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GRAIN — Squeezing Africa dry: behind every land grab is a water grab

December, 2011
Ethiopia
Mali
Cameroon
Sub-Saharan Africa

Food cannot be grown without water. In Africa, one in three people endure water scarcity and climate change will make things worse. Building on Africa’s highly sophisticated indigenous water management systems could help resolve this growing crisis, but these very systems are being destroyed by large-scale land grabs amidst claims that Africa's water is abundant, under-utilised and ready to be harnessed for export-oriented agriculture.

Urban wastewater and agricultural reuse challenges in India

December, 2012
India

Urban wastewater management has become a major challenge in India as infrastructural development and regulations have not kept pace with population growth and urbanisation. This study argues that against the backdrop of water scarcity and climate change, it is important to examine issues related to wastewater reuse more holistically and to investigate the challenges and opportunities for its safe and efficient reuse.

Policy-making in the face of climate change, water conflicts and human security

December, 2010

The second policy brief from the EU funded Climate Change, Hydro?conflicts and Human Security (CLICO) project presents insights on emerging policies at the interface of climate change, water and human security at national and international level. Ten case studies were conducted in variouscountries in the he Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Saheland at UN and EU level. These investigate whether the link between climate change and human security/conflict is being addressed through targeted policies. The studies show that so far there are few specific policies addressing this interface.

The Chinese Environmental Policy Research Working Paper vol. 1. no. 1

December, 2013
China

Notwithstanding China highlighted ecological compensation systems and policies, it hasn't issued a specialised and guiding ecological compensation law since commencement of pilot work of watershed eco-compensation policies in 2007.

This is a feature report on legislation for watershed eco-compensation and designed for analysing problems existing in the practice of watershed eco- ompensation, aiming to provide suggestions for the legislation for watershed eco-compensation under Regulations on Ecological Compensation.

Contents of this paper:

Climate change: impact, adaptation and vulnerability in water supply of Kathmandu Valley

December, 2011
Nepal
Southern Asia

Climate change can affect water supply in Nepal by its impact on precipitation, glacier melting and increase in temperature. This study identifies the vulnerability of the water supply system in Kathmandu Valley to the impact of the worst case scenario of climate change and suggests adaptation strategies to deal with the situation. It finds that existing strategies are insufficient and more than five million people would be deprived of the minimum needed water by 2050 under the driest scenario.

Biodiversity and Development of the Hydropower Sector: Lessons from the Vietnamese Experience

December, 2009
Vietnam
Oceania
Eastern Asia
Southern Asia

Climate change prompts policymakers to pursue a low carbon energy pathway in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, this can lead to trade-offs with other sustainability objectives. This policy brief outlines key issues relating to biodiversity and the development of the hydropower sector in Vietnam. It is aimed at informing policymakers, civil society and donors. It argues that the large-scale development of the country’s hydropower sector is being undertaken without due consideration of the impacts that this is having on the nation’s biodiversity.

Adapting to climate change in water resources and water services in Caribbean and Pacific small island countries

December, 2008
Eastern Asia
Oceania
Latin America and the Caribbean

This perspective document: 1 Provides examples of ‘no regrets’ approaches, applied in small island countries to cope with current climate variability and adapt to future climate change, at different levels ranging from communities, local administrations and national governments. 2 Demonstrates the need for a sound knowledge base and information system, as well as a better understanding of the relation between water resources, water and health, and climatic extremes.

Media perceptions and portrayals of pastoralists in Kenya, India and China

January, 2013
India
Kenya
China

Through the analysis of newspaper articles and a survey of journalists, this publication identifies gaps and highlights differences in how the media portray pastoralism in Kenya, China and India. In discussing their methodology, the authors note that their reliance on national, English-language publications meant that they were not able to include data from vernacular language press in pastoral regions.Although able to make significant contributions to food security, livelihoods and economic prosperity, the benefits of pastoralism often go unnoticed.

Applying the concept of human security to research on the consequences of mining-induced displacement and resettlement

December, 2011

The development of international mining projects is one of the most visible consequences of globalisation. But developments in the mining industry are the cause of about 10.3 percent of all displacements in the world. This means that more than a million people per year may be resettled as a result of resource extraction in various parts of the globe. Countries displaying the greatest growth rate of this phenomenon include India, China, Ghana, and many other African counties.

Water security & the global water agenda: a UN-Water analytical brief

December, 2012

This analytical brief serves as a starting point for dialogue on water security in the United Nations system. Through this brief, UN-Water aims to capture the constantly evolving dimensions of water-related issues, offering a holistic outlook on challenges under the umbrella of water security. It highlights the main challenges to be addressed, the role water security plays in policy agendas and possible options for addressing water security challenges. The paper stresses that water security needs to be included in the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Where the rain falls: climate change, food and livelihood security, and migration

December, 2011
Bangladesh
Vietnam
Guatemala
Peru
Tanzania
Ghana
India
Thailand
Sub-Saharan Africa
Southern Asia
Latin America and the Caribbean
Eastern Asia
Oceania

This comparative study highlights that rainfall variability and food insecurity are key drivers for human mobility. The empirical research is based on eight country case studies, including a 1,300 household survey and participatory research sessions involving 2,000 individuals. The results reveal that migration is an important risk management strategy for vulnerable households. Land scarce households trying to cope with food insecurity send migrants during the hunger season to find food or money to buy food.

Building urban resilience: principles, tools and practice

December, 2011
Eastern Asia
Oceania

This handbook summarises the guiding principles, tools and practice in key economic sectors that can facilitate the implementation of resilience concepts into decisions related to infrastructure investments and general urban management as a means of reducing disaster and climate risks. It is divided into three sections designed to help urban planners and practitioners build elements of resilience into their urban governance and city planning. Chapter 1 presents key guiding principles for resilient cities in the context of today’s urban development.