Adaptations to Climate Change
in
Africa’s Water Sector:
Contributions of the World
Meteorological Organization
Datius Rutashobya
Climate and Water Department
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Impacts of climate change on
water resources in Africa
• reduced freshwater availability, food
security, human health, industrial
production, increased hazards and risks
(floods, droughts)
• Specific observed impacts:
Shrinking of Lake Chad, Lake Turkana
fluctuation of water levels of Lake Victoria
melting snow of Mount Kilimanjaro
Difficulties in Adaptations
• Lack of basic information
• Insufficient monitoring and observation
systems
• Settlements in vulnerable areas
• Appropriate political, technological and
institutional framework
• Lack of capacity
• Low income
Adaptation to climate change
requires…..
•
•
•
•
Science based knowledge
Resilient development policies
Behavioral change
Appropriate institutions and regulatory
mechanisms
• Adequate economic resources and
instruments
• Regional & international cooperation
Contributions of the World
Meteorological Organization
(WMO)
WMO’s mandate and role
UN system’s voice on the state and behavior
of the Earth’s atmosphere including its
interaction with the oceans, the climate and
water resources
weather, climate, hydrology and water
resources, and related environmental issues
contribution to safety, well being of people
World Climate Conference-3
Better climate information for a better future
Climate Prediction and Information for
Decision Making
Geneva, Switzerland
31 August–4 September 2009
WMO contributions at
international level
WMO Initiative on Climate Change Adaptations (WICCA)
WMO contributions at
international level
World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS)
WMO contributions at
international level
Associated Programme on Flood Management
Joint Initiative
• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
• Global Water Partnership (GWP)
• Secretariat
• Technical Support Unit (TSU) embedded in the Hydrology
and Water Resources Branch
• Inception Phase: 2001- 2002
• Implementation Phase I: 2002- 2006
• Implementation Phase II: 2006-2010
APFM Mission
Support countries in the integrated
management of floods
Within the framework of Integrated Water Resources
Management
Contributions at regional level
Support to
IGAD Climate Prediction and
Applications Centre (ICPAC)
• mission is provision of timely climate
early warning information; supporting
specific sector applications to enable the
region cope with various risks associated
with extreme climate variability and
change
Contributions at national level
WMO’s assistance to Egypt
Egypt heavily relies on the water resources
from River Nile. In view of the likely
impacts of climate change and variability on
the Nile water:
• Request from in Egypt’s Ministry of Water
Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) to WMO
• WMO developed a project on Climate
Change Adaptation in the Water Sector
LARGE AREAS IN
EGYPT WILL
FACE DIRECT
IMPACT OF
CLIMATE CHANGE
AND VARIBLITY:
Coastal Areas
Nile Delta
Nile Valley
Lake Nasser
Projected
Scenarios
for the Nile Delta
Objectives of the Project
Create national enabling environments to facilitate
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Use of climate information
Undertake scientific assessments of the climate
change impacts on water resources,
Assess significant impacts on existing or proposed
water system operation rules, system design and
sizing, policies and water use strategies,
Develop adaptation strategies for the planning and
operation of water resources infrastructure and
disaster management,
Develop knowledge through research and
development
Raising climate risk awareness and stimulate
discussions
Develop an awareness building and advocacy plan
Expected Outputs
1. Setting up a multi-disciplinary National Team of
Experts (NTE) and national platform to
coordinate and initiate research, development
and applications,
2. Determination of climate information
requirements of water managers,
3. Assessment of climate information capabilities to
improve water resources planning and
management,
4. Putting in place response strategies to adapt to
long-term climate change on water resources
planning, and
5. Developing decision-support systems.
Implementation Process for PP
WMO & MWRI organized National Workshop to:
1. Assess status of existing state of
knowledge and its application within
the country,
2. Assess
capacities
of
various
institutions to develop and use climate
related information,
3. Knowledge gap analysis, and
4. Prepare an action plan for preparing
detailed project proposal for funding.
Achievements
 Two National Workshops
 Eight Working Group Meetings
 Project Proposal Prepared
($ 5.3 M – 4 Years)
 WMO will assist in securing fund for
Implementation
Thank you for your attention