Climate change threatening freshwater supply: experts

Experts in Bahrain’s water sector believes that Bahrain is ‘severely threatened’ by the impacts of climate change, according to a government document to a UN body.

Bahrain would remain under significant danger from climate change if steps are not taken to combat the effects. This was revealed in a document filed by the government to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The government has also applied for nearly $10 million from the GCF. The 104-page document which was filed by the government contained comments from the Supreme Council of Environment (SCE) sharing its concern about Bahrain’s reducing freshwater resources.

“Bahrain, a Small Island Developing State, is severely threatened by climate change. The country’s water sector is, in particular, facing threats from i) rising temperatures causing increases in water demand across all sectors; ii) sea level rise causing saline intrusion into aquifers and iii) rising temperatures and greater intensity of rainfall causing reduced rates of aquifer recharge. In combination, these threats are likely to reduce Bahrain’s freshwater resources by at least 50 to 100 million m3 of water per year in the short-term,” SCE stated.

According to the comments in the document, Innovative solutions need to be adopted by the Bahraini public, the private sector and government to manage the expected reduction in water resources from climate change and do so in a manner that is not only climate-resilient but also socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. The document stated that Bahrain is seeking $9.8 million of funding to implement ‘critical interventions’.