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Rethinking responses to the world’s water crises
The world faces multiple water crises, including overextraction, flooding, ecosystem degradation and inequitable safe water access. Insufficient funding and ineffective implementation impede progress in water access, while, in part, a misdiagnosis of the causes has prioritized some responses over others (for example, hard over soft infrastructure). We reframe the responses to mitigating the world’s water crises using a ‘beyond growth’ framing and compare it to mainstream thinking. Beyond growth is systems thinking that prioritizes the most disadvantaged. It seeks to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation by overcoming policy capture and inertia and by fostering place-based and justice-principled institutional changes.
Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Sustainable Development Goals / Flooding / Environmental degradation / Economic growth / Policies / Water scarcity
Record No:H053347
Financing the circular bioeconomy: a win-win for climate mitigation and adaptation
Climate change and resource scarcity pose critical global challenges that demand innovative solutions. Circular bioeconomy provides a transformative framework for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing climate adaptation. By applying circular principles, biowaste and wastewater are converted into valuable resources, reducing emissions across sectors such as agriculture and energy, while promoting sustainable practices such as nutrient recovery, biogas generation and safe wastewater reuse. These approaches address water scarcity, reduce reliance on fossil-based inputs, and improve environmental resilience. Financing mechanisms such as international climate funds, carbon credits and climate bonds are pivotal in scaling circular bioeconomy solutions, while enabling policies and capacity building empower stakeholders to drive implementation. The adoption of circular bioeconomy offers a path toward sustainable development, fostering a resilient and resource-efficient future.
Case studies / Capacity development / Policies / Soil quality / Cities / Briquettes / Biogas / Organic fertilizers / Composting / Landfills / Methane emission / Greenhouse gas emissions / Investment / Business models / Clean Development Mechanism / Carbon markets / Nutrient cycles / Energy recovery / Environmental impact / Anaerobic digestion / Waste management / Wastewater management / Organic wastes / Climate change adaptation / Climate change mitigation / Financing / Bioeconomy / Circular economy / Water reuse / Resource management / Resource recovery
Record No:H053446
Development and application of standardized tools to support assessment of the socio-economic impact of water reallocation through compulsory licensing
Water use / Good practices / Customary tenure / Water tenure / Water management / Water resources / Legal frameworks / Valuation / Impact assessment / Socioeconomic impact / Licences / Water allocation
Record No:H053427
Geodatabase and atlas: Karakalpakstan
This product highlights the collaborative efforts undertaken to develop a comprehensive geodatabase and atlas for the Karakalpakstan. It encapsulates spatial data, analyses, and knowledge products aimed at addressing the challenges posed by arid climate conditions, water resource scarcity, and sustainable regional development. Utilizing modern tools like GIS, remote sensing, and climate modeling, this activity provides decision-makers with actionable insights for improving water use efficiency, land management, and ecological resilience in the region.
Remote sensing / Geographical information systems / Winds / Temperature / Precipitation / Evapotranspiration / Meteorological stations / Climate change / Soil pH / Clay soils / Sandy soils / Soil salinity / Soil water content / Soil organic carbon / Soil density / Soil types / Drainage systems / Irrigation canals / Water authorities / Irrigation systems / Water-use efficiency / Water demand / Water supply / Water resources / Land use / Land cover / Maps / Satellite imagery / Digital elevation models / Atlases / Spatial databases
Record No:H053413
Geodatabase and atlas: Khorezm Province, Uzbekistan
This product highlights the collaborative efforts undertaken to develop a comprehensive geodatabase and atlas for the Khorezm Province, Uzbekistan. It encapsulates spatial data, analyses, and knowledge products aimed at addressing the challenges posed by arid climate conditions, water resource scarcity, and sustainable regional development. Utilizing modern tools like GIS, remote sensing, and climate modeling, this activity provides decision-makers with actionable insights for improving water use efficiency, land management, and ecological resilience in the region.
