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On the Barriers to Adaption to Less Water under Climate Change: Policy Choices in Mediterranean Countries

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Abstract

Barriers and constraints to adapting water resources management to climate change in the Mediterranean region are analysed in this paper. First, we analysed the risks to the water resources sector derived from climate change. We then identified the main objective of water adaptation measures: ensuring there is enough water for food, for people, and for ecosystems. This implies visions about availability - being sufficient water -, accessibility - both physical and economic access -, and adequacy - being safe for ecosystems and human consumption. A portfolio of local and collective actions to adapt water management for agriculture to climate change in Mediterranean countries is presented. Adaptation strategies included improved efficiency, optimisation of governance, enhancement of participation, development of risk-based choices, and economic instruments. Finally, the paper categorised the constraints to implement the measures, give specific examples about these issues and also quantify their impact. When considering constraints and opportunities to implement these water management practices, any environmental policy regulating their adoption should be based on recommending the use of extension and training to local actors on the application of the practices.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the financial support of the European Commission through iSQAPPER project and of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid through ADAPT project. An initial shorter version of the paper has been presented at the 10th World Congress of EWRA “Panta Rhei”, Athens, Greece, 5-9 July, 2017.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Economics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain

    Ana Iglesias

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Madrid, Spain

    David Santillán & Luis Garrote

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  1. Ana Iglesias
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  2. David Santillán
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  3. Luis Garrote
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Correspondence to Ana Iglesias.

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Iglesias, A., Santillán, D. & Garrote, L. On the Barriers to Adaption to Less Water under Climate Change: Policy Choices in Mediterranean Countries. Water Resour Manage 32, 4819–4832 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-018-2043-0

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