The supply-demand balance is a key measure of water resource sustainability.This balance is highly uneven across Scotland with much of the demand for water in the drier east. Agricultural irrigation is increasing in many areas, linked to land use change and requirements for high-quality produce. Better knowledge of the water balance can help secure its multiple benefits, including food security, energy crops, and the natural environment. A changing climate has implications for both water supply and demand but previous assessments have not included the influence of land use.
This project completed between April 2011 and August 2012 explored with stakeholders how climate change will modify both the supply and demand for water in Scotland. The project mapped these changes across Scotland to evaluate impact on the supply-demand balance and its implications for resource management, and was completed by a team from the James Hutton Institute.
- Explore with stakeholders how climate change will modify both the supply and demand for water in Scotland, and
- Map these changes across Scotland to evaluate impact on the supply-demand balance and its implications for resource management.