Adaptation to Climate Change: Green Development

Mitigation and adaptation are both responses to climate change. This chapter provides the reader with information related to various policy measures for climate change, in water management. A theoretical part introduces issues concerning water resources management and sustainable water use. The chapter is mainly devoted to green development as a new development model for the twenty-first century that can provide adaptation to climate change and can guarantee economic prosperity, environmental protection of natural resources, and social equity. The main characteristics of green development are analyzed. Methods and applications of green development in water management are discussed as a solution to the impact of climate change on water. EU adaptation policies, in the context of green development, are discussed, and a case study from Greece demonstrates nonstructural measures and combined methodologies used to promote sustainable water management.