Adapting to Climate Change

An Assessment of Vulnerability and Risks to Human Security in the Western Mediterranean Basin

Publication: Book
Citation: Abdul Malak, D.; McGlade, K.; Pascual, D.; Pla, E. (2017): Adapting to Climate Change. An Assessment of Vulnerability and Risks to Human Security in the Western Mediterranean Basin. Springer Briefs in Environmental Science.

The Mediterranean Basin is extremely vulnerable to climate change. It is already experiencing the effects of higher-than-average temperatures and the increasing incidence of extreme events such as unprecedented heat waves, severe droughts, and major floods. A new book co-written by Ecologic Fellow Katriona McGlade examines the water-related impacts of climate and global change in the UNESCO Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean (IBRM) that straddles Spain and Morocco.

This is the first in-depth publication on a fascinating transboundary case study that includes a novel and integrated vulnerability assessment. The authors demonstrate that when climate change is coupled with other compounding factors (e.g. paucity of structural water resources, unsustainable socio-economic growth, or inadequate policy frameworks) it can lead to serious consequences for human security.

Climate change is predicted to affect the Spanish and the Moroccan sides of the UNESCO Reserve in similar ways. However, levels of vulnerability to climate change and potential consequences for human security vary considerably between the two countries. Differing socio-economic contexts and patterns of land-use in Spain and Morocco, as well as the capacity of their respective policy frameworks have an impact on their ability to mitigate environmental threats.

The authors consider the case of the IBRM by applying a new and integrated approach to assessing vulnerability that incorporates three distinct assessments (hydro-ecological, socio-economic and policy). Key research insights are accompanied by recommendations for reducing vulnerability and ensuring human security within the IBRM and the region as a whole.

The book [pdf, 1.9 MB, English] is available for purchase online.

Climate change predictions for Spain and Morocco are broadly similar but the implications for human security vary considerably due to differing socio-economic context, land-use patterns and policy frameworks.

Climate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Security

Regional Assessment and Policy Guidelines for the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel

Year 2013

Publication:Report

The Mediterranean, Middle East, and Sahel regions form a climate change "hot spot" that is expected to experience large climatic changes, with negative consequences for human security in the region. A new report by Ecologic Institute provides insights and recommendations on the policies and institutions needed to address water-related risks to human security and also prevent or reduce potential conflicts over water that may be caused or exacerbated by climate change. Effective climate change adaptation approaches are identified, and recommendations are given for policy makers at the EU and national level as well as for donors and actors at the international level. The report is now available for download.

Policy Frameworks to Address Climate-Induced Risks to Human Security and Conflict – Recommendations

Year 2013

Publication:Policy Brief

The final policy brief of the European Union research project "Climate Change, Hydro-conflicts and Human Security" (CLICO) presents the results of three years of research in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Sahel (MMES). It also gives policy recommendations. The policy brief is available for download.

Climate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Security in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel

Findings and recommendations from the CLICO FP7 SSH research project (www.clico.org)

Year 2012

Publication:Case Study

The wide scope of the United Nations system permits coverage of a wide range of issues, but encounters challenges with institutional coordination, conflicting state interests and limited control over national or sub-national developments. Cross-sectoral work on climate, water, human security and conflict is limited, but improving. Overall, initiatives focusing on information collection and sharing, capacity-building and promoting cooperation are considered to have the highest potential for addressing climate and water-related human insecurity and conflict. The case study is available for download.

Effectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks Relating to Human Security and Conflict (UN)

Case Study on the United Nations

Year 2012

Publication:Case Study

This case study reviews the effectiveness of EU-level policies and measures for addressing the impacts of climate change on water, conflict and human security. It draws attention to gaps in the current policy framework and outlines actors' expectations and demands for a future framework. The case study is available for download.

Effectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks Relating to Human Security and Conflict (EU)

Case Study on the EU

Year 2012

Publication:Case Study

This case study provides an overview of the current policy framework in Morocco for addressing the impacts of climate change on water, conflict and human security. It presents insights into the effectiveness of Moroccan policies and examines actors' expectations and demands for a future policy framework. The case study is available for download.

Effectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks Relating to Human Security and Conflict (Morocco)

Case Study on Morocco

Year 2012

Publication:Case Study

This case study analyses policy-frameworks in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory (oPT) which are relevant for addressing water-related impacts of climate change that could have negative impact on human security and conflict. The effectiveness of these policy frameworks is analyzed, based mainly on interviews with Israeli and Palestinian experts. The case study is available for download.

Effectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks

Relating to Human Security and Conflict (Israel/Palestine)

Year 2012

Publication:Case Study

This case study for Ethiopia is a contribution to the study "Current policy frameworks for addressing climate-induced risks to human security and conflict – an assessment of their effectiveness and future perspectives".

Effectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks

Relating to Human Security and Conflict (Ethiopia)

Year 2012

Publication:Case Study

This is the short version of a longer analysis of the effectiveness of policy frameworks for addressing hydro-climatic hazards and their impacts on human security and conflict, which is based mainly on interviews conducted with policy-makers and experts in Ethiopia, Morocco, Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT), as well as representatives of the EU and the UN. This short version is available for download.

