22 INTERREG IV C-Project on Water Scarcity and Drought Transfer of good practices example: A1-17 IRRINET (Emilia Romagna) Short description of the practices exchanged IRRINET is an expert system providing an irrigation advice for the main water demanding crops. The system combines several data sources: meteorological data from ARPA-SMR (Regional Environment Protection Agency- Department of Agro-Meteorology); soil data from the regional Hydro-Geologic and Seismic Service and crop parameters as defined by the CER, including the application of the most effective irrigation strategy for every crop considered. Since 2009 IRRINET has evolved in IRRINET Plus which implements economic calculation of the irrigation profitability, providing farmers with further information other than optimal irrigation volume and time, assessing the economic benefit related to the next irrigation through a traffic light advisory system. Lesson learnt through the practice IRRINET as informative system has been set up form farmers in order to decide how much to irrigate. This visual tool is accessible by whoever have interest on it and is tailored for a large number of crops. Applicability in the Regional/Local context NMA (P11) can import some characteristics of IRRINET system to compare the pattern of soil water balance used by experts from Agrometeorological Laboratory to estimate soil water deficit and thus time watering during drought conditions. The NMA system is based on specialized applications (AGRO-SYNOP, AGROSERV and AGRO-TEMPSOL) which combines the Soil-Module (soil data), Phenology Module (crops parameters), Rainfall-Module, Air Temperature Module and calculate at daily step the soil moisture reserve and water deficit at field scale (winter wheat and maize crops). The Geographical Information System (GIS) is used to zoning the thematic maps at national/regional/local level in order to identify the vulnerable area to drought conditions. Yes, totally Yes, partially To be Transferred Applicable in the future X

23 INTERREG IV C-Project on Water Scarcity and Drought Transfer of good practices - example As transfer strategy EPA Covasna (PP12) together with Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forest (P10) and National Meteorological Administration (PP11) considered two different levels of experiences transfer: 1 - regional political level, based on the political approval (by the President of Covasna County Council) 2 - technical level, based on a technical transfer only (by technicians) The first step in the updating of EAP was the identification of environmental issues at the County level. The procedure of updating the EAP was realized in working groups, constituted of specialist from the diverse institutions of the County (environmental authorities, water authorities, forest authorities, agricultural authorities, health care, and fire department local and county administrations). Specialist have used reports and specific studies elaborated by their institutions as well as the results of the group meeting which was organized in the frame of WATER CoRe project, as a workshop in June As a follow up of the discussions and technical analyses it was decided that issues regarding climate changes have to be considered as a problem for the region and therefore it is necessary to establish new actions and measures for adaptation to climate changes for prevention of droughts and water scarcity. With the approval of the Coordinating Committee for EAP these best practices were adapted and introduced as actions into the official document.

24 The closing conference of the INTERREG IV-C project WATER CoRe - Water scarcity and droughts; coordinated actions in European regions was held in Bologna (Italy) at the prestigious Palazzo Re Enzo, during November The political representatives of the partner regions signed a third and last statement on behalf of the project that included political recommendations regarding the tackle of water scarcity and drought as well as the general positive experience of the project. 29th November - a technical session in which European technical experts tool the floor to discuss about European policies on water scarcity and drought as well as their link to INTERREG IV-C -and WATER CoRe project. The debate focused on the latest scientific achievements regarding climate change and the hydrological crisis, as well as on how communication tools may contribute to tackle these phenomena. Moreover, the current regional situation in terms of scarcity and water resources was also assessed within this session. 30th November - was focused on the political platform, which was chaired by the Regional Minister for the Environment and Urban Planning, Sabrina Freda. During that session, the political representatives of the 7 partner regions undersigned a Memorandum of Understanding including the positive results of the cooperation under WATER-CoRe as well as the adoption of the Action Plans together with their political recommendations.

25 WATER CoRe project review

26 RESULTS Transfer of good practices / Guidelines Action Plan for water scarcity and drought prevention at regional level E-Learning Integrated Platform Workshops / trainings Adaptation Plan to CC Capacity development Knowledge and awareness This project was cofinanced by the ERDF and made possible by the INTERREG IVC programme. The Interregional Cooperation Programme INTERREG IVC, financed by the European Union s Regional Development Fund, helps Regions of Europe work together to share experience and good practice in the areas of innovation, the knowledge economy, the environment and risk prevention. EUR 302 million is available for project funding but, more than that, a wealth of knowledge and potential solutions are also on hand for regional policy-makers.

27 Water CoRe Project Challenges to... - To improve national drought monitoring and management policies by each partner; - Share knowledge and best practices; - Create an E-Learning platform for selecting concrete measures that can be used in drought management policies and adaptation measure to CC impacts; - Elaborate an Action Plan for water scarcity and drought prevention at regional level; - Raise awareness about severe drought conditions through efficient dissemination mechanisms.

28 RISK CLIMATIC INDEX (CRI) / The most affected 15 countries in Europa / (Source: The Global Climate Risk Index 2016 / Germanwatch, www. germanwatch.org/en/cri German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - BMZ

29 Human Health Needs a Healthy Planet Health Climate Action Project Launched at COP22 / Marrakech, 7-18 November 2016, Morocco Planetary Health Project The new partnership between The Rockefeller Foundation and the UN Climate Change secretariat is part of a larger initiative that showcases successful climate action around the world. In 2017, Momentum for Change will have five focus areas: Women for Results, Financing for Climate Friendly Investment, ICT Solutions, Climate Neutral Now and, now, Planetary Health. Beginning next year, people, institutions and companies can submit examples of how health-focused solutions addresses climate change and builds resilience. The most inspiring, innovative and successful activities will be selected as Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities, which

30 Thank you for your attention!