Who and what is C4W?

The Climate for Water (C4W) project is funded by the Water Research Commission. The full name of the project is “Using The Climate for Water (C4W) project is funded by the Water Research Commission. The full name of the project is “Using enhanced knowledge of climate variability for the benefit of water resource management”. The project explores how information about climate variability is currently used by water resource managers, and the potential opportunities for using it more effectively in the future.

Information about climate variability exists in the form of short, medium and long term weather or climate forecasts, yet its use by water resource managers seems to be limited. South Africa is currently experiencing pressure on water resources. Our water resources are likely to become more stressed with climate change impacts, such as increased temperatures and change in precipitation regimes, and increased population pressure. It is imperative to use available climate information as best as possible.

The objectives of the C4W project are:

• Identification of the strengths and weaknesses in current climate prediction tools from a water resource management perspective
• Assessment of the potential for improvement, or improved use, of climate prediction tools by incorporating newly-gained local and international knowledge of climate variability
• Identification of crucial knowledge gaps
• Demonstration of the use of improved climate prediction tools for water resource management
• Identification of longer-term research, capacity-building and/or educational initiatives which would enable water resource managers to derive maximum benefit from climate modelling and prediction tools

Between June 2005 and November 2006 the C4W team held interviews, workshops and focus groups in Cape Town and the Overstrand with water managers from various spheres, including DWAF, municipal water managers and disaster managers, agriculture, nature conservation and consultants. Information from the interviews, workshops and focus groups has been used to develop an educational toolkit (including this website and the tutorial) for translating climate information into decisions for water resource managers. The toolkit also has basic information that appeals to a wide audience that could be used for planning, educational purposes or policy.