HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR47%

Area:

Ubicación

105,41 hectares

53%EL SALVADOR

HONDURAS

The source of the Sumpul River sub-basin covers an area of 105.41 hectares; of which, 55.90 hectares are located in Honduras (53%)

and 49.51 in El Salvador (47%). This source is located between the Municipality of San Ignacio, Department of Chalatenango, El Salvador and the Municipality of Sinuapa, Department of Ocotepeque, Honduras. The river water is used for different purposes in both countries: human consumption, agriculture, industry and electric power generation.

The high rate of deforestation - annual rate of 2.3% - due to allocating the land for agricultural use, and pollution derived from open defecation, the inappropriate use of agrochemicals and incorrect waste disposal are some of the environmental degradation problems the sub-basin is facing.

In addition to this, the main changes in the climate system observed in the sub-basin are the strong variations in the rainfall regime, extreme fluctuations in temperatures and strong winds. This produces different impacts on both natural and human systems. Among the impacts on natural systems, there is evidence of a decrease in river flow, intense rains for short periods that, in turn, generate landslides and floods and periods of pronounced droughts that affect agriculture and food security, among others.

HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR

HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR48%

Extensión:

Location

2.345,46 km2

52%

HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR47%

Area:

Ubicación

105,41 hectares

53%EL SALVADOR

HONDURAS

HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR47%

Extensión:

Ubicación

105,41 hectáreas

53%EL SALVADOR

HONDURAS

Governance forEcosystems based Adaptation:

Upper sub-basin of the Sumpul River

Go

vernance

No. 06SERIES 3

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The vulnerability of communities to the impacts of climate change is also exacerbated by the poverty conditions, the high level of illiteracy (22.5% in San Ignacio and 20% in Sinuapa) and the scarce alternatives for local development. There has also been an increase in some respiratory diseases and dengue fever. All this disrupts livelihoods and also results in the migration of villagers in search of better opportunities, either within their country or abroad.

Despite the need to take urgent measures to adapt to climate change, there are a number of factors that hinder decision-making and its implementation, such as: 1) the limited knowledge of the key actors regarding climate change and the opportunities presented by nature-based solutions to address it; 2) mistrust between settlers on both sides of the border due to conflicts regarding the use of water from the Sumpul River, both for human consumption and

domestic use, as well as for agricultural production; and 3) the absence of effective organizational structures at the binational level involving government actors and various sectors of civil society for an integrated management of the sub-basin.

In this context, the AVE (Adaptation, Vulnerability and Ecosystems) and BRIDGE Projects - which have been implemented by IUCN and the Trifinio Plan in the municipalities of La Palma and San Ignacio in El Salvador, as well as Sinuapa in Honduras - have worked on: 1) the awareness of actors about the importance of the restoration of sub-basin ecosystems to cope with climate change; 2) the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) actions 3) the generation of evidence on the effectiveness of EbA to inform the decision-making processes; 4) building trust between communities of Honduras and El Salvador that share the sub-basin; and 5) strengthening

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the community water boards and the Binational Committee of the Sumpul River Basin to improve cross-border cooperation in matters related to governance of water and the restoration of ecosystems for adaptation purposes. These actions have been part of an escalation strategy that seeks the incorporation of EbA into adaptation plans and programs at different levels of government, as well as those of community and private organizations.

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The Committee is formed as follows:

Government

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NGOs

• Ministry of Health

• Ministry of Education

• Trifinio Plan

• National Police Service

• Municipalities of La Palma and San Ignacio

• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

• Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources

• Ministry of National Defense

• Institute of Forest Conservation

• Municipality of Sinuapa

• Trifinio Plan

• Education secretary

• Health Secretary

• National Electric Power Company

• National Agrarian Institute

• National Autonomous Service of Aqueducts and Sewers

Community organizations

• Water Management Boards of the El Centro, Caserío Los Alvarado, Río Chiquito, Las Pilas and La Granadilla cantons

• Board of School Directors of the Canton Las Pilas

• Community Development Association, Canton El Centro

• Producers Cooperatives (ACOPO de R.L., Cooperativa de Productores Orgánicos)

• Youth Group of La Granadilla canton

• Catholic Church

• Evangelical Church

• San Francisco Sumpul Board

• Water Management Board

• Parents’ Society

• Producer Cooperative (COPRAUL, Cooperativa Regional Agroforestal Agricultores Unidos Limitada)

• Group of farmers from the San Francisco Sumpul

• Health volunteers

• Catholic Church

• Evangelical Church

• International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

• Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)

• German cooperation through GIZ and KFW

• German cooperation through GIZ and KFW

• United States Agency for Cooperation (USAID)

The work related to governance has focused on the strengthening of the Binational Committee of the Sub-basin of the Sumpul River and of the Water Boards and as platforms for the management of water resources. These meetings form the organizational base of the Binational Committee of the High Sub-basin of the Sumpul River and are spaces for dialogues at the community level on climate change and EbA.

