Application of ICTs for climate change adaptation in the water sector: Developing country experiences and emerging research priorities

This new publication by the Association for Progressive Communications and the International Development Research Centre gathers several reports from developing countries on how ICTs are and can be applied to help communities experiencing water-reated stress, adapt to climate change.

While drawing on current experiences in the field of water management and sustainability, the perspective of the authors is primarily from the ICT for development (ICT4D) sector. Because of this the reports should be considered exploratory, offering a fresh perspective to the field of water security in vulnerable contexts.

This paper examines the impact that climate change will have on water resources and consequently on the health and livelihoods of millions in the developing world. The authors explain that information and communication technologies (ICTs) should be viewed as potential tools to help evaluate and adapt to climate change.

The paper is organized into five key sections:

• The ICTs, Climate Change Adaptation and Water Project Value Chain: A conceptual tool for practitioners
• ICTs, climate change and water: Issues and research priorities in Latin America and the Caribbean
• ICTs, climate change and water: Issues and research priorities in Africa
• ICTs, climate change and water: Issues and research priorities in Asia
• Innovative application of ICTs in addressing water-related impacts of climate change: Emerging research questions

The researchers conclude that a holistic and integrated approach that brings together diverse disciplines is necessary to assist communities facing water challenges. There is a pressing need to develop a future research agenda relating to ICTs and climate change in order to effectively address the needs of vulnerable communities.