International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Climate variability and change

Climate change is now an inescapable reality. Human activity is leading to ever increasing levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and steadily compromising the natural resources needed to maintain the health of the planet. Without a secure natural environment, sustainable human development is impossible. The climate change crisis has the potential to reverse development gains already made and block achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) if it is not adequately addressed.

Climate change has been recognised as a significant driver (or root cause) of a number of transboundary problems in international waters– changes in biodiversity, loss of ecosystems, eutrophication, invasive species are all affected by climate change to a great or lesser extent both currently and into the future. Consequently, the effects of climate change (in terms of cause and impact) need to be well understood during the TDA/SAP process to ensure that future interventions in GEF international waters projects are both resilient and adaptive.