Remote sensing / Geographical information systems / Winds / Temperature / Precipitation / Evapotranspiration / Pumps / Meteorological stations / Climate change / Soil pH / Clay soils / Sandy soils / Soil salinity / Soil water content / Soil organic carbon / Soil density / Soil types / Groundwater / Drainage systems / Irrigation canals / Water user associations / Water authorities / Irrigation systems / Water-use efficiency / Water demand / Water supply / Water resources / Land use / Land cover / Maps / Satellite imagery / Digital elevation models / Atlases / Spatial databases
Record No:H053414
Geodatabase and atlas: Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan
This product highlights the collaborative efforts undertaken to develop a comprehensive geodatabase and atlas for the Kyzylorda Region, Kazakhstan. It encapsulates spatial data, analyses, and knowledge products aimed at addressing the challenges posed by arid climate conditions, water resource scarcity, and sustainable regional development. Utilizing modern tools like GIS, remote sensing, and climate modeling, this activity provides decision-makers with actionable insights for improving water use efficiency, land management, and ecological resilience in the region.
Transport / Remote sensing / Geographical information systems / Evapotranspiration / Temperature / Precipitation / Meteorological stations / Climate change / Drainage systems / Pumps / Irrigation canals / Water user associations / Water-use efficiency / Water demand / Water supply / Water resources / Clay soils / Soil salinity / Soil organic carbon / Soil density / Soil types / Land use / Land cover / Rural areas / Urban areas / Population dynamics / Satellite imagery / Maps / Digital elevation models / Atlases / Spatial databases
Record No:H053415
Geodatabase and atlas: Mangistau Region, Kazakhstan
This product highlights the collaborative efforts undertaken to develop a comprehensive geodatabase and atlas for the Mangistau region in Kazakhstan. It encapsulates spatial data, analyses, and knowledge products aimed at addressing the challenges posed by arid climate conditions, water resource scarcity, and sustainable regional development. Utilizing modern tools like GIS, remote sensing, and climate modeling, this activity provides decision-makers with actionable insights for improving water use efficiency, land management, and ecological resilience in the region.
Transport / Remote sensing / Geographical information systems / Evapotranspiration / Temperature / Precipitation / Meteorological stations / Climate change / Water-use efficiency / Water demand / Pumps / Water supply / Water resources / Soil organic carbon / Soil types / Land use / Land cover / Rural areas / Urban areas / Population dynamics / Arid zones / Satellite imagery / Maps / Digital elevation models / Atlases / Spatial databases
Record No:H053412
Digital ecosystems and migration responses to climate extremes: case study from Rahim Yar Khan District, Punjab in Pakistan. Research report
The report titled quot;Digital Ecosystems and Migration Responses to Climate Extremes in Pakistanquot; focuses on the impacts of climate change, particularly in Rahim Yar Khan district, Punjab. A digital ecosystem is a network of digital technologies, individuals, and organizations working together to achieve developmental goals like poverty reduction, economic growth, and improved healthcare and disaster management. The study highlights how climate-induced events like floods and droughts have driven migration, affecting vulnerable communities, especially women. As indicated in recent study, approximately 2 million people in Pakistan are expected to become climate migrants by 2050 due to climate disasters. The report emphasizes the need for better disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, including the role of digital ecosystems, social media, and early warning systems in building community resilience. However, there are challenges, such as limited access to technology, the Gender Digital Divide, and inadequate government support for displaced populations.
The study also emphasizes the importance of strengthening institutional capacities at both local and provincial levels to effectively manage climate-induced migrations. By improving disaster response mechanisms and integrating digital technology into these processes, officials can better address the needs of affected communities. The report advocates for the development of internal migration policies that can safeguard migrantsapos; rights and provide essential services, including health, education, and shelter, to displaced populations. Furthermore, it underscores the need for global and regional collaboration to better understand climate change impacts and to devise collective solutions that can mitigate the risks of forced migration.
The research methodology employed in this report is robust, involving household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) with diverse stakeholders. This comprehensive approach provides a rich dataset that captures the lived experiences of those affected by migration and climate change, as well as the potential role that digital tools could play in enhancing their resilience.
