The impact of climate change is reflected through the lens of water. Businesses, governments, and local communities face growing challenges to their sustainability as resources like water and energy are constrained, populations grow, and economic growth is sought. Addressing any one of these challenges is difficult enough but there is mounting evidence to suggest complex linkages between these issues. Thus, it is increasingly recognized that responses to these sustainability challenges must be considered holistically and such response frameworks must be aligned for wider applicability.

Water, like energy, is a key input into any economy. As water-related natural hazards events – such as floods and droughts – increase it is imperative that we understand and prepare for their consequences. Because countries are dependent upon each other for food, product and energy imports, this not only involves understanding how climate change impacts on water resources in our own countries, but how it impacts on water resources in other areas of the world. This makes its economy dependent on water resources well beyond its borders.