IOWater - International News

8 The News N° 28 - February 2018 international events COP23 Created at the COP22 in Marrakech in 2016, the “Global Alliances for Water and Climate – GAfWaC”, gather the four “Alliances” of the Basins (Paris Pact), Megaci- ties, Desalination and Business, themselves established at the COP21 in Paris a year earlier. Today, they represent more than 450 organizations around the world, which have committed themselves to mobilize their partners, identify and disseminate good practices and support the development of new projects by field stakeholders involved in adaptation to climate change and in the resilience of the inland freshwater sector. The Global Alliances for Water and Climate have been designated by the two Moroccan and Fijian “Climate Champions” to prepare and coordinate, with their partners in the sector, the “Official Action Day for Water and Climate”, which took place on Friday 10 November 2017 as part of the COP23 in Bonn and which followed the International Rome Summit on “Water and Climate” held from 23 to 25 October. This day was an opportunity to remind decision makers that freshwater is one of the first victims of climate change. Indeed, freshwater resources are already and will be more and more directly affected by climate change, and this in the coming years. The consequences, depending on the regions, will be an increase in intensity and frequency of floods and droughts, the streng- thening of extreme hydrological and hydro- geological phenomena, a flow deregulation of the rivers originating in the mountains, due to the melting of glaciers and the reduction of snow cover. It will be also necessary to fight against an increased erosion caused by the modification of plant species and soil cover, and changes or even reduction in agricultural production, a change in flows at the mouth of rivers, as well as salt intrusions on the coasts and in coastal aquifers, due to the rising of sea levels, an increased prevalence of water-borne diseases or the arrival of invasive species in ecosys- tems, especially caused by the warming of surface water . The demographic, economic and ecological consequences are likely to be very signifi- cant and require global mobilization to quickly prepare the necessary adaptation programs at the level of each basin, taking sur face water and groundwater into account. Areas with big human settlements and economic activities will be seriously threatened, with the risk of large population displace- ments, especially in rural areas. These effects are compounded by significant pressures already linked to population growth, urbanization and development. Global warming is a «multiplier of threats», aggravating difficult situations and increasing tensions, even in stable regions! We must act quickly, before it is too late, and the mobilization of all stake- holders is essential at the global level, in order to urgently develop the programs needed to prevent the effects of global warming and adapt to them. In 93% of their National Contributions (NDCs), the countries have identified water as a priority for adaptation. As water is essential for human health, food security, energy production, industrial productivity, tourism, navigation, biodiversity, in addition to basic human needs, securing water resources means ensuring security in all these areas of economic, social and environmental development. Adaptation to climate change is one of the conditions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 in the water sector. The Action Day for Water and Climate was organized around a review of the actions that have been carried out, especially by the four Global Alliances for Water and Climate, since the COP22 in Marrakech last year and four thematic sessions on: l improving the funding of adaptation projects, l the knowledge needed in the field of water to respond to climate uncertainty, l water and urban resilience, l water, sustainable agriculture and food security. .../... COP23 – 6-17 November 2017 – Bonn - Germany: Freshwater victim of climate change: We must act quickly! Signing of the International Declaration: Nature Based Solutions, during the official “Action Day for Water and Climate” of 10 November 2017 © INBO - C.Runel