IWMI at COP27

Hybrid Event, Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) | 06 to 18 November 2022

IWMI’s presence and participation at COP27 seek to communicate an urgent and clear message to climate negotiators and policymakers: Transforming water systems to strengthen water security is central to climate action and must serve as the foundation for a climate-resilient future. As a global leader in identifying, refining, and implementing innovative water-based climate solutions, IWMI will use COP27 as a platform to engage with current and prospective partners, media outlets, donors, and other key stakeholders in the water and climate arenas.

Our delegation at COP27 (click for larger view)

The Water Pavilion: one water voice

This year’s COP will feature the Water Pavilion for a second consecutive year. The Pavilion will mobilize more than 30 different global organizations, institutions, governments, and companies committed to raising awareness of the role of water for climate. Together the partner organizations have developed an ambitious programme centred around ten different themes. IWMI are co-leading two thematic days at the Water Pavilion on DRR and Sustainable Cities for improved Livelihoods (10 November) and on Climate Smart Agriculture for Food Security, Adaptation, Sustainability (11 November).

Located within the COP27 Blue Zone, the Pavilion will host in-person events and livestream virtual events throughout the conference. Most sessions can be followed online – click on the logo below to check out the programme.

Visit the Water Pavilion at COP27

Other IWMI events at COP27

IWMI will also be organizing and participating in several official sessions, side events and networking events. Below you will find a list of events either co-organized by IWMI or featuring IWMI contributions. More information will be added to this list as it becomes available. Check back often for updates.

6 November

CGIAR in Africa: Accelerating delivery of science-based innovations for climate resilience across Africa through partnership

When and where: 6 November, 16:30-18:00 (Food and Agriculture Pavilion)

CGIAR’s three Africa-based Regional Integrated Initiatives and their partners will share experiences in scaling climate adaptation and mitigation efforts for accelerated growth in East and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa, and North Africa. They will consider impacts on food system transformations; national and regional policies; finance; and resilience building, especially among vulnerable populations.

Followed by cocktail reception (18:00 – 19:00)

Organizers: CGIAR, FAO and The Rockefeller Foundation

Join livestream: Food and Agriculture Pavilion – Putting agri-food systems at the heart of the agenda of COP-27 (cgiar.org)

7 November

Featuring research and innovation to address food security in Africa amidst climate change

When and where: 7 November, 13:30-14:30 (Food and Agriculture Pavilion)

Global food crises, conflicts, and trade shocks increasingly highlight the vulnerability of Africa’s food systems, and global food, water and biodiversity systems. In this session, CGIAR and partners unveil knowledge and initiatives to foster transformative adaptation approaches and respond sustainably to food security challenges, addressing root causes of vulnerability while contributing to sustaining peace.

Organizers: CGIAR, FAO and The Rockefeller Foundation

Join livestream: Food and Agriculture Pavilion – Putting agri-food systems at the heart of the agenda of COP-27 (cgiar.org)

12 November

Elevating Rural Economy: Solar Water Pumping Systems for Agriculture Use in Ethiopia

When and where: 12 November, 09:30-11:00 (ISA Pavilion)

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), jointly with Government of Ethiopia, will host a High-Level event on solarization opportunities in Ethiopia. The event would highlight various initiatives taken by Government of Ethiopia for promoting solar and the engagement of ISA with Ethiopia. The event will help funding agencies, technology providers, project develops and all other global stakeholders to understand the opportunities and intensify their engagement with the Country for scaling solar.

Alok Sikka (Country Representative – India & Principal Researcher, IWMI) will be part of a Panel Discussion on Opportunities and Challenges in Scaling Solar Water Pumping System in Ethiopia.

Join livestream: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FvjIWmoFRLy6LF4r1DiH0A


Elevating Rural Economy: Solar Water Pumping Systems for Agriculture Use in Ethiopia

When and where: 12 November, 11:30-13:00 (ISA Pavilion)

International Solar Alliance along with its partner organizations and other global organization will host an event on “Solar Water Pumping System: Enabling Solar Eco-System for Agriculture Use”. The event expected to benefit the member countries, funding agencies, technology providers, project developers, EPC agencies and other stakeholders to understand the latest developments, opportunities and challenges in scaling solar water pumping systems.

Alok Sikka (Country Representative – India & Principal Researcher, IWMI) will join the Panel Discussion.

