8
S. Diop et al.
water quality, collect data, identify good water management approaches, reinforce
traditional adaptation mechanisms and provide early warning systems to assist local
communities that experience frequent climatic hazards and adverse environmental
changes.
3.5 Work at Multiple Scales
There exists a range of water allocation systems across Africa, with many parallel
formal and informal systems working at different scales (Chaps. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16 and 17). All of these must be sufficiently flexible to enable water allocation adjustments to address climate variability while accounting for national development objectives, while also being sufficiently simple to be implemented effectively
and managed within capacity constraints.
In transboundary lakes, basins and aquifers, the first level of allocation is to
riparian states (Chaps. 6, 15 and 17). In basins facing water stress as a result of climate
change, it is particularly important that effective transboundary water allocation
systems are put in place, supported by accurate, shared data on the status of the
basin. While there are a number of agreements in place in transboundary basins
in Africa (Chaps. 3 and 19), there are also a large number of basins for which no
such agreements currently exist. Even where such agreements are in place, some
lack effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and many lack effective institutional
capacity at the national or transboundary level for effective implementation and
optimal sharing of water resources.
Local groundwater resources that have been generally neglected also require
urgent strengthening of institutional structures at continental and regional scales
(Chaps. 2, 3, 4 and 5). Solutions to climate change and related development challenges in many areas will come from both transboundary cooperation and from
greater exploitation of regional comparative advantages. This will enable development opportunities within the context of a region, rather than a country. Climate
change is a key driver to expand regional integration across the continent.
Further, regional integration should be seen in a broader context than just water.
There is an opportunity for the development of regional public goods, such as transport infrastructure, markets, regional power pools, trade arrangements and food security that can provide substantial value to building regional and local resilience to
climate change (FAO 2018).
A range of water allocation systems operates in Africa at the sub-basin or local
level, with parallel formal and customary systems in many countries (Chaps. 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19). It is important that these systems be
sufficiently flexible to enable adjustments in allocation to manage climate variability
and climate change in support of national development objectives. It is also critical
that stakeholders be fully involved in the water resource management process so that
S. Diop et al.
water quality, collect data, identify good water management approaches, reinforce
traditional adaptation mechanisms and provide early warning systems to assist local
communities that experience frequent climatic hazards and adverse environmental
changes.
3.5 Work at Multiple Scales
There exists a range of water allocation systems across Africa, with many parallel
formal and informal systems working at different scales (Chaps. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16 and 17). All of these must be sufficiently flexible to enable water allocation adjustments to address climate variability while accounting for national development objectives, while also being sufficiently simple to be implemented effectively
and managed within capacity constraints.
In transboundary lakes, basins and aquifers, the first level of allocation is to
riparian states (Chaps. 6, 15 and 17). In basins facing water stress as a result of climate
change, it is particularly important that effective transboundary water allocation
systems are put in place, supported by accurate, shared data on the status of the
basin. While there are a number of agreements in place in transboundary basins
in Africa (Chaps. 3 and 19), there are also a large number of basins for which no
such agreements currently exist. Even where such agreements are in place, some
lack effective dispute resolution mechanisms, and many lack effective institutional
capacity at the national or transboundary level for effective implementation and
optimal sharing of water resources.
Local groundwater resources that have been generally neglected also require
urgent strengthening of institutional structures at continental and regional scales
(Chaps. 2, 3, 4 and 5). Solutions to climate change and related development challenges in many areas will come from both transboundary cooperation and from
greater exploitation of regional comparative advantages. This will enable development opportunities within the context of a region, rather than a country. Climate
change is a key driver to expand regional integration across the continent.
Further, regional integration should be seen in a broader context than just water.
There is an opportunity for the development of regional public goods, such as transport infrastructure, markets, regional power pools, trade arrangements and food security that can provide substantial value to building regional and local resilience to
climate change (FAO 2018).
A range of water allocation systems operates in Africa at the sub-basin or local
level, with parallel formal and customary systems in many countries (Chaps. 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19). It is important that these systems be
sufficiently flexible to enable adjustments in allocation to manage climate variability
and climate change in support of national development objectives. It is also critical
that stakeholders be fully involved in the water resource management process so that