Chinese and Swiss experts analyze impacts of climate change and socio-economic development on water resources and extreme events (such as floods and droughts) in the Jinsha river basin, the upper reach of Yangtze River in China. They elaborate adaption measures  for an integrated water resources management. EBP has the lead of the project and contributes to several technical project components.

The effects of climate change on the Yangtze River are crucial for the economy, food production, livelihood safety and ecosystems of about one third of China. The Jinsha River Basin project (JRB) studies these impacts in the upper Yangtze, where glacier and climatic variability greatly influence the water regimes, and measures are needed for a sustainable, integrated water management catering for agriculture, hydropower  as well as biodiversity and human wellbeing in the coming years and decades.

The project goals are to improve the integrated water resources and risk management framework for the JRB, to sustain human development under changing climate and socio-economic development.

Teams of Chinese and Swiss experts (EBP, Geotest, hydrique) share experience and collaborate on knowledge of water dynamics in JRB (e.g. extreme event documentation, monitoring systems, hydro-meteorological forecasting, aquatic ecosystems, water supply and demand), identify and analyse impacts of climate change and socio-economic development on water supply and extreme events.

Furthermore, adaptation strategies and measures to climate change for water resources and flood control and drought relief based on risk management are developed and assessed. An international platform for knowledge and expertise exchange on water resources management and climate change adaptation discusses ongoing work and draws out lessons and understanding relevant to efforts to adapt to climate change elsewhere in the world.

EBP is responsible for the overall project management and contributes to several technical components such as water supply and water demand, ecosystems, climate change scenarios and their impacts on water resources and extreme events, adaptation strategies and measures. The services include workplans, workshops, technical discussions and consulting, model application, data analysis, project understanding, reporting, as well as organizing of conferences and study tours.