Join livestream: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FvjIWmoFRLy6LF4r1DiH0A


IPCC AR6 water security conclusions & launch of the Expanded Water Tracker for National Climate Plans

When and where: 12 November, 16:45-18:15 (Blue Zone, Room Hatshepsut)

At COP27, this session will launch a new global partnership supporting the implementation of water-resilient NDCs & NAPs. Speakers will provide an overview of climate risks to water security, including drought, floods, and human vulnerability and demonstrate how the Water Tracker tool addresses these systemic issues. More information is available here.

Convenors: Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), Arup, Deltares, University of Exeter, Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office of the UK, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Walker Institute at the University of Reading

Join livestream: https://www.youtube.com/c/UNClimateChange


Beyond the Water Box: Transformative partnerships for a climate resilient future

When and where: 12, November 18:30–19:45 (Water Pavilion)

To close out the first week of COP, organizers of the Resilience Hub and Water Pavilion will co-host a networking reception around the theme of accelerating science-informed, intergenerational, multistakeholder partnerships for a climate-resilient future, building on complementary topics explored in both pavilions throughout the week. Our interrelated climate, biodiversity, health, water, and food crises cannot be understood or addressed in isolation, nor can they be solved by one sector alone. The event will showcase 3-4 such partnerships followed by an opportunity for participants to ask questions and engage with speakers. Participants will also reflect on the critical role of youth and civil society engagement in designing, implementing and scaling multi-disciplinary solutions. Partnerships showcased:

  • Smithsonian: Life on a Sustainable Planet Initiative – Developing multi-stakeholder partnerships to accelerate nature- and culture-based climate solutions
  • IWMI / World Youth Parliament for Water: introducing the Transformative Futures for Water Security initiative
  • Alliance for Water Stewardship: innovative corporate partnerships [TBC]
  • Google / Local 2030 Islands Network – global island-led coalition to advance the SDGs

Organizers: Co-curators of the Water Pavilion Thematic Day and Resilience Hub

Join livestream: Water Pavilion at COP27 (waterforclimate.net)

14 November

Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA) Water Action Event – The power of water: the unexplored potential for climate resilience

When and where: 14 November, 10:00–12:00 (Room: Ibis)

The event co-organized by IWMI will showcase recent signals of change in water for climate from around the globe with a particular focus on the global south. By demonstrating tangible solutions through nature-based solutions for water resilient agriculture and urban city resilience the event seeks to inspire more ambitious water action. The objective is to offer a cross-sectoral perspective that moves beyond thematic silos by including non-traditional water voices and the potential for non-state actors to broaden and deepen engagement globally. By building a business case for water the event will showcase opportunities for accessing finance flows for water and climate related implementations. The event will include the launch of initiatives that aim to close the financial gap from the private sector and financial institutions, including tangible solutions on how this can be scaled up.

Organizers: SIWI, WRI, IWMI and High-Level Climate Champions; Contributions from Water for climate community including TNC, INBO, FWP, FDCO, AGWA, SWA

Join livestream: https://unfccc.int/event/mp-water-the-power-of-water-the-unexplored-potential-for-climate-resilience


Water Day, Plenary Session – Linking water resources policies with national climate action

When and where: 14 November, 15:30-16:45

Water is the source of life and livelihoods. Climate impacts on water and the linkages to wider, cross cutting impacts on development and livelihoods are well documented and substantiated by credible scientific reports and analyses including most recently by the IPCC and numerous other institutions. Discussions on Water Day will cover issues related to sustainable water resource management. the water day will comprise the different topics of water scarcity, drought, cross boundary cooperation and improvement of early warning systems.

Dr. Aditi Mukherji (IPCC, International Water Management Institute) will speak at the Plenary session on Linking water resources policies with national climate action and will give a presentation on the Integration of water resources management and climate action: Opportunities and Challenges.

Join livestream: https://www.youtube.com/c/UNClimateChange

17 November

Solar irrigation to address recurring global food, nutrition and fuel crises in a climate emergency

When and where: 17 November, 13:00-14:00 (Food and Agriculture Pavilion)

This session introduces new findings on solar irrigation uptake and challenges in Africa and South Asia, and the potential of the technology in a climate crisis. Key stakeholders will discuss tradeoffs across greenhouse gas mitigation, food and nutrition security and water depletion.

