Lake Victoria in East Africa, the world’s second largest lake, is endowed with abundant water and other natural resources. The lake is transboundary and of significance to its basin countries – which are also East African Community (EAC) partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania) – and basin communities because of its role in supporting valuable ecosystem services, livelihood systems and economic activities. The basin’s natural resource endowments include water resources (the lake’s estimated volume is 2,700 km3); rivers, streams and wetlands; abundant and fertile land; natural forest resources; minerals; and wildlife, including a high annual fish yield estimated at more than $550 million. It also hosts the crested crane and the globally threatened sitatunga – a swamp dwelling antelope.
The capital cities of Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru are vulnerable to climate change, partly due to their dependence on water from retreating Andean glaciers for human consumption, industrial use, hydropower production, agriculture and other uses. This comparative study of La Paz, Quito and Lima highlights the challenges, enabling factors, lessons learned and implications for climate compatible development illustrated by a project to assess the cities’ carbon and water footprints.
Key findings include:
