National organisation

Communicating climate risk in the water sector

25 October 2021

Eline Anvik

A case study of the 2018 and 2020 drought events in the Republic of Ireland.

The prevalence and impact of drought has become a growing concern due to its socio-economic, environmental, and health impacts, continuously changing the narrative across different climatic zones. Historical reconstructions indicate that the Republic of Ireland – as a wet country, has experience over 45 droughts events since 1850. The drought events of 2018 and 2020 left a significant impact on water availability and supply, leading to changes in water sector management and policies, including a water conservation ban.

However, the national utility’s communication approach, public perception of water resources availability, and the level of knowledge and awareness on factors that jointly influence water supply such as over-abstraction, climate change, and the extent of media attention have been influencing water conservation efforts and measures particularly during periods of drought. Using sentiment analyses (SA) of social media communication (Facebook and Twitter), newspaper coverage of drought, and stakeholder interviews, our study aimed to catalogue communication lessons from the two drought events of 2018 and 2020 and propose options to enhance public communication on water resource availability in the Republic of Ireland.

Our findings revealed that despite accessible portals providing data and information on water resources, no comprehensive National Drought Information Management System nor national drought policy plan was available as prevailing in many drought-prone countries. Dialogical communication between the national utility company and the public was also limited, while newspaper coverage of drought events changed significantly in 2018 and 2020. Newspaper reports were also framed on uncertainty and risk (41% n=71), which had implications on public support and engagement for water conservation actions instead of stimulating it. Based on our findings, we demonstrated the need for public engagement, multi-sectoral interest and collaborative efforts to communicate drought and water conservation measures. Recommendations made in this study also aim to provide information for effective message development and delivery that could be constructive for water utilities, the media and other water sector organizations as they develop risk communication plans, particularly on drought.  

Source: Antwi, S. H. (Centre for Freshwater and Environmental Studies, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland). 2021. Communicating climate risk in the water sector: A case study of the 2018 and 2020 drought events in the Republic of Ireland. Managing ecological and climate risk, Risk & Resilience. AIWW 2021.