Session Organizers: NEXUS Gains (IWMI & IFPRI)

Join livestream: Food and Agriculture Pavilion – Putting agri-food systems at the heart of the agenda of COP-27 (cgiar.org)

6-18 November

Food and Agriculture Pavilion

6-18 November: Food and Agriculture Pavilion

IWMI will engage in the first ever pavilion at the UN Conference of Parties dedicated to food and agriculture which will show how agrifood systems are part of the solution to the climate crisis. A unique program of events will bring together government and community leaders, farmers, academics and other experts who are taking decisions on innovative solutions to help countries take effective climate action.

Organizers: CGIAR, FAO and The Rockefeller Foundation

More information: Food and Agriculture Pavilion – Putting agri-food systems at the heart of the agenda of COP-27 (cgiar.org)

Videos

In Focus

Water reuse in MENA

Climate change is aggravating the growing threat of water scarcity. Countries need to urgently adapt and one promising solution is the smart reuse of water.


Learn more…

Economics and equity

At IWMI, researching underlying economic and social trends helps us understand why people migrate. They also explain the impact of remittances and loss of agricultural labor, as well as consequences of migration on gender roles and food and water security. For instance, communities with higher levels of income inequality, or relative deprivation, may experience greater levels of out-migration compared to consistently low-income communities. In addition, migration changes intra-household gender-labor composition, which can change the access of smallholders to water resources, affecting the functioning of community-based institutions and consequently household and local food security. IWMI also focuses on circular economy, a strategy to recover and reuse waste, to boost food security and understand how interventions can encourage refugee and host communities to retain scarce resources.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion

Urban & rural transformation

As agricultural opportunities fluctuate in rural areas, migration, particularly to urban areas, is an adaptation technique to secure incomes and alternative livelihoods. Income generated by migrants is often sent back to family as remittances to support communities at home. At IWMI, we assess linkages between rural and urban areas, as well as the role of agricultural knowledge systems and food and water security. We recognize there are complex push and pull factors such as individual aspirations, economic opportunity, social norms, climate variability and government policies which drive migration and affect rural communities, particularly youth. Our work follows a ‘positive migration’ philosophy, framing migration as an adaptation technique and socio-economic choice (in many cases) rather than a problem to be solved, and focuses on establishing safer, more regular migration by supporting changes to migration governance in sending regions.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion Climate adaptation and mitigation

Covid-19 disruption & adaptation

Covid-19 has caused a rupture in migration logistics and exposed inequities in the migration system, yet drivers of movement remain. Government lockdowns and closed borders due to the pandemic curtailed movement for migrants, posing complex problems for migrant hosting and origin countries. There have been significant economic shocks, with a sharp decline in unemployment for migrants and an inability to send money home through remittances to support family. Some migrants face social stigma for returning home without an income, particularly if families relied on loans to support their journeys. Consequences have been severe for informal migrants who lack government protection in their host countries. Migrants, particularly those living in crowded, lower-income neighborhoods, have been experiencing stigmatization related to the spread of Covid-19. We look at the impacts of Covid-19 on migration governance and rural areas across seven countries, development planning in Ghana, migration challenges in Southeast Asia, and community-based disaster management and resilience building in South Africa.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion

Water, climate change and agrarian stress

Migration, water and climate stress are inextricably linked to rural development. Water stress and climate variability can act as a driver of fragility, intensifying pre-existing political, social, economic and environmental challenges. Initiatives designed to address migration-related challenges must tackle inequalities and the exclusion of women, youth and marginalized groups; governance opportunities to better manage water and natural resources and technology and innovations to help communities escape socio-ecological precarity and thrive despite climate challenges. IWMI intends to build climate resilience by implementing projects which tackle gender-power inequalities in the face of dynamic, economic-social-ecological challenges. Our work brings together affected communities, institutional stakeholders and social actors to manage water in response to climate variability and agrarian stress, striving to address complex physical and social variables.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion Climate adaptation and mitigation

Gender, intersectionality and social inclusion

It is critical to center gender and intersectional identities when unpacking migration phenomena. Gender as a social construct guides social norms and relations, including the decision-making processes and mechanisms leading to migration. We recognize that the intersections between race, age, class, sex, caste and region shape the migrant experience.

