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Using climate information to support adaptation planning and policy-making
The document applies an eight-step process to analyze climate risks in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, by comparing local community perceptions of floods, droughts, and sea-level rise with historical data from the Dar es Salaam International Airport station and future projections under the RCP8.5 scenario. While historical data only partially confirm local perceptions of specific flood and drought events, future projections strongly suggest increasing maximum temperatures and a likely decrease in the length of the long rainy season. The study concludes that these trends threaten agriculture and health, necessitating 'climate-smart' agricultural practices and improved coastal infrastructure.
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Document type: Case study
National Water Resource Strategy
The National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS2) outlines a comprehensive plan to manage South Africa's scarce water resources sustainably and equitably. It prioritizes water allocation reform to redress historical imbalances, emphasizes water conservation and demand management (WCWDM) to reconcile supply and demand, and proposes a significant institutional realignment, including the establishment of nine Catchment Management Agencies and Regional Water Utilities. The strategy addresses critical challenges such as climate change, water pollution, and infrastructure backlogs, while estimating a total sector investment requirement of R700 billion over ten years.
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Document type: Report
National Water Resource Strategy
The National Water Resource Strategy 2 (NWRS2) addresses South Africa's status as a water-stressed country by prioritizing equitable water allocation, sustainable resource protection, and the implementation of water conservation and demand management (WCWDM). It proposes a shift from traditional engineering solutions toward a 'water mix' including groundwater, desalination, and water re-use to meet growing demands from the energy, mining, and agricultural sectors. The strategy details a significant institutional realignment, including the establishment of nine Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) and Regional Water Utilities, and estimates a total sector investment requirement of R700 billion over ten years.
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Document type: Report
Institutional investor attitudes to addressing climate change risks in portfolios
The report finds that while South African institutional investors increasingly recognize the relevance of ESG factors, integration remains slow and inconsistent. Many investors rely on narrow proxies for climate risk, such as carbon taxes, while largely ignoring physical risks and water scarcity. The study highlights a systemic lack of demand from asset owners and a prevalence of short-termism in performance evaluation, which hinders the transition to a low-carbon economy. Despite these barriers, a majority of respondents acknowledge that portfolios are heavily exposed to climate-vulnerable sectors, particularly through state-owned enterprises like Eskom and Transnet, leading to the conclusion that many assets may be mispriced.
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Document type: Report
Benefits of and Challenges to Energy Access in the 21st Century: Fuel Supply and Infrastructure
The document argues that the United States must address market failures to reduce carbon pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, specifically focusing on reducing methane leakage from natural gas systems, to balance its energy boom with environmental protection.
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Document type: Statement
Urban ecological sanitation: possible lessons from Erdos, China
The China–Sweden Erdos Eco-Town Project attempted to scale up dry sanitation systems in Dongsheng, Ordos, involving 832 apartments and approximately 3,000 inhabitants. While the project demonstrated that dry toilets could be implemented in multi-storey buildings without adverse health effects, it faced significant failures due to poor construction quality, lack of pipe insulation for extreme winters, and the absence of a dedicated owner to ensure maintenance. These technical issues were compounded by rapid regional economic growth and a building boom that eliminated the initial drivers of the project—extreme water shortage and poverty—leading the local government to eventually revert to flush toilets.
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Document type: Case study
CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT FOR WATER AND AGRICULTURE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: FOCUS ON THE YAQUE DEL SUR BASIN
The report identifies significant climate risks in the Yaque del Sur watershed, where high exposure to hurricanes, floods, and droughts intersects with high poverty and low adaptive capacity. Modelling suggests that by 2050, the annual water deficit could reach 519 million m3, threatening key crops like maize and tomatoes. While the Dominican Republic has established disaster risk and climate change frameworks, the report finds a lack of coordination between these structures and deficiencies in data sharing. Recommended priority actions include shifting to drought-resilient crops (sorghum and mangoes), increasing irrigation efficiency from 20% to 45%, and implementing payment for ecosystem services to promote reforestation in the upper watershed.
