Adaptation to climate change
To cope with the effects of climate change, adaptation is needed, particularly along coasts. Projections indicate that by 2040, more than 800 million people will live in areas that will be at risk of coastal flooding and coastal erosion. Climate change will also make extreme weather events, such as heat waves, river floods, droughts, and extreme sea levels more frequent and even more intense.
Despite projections that flood and erosion damage will increase due to climate change, the population in vulnerable areas – often bustling cities with economic prospects - is increasing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Countries and communities need to develop and implement adaptation solutions that help such areas cope with the effects of current and future climate change.
Adaptation solutions take many shapes and forms, depending on the unique context of a community, business, organization, country or region. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all-solution’- adaptation can range from building flood defences, setting up early warning systems for cyclones and switching to drought-resistant crops, to redesigning communication systems, business operations and government policies. Many nations and communities are already taking steps to build resilient societies and economies, but considerably greater action and ambition will be needed to cost-effectively manage the risks, both now and in the future.
Fit-for-purpose adaptation pathways are one of the focus areas in the IHE Delft Water Hazards, Risks and Climate track of the new MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. Or follow the short course on flood and coastal erosion risk assessment.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the only real solution to climate change. At the same time, for many countries, adaptation is the best hope to alleviate the worst effects of global warming. Adaptation buys us some valuable time to put in place more long-lasting solutions
The Climate Action and Support Transparency Training (CASTT) Adaptation Academy, supported by IHE Delft and partners was established to assist countries with adapting to climate change. Academy participants strengthen their ability to help their countries fulfil climate commitments, for example by advancing their technical capacity for adaptation assessments and planning skills. They also learn how to report on policy frameworks and to coordinate across ministries and governance levels to act on climate change.
Featured
Coastal Futures: IHE Delft launches interactive tool showing how climate change could affect coastal areas
Podcast - the floods in Pakistan
More than a third of Pakistan is under water since mid-June. Is this a one-time hydrological event, or are we going to see more mega-floods in the future? To what extent are the floods an inevitable effect of climate change, and how much of the death and destruction was down to bad planning, preparedness, and water management? Listen to IHE Delft's experts Ilyas Masih and Micha Werner.
Climate Change Impacts
Coasts are some of the most beloved areas of the planet. More than 10% of the world's population live in coastal areas, and many more people depend on coasts for their livelihood or recreation. But coastal zones are under pressure: climate change will likely increase coastal hazards almost all over the world by as early as 2050.
Highlighted research
This study conducted along parts of Sri Lanka’s eastern coast determines how far from the coastline buildings and other infrastructure need to be located, considering the risk of the coastline moving due to sea level rise and storm-induced erosion. The study was funded by the Asian Development Bank.
Meet our experts on adaptation to climate change
IHE Delft’s international staff use their expertise to improve the global water situation. Some of them are listed here – find more in our staff directory.
Rosh Ranasinghe
Professor of Climate Change Impacts & Coastal Risk
Assela Pathirana
Associate Professor in Water Infrastructure Asset Management
Trang Duong
Senior Lecturer in Coastal Numerical Modelling
Ali Dastgheib
Associate Professor of Coastal Engineering and Port Development
Chris Zevenbergen
Professor of Flood Resilience of Urban Systems
Shreedhar Maskey
Associate Professor of Hydrology & Water Resources
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