Strategic drought risk management: eight ‘golden rules’ to guide a sound approach

ABSTRACT

Major droughts are an ever-present threat in almost all countries; a threat that is set to increase in response to climate change and the influence of socio-economic change on the demand for, and use of, water. Historically droughts have been responded to ‘as they happen’ leading to incremental shifts in approach as lessons are learnt. Given the significance of the challenge now faced in this heuristic approach is no longer fit for purpose and a new approach is required. Based upon a combination of expert workshops, detailed international case studies and analysis of past droughts, this paper sets out a strategic approach to managing water resources that specifically addresses drought. The framework encourages a focus on long-term outcomes (for people, ecosystems and economies) and views drought as a water-related risk, not simply a hazard. Strategic drought risk management (SDRM) is presented as a multi-scale endeavour, providing both local and regional solutions whilst addressing short- and long-term challenges. It seeks to implement a diverse portfolio of measures during non-drought conditions as well in the run-up to, during and after a drought event whilst recognizing the critical interdependences between human systems and freshwater ecosystems. The paper concludes by presenting eight ‘Golden Rules’ to guide a sound approach to SDRM.

KEYWORDS:

• Strategic
• drought
• risk
• climate
• ecosystems
• resilience

Acknowledgements

This paper is the collective expression of a collaboration between WWF and the GIWP (General Institute of Water and Hydropower, China) to develop a new approach to drought management that supports water managers and policy-makers (both in China and globally) in delivering better social, economic and ecological outcomes. As such it reflects the combined effort of a number of contributors, all of whom have provided insights into international experience of drought management and the associated live issues and emerging trends. The contribution of the broader project team (including Xu Xiangyu, Li Aihua and Qiu Bing, General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design at the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources and Guy Pegram, Pegasys, South Africa) as well as the international case study authors (as referenced in the text) is gratefully acknowledged. Guidance provided by various reviewers including Dr Donald Wilhite (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA), Dr Guido Schmidt (Fresh Thoughts Consulting GmbH for Europe) and Chris Lambert (Thames Water, UK) is gratefully acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the HSBC Water Programme.