WASSERMED

Water Availability and Security in Southern EuRope and the Mediterranean

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The WASSERMed project will analyse, in a multi-disciplinary way, ongoing and future climate induced changes in hydrological budgets and extremes in southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East under the frame of threats to national and human security. A climatic and hydrological component directly addresses the reduction of uncertainty and quantification of risk. This component will provide an interface to other climatologic projects and models, producing climate change scenarios for the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, with special emphasis on precipitation. Five case studies will be considered: 1) Syros Island (Greece), 2) Sardinia Island (Italy), 3) Merguellil watershed (Tunisia), 4) Jordan river basin, and 5) the Nile River system (Egypt). The case studies are illustrative and represent situations which deserve special attention, due to their relevance to national and human security. Furthermore, impacts on key strategic sectors, such as agriculture and tourism, will be considered, as well as macroeconomic implications of water availability in terms of regional income, consumption, investment, trade flows, industrial structure and competitiveness. WASSERMed is an interdisciplinary project, which overall aims at all three targets of the call, through the integration of climate change scenarios, holistic water system modelling and interdisciplinary impact assessment, with three main contributions: a) Integration of climate change scenarios, holistic water system modelling. This provides results for reduction of uncertainties of climate change impacts on hydrology in the identified regions; b) Interdisciplinary approach, coupling macroeconomic implications and technical indicators. This provides a better assessment of climate effects to water resources, water uses and expected security risks; c) Proposal of specific adaptation measures for key sectors of the Mediterranean economy. This provides better basis for achieving water security.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Climate change threat to water security

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East are recognised as being at risk of water shortage as a result of the impacts of climate change. These could include a rise in temperatures, a decrease in rainfall, and an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather.

Climate change will put an increased strain on the two main economic sectors in these regions: agriculture and tourism. This will result in wider environmental and societal impacts at both the national and local scales.

This problem was addressed by the 'Water availability and security in southern Europe and the Mediterranean' (WASSERMED) project. The initiative built on the knowledge amassed through the efforts of previous EU-funded projects.

The consortium used a series of case studies to investigate the societal effects caused by climate change and the allocation of scarce water supplies. The case studies were conducted with the involvement of local communities and stakeholders. They reflected a variety of conditions facing the Mediterranean, for both European and partner countries.

Project partners examined changes to average rainfall and frequency, including extreme rain events, runoff water and groundwater levels. Potential conflicts on water usage, such as between tourists and local residents, were also studied.

The aim of WASSERMED was to develop strategies, technological solutions and management practices for mitigating the negative impacts of climate change. Project results contributed to improvements in existing climate change and hydrology models. This leads to a better understanding of the impact of climate change on water resources, water usage and possible security risks.

WASSERMED therefore improved understanding of the effects of climate change and the adoption of better policies. These policies will help mitigate the potential threats to socioeconomic development and environmental sustainability in vulnerable areas around the Mediterranean.