Water demand management and adaptation to climate change

Transcription

1 Athenes international symposium on Water October 2009 Water demand management and adaptation to climate change Lucien CHABASON, Chairman of Plan Bleu

2 Contents of the presentation Increasing pressures on water resources... Exacerbated by the impacts of climate change Water demand management: a major policy challenge And one of the water-related adaptation responses to climate change 2

3 1. Increasing pressures on water resources Vulnerable water resources Water resources very unevenly distributed over both space and time 3% of the world s water resources Total water demand (evolution and trend projections ) High increase in water demand by % at country scale + 25% in the South and East at catchment area level 3

4 1. Increasing pressures on water resources Overexploited resources Exploitation index of renewable natural water resources Increase in «unsustainable» water production: overexploitation of renewable resources, fossil water withdrawals Source: Plan Bleu, 2008 Source: Plan Bleu, J. Margat 4

5 2. Climate change The Mediterranean: a «hot spot» of climate change IPCC Projections for the Mediterranean vs , A1B scenario Increase in temperature from 2,2 to 5,1 C Decrease in average rainfall from 4 to 27% Increase in extreme events (droughts, floods) Surface air temperature ( C) : vs Summer Seasonal precipitation (mm/d) : vs Winter Source: Somot & al. 5

6 2. Impacts of climate change on water resources Increased water poverty and water scarcity 60 million Mediterranean people facing shortage conditions in 2005 In 2050, integrating climate change impacts 290 million people would face shortage conditions in 2050 (scenario B1) Source: Somot & al. 6

7 3. Water demand management: a major policy challenge in the Mediterranean Saving 25% of water demand Losses & misuses in 2005: 100 km 3 /y 35% of total water demand Water demand: potential savings by 2025 Potential water savings in 2025: 85 km 3 /y 25% of total water demand 7

8 3. Water demand management: a major policy challenge in the Mediterranean Water savings in agriculture in Tunisia Concrete successfull experiences Stabilization of irrigation water demand since 1996 Improvement of farmers revenues & satisfaction of water needs for tourism Decrease in drinking water demand despite urban growth (compared to 1980 Master Plan) Some costly investments avoided Infrastructures savings through WDM in Morocco (Rabat-Casablanca) 8

9 National level analysis ( ) WDM implemented However: Institutional constraints Lack of integration of policies Inadequate water pricing policies Lack of public awareness Knowledge gap 3. Water demand management: a major policy challenge in the Mediterranean Costs and economic, social and environmental benefits Identify potential on the ground Gap analysis 9

10 3. The recourse to non conventional water resources To reduce unsustainable withdrawals Successive water recycling Reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation Industrial water recycling Domestic grey water reuse Desalination of seawater or brackish water but impacts on the environment and health Virtual water flows, net balance per country (billion m3/year) Virtual water 10

11 4. Way to explore Water demand management & non conventional water resources Promotion of «no regret solutions» based on water efficiency measures: Common target, based on solid economic analysis Identification of concrete water efficiency based projects in the region Development of scientific & technical tools for non conventional water resources Collection of reliable and updated information and data for water management Wider reflexion: Interlinkages between water and trade, agriculture, energy and tourism 11

12 The way forward: Exploring water-related adaptation responses for the Mediterranean Policy formulation, strategic planning, institutional approaches Integration of water policies with sectoral policies Climate information and reseach Economic instruments Regional cooperation: Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, Mediterranean Strategy for Water (UfM) 12

13 THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION For more information 13