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Document type: Report
GESTIÓN DE RIESGOS CLIMÁTICOS PARA LOS RECURSOS HÍDRICOS Y LA AGRICULTURA EN LA REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA: ENFOQUE CENTRADO EN LA CUENCA DEL YAQUE DEL SUR
The report analyzes the intersection of climate threats and socio-economic vulnerabilities in the Yaque del Sur basin, the Dominican Republic's third-largest basin. It finds that the region faces severe water deficits and high vulnerability due to poverty and dependence on climate-sensitive agriculture. Projected climate trends include rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation, which could lead to an annual water deficit of 390 million m3 by 2050. The document identifies critical gaps in institutional coordination between disaster risk management and climate change adaptation bodies. To mitigate these risks, it recommends seven priority actions, including switching to drought-resistant crops like sorghum and mangoes, increasing irrigation efficiency from 20% to 45%, and implementing payment for ecosystem services to promote reforestation in the upper basin.
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Document type: Report
CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT FOR THE HEALTH SECTOR IN NICARAGUA
The report identifies significant climate risks to human health in Nicaragua, primarily driven by the interaction of extreme weather events—such as floods and droughts—with high social vulnerability, particularly lack of clean water and sanitation. Statistical analysis shows seasonal patterns for diarrhœa, dengue, and leptospirosis linked to rainfall and temperature. While Nicaragua has institutional frameworks for disaster risk and climate change, the report finds a lack of inter-institutional coordination with the health sector and deficiencies in data monitoring. Recommendations include expanding water and sanitation infrastructure, improving health services, and integrating climate risk into national health policies.
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Document type: Report
CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT FOR AGRICULTURE IN PERU
The report examines the vulnerability of Peru's agricultural sector to climate hazards, particularly in the Junín and Piura regions. It identifies El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) as a primary driver of droughts, floods, and frost, which significantly impact crop yields for maize, potatoes, and fruits. While Peru has established disaster risk management (SINAGERD) and climate change frameworks (MINAM), the report finds a lack of formal coordination between these two communities and gaps in localized climate data. Key recommendations include reviving ancestral agricultural practices, improving irrigation and water storage, diversifying livelihoods, and integrating disaster risk management with climate change adaptation into a single national programme.
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Document type: Report
Water Scarcity in Bangladesh
The report examines the causes and consequences of water scarcity in Bangladesh, focusing on the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin. It analyzes bilateral water treaties between India and its neighbors (Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh) and evaluates the effectiveness of multilateral organizations like the Nile Basin Initiative and the Mekong River Commission to identify best practices for regional cooperation. Primary research indicates a long-term decline in the dry-season flow of the Padma River, potentially exacerbated by the Farakka Barrage, while rainfall patterns remain largely stable. Stakeholder mapping reveals significant communication gaps between policymakers and affected populations, and the report suggests that water scarcity can act as a trigger for localized conflict, particularly in the Padma basin.
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Document type: Report
Addressing Livelihoods In Adaptation Activities: Lessons from the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia
The document examines the vulnerability of climate-sensitive livelihoods—primarily agriculture, fishing, and forestry—in Asia. It highlights that while governments and NGOs are implementing adaptation measures like crop diversification and mangrove restoration, externally led interventions can sometimes cause maladaptation by increasing market dependency. The brief emphasizes the need to integrate local and traditional knowledge, address the specific vulnerabilities of women and marginalized groups, and leverage social assets and community forestry to build resilience.
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Document type: Policy brief
Water scarcity, climate change and Bolivia: Planning for climate uncertainties
The document examines the critical water crisis in El Alto and La Paz, Bolivia, where rapid population growth and climate-driven glacier retreat are reducing water supplies. Using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool, the Stockholm Environment Institute identifies that current systems are highly vulnerable, with the El Alto system predicted to fail almost permanently between 2011 and 2030. The briefing recommends a combination of new reservoir construction (such as Khotia Khota and Kaluyo), significant reductions in urban and agricultural water leaks, and improved industrial wastewater recycling to build resilience. It emphasizes the need for watershed-based coordination and community participation in planning to manage the projected population increase to two million people in El Alto by 2050.
