Water Management Policy for Freshwater Security in the Context of Climate Change in Senegal

The impact of climate change on freshwater systems and its management have been ongoing for many years and is projected to intensify as temperature, sea level and rainfall variability increases. Senegal’s water resources are now threatened by human activity of various origins and by the harmful effects of climate change. This chapter addresses the extent to which water management policy ensures freshwater security in the context of climate change. Given the scale of water scarcity, this study is limited to characterizing the relationship between water management policy and freshwater security in the climate change context, focusing on data and information from institutions with authority for water policy and minimization of water scarcity. The discussion includes a case study on the impact of climate change on water resources in the Gambia River Basin, which indicates that while there is a great deal of attention paid to freshwater security policy, there is no consensus on how to mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure water security. Water and climate change are managed by different ministries, resulting in predictable conflicts of authority and responsibility. Thus, it is necessary for the government to establish an effective water policy, with clear, sustainable strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change for the sustainable freshwater security of the country.