Chapter 2
Africa-Wide Trends in Development
and Water Resources Through a Climate
Change Lens
Hannah Baleta, Stuart Orr, and Ashok K. Chapagain
Abstract African economies are growing, with current economic growth on the
continent driven by sectors that are highly dependent upon reliable water quantity and
quality. However, water availability across Africa varies climatologically, geographically and in relation to infrastructure development. The distinction between blue
and green water footprints is particularly relevant to understanding and managing
variability, resilience, institutional governance and infrastructure development in the
future. As the continent develops, demands for and impacts on water resources are
likely to increase rapidly. As Africa’s economy grows, people become more affluent,
cities expand and the climate changes. These drivers are likely to impact negatively
on the quality of water available across the continent, putting freshwater habitats that
are currently largely intact, and biodiversity in general, at increasing risk. These pressures are especially applicable to “water towers” on which water quantity and quality
in Africa is dependent. In addition to the water towers, each freshwater ecosystem
must support the diversity of biota that exists in Africa as well as the economy that
supports the people who live there. In order to grow and develop sustainably, Africa
needs resilient infrastructure and adaptable institutions. Depending on the “development trajectory”, the risks and opportunities associated with water and climate
change may vary among countries. Water-related investment choices made over the
next decade will have a substantial influence on the long-term development trajectory
of any African country. Better allocation of resources through considered systemscale decisions will lead to a greener future where infrastructure development is not
a trade-off against freshwater ecosystems. To reach the ideal balance, it is essential
to develop governance mechanisms and related institutions that support responsive
and coherent local resource-use planning, while making the most of opportunities
H. Baleta (B)
WWF Consultant, Stanford, South Africa
e-mail: Hannah.baleta@gmail.com
S. Orr
WWF Freshwater Practise Leader, Gland, Switzerland
e-mail: Sorr@wwfint.org
A. K. Chapagain
Agricultural Economics, University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
e-mail: a.chapagain@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
S. Diop et al. (eds.), Climate Change and Water Resources in Africa,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61225-2_2
13
Africa-Wide Trends in Development
and Water Resources Through a Climate
Change Lens
Hannah Baleta, Stuart Orr, and Ashok K. Chapagain
Abstract African economies are growing, with current economic growth on the
continent driven by sectors that are highly dependent upon reliable water quantity and
quality. However, water availability across Africa varies climatologically, geographically and in relation to infrastructure development. The distinction between blue
and green water footprints is particularly relevant to understanding and managing
variability, resilience, institutional governance and infrastructure development in the
future. As the continent develops, demands for and impacts on water resources are
likely to increase rapidly. As Africa’s economy grows, people become more affluent,
cities expand and the climate changes. These drivers are likely to impact negatively
on the quality of water available across the continent, putting freshwater habitats that
are currently largely intact, and biodiversity in general, at increasing risk. These pressures are especially applicable to “water towers” on which water quantity and quality
in Africa is dependent. In addition to the water towers, each freshwater ecosystem
must support the diversity of biota that exists in Africa as well as the economy that
supports the people who live there. In order to grow and develop sustainably, Africa
needs resilient infrastructure and adaptable institutions. Depending on the “development trajectory”, the risks and opportunities associated with water and climate
change may vary among countries. Water-related investment choices made over the
next decade will have a substantial influence on the long-term development trajectory
of any African country. Better allocation of resources through considered systemscale decisions will lead to a greener future where infrastructure development is not
a trade-off against freshwater ecosystems. To reach the ideal balance, it is essential
to develop governance mechanisms and related institutions that support responsive
and coherent local resource-use planning, while making the most of opportunities
H. Baleta (B)
WWF Consultant, Stanford, South Africa
e-mail: Hannah.baleta@gmail.com
S. Orr
WWF Freshwater Practise Leader, Gland, Switzerland
e-mail: Sorr@wwfint.org
A. K. Chapagain
Agricultural Economics, University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
e-mail: a.chapagain@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
S. Diop et al. (eds.), Climate Change and Water Resources in Africa,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61225-2_2
13