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Document type: Briefing
Broadening Horizons: Business Engagement with Climate Change in 2007 and Today
The report finds that while public attention to climate change waned after 2009, businesses have increasingly internalized climate concerns, shifting from a focus on mitigation to a broader approach encompassing adaptation and business resilience. Cost savings remain the primary driver for action, though investor pressure and consumer preferences are rising. The document highlights that physical climate risks are becoming real-world impacts, as evidenced by the 2011 Bangkok floods and 2012 U.S. weather extremes. Furthermore, businesses are expanding their focus to include water scarcity and biodiversity loss as critical risks to operational resilience.
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Document type: Report
EcoAdapt –Summary Deliverable 2.4 Synthesis of the Socio-‐institutional Context Analysis
The document examines the socio-institutional drivers, governance networks, and barriers to water resources adaptation in three Model Forests (MFs). It identifies a common lack of shared vision and technical data across the sites, while noting that climate change will exacerbate existing biophysical and social stressors. The analysis emphasizes a bottom-up approach, identifying 'agents of change' and strategic entry points—such as generating new technical information and strengthening organizational capacity—to facilitate inclusive water governance.
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Document type: Briefing
Africa Adaptation Programme knowledge management needs survey report 2012
The report identifies a high demand for knowledge resources to overcome financial and technological barriers to knowledge management in AAP countries, with the greatest need for climate change risk and impact assessments. Specifically, respondents highlighted the most urgent needs for knowledge to address water shortages, food security, and the loss of livelihoods.
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Document type: Report
Climate Risks, Vulnerability and Governance in Kenya: A review
Kenya is highly vulnerable to climate risks, particularly droughts and floods, which create a long-term fiscal liability estimated at 2.0 to 2.4 per cent of GDP annually. The report identifies critical dependencies in the agricultural, water, and energy sectors, noting that 98 per cent of crop production is rain-fed and over half of electricity is generated by hydropower. While the government has established frameworks like Vision 2030 and the National Climate Change Response Strategy, the report finds that disaster risk management remains largely reactive and uncoordinated, with significant capacity gaps at the subnational level. It recommends deeper research into sector-specific vulnerabilities, the 'climate proofing' of infrastructure and budgets, and the integration of gender-disaggregated data into planning.
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Document type: Report
Navigating Muddy Waters
The report argues that South African institutional investors, as 'universal owners', face material financial risks from climate change and water scarcity, which are currently underpriced in securities markets. It highlights that listed coal reserves exceed scientific carbon budgets and that water scarcity poses significant operational risks to water-intensive sectors. The document recommends a shift toward low-carbon and water-responsible investments, calling for regulatory interventions to create investment-grade green financial products and mandatory ESG disclosures to avoid stranded assets and systemic market shocks.
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Document type: Report
Responsible investing for climate change and water in South Africa
The report argues that institutional investors in South Africa, acting as 'universal owners', face material financial risks from climate change and water scarcity. It identifies a lack of investment-grade, liquid low-carbon products and inadequate water risk disclosure as primary barriers. The document suggests that while some progress has been made through green bonds and low-carbon indices, significant regulatory shifts—including higher renewable energy targets and standardised reporting—are needed to scale responsible investing.
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Document type: Report
The energy-water collision
The document describes the 'energy-water collision,' a phenomenon where power plants—particularly conventional fossil-fuel and nuclear facilities—struggle to secure sufficient or cool enough water for cooling processes during heat waves and droughts. It identifies three primary types of collisions: insufficient water levels, incoming water that is too warm to cool plants, and outgoing water that exceeds temperature limits for environmental safety. The text highlights a surge in these incidents during the summer of 2012, noting that even plants on large bodies of water, such as the Millstone nuclear plant on Long Island Sound, are now susceptible to temperature-related shutdowns.
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Document type: Fact sheet