Under the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility, Conflict and Migration, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Pakistan conducted a comprehensive research case study in Rahim Yar Khan, a disaster-prone district in Punjab Province of Pakistan. One of the key components of FCMapos;s initiative is Work Package (WP)-3, which focuses on the role of the digital ecosystem in building community resilience during climate-induced migration. The case study in Rahim Yar Khan—southern part of Punjab, a high-risk area for drought and floods, provides insights into climate vulnerabilities. As a host community for climate migrants facing multiple natural hazards, Rahim Yar Khan illustrates the complex effects of climate change on economic, social, and enviro
Case studies / Social media / Women / Gender / Vulnerability / Drought / Flooding / Disaster preparedness / Early warning systems / Migration / Digital technology / Extreme weather events / Climate change
Record No:H053349
Green bonds to facilitate circular bioeconomy in urban centers
Case studies / Indicators / Greenhouse gas emissions / Sustainability / Infrastructure / Monitoring / Financing / Waste management / Renewable energy / Bioeconomy / Circular economy
Record No:H053331
Wastewater reuse in Pakistan: highlights of recent literature reviews
Literature reviews / Farmers / Water scarcity / Nature-based solutions / Polluter pays principle / Policies / Wastewater treatment / Regulations / Health hazards / Risk reduction / Risk assessment / Pathogens / Contamination / Heavy metals / Water reuse / Wastewater irrigation
Record No:H053328
Low-cost sensors and multitemporal remote sensing for operational turbidity monitoring in an East African wetland environment
Many wetlands in East Africa are farmed and wetland reservoirs are used for irrigation, livestock, and fishing. Water quality and agriculture have a mutual influence on each other. Turbidity is a principal indicator of water quality and can be used for, otherwise, unmonitored water sources. Low-cost turbidity sensors improve in situ coverage and enable community engagement. The availability of high spatial resolution satellite images from the Sentinel-2 multispectral instrument and of bio-optical models, such as the Case 2 Regional CoastColor (C2RCC) processor, has fostered turbidity modeling. However, these models need local adjustment, and the quality of low-cost sensor measurements is debated. We tested the combination of both technologies to monitor turbidity in small wetland reservoirs in Kenya. We sampled ten reservoirs with low-cost sensors and a turbidimeter during five Sentinel-2 overpasses. Low-cost sensor calibration resulted in an R2 of 0.71. The models using the C2RCC C2X-COMPLEX (C2XC) neural nets with turbidimeter measurements (R2 =0.83) and with low-cost measurements (R2 = 0.62) performed better than the turbidimeter-based C2X model. The C2XC models showed similar patterns for a one-year time series, particularly around the turbidity limit set by Kenyan authorities. This shows that both the data from the commercial turbidimeter and the low-cost sensor setup, despite sensor uncertainties, could be used to validate the applicability of C2RCC in the study area, select the better-performing neural nets, and adapt the model to the study site. We conclude that combined monitoring with low-cost sensors and remote sensing can support wetland and water management while strengthening community-centered approaches.
Satellite observation / Agricultural water management / Water quality / Remote sensing / Monitoring / Turbidity / Wetlands
Record No:H053348
Framing policy coherence toward improving climate-adaptive water productivity in Egypt
The interconnectedness between food, land, and water resources is evident where the use of one resource could generate externalities for others. The uncertainties around global markets challenge economies in the global south and climate change further exacerbates the urgent need for integrated management of natural resources and optimized investments and interventions. Moreover, the interconnections of natural resources and the biophysical environment influence the livelihoods and income of land and water users. Therefore, the partial or complete absence of coherence between sectoral public policies and inter-institutional linkages hampers the ability to address key interdependencies between food, land, and water resources and the three pillars of sustainable development: environment, economy, and society. The study offers an analysis of coherent water productivity policies between the different relevant strategies in Egypt towards a potential coordinated and integrated policy environment contributing to water and food security and sustainable development. Accordingly, it presents the synergies and trade-offs between policy objectives and instruments and the existing stakeholdersapos; cross-coordination mechanisms, which are significant for enhancing policy coherence.
Social network analysis / Institutions / Water supply / Water demand / Water policies / Water systems / Land resources / Agrifood systems / Climate change adaptation / Water productivity / Policy coherence
Record No:H053346
Future research directions for understanding the interconnections between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility in rural Central Asia
Central Asia faces substantial water scarcity due to increasing water demand driven by rapid urbanization, population growth, economic development, and inefficiency of irrigated agriculture. These developments are compounded by the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, loss of glacier mass and increased frequency of extreme events, including droughts. The region’s escalating water scarcity is causing disputes and straining rural livelihoods. Moreover, these challenges drive migration, creating considerable societal impacts. However, these issues remain underexplored in climate change research, making the region a global blind spot in climate adaptation and migration studies. We advocate for innovative research pathways that scrutinize smallholder adaptation strategies, examine the nexus between climate change, water scarcity, and mobility, and investigate tensions and cooperation over water resources. We conclude by emphasizing that substantial investments in inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, improved data availability and quality, and strengthening of research and institutional capacities are essential to advance interdisciplinary climate impact research in Central Asia. Such efforts are vital for addressing existing knowledge gaps and enhancing evidence-based policymaking to improve the region’s position in current and future debates on climate change and sustainable development.
