A Modified Combined Approach Framework of Climate Impact and Adaptation Assessment for Water Resource Systems Based on Experience Derived from Different Adaptation Studies in the Context of Climate Change

Abstract

Warming of climate system is undisputed as evident from observations of increasing average temperatures of air and ocean, large scale melting of ice and increasing global average sea levels. The effect of climate change directly impact s society through the chain of climate-hydrology-water-water resources systems-society. Adaptation and mitigation are the two ways of society to respond the changes in climate. Adaptations may be reactive, anticipatory, autonomous, planned, compliment and substitute type. The adaptations are carried out with the help of guidelines for climate impact and adaptation assessment. The guidelines are subjective or objective. Objective guidelines are step by step procedures to arrive at proper adaptation measures while subjective guidelines are step by step adaptation measures given on the basis of study of area, problem at hand and prerequisites for the adaptation. Many objective guidelines of climate impact and adaptation assessment are given. These objective guidelines can be classified into two approaches: hazard based approach and vulnerability based approach. Both approaches have their own pros and cons, so combined approach with more focus on vulnerability was suggested as the best. In this study based on the lessons learned from the adaptation case studies across the world, the combined approach framework is modified to get modified combined approach framework of guidelines for climate impact and adaptation assessment by adding the components related: 1) explicit mentioning of stakeholders 2) revision, modification and communication of adaptation actions.