Why are integrated approaches critical for water smart climate mitigation? 3 questions to Anna Tengberg and Thérèse Rudebeck

Integrated approaches adopt such holistic systems thinking and can therefore capitalize on the connected nature of climate and water.

Why should people watch the webinar?

The report “The essential drop to Net-Zero: Unpacking freshwater’s role in climate change mitigation” presents a scientifically robust case for water-wise climate mitigation. Chapter 9 specifically, covered in this webinar, provides a guide for how to achieve this in practice.

Listening to this webinar will give an overview of different integrated approaches that can be adopted, such as Integrated water resources management (IWRM), the landscape approach, and source-to-sea (S2S). It will give concrete examples of how these solutions work in practice and how they can be implemented.

We also discuss challenges with integrated approaches as well as trade-offs that need to be considered between different ecosystem services, flows and sectors.

What should people do afterwards? What is your call to action?

The call to action would be threefold:

1. Firstly, to recognize that systems-thinking is key to address the interconnections between water and climate change mitigation. Integrated approaches is the practical way forward here to capitalize on the synergies and reduce trade-offs.
2. Secondly, to acknowledge that different approaches will be suitable depending on the context. But all need to be participatory and build trust and negotiate solutions between different groups of stakeholders and sectors.
3. Finally, that governance systems need to be strengthened across sectors and levels to deliver water-smart climate mitigation through integrated approaches.

Practically, this means to think outside of the box: If you are a planner, practitioner or scientist, see how you can work in a more holistic way. Reach out to other sectors, disciplines and stakeholders that you do not normally collaborate with, but who are also part of the solution.