Water resources / Water demand / Smallholders / Livelihoods / Rural areas / Migration / Water scarcity / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H053345
Report on the monitoring, evaluation, learning and impact assessment (MELIA) of the circular bioeconomy innovation hub in Ghana
The Circular BioEconomy Innovation Hub was launched in mid-2023 to create awareness and offer training and research opportunities on proper waste management and recycling for a circular economy and environmental protection. The report provides a first MELIA assessment of the ongoing setup of the Hub in Ghana with special reference to its first major activity, a school awareness program for so far over 12500 students. The report is based on mutually agreed progress indicators. Key learning areas (including challenges and possible solutions to address these) are being flagged and discussed.
Resilience / Indicators / Recycling / Waste management / Innovation / Impact assessment / Learning / Monitoring and evaluation / Bioeconomy / Circular economy
Record No:H053325
Teal-WCA: a climate services platform for planning solar photovoltaic and wind energy resources in West and Central Africa in the context of climate change
To address the growing electricity demand driven by population growth and economic development while mitigating climate change, West and Central African countries are increasingly prioritizing renewable energy as part of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This study evaluates the implications of climate change on renewable energy potential using ten downscaled and bias-adjusted CMIP6 models (CDFt method). Key climate variables—temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed—were analyzed and integrated into the Teal-WCA platform to aid in energy resource planning. Projected temperature increases of 0.5–2.7 C (2040–2069) and 0.7–5.2 C (2070–2099) relative to 1985–2014 underscore the need for strategies to manage the rising demand for cooling. Solar radiation reductions (~15 W/m2 ) may lower photovoltaic (PV) efficiency by 1–8.75%, particularly in high-emission scenarios, requiring a focus on system optimization and diversification. Conversely, wind speeds are expected to increase, especially in coastal regions, enhancing wind power potential by 12–50% across most countries and by 25–100% in coastal nations. These findings highlight the necessity of integrating climate-resilient energy policies that leverage wind energy growth while mitigating challenges posed by reduced solar radiation. By providing a nuanced understanding of the renewable energy potential under changing climatic conditions, this study offers actionable insights for sustainable energy planning in West and Central Africa.
Forecasting / Temperature / Climate models / Wind speed / Solar radiation / Renewable energy / Climate change / Wind power / Photovoltaic systems / Solar energy / Climate services
Record No:H053344
Flood adaptation and mitigation in the Awash Basin: responding to new climate patterns
The Awash Basin in Ethiopia experiences frequent flooding, sometimes with devastating consequences. Climate change is now creating new flood regimes in different parts of the basin and reshaping the interaction of flooding with rapidly changing communities. This is causing heightened risk, particularly for the most vulnerable communities across the basin, and requires new forms of management and response.
This study explores the physical changes in rainfall and landscapes leading to major flood events and examines the interaction of physical phenomena with societal and economic dynamics across the basin’s upper, middle, and lower reaches. The study’s multi-dimensional perspective includes analysis of hydroclimatic variables at the basin level including global drivers, flood characterization in selected catchments, and understanding of affected communities at sub-catchment levels. Selected catchments cover urban parts of the Awash, as well as agricultural, pastoral, and agro-pastoral areas. The major focus of the work was the recent extreme wet season in 2020 and associated flooding during which an estimated, 144,000 were displaced and 60,000 hectares were inundated. This was the most serious flood event in the basin since 1996.