The Binational Committee, created in 2012, is a cross-border body whose objective is to ensure the management and protection of natural resources, especially the water resources of the Sumpul sub-basin. Its mission is to work for sustainable development of the communities

that make it up, taking advantage of human, natural, economic and technological resources that contribute to a better level and quality of life for rural families. The principles of responsibility, respect, honesty, transparency, unity, equality and solidarity guide their work.

In this instance, community actors that receive political and institutional support from local governments participate, as well as governmental entities from Honduras and El Salvador, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) linked to the integral management of the sub-basin.

Strengthening governance structures

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• The Binational Committee of the Sub-basin of the Sumpul River was reactivated on September 28, 2017 with the election of new representatives. It currently has a new board of directors and its planning instruments are up to date and incorporate the EbA approach.

• The Committee has made it possible to reach agreements on the adequate management of water for human consumption in the communities of the upper sub-basin of the Sumpul River, both in El Salvador and Honduras. This has contributed to a better management of conflicts and interests among its inhabitants.

• The community Water Management Boards have better capacities for the integral management of the sub-basin and

the implementation of the EbA. These boards are now the ones that promote awareness-raising activities for the inhabitants on the efficient use of the resources of the sub-basin and the protection of water sources as a measure of adaptation to climate change.

• As the communities and the various stakeholders are more aware of the Committee’s role in cross-border coordination and decision-making related to the integral management of the sub-basin and adaptation to climate change, they have been mobilized to promote efforts in state government bodies, form alliances and seek support for the implementation of projects for sustainable development in the sub-basin.

Despite its relevance to promoting the sustainable development of the sub-basin, the Committee went through a long period of inactivity (from September 2013 to the beginning of 2015), which is why the IUCN - Trifinio Plan alliance worked to promote its reactivation and strengthening. Among the actions implemented, the promotion of the active participation of the Water Boards, community development associations and productive cooperatives in the activities of the Committee is highlighted; the training of its members and other key actors in relation to cross-border cooperation, integrated water resources management and EbA; and technical support for the updating of its planning instruments, as well as the communication and advocacy skills of its members.

Within the framework of the training and training processes, IUCN implemented the CRiSTAL1 workshop for the community identification of climatic risks. This involved farmers, municipalities, ministries and government institutions, community leaders, educators and young people from both sides of the border.

The application of CRiSTAL1 (see previous paragraph) created a fundamental space for conflict mediation and building trust between the affected actors, which facilitated decision-making at the cross-border level. Likewise, tours (national and binational) were held to exchange experiences, the “Natural Solutions Meeting on Climate Change” was held, and several training sessions to improve the communication skills of local leaders and disseminate information regarding the legal and public policy frameworks that facilitate the integration of EbA.

The accompaniment work in the reactivation of the Binational Committee resulted in the restructuring of the board of directors and the incorporation of new leadership, among them young people, women and new local organizations. Likewise, the update of the Strategic Action Plan, the 2017-2018 Annual Operation Plan and the internal rules of the committee were promoted, including among its strategies the implementation of EbA actions. Likewise, technical support provided for the elaboration of the regulatory instruments of the community Water Boards, whose actions have direct effects on the functioning of the committee, since each board is represented in it.

Results

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1 CRiSTAL (Community Risk Screening Tool for Adaptation of Livelihoods).

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• At local level, the communities and the Water Boards have an impact on the communities and can be examples of EbA implementation.

• At sub-national level, the Committee has served as a platform for the exchange of experiences between environmental municipal units and ADESCOS or patronages, which has allowed the unification of implementation concepts and methodologies in relation to water resources management and of the EbA.

