News

Climate change will have impact on inland waterways

The Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC) has published its latest report showing how inland waterways can assist in lessening and adapting to the effects of climate change.

The report identifies the following ways in which canals and rivers can contribute to lessening the effects of climate change:

• increasing the amount of freight transported on waterways
• using waterways as a source for cooling adjacent buildings
• developing renewable energy sources, such as hydropower
• reducing vessels emissions through improved boater education on engine use and speed

Other measures that should be taken to help the environment adapt to climate change are:

• increasing data monitoring to help plan for anticipated drier summers and wetter winters
• increasing storage for excess or surplus water during wetter winters
• improving water conservation and supply during drier summers
• adapting bankside, towpath and habitat management in anticipation of an increased growth in existing or newly arrived species.

"Action is required by everyone" John Edmonds, who chairs IWAC, said: "Some degree of climate change is now inevitable. Action is required by everyone, including the inland waterway sector, to achieve the 80% cut required in all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

"Inland waterway managers need to be prepared for the effects of likely increases in winter rainfall, reductions in summer rainfall, higher water and air temperatures and corresponding changes to waterway sedimentation.

"Some of the mitigation and adaptation measures our report identifies can be delivered by improving awareness and education of inland waterway users. Most of the recommended measures require authorities to start actively preparing for their implementation now, otherwise tomorrow’s appreciation of our inland waterways risks being hampered due to today’s lack of action."

Source: British Waterways News letter 17/06/09