Institutions / Urbanization / Risk coping strategies / Women / Livelihoods / Communities / Stream flow / Image analysis / Remote sensing / Land cover / Land use / Climate change / Rainfall patterns / River basins / Mitigation / Adaptation / Flooding
Record No:H053342
Threshold-based flood early warning in an urbanizing catchment through multi-source data integration: satellite and citizen science contribution
An effective flood early warning system is vital to take action to save lives and protect properties in urban areas which are increasingly prone to flooding. Despite substantial progress in flood early warning systems, limited available and accessible data often impede their advancement and reliability. Engaging communities affected by flooding can help address data and information gaps in flood early warning systems, facilitated by appropriate methods. This study developed and evaluated a flood threshold combination method to support a community-based flood early warning system in the Akaki catchment, home to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Various flood threshold combinations were formulated, calibrated and validated by integrating multiple sources of data: rainfall, antecedent precipitation index estimates, Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite time series of flood extent, long-term simulated streamflow, citizen science data, river water level and three days lead-time numerical weather prediction rainfall forecast. During validation, the rainfall and river water level threshold combination outperformed other threshold combinations with probability of detection, false alarm ratio, and critical success index estimates of 0.74, 0.18 and 0.63, respectively. The flood threshold combination showed high detection performance for most flooding conditions. Flood forecasts with a 1-day lead-time exhibited a high likelihood in detecting historical severe flood events. The study provides a tested methodology for selecting suitable flood threshold-combinations, enhance the engagement of citizen scientists in a community–based flood early warning system in urban communities.
Datasets / Hydrological modelling / Urbanization / Monitoring / Citizen science / Satellite observation / Early warning systems / Flood forecasting
Record No:H053337
Value of quality controlled citizen science data for rainfall-runoff characterization in a rapidly urbanizing catchment
The major concern of applying citizen science in water resources is the quality of the data. However, there are limited scientific studies addressing this concern and showing the data value. In this study, we established a citizen science program in the Akaki catchment which hosts Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Citizen scientists monitored river stage at multiple gauging sites for multiple years. We evaluated the quality of citizen science data through a systematic quality control. Reference data was obtained from neighboring stations of the citizen science program and professionals while the evaluation involved graphical inspections and statistical methods. The quality-controlled data were applied to evaluate the spatial and temporal variation of rainfall-runoff relationships. Initially, large numbers of suspicious data were detected using single station data but that was significantly reduced when the data of multiple sites were compared. Further comparison against professional data revealed excellent agreement with high correlation coefficient (r gt;0.95), and low centered root mean square error (RMSE) lt;0.03–0.08 mm. The citizen science data indicated a large difference in rainfall-runoff relationship over the dominantly urban and rural sub-catchments. The citizen science data allowed comparison of runoff coefficient and base flow index for recent and historical periods where recent streamflow data is unavailable from a formal data source. This study illustrates the immense value of (i) multiple data quality assessment steps for building confidence on the quality of citizen science data, and (ii) citizen science for enhancing our understanding of rainfall-runoff relationships and change in a rapidly urbanizing catchment.
Datasets / Rivers / Urbanization / Runoff / Rainfall / Quality control / Data quality / Citizen science
Record No:H053341
Multimodel and multiconstituent scenario construction for future water quality
Freshwater pollution is, together with climate change, one of today’s most severe and pervasive threats to the global environment. Comprehensive and spatially explicit scenarios covering a wide range of constituents for freshwater quality are currently scarce. In this Global Perspective paper, we propose a novel model-based approach for five water quality constituents relevant for human and ecosystem health (nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand, anthropogenic chemicals, fecal coliform, and arsenic). To project the driving forces and consequences for emissions and impacts, a set of common data based on the same assumptions was prepared and used in different large-scale water quality models including all relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural changes, as well as threshold concentrations to determine the risk for human and ecosystem health. The analysis portrays the strong links among water quality, socio-economic development, and lifestyle. Internal consistency of assumptions and input data is a prerequisite for constructing comparable scenarios using different models to support targeted policy development.
Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Sustainable Development Goals / Nitrogen / Surface water / Groundwater / Biochemical oxygen demand / Faecal coliforms / Arsenic / Anthropogenic factors / Freshwater pollution / Models / Water quality
Record No:H053343
Celebrating IWMI at 40: learning from our history, turning to the future
This account, issued on IWMI’s 40th anniversary, describes the evolution and growth of IWMI from the idea stage to the present day. It has been prepared as a celebration not only of IWMI’s history and the vision of its founders but also of its contemporary character and culture. As such, it aims to introduce a wide range of IWMI stakeholders — current and future, IWMI leadership and staff, Board members, partners, and funders — to the “what, why, past, and future” of IWMI. A companion publication titled Inception: The creation of an international water management institute, 1969–1984 provides a full account of the creation of the institute, from 1969 to 1984, which is briefly summarized in the first section of this report.
