Global Water Partnership Meeting the WSSD action target on IWRM and water efficiency strategies: A how-to guide

Progress  Some countries have made good progress towards meeting the target.  But many more need to accelerate their efforts. Good progress Some progress Just beginning.

Why has progress not been greater? Uncertainty over:  What IWRM means and how it contributes to sustainable social and economic development  What an IWRM strategy is and its role in water reform  How to go about developing a strategy ?

Providing some guidance  The GWP handbook  Purpose: To provide countries with the tools and knowledge they need to act on the WSSD action target in the way that is most useful for them.

A handbook for change The handbook covers:  Concepts – The meaning of IWRM and the role of an IWRM and water efficiency strategy  Content – How to decide on the substance of a strategy  Process – Steps in developing a strategy and how to avoid snags  Action – Tips for ensuring effective implementation

What does IWRM mean?

The basics of integration More coordinated decision-making across sectors… and scales.

Misconceptions  IWRM demands wholesale integration.  Sectoral decision-making should be abandoned entirely.

Risks of fully sectoral approach Sectoral approach Integrate d approach  Overlooking negative impacts on environment and other sectors  Inefficient use of resources—natural and financial

Risks of fully integrated approach Sectoral approac h Integrated approach  Getting mired in complexity.  Not making good use of specialist expertise.

Finding a balance Sectoral approac h Integrate d approach Each country needs to decide where integration makes sense based on its social, political and hydrological situation.

Not just about physical resources IWRM is not just about more efficient management of physical resources (land, water, forests, fisheries, livestock)… …it is also about reforming human systems to enable people—women as well as men—to reap sustainable and equitable benefits from those resources.

What is the role of a strategy?

Catalyst for change An IWRM strategy can be a catalyst for action and ultimately, positive change.

A coherent approach to change A strategy should effect action—providing a coherent and measured approach to governance change. Enabling environment Institutional roles Management instruments Strategy

Not just another “Water Plan”  Differences between an IWRM strategy and a traditional water plan:  Dynamic rather than static—lays down a framework for a continuing and adaptive process of strategic and coordinated action  Involvement from multiple sectors—for example, health, energy, finance, tourism, industry, agriculture, and environment.

Not just another “Water Plan”  Differences between an IWRM strategy and a traditional water plan:  Broader focus that looks at water in relation to other ingredients needed to achieve larger development goals or meet water challenges.  More extensive stakeholder participation Goal + ? =

Taking the first steps A strategy is an important first step, not an end in itself. Equity Sustainability Efficiency Strategy

How do countries develop a strategy?

Approaches to developing a strategy  Targeted approach - focusing on specific water-related problems that are hampering the achievement of goals.  Broad approach - considering the various ways in which water resources development and management have the potential to advance or hinder development goals.

Possible entry points  Achieving MDGs  Addressing recurrent water- related problem hampering national development—such as reducing vulnerability to droughts and floods

Possible entry points  Remedying unsustainable situations and mitigating environmental costs of past policies.  Sharing transboundary water resources

Possible entry points  Developing management links between freshwater and coastal resources.

Misconceptions  Developing a strategy necessitates “starting over from scratch”.  Strategies demand immediate and large-scale change.

Build on what’s there  IWRM strategies can build on existing IWRM or water plans, or incorporate water into current national development strategies.  They can also build on existing frameworks and planning processes and implement changes a step at a time.

Link to other strategies and plans  An IWRM strategy should link to relevant national and regional plans and strategies. Examples:  National strategies to meet Millennium Development Goals  Country poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs)  National Five Year Plans or Sustainable Development Strategies  National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans  National Plans to Combat Desertification  National Plans on women’s development and empowerment

What is needed? Process and outcomes may differ from country to country but basic ingredients are the same:  High-level leadership and commitment  Broad support  Tools, capacity, knowledge

Conclusions  Strategies can take different forms—with different starting points, different goals, and different degrees and paces of change.  All strategies should:  Serve as a catalyst for positive governance change.  Lay down a framework for more coordinated decision-making on an on-going basis.  Translate into doable actions—taking into account the country’s political, social and capacity situation.

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