Global Agriculture

Scotland supports a new vision for water at COP26

13 November 2021, Scotland: Global water security is under increasing threat through the impacts of climate change, generating increased societal, environmental, and economic risk for communities. A new book launched for COP26, “Water Security Under Climate Change”, explores how different countries are attempting to tackle water security challenges and to what extent they are likely to succeed.

The book also considers measures to improve and achieve the UN sustainable development goals post-COVID-19, and includes contributions from leading experts from academia, industry and governmental organisations. Over 2,500 copies have been downloaded during the course of COP26.

In the foreword to the book, co-editors Asit K. Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada write: “A major global concern at present, especially after the social and economic havoc that has been caused by COVID-19 in only one year, is how we can return to earlier levels of economic development patterns and then further improve the process so that sustainable development goals are reached to the extent possible by 2030, in both developed and developing countries.

“People are now facing two existential problems over the next several decades. These are climate change and whether the world will have access to enough water to meet all its food, energy, environmental and health needs. Much of expected climate change impacts can be seen through the lens of extreme hydrological events, like floods and droughts”.

The book also highlights Scotland’s journey to becoming a Hydro Nation – one which recognises water as part of our national and international identity, central to our future success and a key component of a flourishing low-carbon economy.

Professor Bob Ferrier, Director of the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), commented: “Scotland’s water sector collective action is addressing the immediacy and magnitude of the challenges faced from climate change. CREW’s aim is to ensure that sharing knowledge promotes win-win and positive outcomes for both the environment and people.”

The James Hutton Institute and CREW have contributed to Scotland’s Hydro-Nation virtual pavilion, an immersive virtual experience around water for COP26. Visit the pavilion to discover how Scotland’s Hydro-Nation agenda is supporting the water sector’s response to the climate emergency.

The pavilion offers the opportunity to create a bespoke experience reflecting individuals own interests. The virtual web tours provide a feast of information showcasing Scotland’s innovation and knowledge, the vision for blue-green cities, the journey to net-zero and international activities.