• At national level, the National Adaptation Plan of Honduras incorporates the EbA approach as one of its strategic lines and adaptive management as one of its cross-cutting lines.

• At transboundary level, the participation of local, subnational and national entities in capacity building processes has made it possible for the EbA approach to be considered in the conceptual and methodological approach of the strategic work proposal of the Trifinio Region and in its planning instruments: the Trinational Operational Plans and the Master Plan Proposal for the Trifinio Region, which is under construction.

• At international level, the actions of the Trifinio Plan and IUCN in the upper Sumpul sub-basin also contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), for example:

Scaling up

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Clean Water and Sanitation. In the integral management of water resources through cross-border cooperation

Life of Terrestrial Ecosystems.

Climate Action. In the integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies and plans

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The consolidation and maintenance processes of the Sumpul River sub-basin Binational Commitee require a lot of time from its members, which on occasion imposes a limitation on their active participation. In this regard, the involvement of more leaders who can support the implementation of committee actions and favor the union of efforts and distribution of responsibilities is suggested.

Achieving consensus in relation to water management that satisfies the different stakeholders has been a challenge. Awareness-raising activities on the opportunities of EbA for water security have allowed the management of the water resources and the EbA to link closely with the maintenance of the communities’ means of life in the region, which has facilitated the opening up to dialogue and the coordination of joint actions. For this reason, it is essential to maintain a permanent strategy of the communities and technical and organizational training of the committee that guarantees intergenerational relief and the sustainability of the adaptation measures implemented.

The good management of the basin resources and the coordination of EbA actions requires the strengthening of the alliances between the municipal authorities of both countries and the Committee, so it is important to promote the synergies between the objectives of the Committee and the Municipalities in relation to the provision of public water services.

In addition, like any structure in the process of consolidation, the Committee faces challenges with respect to obtaining and managing resources of all kinds, especially financial resources, in order to maintain its operation and develop the projects contemplated in its Strategic Action Plan. In this regard, it is recommended to:

• Further disseminate the actions of this committee at the binational and regional level to create alliances with other actors aimed at the development of projects.

• Promote diversified local economic initiatives to promote sustainable socioeconomic development that contributes to improve the quality of the inhabitants’ life.

• Implement more actions oriented to the sustainability of the water resource, considering its different uses. To do this, the committee must coordinate actions with the irrigators associations in the area, who manage the use of water for productive purposes.

• Promote the improvement of the social services associated with the integral management of the Sumpul River sub-basin natural resources.

• Continue developing the management capacity of communities, cantons and villages for their effective participation in decision-making processes by local governments and national institutions.

Challenges and next steps©

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AuthorsLorena Martínez Hernández, Dilsia Avelar, Balmore Montoya

About the AVE projectThe AVE project: Adaptation, Vulnerability & Ecosystems seeks to scale the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approach through the strengthening of capacities to address climate change, the articulation of political, legal and institutional frameworks and the gathering of evidence on their multiple benefits to increase resilience and reduce the vulnerability of people and nature. Its implementation is carried out since 2015 in six Mesoamerican countries (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama) with the support of the Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU) of Germany, and executed by the Environmental Law Centre (ELC) and the Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and in coordination with member organizations and partners such as the Honduran Environment Foundation and VIDA Development, the Salvadoran Ecological Unit, the Natural History Society of Soconusco, the Talamanca Caribe Biological Corridor Association and the Trinational Commission of the Trifinio Plan.

More information: http://www.iucn.org/node/594 - Contact: ebagovernance@iucn.org

About IUCNIUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,300 Member organisations and the input of more than 10,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

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Governance for EbA: Definition

Governance for adaptation to climate change refers to the norms, institutions and processes that determine how power is exercised and responsibilities are distributed, and how decisions are made to moderate potential harms, take advantage of beneficial aspects or resist the negative consequences of climate change, making use of solutions based on nature. This model of governance must be flexible, multidimensional, participatory and ecosystemic.

The norms and institutions, as well as the decision-making processes, are essential to address the various social and environmental problems that contribute to socio-ecological vulnerability to climate change. Therefore, the AVE project seeks to improve governance for EbA (see the Governance booklet).

International Unionfor Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC) San José, Costa Ricaormacc@iucn.org

www.iucn.org/ormacc

Environmental Law Centre (ELC)Bonn, Germany

ELCSecretariat@iucn.org

www.iucn.org/law