Water and Adaptation to Climate Change

Developing countries, as a group, are the ones most threatened by the hydrological impacts of global climate change (GCC). This is true both because many of the poorest countries lie in those regions where GCC-related effects will be most damaging, and because their ability to respond to harmful change is the most limited. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of likely waterrelated climate change impacts in developing countries, to develop a framework for adapting to these impacts and to outline a strategy for international cooperation for corresponding adaptive efforts. The study intends to provide a broad overview of the topic, describe its key dimensions, suggest promising interventions for further exploration, and serve as a basis for discussion. Its focus is on the impact that climate change will have on developing countries through its effects on surface and ground water hydrology. While agriculture is pivotal here, as it accounts for the lion’s share of water consumption in most of these countries, the scope of this review also includes other water-related dimensions, such as flooding, drinking water, and ecosystems.