Adapting to Climate Change in the Nile Basin

Nile Project Adaptation to Climate Change Induced Water Stress in the Nile River Basin, is a Swedish Government funded project which runs from 2009 to 2012 and is focused on the Nile River Basin. It entails engaging all Nile Basin Countries in the collection of relevant data, mapping of"hot spots" within the basin, defining adaptation options at national, sub-national and local levels and demonstrating adaptation at field/community level. The project is part of the Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA) Flagship Programme of UNEP.

The Nile River Basin and why it matters

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation is an emerging approach that helps people living in diverse ecosystems to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. EBA is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy. It uses sustainable management, conservation and restoration of ecosystems, taking into account anticipated climate change impact trends, to maintain and increase the resilience and to reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems and people to climate change impacts.

The Nile River Basin is shared by 10 river basin countries namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. This basin represents one of the most critical and perhaps most important shared water basins in Africa.

Although the basin accounts for only 10% of the continental landmass, the riperian countries host 40% of Africa's population. Due to its size and varying climate and topographies, the Nile Basin constitutes one of the most complex river basins.
Project Details

The project will be implemented with various key strategic partners with experience on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and climate change adaptation. In along side the respective governments, responsible for delivering on the project outputs include:
 
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is a partnership initiated and led by the riparian states of the Nile River through the Council of Ministers of Water Affairs of the Nile Basin states (Nile Council of Ministers, or Nile-Com).
The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is a worldwide network focused on IWRM. GWP has supported over 25 countries in Africa to develop IWRM plans, strategies and programmes.
 
DHI is an independent, international consulting and research organization providing a wide range of research, consulting and policy services as well as leading edge technologies related to water environment.
DHI is working in close collaboration with the UK Met Office/Hadley Centre which is an internationally recognised authority on climate change modelling and provides a range of research and consulting services within climate change and adaptation.
 
In recognition of the unfolding climate change scenario in Africa, UNEP, together with its collaborating partners, is committed to assisting countries in adapting to the impacts of climate change by building resilience of vulnerable sectors and ecosystems in the region and hence its focus at the Nile River Basin level.
 
This project builds on past work and incorporates adaptation issues as they relate to water stress within the Nile Basin. Detailed studies and assessments will be undertaken that will link climate change adaptation science and policy to provide adequate information and direction on water resources management within a changing climate and ultimately inform the demonstration activities at site/community level.

For more information, please contact:
Musonda Mumba, Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) Flagship Programme Coordinator (UNEP)
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Felice van der Plaat, Junior Professional Officer Climate Change Adaptation Unit (UNEP)
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