Cooperation on adaptation in transboundary basins – Launch of the UNECE Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change

Climate change will result in significant impacts on our water resources with cascading effects on human health and many parts of the economy and society. In addition, many of the water resources worldwide are transboundary, but both water and climate change do not respect borders, adding an international dimension to climate change adaptation.

To avoid competition over dwindling water resources and the risk of countries taking unilateral measures with possible negative effects on riparian countries, transboundary cooperation is necessary. In addition cooperation helps to find better and more cost-effective solutions. The event will launch the Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change, developed under the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention).

It aims to spur climate change adaptation which takes into account the transboundary dimension of water and to guide on the steps of developing and implementing adaptation strategies in transboundary basins.