Project Background
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The ICTWCC project has funded Thirty One research projects that examine in-depth how ICTs facilitate climate change adaptation and reduce vulnerability in the water sector. Among many vulnerabilities that are intensified by the effects of climate change, the availability and management of water resources |
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constitute one of the most critical areas of concern for nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. From the provision of basic services and sanitation, to irrigation and food production, ecosystems protection and hydropower generation, water resources are not only crucial for socio-economic development but
also a fundamental dimension of climate change adaptation.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) not only help advance weather forecasting and climate monitoring, but are also essential in disseminating information to large audiences, for example via portals and mobile phones. This can help address major adaptation challenges, such as food and water shortages through providing early warning systems and better monitoring of soil conditions and water quality. In addition, ICTs could be used to inform decisions and to coordinate efforts during climate change events, and to strengthen social networks, inclusiveness, and processes of learning and self-organization. This could lead to new strategies and innovative policy approaches in the climate change field, especially with respect to the management of water resources.
On-going efforts to help communities adapt to the adverse effects of a changing climate are increasingly recognizing the role of ICTs and their potential in helping communities employ innovative approaches to prepare for, respond and adapt to climate change. The use of mobile phones, the Internet, community radio and participatory video are increasingly part of climate change responses.
Indeed, ICTs have the potential to foster inclusiveness and participation in the design and implementation of adaptation processes; in providing opportunities for capacity building, access to relevant information & social networking; technology transfer to strengthen local livelihoods and enhance natural resource management.Furthermore, ICT applications could play an important role in urban planning (i.e. GIS applications), and in monitoring and providing relevant environmental information to support decision-making processes contributing to the adaptation of human habitats. Within the water sector, ICTs could contribute towards improvements in water resource management techniques (water use efficiency); strengthening the voice of the most vulnerable within water governance processes and towards greater accountability; monitoring the quantity and quality of water; providing access to locally relevant information and knowledge needed to reduce risk and vulnerability; as well as networking and knowledge sharing to disseminate good practices and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships among others.ICTs are therefore seen not just as tools, but are socio-economic enablers that have transformative potential and associated challenges within adaptation processes. In considering research projects that mainstream ICTs, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration including: The need to avoid an ICT-centric approach, rather focus on a needs-based approach to water security that is people-centric; Adopting a holistic and integrated approach in which scalability is taken into account; The need to build on the extensive experience already gained in the respective fields of ICTs, climate change and water; The need to ensure that knowledge is translated into practice – the linkages between research/knowledge creation (including indigenous knowledge) on the one hand, and action on the other hand, should be linked to policy development in support of more effective water resource management; and Ensuring that information and knowledge flows are bidirectional, with the development of mechanisms in which formal, rigorous, research-based data and information can be integrated with bottom-up, community-generated information. |
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