IWMI strives to offer transformative approaches and solutions for women, youth and marginalized groups, regarding them as equal partners in our work rather than passive end-users.  For example, within communities that experience male out migration, socio-political systems are restructured to make women, youth and other groups active agents in their own agri-food transformation. Migration patterns contribute to the feminization of agriculture, and women may experience a greater burden of responsibility coupled with an increased ability to access and control resources and policies to build sustainable livelihoods. Acknowledging social complexities helps researchers and communities understand migration trends and address structural power imbalances to build a more equitable world.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion

Innovation bundles

Farmer-led irrigation development is about much more than installing a pump in a field. It requires access to financing, labor, energy, and input and output markets, so that investments in irrigation translate into sustainable returns. IWMI uses a systemic approach to understand the farming system as well as the factors in the enabling environment that prevent women, men and youth from engaging in and benefitting equitably from farmer-led irrigation. We partner with farmers and the public and private sectors to test contextually relevant innovation bundles that combine irrigation technology such as solar pumps with financing mechanisms like pay-as-you-own or pay-as-you-go, agricultural inputs and agronomic techniques. We also look at ways to improve on-farm water management and nutrient use efficiency and reduce evapotranspiration through digital advances and agricultural extension. We integrate the scaling of innovation bundles into agricultural value chains to enhance the impacts on farmers’ irrigation investments, incomes and livelihoods.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion Environmental health and biodiversity Climate adaptation and mitigation

Gender and social inclusion

The barriers facing women and men in accessing irrigation technologies are not the same. Neither are the benefits. Social, cultural and religious norms influence inter- and intra-household power relations. These, in turn, affect access to resources such as land, credit, information and training. IWMI carries out cross-dimensional analysis of gender and social inclusion in policy, financing, livelihood assets and access, institutional approaches and interventions as well as gender-based technology preferences. For example, we work with farmers, financial institutions and the private sector to address gender-based constraints in credit scoring and enhance women’s purchasing power. But benefitting from farmer-led irrigation does not stop at accessing and adopting technologies; enabling women and resource-poor farmers to participate in input and output markets is equally important to ensure that investments in irrigation result in improved nutrition and economic empowerment. Other ways we enhance gender and social inclusion include tackling agency issues around financial management and literacy, livelihood diversity and social capital as well as access to infrastructure, extension services and market linkages.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion

Environmental sustainability

Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including Water Accounting+solar irrigation mapping and internet of things. These are complemented by multi-criteria analysis to evaluate the potential of irrigation expansion, taking into consideration environmental flows. With our private sector partners, we are leveraging converging technologies, such as sensors on solar pumps that capture usage data, to encourage better resource management and governance.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Environmental health and biodiversity Climate adaptation and mitigation

Adaptive scaling and partnerships

The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities requires scaling processes to be adaptive. This means diverse actors feed off, adapt to, support, cooperate, compete and interact with each other, forming different multi-actor networks and engaging in collective action to undertake various functions in the scaling ecosystem. IWMI works with farmers and public and private sector partners to co-design and pilot contextually relevant innovation bundles and their scaling pathways or strategies, influence policies and accelerate the transition to scale of innovations with demonstrated early impact.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion Environmental health and biodiversity Climate adaptation and mitigation

Financing ecosystem

A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But credit alone is not enough. Financing for irrigation equipment must be embedded in a wider financing ecosystem that bundles credit with inputs and services, market information and access, and technology such as digital payment. In several countries, irrigation equipment suppliers are stepping in to provide financing directly to farmers. In doing so, they increase their own risk. To address this issue, IWMI works with farmers, private companies, finance institutions and development partners such as the World Bank Group to analyze whether credit-scoring tools are inclusive. We also help to identify gaps in the financing ecosystem and de-risk the private sector from testing innovative end-user financing mechanisms that take into account farming system typologies, financial and social capital and crop seasonality.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion

Human capacity development and knowledge exchange

Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the development of or reinforce national multi-stakeholder dialogues with the aim of sharing scaling experiences and realizing win-win collaboration, interactive learning and capacity development. Other modalities for capacity development include hackathons, innovation research grants for bachelor’s and master’s students, private sector scaling grants and innovation internships with private companies. These all serve to stimulate local and contextually relevant innovation, close the research-private sector divide and enhance job readiness among young professionals.

This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:

Nutrition, health and food security Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs Gender equality, youth and inclusion Environmental health and biodiversity Climate adaptation and mitigation

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