Adaptation to climate change is a top priority in the international water agenda. There is no international conference on water that does not emphasise on the critical role of the water sector in climate change adaptation. The participants of the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul highlighted: Climate change affects through the medium water all sectors: social and development issues, and economic and environmental sustainability. Climate change hinders the already difficult access to drinking water and sanitation. It affects agricultural production and global food security. The increasing occurrence of extreme weather events due to climate change is already causing tremendous damage on infrastructure. The IPCC estimates that climate change adaptation will globally cost USD 50 – 170 billion per annum with a major part to be invested in the water sector. African water ministers assume that there will be a financial gap of USD 50 billion per annum in the water sector over the next 20 years, with a large amount to be allocated to climate change adaptation.

Undoubtedly the African water sector is especially vulnerable to the impact of climate change and more investment is required. The ongoing restricted access of the African people to safe water and sanitation, low water productivity in irrigation agricultural and high vulnerability to extreme events such as floods and droughts clearly indicate this need. However, it also indicates the inability of African water sector institutions and authorities to master the current water crisis arising from population growth, urbanisation and economic development. Capacities are therefore insufficient to deal with a worsening situation caused by climate variations.

Climate change intensifies the water crisis. It emphasises the urgency of long overdue investments. However, financial investment alone is not enough: The key to a sustainable solution is to resolve existing efficiency, management and governance deficits in the water sector. This requires well-trained water professionals, competent water sector institutions with clear mandates and adequate resources. It also requires effective water policies, political will of the countries’ elite and realistic sector strategies. In many African countries most of these conditions are not (or not yet) adequately developed. As a result, the capacity for absorbing large volumes of new funds and implementing projects is still weak.

The immense financial figures on additional investments needed might distract from the real issue: the structural neglect of the African water sector. Even without climate change there is an urgent need for action. Increasing the efficiency in water supply and sanitation, enhancing the productivity of agricultural irrigation, and developing storage capacities are some sector development measures, which are overdue in most African countries. These measures are necessary for climate change adaptation and target its main effects. This is why investments in the water sector are also investments in climate change adaptation. The climate change adaptation debate must not lose sight of the core problems. There should be no trade-off between poverty reduction/MDG fulfilment and climate change adaptation efforts. Both agendas can be accomplished through the same measures.

Dr. Franz-Josef Batz, GTZ