UNITAR Online Catalogue

CIFAL Scotland - Global Water Scarcity Conference

Type
Conference
Location
Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Date
to
Duration
2 Days
Programme Area
Environment, Climate Change, Governance
Website
http://www.cifalscotland.org/
Price
$0.00
Event Focal Point Email
ldp@unitar.org

Background

Water scarcity is among the main problems to be faced by the world in the 21st century. About 25% of the global population already lives in areas of scarcity of drinking water or of water for economic use. Two thirds of the world population could be living under water stressed conditions by 2025. According to the UN World Water Development Report, by 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of freshwater. The implications of global water scarcity are immense and along with other climate change impacts could, lead to starvation, mass human migration and conflicts over resources.

This is a global problem which is not expected to improve over the coming years. Europe and the UK already have areas of vulnerability now, with winters becoming wetter and summers hotter and drier.

This International two-day conference aims to highlight the concerns and discuss what can be done to address water scarcity in a global, European and UK context. It is timed to coincide with EU Green Week’s 2012 Every Drop Counts: the Water Challenge, and Scottish Government’s Scotland The Hydro Nation initiative launch. 

This event as an official contribution to the UN International Decade of Action, Water for Life is organised by International Resources and Recycling Institute, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), CIFAL Scotland, David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability (University of Strathclyde), and CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Environmental and Water Managers) in partnership with the Scottish Government.

Event Objectives

The Conference aims to:

  • Deliver the vision for water security in a threatened world,
  • Create ways for Scotland, as a key global player to engage with the challenges and provide routes for the future on an international stage,
  • Present the current situation and update information on water scarcity, water abundance, water policy, water technology innovation, and the anticipated trends over the next decade and beyond,
  • Address the opportunities for extending the technology, innovation and knowledge excellence in Scotland for advancing the water sector,
  • Focus on the actions needed over the next 12 months to implement the opportunities through innovation, research, knowledge exchange, policy, regulation, and funding.

Targeted Audience

  • Policymakers, government officials and Local Authorities
  • Sustainable Development Officers
  • Planning and Business Development Managers
  • Academics and Researchers
  • End-users (urban, industrial, agricultural, others)
  • Private Investors (individuals or funds)