keynote presentation: mukand babel, coordinator of water engineering and management, asian institute...

GEF International Waters Science Conference 2012 Bangkok, Thailand – 24 to 26 September 2012

Enhancing the Use of Science in Managing and Addressing Complex Issues in Transboundary Rivers

Mukand BabelAsian Institute of Technology (AIT)

Presentation outlines

• Introduction• IW: Science Project Rivers Group

• Summary of key findings• Recommendations

• Persistent and Emerging Issues/Challenges• Few examples

• Responses (Approaches/Solutions)• Few examples

Introduction

International rivers and some factsContinent Rivers

Africa 61

Asia 54

Europe 71

N America 39

S America 38

Total 263

Percentage within International basins

No. of countries

90-100 39

80-90 11

70-80 14

60-70 11

50-60 17

40-50 10

30-40 10

20-30 13

10-20 9

0.01-10 11

• Home to more than 40% of the world’s population

• Over 90% lives in countries that share basins

• Nearly one half of the earth’s land surface

• 60% of the global freshwater flow; remaining from groundwater

• International river- aquifer interaction

• Top 10 basins contribute 10% of world’s GDP in 2010; 25% of world’s GDP in 2050

• 7 out these 10 basins will face water scarcity by 2050

Stefano et al. (2010). Tracking Cooperation and Conflict in International Basins: Historic and Recent Trends Water Policy. Vol 12 No 6 pp 871–884 Frontier Economics (2012). Exploring the links between water and economic growth; A Report Prepared for HSBC. London, June 2012, 62pp

Introduction

IW: Science Project - River Basin Working Group•15 experts from different geographic areas•Reviewed 38 GEF projects•Lead institution: UNEP-DEWA•Africa: 5•Asia: 4•Americas: 5•Europe: 1

Summary of Key Findings

Role of science in rivers projects• Mainly as foundation/basis for project designs and

implementation of activities• Studies and analyses or assessments of river basin

and other international waters issues• Adoption and application of established science for

management, such as wastewater, pollution, etc.• Development of sound methodologies and monitoring

programs


Gaps in the use of science• Lack of application of useful technologies (e.g.

remote sensing) in assessment and monitoring• Effects/impacts of climate change not incorporated• On social science side, incorporation of local

management structures and approaches missing• Socio-economic data seemed not effectively

incorporated in project design


Issues covered • Mainly on water quality such as eutrophication/

nutrients, contaminants, etc.• Many others on hydrology/water balance, bio-

diversity and social/governance issues• Issues related to fisheries, wetlands, invasive

species, etc. also included


Coverage of the coupling of social and ecological systems

• As integral parts of FS, specialist reports, EIAs, environmental plans, stakeholder analysis, etc.

• Specific tools• Scaling-scoping-screening methods, causal chain analysis,

policy options analysis• Use of simulation models and monitoring and

information system• Participatory approaches or stakeholder involvement

• Meetings, seminars, consultations, workshops, roundtables, conferences, symposia, working groups, etc.)

• Conduct of pilot projects or programs


Diverse methods applied for engaging local and international scientific entities

• Project inception and design• Preparation of background documents, reports or

assessments or plans; • Workshops, meetings, seminars, forums, regional/

international conventions and conferences, consultations and stakeholder dialogues

• Steering and working groups and roundtables; • Establishment of networks, partnerships or

coordinating groups


Issues on engagement of local and international scientific entities

• Underrepresentation of social and policy scientists• Lack of involvement of local communities/universities

especially at early stages• Lack of stakeholder analysis and stakeholder

involvement plan• Lack of good deal of involvement of the private

sectors and NGOs• Networks seemed established as ad hoc in nature


Results/science were communicated through different methods (publications, websites, symposia, etc.)

• Few known publications in peer-reviewed journals• Lack of peer-review • Lack of formality and visibility of findings and

recommendations, not contributed to policiesEvidences of use of project outcomes

• Used in other GEF projects• Use of data/information by the river commission• Project findings implemented in national programs


Application of indicators • More on project management indicators than impact

indicators• Development/selection of impact indicators is not

clearly indicated• Verification of project benefits not integral part of

projects


Adaptive management (TDA-SAP cycles) is evident in basins with longer history of GEF-funded series of projects

• More on adaptive management related to project management

• On-the-ground adaptive management is less evident


Lessons learned on linking science and policy implementation

• Significance of wide dissemination of scientific information to influence policy actions

• Role of project ownership (e.g. through active stakeholder involvement) in influencing policy formulation

• Pilot projects and national case studies are helpful in translating scientific interventions into policies

RecommendationsEnhancing the use of science

Improving engagement of scientific communities• Preparation of stakeholder analysis and stakeholder

involvement plan• Strengthening the regional legal basis of

environmental measures• Development of regional capacity• Strengthening of institutions

Optimizing use of indicators • Need to institutionalize monitoring in riparian

countries through the transboundary organization/ commission

• Importance of harmonized and standardized measurements

• Establishment of monitoring system and publicly accessible information database


Communicating science within GEF and in wider scientific community

• Develop a mechanism for all GEF projects to include and disseminate scientific information