In addition to providing a historical record of IWMI’s 40 years of activities, the report contains an important contemporary message that relates to the character of the institute, which was shaped by the way in which it was set up and its evolution since that time. Indeed, the account shows that the key features that define the IWMI of today — its evolution from an irrigation institute to a water systems institute; its research conducted in real-world water systems rather than in controlled experiment stations; its fully multidisciplinary approach spanning the social and biophysical sciences; and its aim to ensure that its research leads to development outcomes — were all established at inception.
This report has been prepared by Roberto Lenton, a former Director General of IWMI and, more recently, Chair of the Institute’s Board of Governors.
CGIAR / Water management / International organizations / Institutional development / Research institutions
Record No:H053340
Inception: the creation of an international water management institute, 1969-1984
This report describes the creation of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) from early 1969 to late 1984. The report tells the story of how an ever-expanding circle of scientists, practitioners and funders joined forces over a 15-year period to co-create the institute that over time became the IWMI of today. It has been prepared as a supplement to the 40th anniversary publication titled Celebrating IWMI at 40: Learning from our History, Turning to the Future.
In providing an in-depth account of IWMI’s creation, this report aims to enhance the understanding of how the debates during those early years shaped the Institute’s contemporary character and culture. It has been written for a target audience of IWMI supporters and alumni, current and future IWMI leadership and staff, and current and future Board members interested in learning more about the “what and why” of the Institute’s origins. This report could also be of relevance to a broader audience interested in learning more about how innovative international institutions tackling emerging global challenges are conceived and brought into being, as well as to scholars of international development.
This report has been prepared by Roberto Lenton, a former Director General of IWMI and, more recently, Chair of the Institute’s Board of Governors.
CGIAR / International organizations / Water management / Research institutions
Record No:H053339
IWMI Annual report 2023
Resilience / Solar powered irrigation systems / Water policies / Water security / Water systems / Partnerships / Collaboration / Research institutions / Innovation / Water management
Record No:H053338
Using global datasets to estimate flood exposure at the city scale: an evaluation in Addis Ababa
Introduction: Cities located in lower income countries are global flood risk hotspots. Assessment and management of these risks forms a key part of global climate adaptation efforts. City scale flood risk assessments necessitate flood hazard information, which is challenging to obtain in these localities because of data quality/scarcity issues, and the complex multi-source nature of urban flood dynamics. A growing array of global datasets provide an attractive means of closing these data gaps, but their suitability for this context remains relatively unknown.
Methods: Here, we test the use of relevant global terrain, rainfall, and flood hazard data products in a flood hazard and exposure assessment framework covering Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. To conduct the tests, we first developed a city scale rain-on-grid hydrodynamic flood model based on local data and used the model results to identify buildings exposed to flooding. We then observed how the results of this flood exposure assessment changed when each of the global datasets are used in turn to drive the hydrodynamic model in place of its local counterpart.
Results and discussion: Results are evaluated in terms of both the total number of exposed buildings, and the spatial distribution of exposure across Addis Ababa. Our results show that of the datasets tested, the FABDEM global terrain and the PXR global rainfall data products provide the most promise for use at the city scale in lower income countries.
Disaster risk management / Rainfall / Hydraulic models / Datasets / Towns / Risk assessment / Flooding
Record No:H053334
Citizen science data to improve rainfall-runoff model performance in urbanizing Akaki Catchment, Awash Basin, Ethiopia
Study region: Akaki is a headwater catchment of the Awash River Basin in Ethiopia and hosts Addis Ababa. The catchment remains ungauged despite providing diverse ecosystem services.
Study focus: Studies typically assume that calibrated model parameters remain valid outside the calibration period despite many catchments undergoing anthropogenic change. We evaluated the value of citizen science data to improve a rainfall-runoff model performance in the urbanizing Akaki catchment. Five and nineteen people trained as citizen scientists monitored river stage and rainfall data, respectively, for three years. Rating curves were developed for the conversion of stage data into river flow data.
