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HomeQuantitative and qualitative aspects of water safety under a changing climate
A thematic report to support an ex-ante impact assessment of the EU adaptation strategy
Publication metadata
The availability of drinking water is dependent on the quantity and quality of accessible freshwater, which can be affected by extreme weather events (e.g. that result in droughts or floods) and by slow-onset climate changes in temperature and precipitation. The existing quantity and quality of accessible freshwater are already affected by a range of other issues that thereby influence their climate sensitivities, subsequent climate vulnerabilities, and risks of impact from climate change. This thematic report provides a rapid review and qualitative rating of: the current influence of those other issues on climate sensitivities; the extent to which existing legislation and actual arrangements provide adaptive capacities that address them; and the exposure of resultant vulnerabilities to climate hazards that leads to risks of impact. Subsequently, the report identifies and provisionally rates adaptation policy options that can address the issues in ways that will reduce the climate sensitivities that the issues influence and/or increase associated adaptive capacities. The key issues identified (i.e. rated as leading to at least medium-high risks of climate change impact) that are relevant to all Member States comprise: urban landcover; agricultural activities; water storage; water abstraction; and infrastructure. Glacial reliance and coastal zone management are also identified as key issues for Member States where they occur. Water abstraction is rated as resulting in the highest risks of climate change impact on drinking-water availability. Adaptation policy options identified that can address the issues in ways that will reduce the climate sensitivities that they influence and/or increase associated adaptive capacities are: - Promotion of climate-resilient water safety plans (WSPs) under the Drinking Water Directive - Water allocation management plans (WAMPs) - Expanding on the Water Framework Directive’s Common Implementation Strategy to provide guidance on identifying and prioritising multiple pressures (multiple-pressures guidance) - Improved monitoring and enforcement of the Water Framework Directive (improved WFD implementation), and - Increased coordination of adaptation measures between sectors that have the potential to directly or indirectly influence the availability of drinking water (adaptation coordination).
- Published:
- Corporate author(s): Directorate-General for Climate Action (European Commission) , IEEP , Ricardo , Trinomics
- Personal author(s): Elmhirst, Sophie ; Finney, Helen ; Smithers, Richard J
- Themes: Environment policy and protection of the environment
- Subject: adaptation to climate change , bad weather , drinking water , EU strategy , impact study , qualitative analysis , quantitative analysis , report , water management
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| ISSN | ISBN 978-92-76-30293-3 | DOI 10.2834/052115 | Catalogue number ML-02-21-208-EN-N |