Country Case Study on Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Assessment in Antigua and Barbuda Water Resources Management

Abstract

This Report is a summary of findings from a mission to Antigua & Barbuda August 12 - 16, 1997. The quality and quantity of fresh water resources in Antigua and Barbuda are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The study addressed the following interconnected climate change issues (i) impacts on the national hydrological cycle and water resources availability (ii) impact on water demand and water supply economics and (iii) necessary adaptation measures to build the country's preparedness to meet future situations due to climate change. In conclusion, it is likely that climate change will have a set of impacts on the water sector in Antigua and Barbuda, although the exact magnitude of these impacts still remain unclear. The data and modeling tool required for the assessment of these relationships will need to be strengthened. The most appropriate adaptation measure to mitigating possible impacts of climate change would be to launch a Water Resources Management Action Program in Antigua and Barbuda. A part of such initiative wold be to strengthen water resources monitoring and information systems, as well as the legal and institutional framwork for integrated water resources management. This report present an outline description of such action program.