WEPA Outlook on Water Environmental Management in Asia 2012

To identify how water experts and governmentalofficials working in water sector see the issue of climatechange and the water environment, <strong>WEPA</strong> conducted aquestionnaire survey on perceptions of climate changeimpacts on the water environment in 2009. The survey wasdistributed to water experts who have participated in<strong>WEPA</strong> conferences over the past five years. Survey resultsshowed that most respondents were concerned withdisturbances within ecosystems, followed by the increase ofsedimentation. The respondents also chose intensificationof traditional water pollution issues, such as organicpollution, eutrophication and pollution by pathogens, asareas influenced by climate change. However, most haveconsidered that such changes in water quality could beattributed to increases in water use or other factors, and nota direct result of higher water temperature.3. Policy Responses: Adaptation policies/strategies of <strong>WEPA</strong> partner countriesPolicy responses to the potential impacts of climate changevary from country to country. To determine how eachpartner country has prepared or is preparing for potentialimpacts on the water environment in both climate changeadaptation policies and water resource/managementpolicies, the <strong>WEPA</strong> Secretariat conducted a survey to eachfocal point organization of <strong>WEPA</strong> to identify relevantpolicy documents in 2009. The <strong>WEPA</strong> Secretariat alsoreviewed policy documents available on the Internet thatare related to climate change adaptation and the waterenvironment. Table 2.2.1 is a summary of the survey andreview. Survey results are not exhaustive as informationthat could be obtained from partner countries as well asOrganicEutrophicationPathogensAcidificationSedimenationTurbiditySalinityHeavy metalChemicalEcosystemOthers0 545710 15 20 25 3010Figure 2.2.4. Results of 2009 questionnaire survey on areasimpacted by climate changethrough websites was limited.The result of survey and review shows that watershortage and natural ecosystems, including coastal andmarine ecosystems, are often addressed in national climatechange adaptation policies, strategies, and other relatedgovernment documents. However, water quality aspect isnot often mentioned in these policy documents. Thepotential impacts of climate change and adaptation actionsare also not included in policy documents related tomanagement of the water environment. At a <strong>WEPA</strong>international workshop, some participants pointed out alack of knowledge and scientific data to be a barrier in thedevelopment of policies for adaptation in the waterenvironmental management sector. Therefore exchange ofinformation and ideas among partner countries is necessary.111112132226Table 2.2.1. Climate change adaptation related responses/actions related to water at national levels in <strong>WEPA</strong> countriesCambodiaChinaIndonesiaMention of water environment sector in nationalclimate change adaptation strategies/plansNational Adaptation Programme of Action to ClimateChange (NAPA) (2006) identifies high priority adaptationactivities. Many of the identified priority activities are related towater resource/environment, and provision of safe water in highrisk malaria regions.China’s Policies and Actions for Addressing ClimateChange (2008) includes water resources as a priority sectorfor adaptation. Natural ecosystem conservation and coastalenvironments are also priorities. Wastewater reuse andconservation of coastal ecosystems are mentioned in thedocument.National Action Plan Addressing Climate Change (2007)supports the Indonesian Water Vision, namely “actualization ofstable water utilization in an efficient, effective, and sustainablemanner for the prosperity of all people.” However, no specificreference to water quality is made.Inclusion of climate change concerns in strategies/plansconcerning national water resources or water environmentMaster Plan of Integrated Water Resources does not includeclimate change adaptation aspects.National Water Vision does not mention specific concernsregarding climate change impacts and adaptation actions for thewater environment.The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan coveredactions for biodiversity and ecosystems in the country overall, butdoes not mention specific concerns regarding climate change.46