This report assesses the suitability of the water and climate-related policy environment (existing policy, legislation, strategy and planning instruments) for adapting to the impacts of climate change in the water sector in South Asia.

The overall goal of this report is to help water resources and environment professionals within the Bank and client countries use strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to effectively implement the principles of integrated water resources management (IWRM).

This report addresses one of the greatest shortcomings of water resource development projects: the inadequate protection of environmental flow conditions in rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and groundwater systems. This deficiency has affected hundreds of millions of people whose lifestyles and well-being depend upon natural ecosystem services provided by healthy

The overall goal of this report is to assist water resources and environment professionals within the Bank and client countries to use Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) to effectively implement the principles of IWRM.

The overall goal of this report and the accompanying report summarizing the findings and recommendations, both based on the economic and sector work (ESW), is to advance the understanding and integration in operational terms of environmental water allocation into integrated water resources management.