Abstract:
Even in the absence of climate change, freshwater ecosystems and the resources they provide
for people are under great pressure because of increasing demand for water and declines in water quality.
The imminent onset of climate change will exacerbate these impacts, placing even greater pressure on
already stressed resources and regions. A plethora of national climate change policies have been adopted
that emphasize structural adjustment in the energy sector and increasing carbon sinks. To date, most public
debate on water has focused on the direct impacts of climate change on hydrology. However, there is
growing evidence that climate change policies themselves may have substantial additional and negative
impacts on freshwater resources and ecosystems and may thus result in maladaptation. To avoid such
maladaptation, integrated, coordinated policy making is required. In this paper, national climate change
policies from Australia, Brazil, China, the European Union (EU), India, Mexico, South Africa, Tanzania,
and the United Kingdom are compared to: (i) identify where negative trade-offs exist between climate
change policies and freshwater resources, (ii) analyze where institutions and structures exist to optimize
integration among climate, water, and biodiversity policies, and (iii) provide a much needed overview from
a broad selection of countries with a view to identifying further opportunities for theoretical exploration
and testing. The synergies and conflicts among climate, energy, water, and environmental policies create
additional challenges for governments to develop integrated policies to deliver multiple benefits. Success
factors for better policy development identified in this assessment and synthesis include engagement of
senior political leaders, cyclical policy development, multi-agency and stakeholder processes, and stronger
accountability and enforcement measures.