• Establish repository of scientific information• Encourage participation of certain user groups in the

project activities • Especially local academic and research institutions

• Peer-review of documents and publication of scientific papers in refereed journals

• Organize events for sharing of scientific findings and information


Issues/Challenges

• Increased water scarcity and quality degradation due to urbanization and economic growth

• Land use change dynamics leading to issues of sedimentation, eutrophication, pollution

• Developmental activities in upstream countries affecting downstream riparian

• Climate change introduces additional complexity and uncertainty

• The past is no longer a trustworthy indicator of the future• New paradigms required to support decision making

• Extreme events (floods and droughts) under future climate

Issues/Challenges

• Water, food, and energy nexus requiring careful balance of economic and environmental interests

• Addressing persistent micro-organic pollutants; contamination from pharmaceutical products

• Impacts of tourism-related activities• Issues on invasive species

“Water sector will change more during next 1-2 decades compared to past 100 years. The challenge will be from outside the water sector such as urbanization, tourism, energy policies, change in food habits, climate change etc.” (Biswas, 2012 Personal Communication)

Impact of climate change and developmental activities on sediment yield: A case study of Nam Ou Basin, Lao PDR

Hydrological impact of bio-fuel production: A simulation study in Thailand

• Water footprint analysis: Cassava is more water-efficient than oil palm and sugarcane

• Oil palm expansion • Small change in water balance components• Increased NO3 loading

• Cassava and sugarcane expansion • Alter water balance components • Increased sediment, NO3 and Total P loading

• Conclusion: Land use change for • Biodiesel production would affect water quality• Bio-ethanol production would affect both water balance and

water qualityBabel, M. S., Shrestha, B. and S. R. Perret (2011). Hydrological Impact of Bio-fuel Production: A

Case Study of the Khlong Phlo Watershed in Thailand, Agricultural Water Management, 101, 8-26.

Mekong2Rio Conference: 1-3 May 2012, Phuket, Thailand

• To address “the transboundary dimension of the water, energy and food security nexus, with emphasis on the challenges that rapid human-made developments and environmental change pose to the sustainable management of transboundary river basins”

• The nexus approach, building on IWRM, highlights the need for dialogue and real engagement among sectors on water, energy and food security issues at all levels, from local to transboundary levels

• Nexus thinking needs to be based on scientific evidence of the gains to be made, and hence an added focus on R&D, including in DSS, along with the dissemination of results through a stronger transboundary science-policy dialogue

Responses/Solutions

• Holistic and systems approach to manage river basin considering its linkages with other ecosystems

• lakes, aquifers and others• Economics to play role for cooperation among the

riparian countries• A win-win for parties involved

• Regional development initiatives • Greater Mekong Sub-region by ADB for economic

cooperation among the countries• Community-level initiatives

• Sujala project in Karnataka, India (Innovation in participatory watershed development to improve natural resource productivity and rural livelihoods)

Responses/Solutions

• Green development approach• Fuel-efficient transport• Clean energy sources• Efficient water supply and re-use• Precision agriculture• Less water intensive crops• Improved biotechnology to lower use of chemical fertilizers• Rain harvesting and recycling in urban centers• However, there is a need of appropriate policies and

regulatory incentives for implementation• Food grain management to reduce postharvest losses

• About 10-30% postharvest loss• Effective capacity building and training

SMART Indicators (DPSIR approach)

Management challenge

Resource Stress

Ecological insecurity

Development pressures

Water

Exploitation

Safe drinking water

inaccessibility

Water scarcity

Water variation

Pollution

Ecosystem deterioration

Water use inefficiency

Improved sanitation inaccessibility

Conflict management

capacity

Vulnerability Assessment of Freshwater Resources

Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound

VulnerabilityIndex

Interpretation

Low (0.0 - 0.2)

Healthy basinNo serious policy change is neededCareful examination of the VI structure needed

Moderate (0.2 – 0.4)

Basin is generally in a good condition toward realization of sustainable water resource managementPolicy focus - the identified challenges and constraints of the river basin

High(0.4 – 0.7)

High priority to policy formulation to mitigate the high pressuresA longer term strategic development plan needed

Severe(0.7 – 1.0)

Restoration of the river basin’s water resource management will need high commitment from both government and general public. It will be a long process for the restoration, and an integrated plan should be made at basin level with involvement of international, national and local level agencies


Vulnerability Index interpretation guide

Post-Doctoral Research Programme on Adaptation to Climate Change (PRoACC)

Special Focus on the Mekong River Basin

PRoACC Phase 1 (April 2010 - May 2012)

Innovative approaches to address research needs in the field of CC adaptation

PRoACC Phase 1: Approach,Study Areas and Linkages

• 8 post-docs from the region, working in the region, hosted by partner institutes

•CC adaptation from different perspective, post-doc with different scientific background

Thank [email protected] & [email protected]

www.iwlearn.net/iwsc2012

Science in the Service of Society

keynote presentation: mukand babel, coordinator of water engineering and management, asian institute...

Documents

summary of key findings

summary of key findings

international basins

project management indicators

visibility of findings

science project river

social science

project designs