SIWI at WBCSD forum on water and energy

Update - July 1st: Workshop report now available

Water and climate Water governance Water and energy

The energy system is projected to face multiple effects from gradual changes in the temperature and availability of water, as well as from extreme events tied to water, such as hurricanes and droughts.’ – 4th IEA Forum on the Climate-Energy Security Nexus: Water and Energy workshop report

Approximately 60 participants from Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, representing governments, industry, businesses, scientific institutions, international organisations, and NGOs attended the workshop. The majority of participants reiterated SIWI’s belief and concerns surrounding waters intrinsic link to energy production and climate change impact. This is a significant shift forward in water dialogue as diverse actors are increasingly appreciating and espousing waters complex and intrinsic relationship to their sector interests and to their options for a sustainable future.

—–Update ends-—–

SIWIs Climate and Water Director, Dr Mats Eriksson took part in the water-energy panel discussion at the 4th Forum on the Climate-Energy Security Nexus: Water & Energy hosted in Geneva by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the International Energy Agency.

90% of climate disasters are water related, underpinning the increasing need for businesses to elevate understanding of why water is so important for them.

The session will explore impacts of climate change on the water-energy equation and emerging policy responses; and how to improve integration of climate and energy system modelling.

Dr Eriksson’s panel will discuss:

Which policy responses need to be developed to assist the energy sector with building its resilience to climate-induced water stresses?
What are the critical parameters in the regulation of the energy sector that need to be adjusted as climate changes?
Who pays and who benefits from investments in building resilience in the energy sector?
What institutional links and coordination need to be established to assist the energy sector in building resilience to climate-induced water stresses?