In a concerted effort to strengthen water infrastructure against the backdrop of escalating extreme weather events, an extensive workshop and panel discussion was held in Islamabad to discuss the critical challenges posed by climate change on water resources, both globally and in Pakistan.
The discussion titled ‘Climate Change – Implications for the Water Sector’ was organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on August 28.
The talk brought together a congregation of climate experts, practitioners, students and stakeholders.
Debates centered around the challenges inflicted by climate change upon national water resources, with a specific emphasis on Pakistan. During the workshop, participants delved into multifaceted dimensions of the climate change-water interplay, ranging from the repercussions of climate change on worldwide and local water resources to the economic consequences, water governance under climate change, evolving water availability and quality patterns, and water scarcity in regions grappling with water stress, such as Pakistan.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Azeem Ali Shah, Chief of the Party for the Water Management for Enhanced Productivity initiative (WMfEP) at IWMI Pakistan, talked about the achievements and hurdles entwined with water governance and productivity initiatives in the region.
Speaking at the event, Muhammad Nawaz, Development Specialist from USAID Pakistan, underlined the tangible reality of climate change and its active manifestation. Nawaz pointed to the abrupt shifts in climate conditions observed in 2022, which witnessed drastic temperature fluctuations culminating in a rainfall surge 87% above the country’s average. He urged that policy decisions need to be grounded in science and facts to avert unnecessary risks.
Later in the day, the participants discussed the immediate need to bolster water security and ensure equitable access to water resources in the face of the ever-evolving climate dynamics.
Dr. Novaira Junaid, a researcher at IWMI Pakistan, directed attention towards the economic impacts of climate change specifically in Pakistan. Despite the nation’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, Dr. Junaid underscored the vulnerability of Pakistan to the domino effects of climate change. She spotlighted institutional and systemic challenges spanning urban planning, water resource management, governance complexities, inequalities, and capacity constraints in the realm of risk mitigation.
The workshop highlighted the compounding challenges that Pakistan faces, ranging from natural disasters to external pressures such as surging inflation rates, and energy shortages. Experts rallied behind the call for resilience and proactive citizen participation to counteract the detrimental outcomes triggered by climate-induced disasters and poverty.
Dr. Azeem Ali Shah, reiterating the imperative nature of water in development, cited the latest UN World Water Development Report 2023 which revealed the startling statistic that 26% of the global population lacks access to safely managed drinking water, and 46% lack access to safely managed sanitation. The report’s findings highlighted the precariousness of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which pertains to clean water and sanitation, as it resonates with the targets of the remaining 16 SDGs.
Offering a glimpse into the future, Global Climate Models projected a 16-24% rise in heavy precipitation intensity worldwide by 2100, translating to heavier rainfall. Pakistan has already experienced this last year. The unprecedented rains in 2022 was 87% heavier than the average downpour in Pakistan.
With exceptional population growth along with global warming, the nation’s water resources face mounting pressure. Pakistan’s mean temperature surge since the 1950s has outpaced the global average. Dr. Shah asserted the necessity for informed decisions based on improved hydro-climatic modeling studies.
Delving into infrastructure resilience, panelists discussed the adaptability of structures like dams, reservoirs, and water treatment plants. These crucial facilities have been increasingly impacted by climate change-induced shifts in precipitation patterns and extreme weather occurrences. The workshop also probed the ramifications of altered water temperatures and flow patterns on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, delving into the broader ecological implications.
Discussions spanned an array of themes including urbanization’s interplay with water management, cross-sector collaboration, policy formulations, technological advancements, community involvement, and the roadmap to address climate change-related water sector challenges.