COP27 Water Day

Water is essential to life on Earth. However, climate change is threatening its availability and making it increasingly difficult to access and manage this precious resource, with cascading impacts on livelihoods and societies. To better understand what is being discussed during the COP27 Water Day on November 14, we provide a brief overview of the CMCC’s scientific work on water management and planning, along with educational and awareness-raising activities. Dive in!

The relationship between humans and water has ancient roots. OUr societies have been strictly intertwined with water in all its forms since the dawn of mankind. Today, climate change is threatening the availability of this precious element, necessary to our life on Earth, by causing most glaciers to retreat at unprecedented rates, with many experts sounding the alarm on water security.

Water-related climate change impacts stand center stage in current scientific and policy debates, making it a priority to enhance climate change adaptation capacity worldwide. Stakeholders of water management need scientific, data-based support to create integrated strategies and actions to adapt to climate change and to prevent and reduce the associated risks.

The Adriatic coastal region is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as floods, coastal erosion, subsidence, droughts, and heat waves. Local municipalities are now preparing to respond with new and updated adaptation plans based on sound scientific evidence. Research shows that optimal adaptation planning relies on strong climate change information, monitoring and management tools.

The phenomenon of water scarcity is also affecting the agricultural sector. Water demand for corn, wheat, and grape production in the Mediterranean basin is projected to increase between 10 and 16%, while reductions in water resources are expected due to climate change and other global change drivers. A recent assessment of future crop consumption and irrigation requirements has provided guidelines for policy-makers to support the creation of effective adaptation policy planning.

In order to face the upcoming challenges of water management in times of uncertainty, cross-boundary and coordinated monitoring, modelling and management actions are needed, to support both integrated management and restoration in coastal areas. Awareness-raising and education initiatives are also important tools that help involve and engage all sectors of society.

Share

Article

Act fast but not alone – the role for urban policymakers in delivering a 1.5°C future

A new report translates the key scientific findings and policy observations from the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR1.5) for officials and …

Article

Navigating the European response to climate disinformation

The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) serves as a hub for fact-checking by focusing on the analysis of disinformation, including recent climate disinformation narratives, to support European regulation policies. Paula Gori, Secretary-General and Coordinator at EDMO, and Tommaso Canetta, Coordinator of EDMO’s fact-checking activities, present the network’s initiatives in monitoring and addressing climate disinformation.

net positive
Interview

Andrew Winston: Net positive business for a net zero future

In a low carbon future, businesses that profit from solving the world’s problems, rather than causing them, will play a central role. Co-author of the Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year “Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take”, Andrew Winston, explains the win-win formula for people, planet and profits.