Citation
Filho, W.L. (2012), "Editorial", International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 4 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM.41404aaa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Editorial
Article Type: Editorial From: International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Volume 4, Issue 1
Welcome to another issue of IJCCSM. Readers will find, as usual, an interesting set of papers covering different aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation being undertaken in various countries.
On this editorial I would like to comment on a report by the UK water industry regulator, titled “Attitudes to water services in a changing climate. OFWATs research report (available at: http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/sustainability/climatechange) looks into water consumers attitudes to water and sewerage services in the context of a changing climate. In particular, the research explored: consumer attitudes to service and price in relation to the challenge of climate change over the long term; and appetites for using water more efficiently and managing water entering the sewers.
The findings indicate that participants: accept that collectively we need to respond to changing weather patterns and reduce greenhouse gas emissions – irrespective of the cause of climate change; would prefer to pay a little bit more in their water and sewerage bills now (for climate change-related investment), in order to avoid paying a lot more in future; thought metering was the fairest form of charging, but had no interest in “green tariffs; and are not prepared to accept a reduced level of service in the future (as a result of climate change). However, they were open to changing their own behaviour to help maintain levels of service and keep bill increases as small as possible.
The OFWATs report reiterates the fact that challenges of climate change need to be addressed by the water and sewerage sectors in ways that offer value and protection to consumers both now and in the future.
Enjoy your reading!
Walter Leal Filho