A HEC-HMS model, calibrated for a historical period, was evaluated using citizen science data. Next, we assessed the effectiveness of progressively updating model parameters using a recent land use land cover map and citizen science data. Then, the HEC-HMS model was recalibrated at the catchment outlet and validated at multiple sub-catchments’ outlets. Finally, the model was recalibrated at multiple sub-catchments’ outlets using citizen science data.
New hydrological insights for the region: the HEC-HMS model of the Akaki, which was calibrated for a historical period, does not capture the current rainfall-runoff response. However, the model simulations were made useful by revisiting the model calibration at multiple sub-catchments’ outlets using citizen science data. Overall, this article demonstrates the value of citizen science data for model calibration and validation.
Evapotranspiration / Land cover / Land use / Urbanization / Catchment hydrology / River basins / Models / Runoff / Rainfall / Citizen science
Record No:H053336
Participatory planning to conserve freshwater ecosystems in the Rift Valley Lakes Basin, Ethiopia
Freshwater ecosystems are important for directly ensuring a range of benefits and services that sustain local livelihoods and help mitigate climate change. However, freshwater ecosystems are threatened by anthropogenic and natural pressures affecting their ability to sustainably provide these services. Managing freshwater ecosys tems is mainly challenged by the complexity of the drivers of their degradation and by the difficulty of balancing the need for short-term socioeconomic development and protecting and restoring ecosystems to support longterm, sustainable development. Addressing such challenges requires an integrated and systematic approach, catchment-wide management and meaningful engagement and collaboration among stakeholders. The present study was conducted in Lake Ziway, Rift Valley Lakes Basin, Ethiopia. The overarching objective was to conserve the freshwater ecosystem through co-planning and designing management options for the buffer zone and entire catchment. The study engaged local communities through multiple approaches including inception and vali dation workshops, reconnaissance surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. It also employed quantitative data collection methods to characterize the freshwater ecosystem and entire catchment. The participatory approach employed in this study identified multiple management options including tree-based forest and landscape restoration measures, integrated soil and water conservation, and multiple buffer zone restoration measures. The identified and validated management options are aimed at improving the functionality of the freshwater ecosystem in the face of increased need of economic development and climate change. Furthermore, the study provided key recommendations to support the processes of policy development and the effective implementation of suggested and validated management options.
Erosion / Land cover / Land use / Watersheds / Local communities / Ecosystem services / Planning / Participatory approaches / Water conservation / Freshwater ecosystems
Record No:H053335
Why we need to fix the global energy governance architecture
The current global energy governance architecture is not likely to deliver what the world badly needs to address the climate crisis. Unless drastic changes are introduced, COP30 in Brazil next year is going to be another failure to deliver actionable outcomes.
Policies / Financing / Coal / Governance / Energy management
Record No:H053282
From livestock herding to cooperative farming in the Somali communities of Dolo Ado and Bokolmayo districts of Ethiopia
This study was conducted in the traditional pastoralist communities of Dolo Ado and Bokolmayo districts in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. These are refugee-hosting communities where the World Food Programme (WFP) is providing humanitarian and livelihood support. This research was designed in partnership with WFP with the expectation that its findings may provide lessons that can inform the organization’s program activities benefiting refugee-hosting communities and integrated refugees.
Our study examines livelihood and collective action practices in these communities in the context of climate and waterrelated stresses. It seeks to highlight factors and practices that can enhance drought-resilient livelihoods. This aspect of the study required an understanding of traditional, but changing, livelihood strategies and related institutional and sociocultural practices. In this report, we discuss a range of interrelated topics and their implications for livelihood sustainability and linked interventions—which we highlight in the section Conclusions and Suggestions. We envisage that these findings will be useful for WFP’s program agenda of integrating its emergency-humanitarian response with livelihood resilience building through long-term structural and multidimensional food security approaches.
Analysis of the historical and social context of farming and collective practices in these communities revealed that crop production and pastoralism have long co-existed as means of livelihood. While cooperative farming has recently expanded in the two study areas, their past experience of collective labor practices did provide the social and cultural foundation for current cooperative action. Local users appreciate irrigation farming conducted through cooperatives for its valuable contribution to food and income security. However, irrigation farming in the study areas operates in terms of cooperatives rather than on the basis of irrigation water users’ associations (IWUAs), which possibly affects the prospect of legal recognition and sustained practice. Understanding such issues is important for improving the practices of current WFP-supported irrigation cooperatives for the benefit of both refugee-hosting communities and hosted refugees.