The Effectiveness of Policy Frameworks for Addressing Climate-induced Risks to Human Security and Conflict (short version)

Report on Stakeholder Perspectives and Demands (short version)

Year 2012

Language: English
Authorship: Katriona McGlade

Dania Abdul Malak

Diana Pascual

Eduard Pla
Published by: Springer-Verlag, Germany
Year: 2017
Dimension: 120 pp.
ISBN: 978-3-319-51678-3 (Print), 978-3-319-51680-6 (Online)
ISSN: 2191-5547
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51680-6
Project: Climate Change, Hydro-conflicts and Human Security (CLICO)
Project ID: 2703
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Introduction
1.1 Existing Impacts of Global and Climate Change on the Mediterranean Region
1.2 Future Impacts of Global and Climate Change in the Mediterranean Region
1.3 Adaptive Capacity, Vulnerability and Human Security
2 The Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean
2.1 Background
2.2 Impacts of Climate Change on the Physical Environment
2.3 Impacts of Climate Change on Socio-economic Sectors
3 Impact Assessment
3.1 Approach and Methodology
3.2 Climate Change Scenarios
3.3 Hydro-Ecological Assessment
3.4 Socio-economic Assessment
3.4.1 Spanish Focus Group Outputs
3.4.2 Moroccan Focus Group Outputs
3.5 Quantification of Impacts
3.5.1 Impacts of Climate Change on the Physical Environment
3.5.2 Impacts of Climate Change on the Socio-economic Sectors
3.6 Conclusions
4 Policy Assessment
4.1 Approach and Methodology
4.2 Policy Frameworks
4.3 Spanish Policy Framework
4.3.1 Adaptation to Climate Change
4.3.2 Water Resources
4.3.3 Agriculture and Rural Populations
4.3.4 Tourism
4.3.5 Natural Systems
4.4 Moroccan Policy Framework
4.4.1 Adaptation to Climate Change
4.4.2 Water Resources
4.4.3 Floods and Drought
4.4.4 Agriculture and Rural Populations
4.4.5 Tourism
4.4.6 Natural Systems
4.4.7 Human Development
4.5 Policy Frameworks in the IBRM
4.6 Stakeholder Insights
4.6.1 Spanish Side of the IBRM
4.6.2 Moroccan Side of the IBRM
4.6.3 The IBRM
4.7 Conclusions
5 Vulnerability Assessment
5.1 Review of Vulnerability Assessment Approaches and Methods
5.2 Integrated Assessment of Future Ecological and Social Vulnerabilities of the IBRM
5.2.1 Approach and Methodology
5.2.2 Vulnerabilities in the Physical Environment
5.2.3 Vulnerabilities in Socio-economic Sectors
5.2.4 Summary of Vulnerabilities in the IBRM
5.3 Conclusions
6 Conclusions and Recommendations
6.1 Conclusions
6.2 Recommendations
Keywords: Adaptation

Climate

International Development

Water

Climate change, Climate adaptation, Adaptive capacity, Migration, Human security, Food security, Water security, Floods, Water scarcity, Drought, Tourism, Agriculture

Mediterranean basin, Spain, Morocco

Hydro-ecological model, Scenarios, Impact assessment, Vulnerability assessment, Policy assessment

Further Links

PublicationBookEnvironmental Change and Human Security in Africa and the Middle East

For many populations that are already socially marginalized, resource dependent, and with limited capital assets, human security will be progressively undermined by environmental change. A new book, co-edited by Katriona McGlade, Fellow and Coordinator of International... Read more

Behnassi, Mohamed and Katriona McGlade (eds.) 2017: Environmental Change and Human Security in Africa and the Middle East. Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

PublicationReportClimate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Security

Kloos, J., Gebert, N., Rosenfeld, T., and F. Renaud (2013). Climate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Security: Regional Assessment and Policy Guidelines for the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel. Report No. 10. Bonn: United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS).

PublicationReportPolicy Frameworks to Address Climate-Induced Risks to Human Security and Conflict – Recommendations

Gerstetter, Christiane et al. 2013: Policy Frameworks to Address Climate-induced Risks to Human Security and Conflict - Recommendations. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationPolicy BriefClimate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Security in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel

Vierter CLICO Policy Brief

Christiane Gerstetter, Katriona McGlade 2012: Climate change, water conflicts and human security in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel - Findings and recommendations from the CLICO FP7 SSH research project (www.clico.org). Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

PresentationSpeechIs Human Security Relevant for Climate Adaptation?

Teilnehmer der Konferenz in Marrakesch

There is ample evidence that climate change may threaten human security. An obvious conclusion would be to use human security as a way of framing climate adaptation policy-making. However, as a new paper shows, this is seldom done. A paper, presented by Katriona McGlade... Read more

Speech:Is Human Security Relevant for Climate Adaptation?

Date: 22 November 2012
Location: Marrakesh, Morocco

PublicationCase StudyEffectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks Relating to Human Security and Conflict (UN)

McGlade, Katriona and Elizabeth Tedsen 2012: Effectiveness of current policy frameworks in mitigating climate-induced risks relating to human security and conflict - case study on the United Nations. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationCase StudyEffectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks Relating to Human Security and Conflict (EU)

PublicationCase StudyEffectiveness of Current Policy Frameworks in Mitigating Climate-induced Risks Relating to Human Security and Conflict (Morocco)

McGlade, Katriona and Isabelle Turcotte 2012: Effectiveness of current policy frameworks in mitigating climate-induced risks relating to human security and conflict - case study on Morocco. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationCase StudyThe Effectiveness of Policy Frameworks for Addressing Climate-induced Risks to Human Security and Conflict (short version)

Gerstetter, Christiane et al. 2012: The effectiveness of policy frameworks for addressing climate-induced risks to human security and conflict – Report on stakeholder perspectives and demands (short version). Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportThe Effectiveness of Policy Frameworks for Addressing Climate-induced Risks to Human Security and Conflict

Climate change will have clear physical consequences for our natural environment. The Mediterranean, Middle East, and Sahel (MMES) form a region under particular threat from, among other things, changes to rainfall patterns. Climate change may also have wider socio... Read more

Gerstetter, Christiane et al. 2012: The effectiveness of policy frameworks for addressing climate-induced risks to human security and conflict - Report on stakeholder perspectives and demands. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.