This is one in a series of issue briefing paper IATP published as a lead in to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Copenhagen.

Agricultural water use, which accounts for almost 70 percent of world water withdrawals, is at the intersection of three interconnected crises--food, water and climate. As climate change directly impacts water and agriculture, agricultural practices can both impact and mitigate climate change. This paper outlines why the three crises cannot be addressed in isolation and complementary policy options and action steps that can be implemented to correct the situation..