Traditional research on the links between water resources and conflicts and / or cooperation is often patchwork and rarely incorporates climate change considerations such as resource variability.

With a focus on the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel countries (MMES), the CLICO project will address these gaps. CLICO stands for "Climate Change, Hydro-conflicts and Human Security"; CLICO is funded by the 7^th EU Framework Programme. Regarding the policy aspects of climate change induced hydro-conflicts, CLICO will try to provide answers to key research questions, such as: What are adequate and effective policy instruments for preventing and addressing these types of conflicts? Should a policy response to this kind of issues be strategy-driven? Is it more effective to address the issue by integrating different policy areas, or is a flexible, somewhat fragmented approach similar to current responses the more adequate answer to challenges being faced?

This policy brief is the first in a series of briefs presenting results of the CLICO project. This first policy brief presents CLICO's research agenda regarding policy responses to climate change-induced hydro-conflicts; a second policy brief showcasing preliminary results of the project will be available at the end of 2010. The policy brief [pdf, 342 KB, English] is available for download.