Linking Water and Climate Diplomacy

Climate change poses numerous challenges for international river basins that are likely to intensify in the decades to come. These challenges will have significant socio-economic and political repercussions. Ensuring sustainable development and political stability in these basins, therefore requires effective adaptation to the impacts of climate change. To overcome existing shortcomings and strengthen adaptive capacities, the water (cooperation) and climate communities should engage proactively and seek to create synergies between their instruments. Foreign policymakers should support them in this process.

This brief summarizes the main findings of the Water and Climate Diplomacy report which was published as part of the climate diplomacy initiative – a collaborative effort of the German Federal Foreign Office in partnership with adelphi.