adapts, Adaptation Strategies for River BasinsTE adapts, Adaptation Strategies for River Basins
adapts

ADAPTS: a practical, bottom-up approach to integrate climate change and adaptation in the water sector

The ADAPTS approach to adaptation to climate change is an approach that builds on the needs, priorities and actions of local people and their communities. The ADAPTS approach works in different contexts and makes adaptation to climate change in water management practical.  ADAPTS enables communities in developing countries to effectively respond to the consequences of climate change in the water sector.

Poor urban and rural communities are especially vulnerable to climatic variations and climate change. They witness not only the gradual changes in temperature and rainfall, but also the devastating effects of weather related extreme events. Together with pressures from increasing populations and non sustainable use, this makes water a more vulnerable resource threatening the livelihoods of the poor.

ADAPTS cooperates with local communities, civil society organisations, local and national governments, scientific institutes and the private sector. It proves that adaption is already taking place at the local level.

ADAPTS combines local and global knowledge in the area of water management and empowers vulnerable communities in designing and implementing cost effective and sustainable adaptation measures and in dialogues with local and national governments to ensure the inclusion of their knowledge and visions in the development of climate proof water policies and investments.

The ADAPTS approach is currently being implemented in six river basins around the world: in Ethiopia, Ghana, Peru, Botswana, Brazil and Vietnam. The main funding agency is the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS)