Water Resources in a Changing Climate

Module information

This online CPD award is delivered by a tutor with over 18 years combined experience in water resources regulation, flood management and climate change impact assessment. The course explores the way our water use has been managed up to now and looks at how, under a changing climate, adaptation strategies are being developed to cope with an increasingly variable resource.

The course is aimed at staff either employed directly by, or as consultants to, water-related industries such as public water supply, hydropower, beverages (including brewing and distilleries) and agriculture. It is particularly suitable for those employed as environmental managers, water resource practitioners, hydrologists and environmental scientists.  It also provides relevant CPD for government agency staff such as the environment and conservation agencies where their remit includes the water environment.

It can help those with an interest in water management understand the background against which the regulation of the water environment has been set and explores the way all stakeholders have a role to play in securing the benefits we get from a healthy water environment both now and in the future as we adapt to climate change.

Special features

• Explore concepts of sustainable water management from both theoretical and practical viewpoints, including best practice case studies of how the needs of the water user can be met without compromising the benefits that a healthy water environment provides to our society.
• Using the latest projections for the UK, the course provides an in-depth assessment of how climate change could impact the availability of water for a range of uses and looks at how we can adapt to this.
• Flexible study: this module is delivered fully online and is based around a weekly presentation posted on the virtual learning environment along with accompanying learning resources such as papers and web links. You will also use web resources, including videos and interactive web sites, for extracting and analysing environmental data.
• The course benefits from a themed weekly discussion board between students, accompanied by a number of optional Webex tutorials which will consider topical water-related issues.
• Whilst the course focuses on examples from Scotland and the rest of the UK, it sets these within the wider European and global contexts. Examples of good practice from around the world are used and students from outside of the UK routinely contribute with their local experiences.

If you decide later that you would like to apply for the full MSc course, then this 20-credit module will count towards it.

If you have any questions about the module, email: info.cms.perth@uhi.ac.uk

CPD Award Water Resources in a Changing Climate (uhi.ac.uk)

Module learning outcomes

• Understand the basic components and processes of the water cycle and the different methods used to monitor and analyse these in terms of both water resource quantity and quality
• Understand what is meant by water resources and gain detailed knowledge on the range of water resource issues common within the rural and mountain environments such as pollution, floods and droughts.
• Understand the projected impacts of climate change on water resources and demonstrate a critical awareness of how moving to Net Zero is expected to influence our use of water.
• Using relevant case studies, critically assess the potential of tools used in water management and climate change adaptation

Module outline

1. Introduction – The importance of water for human development.  Understanding the risks from climate change.
2. The hydrological cycle
3. Measurement and modelling of water resources
4. Water as a resource: Water quantity
5. Water as a resource: Water quality
6. The impacts of a changing climate on water resources and flooding:  Past trends and future projections
7. Water management 1: EU, UK and Scottish institutions, legislation and policy; Managing water for sustainable economic development
8. Water management 2:  Floods.  Generation, detection, warning and planning
9. Water management 3:  Droughts.  Generation, detection, warning and planning
10. Water management 4:  Managing water for ecology.
11. Catchment management to mitigate the climate emergency. Habitat restoration and nature based solutions.  Water for renewable energy.
12. Adapting to a future climate.  Addressing water demand and water quality impacts. Flood avoidance and protection. 

2024-25 Fee

The 2024/25 fee is:

£584 (Scottish students)

£780 (Rest of UK)

CPD Award Water Resources in a Changing Climate (uhi.ac.uk)

Entry requirements

• Honours degree, or ordinary degree in a relevant subject
• Postgraduate diploma or professional qualification in a relevant subject
• Other qualifications will be considered if accompanied by a minimum of three years' relevant professional experience

Apply

Apply online to start on 2 September 2024: CPD Award Water Resources in a Changing Climate (uhi.ac.uk)