China - Initiation of a cooperative project on impacts of climate change on water resources on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

The Qinghai Tibetan Plateau has received much attention internationally related to effects on and from climate change. This high elevation, semi-arid plateau in northwestern China is headwaters for the three great rivers of southeast Asia, the Yangtze (Ch angjiang), Yellow (Huanghe) and Mekong (Lancangjiang). Due to its geographical position, high altitude and extreme climate the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Climate warming threatens the mountain glaciers whose mel twaters supply much of the river water in the dry summer months, and there is great concern that the predicted reduction in precipitation will make the waters unsuitable for human consumption and irrigation. A concrete project plan is currently under deve lopment for establishment of a project on effect of climate change on water supply and water quality, Yangtze River (Changjiang) headwaters. The major objective is to assess the risk of future climate change to water quantity and quality in the headwaters of the Yangtze River. Main hypotheses are: i. Future climate change in this region will entail less precipitation and higher temperature ii. Future climate change will cause lower discharge in winter months iii.Future climate change will cause inc reased problems with salt concentrations in the river and its tributaries The primary objective for the BILAT project is to develop a full proposal for a comprehensive project on the effects of climate change on water supply and water quality at the Q inghai Tibetan Plateau, with focus on the headwaters of the Yangtze River. The project will be implemented through the following main activities: 1. Organize a workshop in China to identify the appropriate collaborators and discuss the details of the p roject proposal work plan. 2. Prepare a detailed project proposal with defined outputs and activities. 3. Submit a comprehensive application in accordance with required formats for full financial support