Water Scarce Ecosystems

A proposal for a UNCCD Policy Framework

May 04 2009

Background:Anthropogenic actions put additional pressure to Water Scarcity

Water Scarcity is, ‘…the long-term imbalance resulting from increased demand for water exceeding the available supply…’

Anthropogenic pressures have reduced water supply

This is a social, economic and environmental issue

Water Scarcity results in Environmental and Social Impacts

Environmental Impacts: Land degradation Epidemics

Social Impacts: Forced migration Armed conflicts Poverty

Water Cycle as central element of feedback reinforcing cycles

Water Scarcity is closely linked to Climate Change phenomena, Land Degradation and Biodiversity Loss.

Water Cycle is at the heart of the 3 Conventions

UNFCCCCBDUNCCD

Making the Case:

There is No universal instrument of Targets / Plans to address Water Scarcity

The responsibility to manage water efficiently and equitably STILL DEPENDS on individual countries and on basin agreements

Some Examples of Current Activities indirectly addressing Water Scarcity

UNFCCC – Current discussions on Post-Kyoto 2012 could be an opportunity

UNHCR currently does not favor a refugee status of ‘climate displaced people’ – however this type of migration represents a cost resulting from water scarcity

…etc

Drivers behind UNCCD action plan

Article 2 of the UNCCD Article 4 of the UNCCD The 10 YSP

Populations are fully dependant on rain-fed agriculture: 33 TO 41% (DEPENDING ON SOURCES) OF Earth surface is drylands, and 2 billion people living there

Populations are already taking action to mitigate the effects of drought

Impacts on food security are direct

Calling for Action:UNCCD Leadership Intervention and Policy Coherence

Water Scarcity is a Universal ProblemUNCCD is well positioned to take leadership

role in bringing negotiations to forefrontUNCCD 3-step process for a policy on water

scarcity: 10YSP (Madrid Sep. 2007) CRIC7 (Istanbul Nov. 2008) and COP9 (Buenos Aires Sep. 2009)

Developing a Policy Framework

Addressing Water Scarcity requires:International Policy CoordinationInternational Policy Coordination

A policy is a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of government intervention

6 operational action to develop a Water Scarcity 6 operational action to develop a Water Scarcity PolicyPolicy

(a)Creating Common Values and Priorities(a)Creating Common Values and Priorities(b)Promoting Cooperation between Nation States(b)Promoting Cooperation between Nation States(c) Coordination process and institutions(c) Coordination process and institutions(d) Knowledge Transfer/Education/Capacity (d) Knowledge Transfer/Education/Capacity

buildingbuilding(e)Funding(e)Funding(f) Public relations and awareness building(f) Public relations and awareness building

The UNCCD Water Scarcity Policy

Framework

AIM : To develop a multi-lateral agreement at global scale creating synergies

(a) To Create Common Values and Priorities:Sensitizing individualsBring issues of water scarcity to the attention of

the International CommunityNetwork/Establish and seek formal relations

with CBD, UNFCCC and UN Water.

The UNCCD Water Scarcity Policy Framework

(b) Promoting Cooperation among countries:Identify and realise an inventory of all relevant

existing local/watershed regional initiativesSurvey, analyse information on integrated water

scarcity adaptation (e.g. NAPs/NAPAs) in order to establish new synergies from national and international sources

South-south cooperation fostered

The UNCCD Water Scarcity Policy Framework

(c) Coordination Process and Institutions:Promote Dialogue for an internationally

agreed definition + indicator of ‘Water Scarcity’ that will enable:

Common UnderstandingAddress Quantifiable and legally binding

targets at global level

(d) Knowledge/Transfer Education and Capacity Building:

The UNCCD Water Scarcity Policy Framework

(e) Funding:

Concentrate funds in most vulnerable areas

Mobilization of resources: climate change – related, carbon markets

Pro-water economic / public policies

The UNCCD Water Scarcity

(f) Public relations and awareness building:

Strengthen support from international partnersAt G8 or G20 SummitsEnhance formal relations with UNCCD + UN

WaterEnhance formal relations with CBD and

UNFCCCNGOs and local communities

The right to water Linking water as a food source (right to food) and water as a

common good (right to water) is essential for the sustainable development of all living species.

The universal right to water is already partially recognized as implicit part of universal human rights, by an adjustment to food and health rights, particularly with specific references to women and children.

The United Nations bodies dealing with Human Rights, as well as laws at national and local level, recognized the right to water as an implicit content of some other human rights.

The right to water is taken into account in a large number of international conferences, documents, declarations or in other legal and political instruments. Yet it is recognized by less than 10 national Constitutions under different perspectives, as well as “by law” in a lot of other Countries.

The right to water could be implemented at watershed level.

Special elements for the Policy Proposal on water scarcity

Global Policy Frameworks, should ideally have strong political will and enforcement (or self-enforcement) mechanisms to enable a long term sustainable and cooperative policy.

Fostering water scarce indicators such as ‘soil moisture’ or ‘Water Use Index’. The issue of baselines still need to be further considered.

Key aspect of the forthcoming UNCCD policy on water scarcity: The recognition of the significant impact that women play in mitigating water scarcity, especially in most vulnerable regions.

THANK YOU

Policy proposal can be found atWWW.UNCCD.INT