Country – France
Department of Corrèze
Objective of the climate change vulnerability analysis for real estate assets in France and Australia
Faced with the growing challenge of climate change in the Corrèze department, it is crucial to anticipate its impact on water resources and the uses that depend on them. This prospective study aims to characterize climatic and hydrological evolutions in the Corrèze department, while assessing their consequences on the integrated management of water resources. The aim is to identify existing and future vulnerabilities in order to support local authorities and economic players in implementing appropriate strategies.
This project, carried out for the Corrèze department, is structured around three main phases, mobilizing historical data and climate projections to develop a global and territorialized vision of climate impacts. It falls within the scope of our services data ressources en eau, reconnus pour leur pertinence en matière d’analyse et de gestion des risques liés au changement climatique.
Understanding climate and hydrological issues
Water is an essential resource for many sectors, including agriculture, industry, drinking water supply and ecosystem management. However, climate change is profoundly altering water regimes, causing droughts, floods and imbalances in resource availability to intensify. It is therefore essential to understand the evolution of water resources and to analyze the climatic impact on these resources.
The need for this study is twofold:
- Evaluate past and future climate impacts on a sub-catchment scale to provide a detailed analysis tailored to each territory.
- Develop tools and scenarios to strengthen the resilience of local players in the face of climate challenges.
Phase 1: Retrospective and prospective analysis
The first step in the study is to analyze past climatic and hydrological data to understand changing trends. This retrospective analysis is based on historical data series, enabling us to identify variations in precipitation, river flow and temperature.
Next, climate projections are developed to assess the evolution of water resources over different time horizons. These projections incorporate several socio-economic scenarios, reflecting various trajectories in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Phase 2: Assessment and hydroclimatic scenarios
The second phase of this study, carried out for the Corrèze department, focuses on drawing up hydrological and climatic balances specific to each sub-catchment. This phase includes :
- Identification of areas vulnerable to climatic hazards such as drought or flooding.
- Modeling hydroclimatic scenarios to anticipate variations in water resources and their impact on existing uses (agriculture, industry, drinking water).
These scenarios provide a solid basis for defining adaptation and climate risk management priorities.
Phase 3: Creation of a departmental database
Finally, the third phase aims to create a departmental database of climatic and hydrological projections. This database, designed with a fine, territorial resolution, will be an invaluable tool for local authorities and water managers.
It not only provides access to detailed information, but also compares historical and future trends for each territory, facilitating informed decision-making.
What are the results?
The results of this study provide strategic information for addressing water resource management issues:
- Water infrastructure planning: Identify priority investments to improve resilience to climatic hazards.
- Adapting water uses: Anticipate future water needs and adjust agricultural, industrial and domestic practices accordingly.
- Protecting aquatic ecosystems: Preserving natural habitats sensitive to hydrological variations.
These data can also be integrated into public policies to guide land-use strategies and ensure sustainable resource management.
An integrated vision for a resilient future
This prospective study, produced for the Corrèze department, represents an essential step in anticipating the impacts of climate change on water resources and associated uses. Based on robust methodologies and reliable projections, it offers a global and precise vision of the challenges ahead.
Thanks to our expertise, we support local authorities such as the Corrèze department and businesses in their transition to integrated, sustainable management models. Together, we are helping to build resilient solutions to the challenges of climate change, ensuring the sustainability of water resources for future generations.