At the beginning of November, we bring you a series of interviews started in mid-October, taken at the Climate Change Summit in Bucharest. We spoke with Dr. Håkan Tropp, Swedish expert on water governance and sustainable development, Chief Operating Officer at Stockholm International Water Institute. Among the points raised in the discussions were current problems and possible solutions for managing water resources in the face of the challenges posed by climate change.

„Either too much water or too little”

In the context of the terrible floods in Spain, as well as those that devastated Romania and Central Europe in the past few months, such discussions with experts in the field are increasingly important and relevant.

In the talk, Håkan Tropp gave a detailed insight into the effects of the growing global demand for water, both for recreation and industry.

He also pointed out the dual way in which climate change is affecting the planet, also severely altering water governance systems, showing that the problems are both too much water and too little in some areas.

The world-renowned expert emphasized the need for cross-sectoral and trans-boundary collaboration now more than ever and the danger that bureaucracy has in rapid and effective responses to protect one of the most important resources mankind has, water.

Rising water demand and climate change: a challenging duo

Global warming and climate variability have direct impacts on water supply. Tropp explains that „precipitation is changing, variability is changing”, which significantly affects access to water in some regions, where either „more water is coming” or quantities are decreasing, says the Stockholm International Water Institute specialist.

These climate changes have implications not only for the supply of drinking water, but also for key economic activities such as agriculture and the energy industry, explaining that „as we develop as societies, economically and socially, it means we need more water for recreation, but also to produce food.”

„Well, I think there are several. If we start with, if we look at the actual water supply, I think in terms of climate, it means that the water supply is changing. So, the fact that precipitation is changing, variability is changing, it also means that in some places more water is coming, in some places less water is coming.

It also means that maybe for farmers, the rain comes at the wrong time. So it’s also about the timing of the water. Of course, if you look at the increasing demands for water, the fact that we are developing as a society, economically and socially, means that we need more water for recreation, for example, but also to produce food. I think these two things, changing water supplies and changing demands, put pressures on water in different ways,” the world-renowned expert told greennews.ro.

Water governance issues – more than scarcity

Another crucial issue addressed by Håkan Tropp relates to the governance of water resources. Although water may be available, Tropp believes that „the water crisis is a crisis of governance”, a problem of „organizing society around this common resource.”

„When it comes to governance, I would say that in many cases the water is there, you have the water, but it’s more a lack of organization of the system in a way that you can use that water in an efficient way. Sometimes we say that the water crisis is a governance crisis; it’s very much about how you organize a society around this common resource,” Håkan Tropp adds.

This is where there is a need for effective governance structures, but also for collaboration between different sectors and authorities – from local to national – to manage water resources in a sustainable way.

„Well, I think it needs more than just governments. It’s about collaboration between different levels of government, from local municipalities to central levels. There needs to be coordination and collaboration. Then you also have to work across sectors – with industry, for example – or within government, across ministries. Usually you’ll find water issues in several different ministries in one country, so bureaucracy is an issue. It’s difficult to have a coherent decision on water when the bureaucracy is very fragmented, and this affects the efficiency of water use,” he continued.

Local and regional solutions for sustainable water management

At the local level, cities and municipalities can take measures that not only help conserve water but also contribute to flood protection, Tropp explains.

Maintaining wetlands around cities acts as „buffer zones”, helping to absorb floods. In addition, „green spaces contribute to groundwater recharge”, which is essential in regions that depend on these sources for drinking water.

„One type of response would be to maintain certain types of ecosystems. For example, if you maintain wetlands around the city, they act as buffers, absorbing some of the flooding. You should invest more in stormwater drainage and city infrastructure. Then, depending on the problem – either too much water or too little – add more parks to help groundwater infiltration. Water reuse systems can also support water supply for irrigation or agriculture without consuming drinking water,” the expert explained.

Tropp emphasizes that reusing water at the municipal level – for irrigation, for example – can reduce the need for treatment and consumption of drinking water, thus saving precious resources.

Success models in water governance and possibilities for replication

An innovative model of collaboration between citizens, the private sector and authorities, exemplified by Tropp, is being used in Germany, where homeowners work with insurance companies and local authorities to assess and reduce the risk of flooding through preventive measures. This system allows protective measures to be tailored to local conditions while directly involving citizens in the risk governance process.

„One example is Germany, where homeowners work with insurance companies and local authorities to assess the flood risk depending on the location of the house. This involves assessing the house and implementing measures to reduce the risk. It is an approach that involves collaboration between citizens, the private sector and government and can be replicated in other regions,” he added.

„This is a smart approach,” Tropp added, pointing out that it could also be applied in other regions to improve communities’ resilience to flooding.

The discussion with Hakan Tropp provided a comprehensive overview of the complex issues and possible solutions for sustainable water resources management, especially in the face of climate change that adds new challenges to the current ones. However, it appears that the solution is not a generally valid one and only international collaboration, coupled with the adaptation of water governance measures at the local level and the use of existing successful models, are the essential keys to an efficient and equitable use of the water resources we have.

„We need to take an integrated approach, create a broader framework and look at the big picture to make water management more efficient,” concluded Håkan Tropp.

See the Romanian version of this article here.