Transboundary adaption to climate change: governing flows of water, energy, food and people

This policy brief identifies seven entry points for transboundary adaptation to address climate impacts at source, destination, along transmission channels, at boundaries, and with what interacting and feedback effects. Climate change knows no borders. It alters transboundary flows that are essential for people and planet - including water, energy and food. But transboundary adaptation can reduce the impacts of climate change.

The key messages of this publication include:

• Climate change alters transboundary flows that are essential for people and nature, including flows of water, people, energy, and food.
• Transboundary adaptation can reduce risks by focusing interventions at the origin or source of the climate change impact, along transmission channels, and in destination country or region.
• Anticipating, planning for, and managing flows across geographic and sectoral boundaries builds resilience across interconnected systems and populations.
• Transboundary adaptation is strengthened and more effective when using a nexus approach, which considers how interconnected flows such as hydropower changes affect irrigation and/or energy needs.
• Greater recognition of governance of transboundary flows within adaptation planning can better identify and manage systemic vulnerabilities that escalate climate change risk.
• Strengthening governance frameworks to improve cross-border cooperation must be done in conjunction with addressing critical dimensions of vulnerability and promoting the integrated management of shared resources.