One of the biggest challenges for public policy in the region is to provide long-lasting economic growth so as to guarantee employment and a decent quality of life while at the same time preserving environmental sustainability. Countries in the region already face desertification risks and water scarcity, which contribute to a lower agricultural yield. Many strategies developed in response to this challenge lead to an inefficient allocation of resources. Although food self sufficiency is a positive development per se, it may also entail a degradation of the environment and living conditions. The introduction of such sustainable management policies not conflicting with each other and preserving the development potential of the region is therefore crucial. The Work Package 4a will involve two domain specific assessments targeted respectively to agriculture and water resource management including a mapping of current situations on a country basis and assessments of future demand and supply taking into account demographic developments and consequences of climate change.
This Work Package is led by Dr. Francesco Bosello, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM), an Italian independent research institution with strong track record in research related to energy and sustainable development.
