Technologies for Adaptation in the Water Sector

• This policy brief offers recommendations for policy formulation by policy makers within national and local level governments.
• The brief addresses the application of adaptation technologies in the context of water scarcity, highlighting lessons learned, identifying examples of technologies, along with their suitability, enablers and barriers, and outlining the role of stakeholders.
• There is a high demand for adaptation technologies within the water sector, and experience to date shows their potential in contributing to sustainable adaptation and achieving co-benefits with mitigation.
• In order to avoid unsustainable adaptation and maladaptation of a technology, experience has highlighted the need for caution in applying technologies for adaptation in the water sector, making apparent the need to consider the users of the technology and the specific geological and political context in which the technology is applied.
• Collaboration between stakeholders in planning, implementing, managing and formulating related policy will strengthen the success of water technologies.
• Effective policy development in this area can contribute to an efficient and meaningful approach to applying water technologies, improve sanitation and sustainable growth and development and ultimately promote better health and human survival.