collaboration among the regional water authorities that are in the same river basin as
well as the participation of local stakeholders in water planning and management
decisions, whereas in the Vilaine case, the CAP influences water consumptions at
the farm level, although the CAP measures are fragmented from the other waterand agriculture-related measures.
10.5 Public and Political Awareness on Agricultural
Effects of Drought
Since drought is an emerging policy issue in most of the North-west European
countries, the awareness within the public and political spheres is of crucial
importance regarding both the effective implementation of existing measures as
well as the formulation of additional measures in the near future.
On the whole, in Flanders drought is not yet an issue compared to the perception of flooding impacts for the region. The awareness for water scarcity and
drought problems is very low for some stakeholders. Awareness of problems
among farmers is growing, but they still want to use groundwater resources today
and do not integrate the perception of future generations in their actions.
Instruments for awareness raising of different stakeholders are not clearly defined,
either. The problem is mainly framed as an agricultural issue, so that the focus of
the existing discussion on droughts is more on agriculture and economic development, e.g. compared to consequences on nature areas. The aim of the
VMM DROP pilot case was the development and use of indicators for the monitoring and reporting of the drought situation and the modelling of drought impacts
using this measurement network. The activities also focused on relevant indicators
for the agricultural sector. Furthermore, a coordination platform for drought was
initiated that brings together different governmental agencies and organizations
involved in water management and agriculture, such as the Flemish agricultural
department, regional and national water managers, the provinces and
municipalities.
Awareness on drought issues is low in Eifel-Rur. Concrete drought-related
measures are not taken up for agriculture. It seems a hard task to convince actors of
the benefits of working on drought preparedness, as drought events in the region
occur very far in between. But farmers start to notice the problem of negative water
balance during dry summers. Especially, because the farmers shift to specialized
crops requiring occasional irrigation which further influences the water demand.
Addressing droughts could be done—at least partially—within other, broader initiatives. For instance, the topic of water scarcity (structural) rather than drought
(short term and very far in between) could prove a better banner under which to
propose actions that increase system resilience. Climate change can play a role in
these debates, as it is predicted that climate change will increase resource use
conflicts.
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G. Özerol and J. Troeltzsch
well as the participation of local stakeholders in water planning and management
decisions, whereas in the Vilaine case, the CAP influences water consumptions at
the farm level, although the CAP measures are fragmented from the other waterand agriculture-related measures.
10.5 Public and Political Awareness on Agricultural
Effects of Drought
Since drought is an emerging policy issue in most of the North-west European
countries, the awareness within the public and political spheres is of crucial
importance regarding both the effective implementation of existing measures as
well as the formulation of additional measures in the near future.
On the whole, in Flanders drought is not yet an issue compared to the perception of flooding impacts for the region. The awareness for water scarcity and
drought problems is very low for some stakeholders. Awareness of problems
among farmers is growing, but they still want to use groundwater resources today
and do not integrate the perception of future generations in their actions.
Instruments for awareness raising of different stakeholders are not clearly defined,
either. The problem is mainly framed as an agricultural issue, so that the focus of
the existing discussion on droughts is more on agriculture and economic development, e.g. compared to consequences on nature areas. The aim of the
VMM DROP pilot case was the development and use of indicators for the monitoring and reporting of the drought situation and the modelling of drought impacts
using this measurement network. The activities also focused on relevant indicators
for the agricultural sector. Furthermore, a coordination platform for drought was
initiated that brings together different governmental agencies and organizations
involved in water management and agriculture, such as the Flemish agricultural
department, regional and national water managers, the provinces and
municipalities.
Awareness on drought issues is low in Eifel-Rur. Concrete drought-related
measures are not taken up for agriculture. It seems a hard task to convince actors of
the benefits of working on drought preparedness, as drought events in the region
occur very far in between. But farmers start to notice the problem of negative water
balance during dry summers. Especially, because the farmers shift to specialized
crops requiring occasional irrigation which further influences the water demand.
Addressing droughts could be done—at least partially—within other, broader initiatives. For instance, the topic of water scarcity (structural) rather than drought
(short term and very far in between) could prove a better banner under which to
propose actions that increase system resilience. Climate change can play a role in
these debates, as it is predicted that climate change will increase resource use
conflicts.
212
G. Özerol and J. Troeltzsch