Ecosystems Underpin Infrastructure in The Nexus Damian Crilly

The Nexus 2050 Challenge 80% More Energy 9 Billion People 55% More 2050 – The Challenge The world population is predicted to grow from 7 billion in 2010 to 9.1 billion in 2050. Water: Demand projected to increase by 55% more than current levels by 2050 (OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050) Energy: Demand projected to increase by 80% more than current levels by 2050 (OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050) Food: Demand projected to increase by 60% more than current levels by 2050 (FAO:TOWARDS 2030/2050) As global populations continue to grow, development of innovative water infrastructure and technology that optimise and address the interdependencies of water, energy and food (i.e. multi-purpose reservoirs for agricultural irrigation, domestic water supply and hydropower) will become ever more important. This population increase will need to be serviced with water, energy and food against a backdrop of climate change. 55% More Water 60% More Food

2050 Trajectories

Can we change trajectory?

Climate Change Climate Change Source: Mahlstein et al 2011

The benefits people receive from nature are ‘ecosystem services’.

Water for food Water purification Flow regulation Water storage Water supply Water storage Water supply Water conveyance Cultural services Fisheries provision Water for energy

Ecosystems are infrastructure – part of the “the stock of facilities, services and installations needed for the functioning of a society” Nature is part of the infrastructure portfolio of every country and every economy Water for food Water purification Flow regulation Water storage Water supply Water storage Critical services from nature equate to functions of infrastructure. With the term infrastructure defined as ‘the stock of facilities, services and installations needed for the functioning of a society’, nature is part of infrastructure portfolio of every country and every economy. This is ‘natural infrastructure’, which complements, augments or replaces conventional built infrastructure like reservoirs, dams, levees and canals. The natural infrastructure provided by ecosystems is usually highly cost-effective, and its restoration can provide attractive returns on investment in social and economic terms. Water supply Water conveyance Cultural services Fisheries provision Water for energy

Source: Wilson Center 2013 Modern societies and cities need all three. Water Recent estimates indicate that megacities lose more than 50% of their water through mismanagement and poor infrastructure Food Each year 30% - 50% of global food production is wasted – with a water footprint of 550 billion cubic metres (approximately what China uses in year) Energy In 2010 Saudi Arabia’s desalination plants used 1.5 million barrels of oil per day – 1/6 of its output Source: Wilson Center 2013

Global population Source: UN Population Division 2008 Source: UNESCO Global population is becoming increasingly urban Urban population is projected to increase by 2.9 billion, to a total of 6.3 billion in 2050 Today, one in two people on the planet live in a city Every second, the urban population grows by 2 people Source: UN Population Division 2008 Source: UN-HABITAT

Compare health and degraded system - services

Available Natural Resources Flood regulation Water purification Water provision Water storage Available Natural Resources Ecosystem Function Water security Ecosystems critical to the nexus. Services from ecosystems, natural infrastructure, underpin each of the three securities of water, food and energy. Without healthy ecosystems in well-functioning watersheds, the infrastructure built for irrigation, hydropower or municipal water supply does not function sustainably, and is unlikely to achieve the economic returns necessary to justify investments. With its functions integral to the three securities and their inter-dependence, nature is part of the infrastructure needed to manage the nexus and its resilience. Fisheries provision Water for energy

I need to set up a multi-disciplinary, cross sectoral partnership The Problem Although the need for integration is acknowledged, many of our institutions are divided into ‘silos’, separated by thematic and technical boundaries, principles and practice, often from the top down. Traditionally responsibility has been given to water agencies but the challenges are not all owned or controlled by water agencies. Most water institutions tend not to have the mandate or policies that are comprehensive or integrated enough to address these complex inter-related problems. Adapted from Global Integration

Integrated River Basin Management A better understanding of river basins as complex systems is needed. A focus on a systems approach would lead to more integrated resource management across the land-water-energy sectors in river basins. Nexus connectivity between land, water and energy provides a focal point to facilitate integration – vertical, horizontal and multi sectoral Top Down and Bottom Up By focussing on the sphere of influence between sectors provides opportunities for collaboration and ultimately leading to partnership. Adapted from Grigg 2008

Natural infrastructure does not replace the need for built infrastructure and natural infrastructure can compliment built infrastructure. For example, dams benefit from forests that stabilize soils and hold back erosion upstream. Lakes and wetlands provide water storage and therefore reduce the reservoir volume needed and thus the cost of built water storage. Well-functioning natural infrastructure is necessary for built infrastructure to perform its functions better, to ensure projected benefits and to increase returns on investment.

Natural infrastructure Built infrastructure Benefit Wetlands Water filtration facility Pollutant removal Forests (upstream of hydropower) Periodic sediment dredging Reliable power and flood control Mangroves Sea walls Shoreline protection from storm Coral reefs Breakwaters and groins Reduced beach erosion Natural floodplains Dikes and canals Flood prevention Aquifers Reservoirs Water storage Natural infrastructure does not replace the need for built infrastructure and natural infrastructure can compliment built infrastructure. For example, dams benefit from forests that stabilize soils and hold back erosion upstream. Lakes and wetlands provide water storage and therefore reduce the reservoir volume needed and thus the cost of built water storage. Well-functioning natural infrastructure is necessary for built infrastructure to perform its functions better, to ensure projected benefits and to increase returns on investment.

The IUCN Nexus infographic Ask the questions on the slide

Nexus Dialogue on Infrastructure Solutions Collaborative partnership Global project with regional dimensions Enables IUCN and IWA to be active in the water - energy – food nexus Connects ‘problem owners’ with ‘solution providers’ Catalyses country / river basin level action to better target investments Global reference group

Global Platform AFRICA LATIN AMERICA ASIA March 2014 May 2013 September 2013 ASIA March 2014

Nexus Dialogue

Conference Themes: Using the nexus to accelerate development Cleantech nexus infrastructure and technology solutions Collaboration and institutional arrangements for a nexus approach Influencing pathways of investments for nexus infrastructure and technology More information coming soon: waternexussolutions.org Follow us on social media channels: @WaterNexus