The livelihoods of people in the study areas have historically and traditionally been associated with pastoralism, characterized by livestock herding and mobility. However, there has been a shift from pastoralism toward sedentary farming. This change is being shaped by climatic and political economy factors and processes, thereby giving it the character of an adaptive livelihood strategy. The shift of livelihoods toward farming and crop production involves gender dynamics. It opens new areas of responsibility for women and increases their workload while having implications for gender disparities in economic gain and financial decision-making power. Therefore, it is imperative that cooperative farming and other intervention pr
Conflict management / Rangelands / Water use / Irrigation water / Collective action / Gender / Livelihoods / Refugees / Pastoralism / Pastoralists / Communities / Cooperative farming / Livestock
Record No:H053283
Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index: dimensionality reduction for improved applicability in Digital Agri-solutions
This report introduces the refined Multidimensional Digital Inclusiveness Index (MDII), developed to assess and promote inclusiveness in digital innovations within agricultural systems. Developed through iterative consultation with experts and stakeholders, the MDII integrates structural and experiential dimensions of digital inclusiveness. It distinguishes between inclusion — ensuring access and usability — and inclusivity — fostering a sense of belonging and meaningful engagement among diverse underserved groups. By applying theoretical frameworks such as the Capability Approach and the Technology Acceptance Model, the MDII captures the multifaceted nature of digital inclusiveness, addressing both tangible and psychological aspects. The revised framework (Version 3.0) evaluates inclusiveness across seven core dimensions, including accessibility, stakeholder relationships, and the social impacts of digital innovations. Significant refinements have been made to reduce complexity, eliminate redundancies, and introduce actionable core and extended indicators.
Piloted across multiple regions, the MDII demonstrates adaptability and effectiveness in assessing inclusiveness within varying socio-economic and cultural contexts. The report highlights the importance of user-centric design and culturally responsive approaches to ensure digital tools are accessible, equitable, and relevant. By addressing critical challenges such as digital illiteracy, device affordability, and socio- cultural constraints, the MDII aims to empower underserved communities and foster resilience within agricultural systems.
This refined framework provides actionable insights for policymakers, innovators, and development organizations, supporting the creation of inclusive digital ecosystems that bridge the digital divide. Future steps involve expanding the MDII’s application through multi-country pilots, incorporating empirical feedback to refine the framework further, and developing user-friendly tools to enable real-time evaluation and deliver impactful recommendations.
Indicators / Data collection / Frameworks / Gender gap / Agricultural development / Social inclusion / Digital innovation
Record No:H053281
MDII Scoring Dashboard (version 1.00): a tool for visualizing digital inclusiveness and innovation performance
The MDII scoring dashboard was developed as part of a set of tools to assess the social inclusiveness of digital innovations across food, land, and water systems. This tool provides decision-makers with interactive visualizations and key metrics such as accessibility, user engagement, and cultural sensitivity. The dashboard, shaped by collaborative workshops and feedback, incorporates metadata indicators, feedback mechanisms, and customizable data views for portfolio managers. By integrating both quantitative and qualitative data, it allows for monitoring performance, identifying gaps, and aligning digital tools with inclusiveness goals, supporting adaptive learning and sustainability in digital innovations.
Decision making / Agrifood systems / Social inclusion / Digital divide / Digital innovation
Record No:H053279
Fostering inclusive water use and productivity in South Africa and Malawi through VIA’s Chameleon Water Sensor
While digital tools and services present an opportunity to address some of the critical challenges facing food and water systems, concerns remain over large groups of people, such as women, elderly people, or people with little formal education, who may be excluded from the development, use, and benefit of digital innovation. In this report we present the outcome of a study that was conducted to assess whether a digital innovation that provides an irrigation service in many African countries was socially inclusive. The assessment was done with the multi-dimensional digital inclusivity index, a tool that is being developed for assessing digital inclusiveness across various dimensions in food, land, and water systems.
Social inclusion / Gender / Soil water content / Irrigation water / Sensors / Digital innovation / Water productivity / Water use
Record No:H053280