On 17 November 2020, the First Mediterranean Assessment Report from the “Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change” was posted online. The report titled “Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future” has been established by 190 scientists from 25 countries. ICWRGC’s Dr. Marianela Fader is one of the Coordinating Lead Authors of the chapter “Water”. A brief version of the full report is available as a so-called “Summary for Policy Makers” (SPM).

In the water sector, less precipitation and surface runoff, higher evaporation and an increasing need for irrigation as well as more frequent droughts and user conflicts are to be expected. Climate warming and less rainfall reduce groundwater recharge and deteriorate its quality in coastal zones owing to saltwater intrusion, sea level rise and human overexploitation.