Evidence review: Water

Evidence review: Water

  • Status Completed
  • Review start June 2023
  • Review completion October 2023

Global water resources are severely affected by the changing climate threatening water security goals. However, our understanding of the impact of key interventions, particularly in coastal zones and certain types of terrestrial water projects, is limited. This evidence review systematically assesses the effectiveness of coastal and terrestrial water-sector interventions at different scales in developing countries.

Key documents

Protocol: Evidence review on coastal and terrestrial water-sector interventions in developing countries

August 2023

Global water resources are severely affected by the changing climate. However, our understanding of the impact of key interventions, particularly in coastal zones and certain types of terrestrial water projects, is limited. This evidence review systematically assesses the effectiveness of coastal and terrestrial water-sector interventions at different scales in developing countries. The protocol presents the overall approach for the systematic review with a particular focus on data collection and analysis.

Evidence gap map: Coastal and terrestrial water-sector interventions in developing countries

August 2023

The evidence gap map shows the landscape of studies across intervention and outcome areas. The final number of included studies was 172, made up of 171 unique studies and one linked study.

Systematic review: Coastal and terrestrial water sector interventions in developing countries

March 2024

Based on a rigorous protocol and companion evidence gap map, our systematic review conducts meta-analyses of water sector interventions in four areas: built infrastructure, nature-based options, institutional interventions, and financial/market mechanisms. The results suggest that water-efficient irrigation systems and ecosystem-based watershed management stand out as valuable tools for enhancing adaptive capacity, warranting specific attention.

IEU Brief No. 1- 2024

May 2024

Based on a rigorous protocol and companion evidence gap map, our systematic review conducts meta-analyses of water sector interventions in four areas: built infrastructure, nature-based options, institutional interventions, and financial/market mechanisms. The results suggest that water-efficient irrigation systems and ecosystem-based watershed management stand out as valuable tools for enhancing adaptive capacity, warranting specific attention.