Managing water for climate adaptation and mitigation

Research to resilience: Climate-smart solutions to enhance ecosystem health and strengthen food, nutrition and water security for all

With rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and extreme droughts, climate change is predicted to impact sub-Saharan Africa harder than most regions. If we are to strengthen the climate resilience of small-scale farmers – who remain the backbone of African agriculture – it is essential that we implement climate-smart water solutions.

This pressing issue was central to ‘Managing water for climate adaptation and mitigation,’ the sixth webinar in WLE’s ‘Research to resilience’ series. Through a mix of presentations, audience questions and an in-depth panel discussion, experts from across the continent shared their knowledge and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities posed by the need for sustainable water solutions.

Key messages that emerged included:

The need for governments and basin authorities to adopt more integrated planning approaches that balance agricultural, energy, domestic and envionmental water needs
The importance of seeing climate change as a development challenge, with solutions that not only conserve natural resources but improve food security, rural employment and stability
The necessity of integrating water adaptation and mitigation options into national climate adaptation plans, as part of the broader development framework of sub-Saharan African countries.

Speakers and Panelists

Opening remarks

Dr Olufunke Cofie, Co-Leader of the Land and Water Solutions research theme, WLE (IWMI)

Presentations

Professor Kehinde Ogunjobi, Director of Research, WASCAL Competence Centre, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Dr Sander Zwart, Coordinator, TAAT Water Enabler Compact, IWMI