Course Modules

Module 1: Climate Change Science and Water Resources Impacts

• Fundamentals of climate change science and greenhouse gas emissions

• Global and regional climate change projections

• Impacts on hydrological cycles: precipitation patterns, evaporation, runoff

• Effects on water availability, quality, and extreme events (floods/droughts)

• Sector-specific impacts: agriculture, energy, ecosystems, urban water supply

• Case Study: Climate change impacts on a specific river basin or region

Module 2: Climate Models and Downscaling Techniques

• Overview of Global Climate Models (GCMs) and Regional Climate Models (RCMs)

• Climate scenarios and representative concentration pathways (RCPs)

• Statistical and dynamical downscaling methods

• Handling uncertainty in climate projections

• Bias correction techniques for climate model outputs

• Practical: Accessing and processing climate model data for water resources assessment

Module 3: Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Frameworks

• Concepts of vulnerability, exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity

• Risk assessment methodologies for water resources systems

• Climate risk screening and assessment tools

• Indicator-based approaches for vulnerability mapping

• Participatory vulnerability assessment techniques

• Exercise: Conducting a climate risk assessment for a water supply system

Module 4: Climate Adaptation Strategies and Measures

• Typology of adaptation options: structural, institutional, ecosystem-based

• Adaptation strategies for water supply management

• Flood and drought risk management under climate change

• Agricultural water management adaptation measures

• Urban water resilience and adaptive infrastructure planning

• Case Study: Successful adaptation initiatives in water management

Module 5: Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation into IWRM

• Integrating climate adaptation into water policies and planning processes

• Climate finance mechanisms for water sector adaptation

• Monitoring and evaluation of adaptation interventions

• Stakeholder engagement and capacity building for climate resilience

• Developing climate adaptation plans for water resources management

• Group Project: Developing a climate adaptation strategy for a case study area

• Course review, feedback, and certification