An innovative concept, spearheaded by GWP Botswana, has brought relief to schools.
China is faced with significant costs regarding floods and degradation of ecological conditions in the Yangtze River basin. As a response, the application of Ecosystem Function Conservation Areas approach has been initiated not only to increase water retention capacity and reduce sediment loads, but also to provide benefits in biodiversity, carbon sequestration and sustainable land management. The key lesson is that success is easier to achieve with positive natural and political conditions.
The Veluwe Randmeren lakes in the Netherlands were negatively affected by the discharge of phosphates and nitrates from agriculture and household use. Furthermore, increase in population pressure posed further challenges. To address these issues, a group consisting of national and local authorities undertook a project, which gradually increased the water quality. The case study demonstrates the importance of allowing integration among stakeholder groups.
Last year a group of youth from more than 20 countries started a global initiative where they produced a white paper in the lead up to COP21, which allowed for a Youth Commitment under the Lima-Paris Action Agenda. GWP and partners are now taking the next step in launching a new portal, where voices of young people will be gathered in one place. The portal is launched on World Water Day, 22 March.
'Youth for Water and Climate' portal:www.youthcop22.org
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) together with the University of Dundee will offer scholarships for 30 participants to undertake a module in International Water Law, in Dundee from June 10th - 21st, 2013.
The official launching of the project “Governance & Financing for the Mediterranean Water Sector” will take place in Barcelona, 28-29 May 2013, during a regional Conference organised by the Global Water Partnership-Mediterranean (GWP-Med) under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean.
There are growing concerns about the potential effects of climate change on the socio-economic characteristics and natural resources of the Lower Mekong Basin. In response to the potential impacts of climate change, the Mekong River Commission has launched the regional Climate Change and Adaptation Initiative. Furthermore, a Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment has been conducted. The most important lesson learnt is that it is essential to establish a regional organisation to combat climate change.