Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Integration of adaptation to climate change in the water sector

The cold wave in Tajikistan, winter 2007 - 2008

Roger Aertgeerts

Regional Adviser, Water and Sanitation

watsan@euro.who.int

2Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

3Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Over 1,000 climate-related events hit Europe in the last three decades

•Droughts, extreme temperatures, floods, wildfires and windstorms•Precipitation regime changes, affecting river flow and aquifer recharge•Flood events increase

– Nine events in 2005 affecting 1,260,000 km in 16 countries

•Drought events become more severe

Photo: Istockphoto

4Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Disturbance in precipitation

• Droughts – Food production, inter-sectoral competition and

outbreak of water-related diseases• Floods

– Contamination, damage to infrastructure, interruptions in in water services, displaced persons

• Stream flow modification – Impact on resources, energy, health

5Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Natural disasters TJK (1990 – 2006)

23,157

23,590

802,778

9,027

2,330

0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 700,000 800,000 900,000

Affected

Earthquake

Epidemics

Flood

Slides

Wind storm

6Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Cold wave 2008

7Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Impacts and actions

• Paralyzed primary health care

• Cessation of delivery of care to the population

• Water supply to wards affected by energy cuts

• Central heating system collapsed

• Medical instruments inoperative

• Hospital admissions increased 50% at inside temp 5°C and cancellation of non-urgent interventions

• Identification of key hospitals and redirecting rural patients

• Transfer of fuel, drugs, and other resources to key hospitals

• Redirection of hospital staff to family assistance at territorial level

• Establishment of daily reporting system

• Tightening of clinical and epidemiological surveillance and folloz-up

8Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

A new WHO tool for European decision-makers

presents the current and projected health effects related to climate change and

provides practical guidance on specific actions that countries and people can take now to protect their health.

Protecting health in Europe from climate change

9Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and

International Lakes

Aims• Protection of transboundary waters by

preventing, controlling and reducing transboundary impacts

• Ecologically sound and rational management of transboundary waters

• Reasonable and equitable use of transboundary waters Conflict prevention

• Conservation and restoration of ecosystems

• Protocol on Water and Health

Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Task Force on Water and Climate

• Prepare a Guidance on Water and Climate Adaptation

• Targeted to support cooperation and decision making in transboundary basins

• Aim: adoption by the Meeting of the Parties at its fifth session (Oct. 2009)

11Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Task Force on water supply and extreme events

– Guidance for the operation of Water Supply and Sanitation Services under Extreme Weather Conditions (in preparation)

– Exchange information on management of water and sanitation utilities under extreme drought/ flooding

– Codify good practice guidance documents in this area

12Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Conclusion

• Climate change will severely impact the most fundamental determinant of health – water quantity and quality.

• Water management systems need to adapt• Health systems require strengthening• WHO through the Protocol on Water and

Health is in the forefront of supporting adaptation efforts by its Member States.

13Wor

ksho

p on

ada

ptat

ion

to c

limat

e ch

ange

in th

e w

ater

sec

tor

(Am

ster

dam

, the

Net

herla

nds,

1 –

2 Ju

ly 2

008)

Thank you for your attention