This report brings together a wide range of water-related issues, problems, and challenges from a future-oriented, multi-disciplinary, and multisectoral perspective from around the Asia and Pacific region. Highlighted are important topics that have been neglected or are being inadequately considered in most countries of the region.

This report shares field experience and lessons in developing incentive-based mechanisms for watershed protection services and improved livelihoods at micro- and macro-scales at three locations in Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The process, progress and problems in the three sites, and the initial findings, are presented. Key lessons are discussed and specific recommendations made.

This paper describes what climate change is, including how it is affecting the world live in and the timeframe within which these changes are expected to happen. It then considers why climate change needs to be a priority in development planning, including the inequitable burden it places on the poor and developing countries, as well as the impacts on the world’s water resources. Finally, this paper concludes by presenting measures to address climate change, including some current campaigns.