UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes LESSONS LEARNED FROM NATIONAL REPORTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Francesca Bernardini UNECE Water Convention secretariat

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes PES in the UNECE region 19 national reports 4 countries reported to have PES All reports supported establishment of PES

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes PES? Lack of common understanding –From not even including public schemes … –… to tax exemption and affiliation

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Great expectations Integrate economic, social and environmental aspects Broaden and diversify the financial basis for ecosystems protection Incentive to environmental friendly behaviour

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Great expectations (2) Poverty reduction and support to economic development Favourable condition for creation of private sector Support decentralization and local management Support compliance with international conventions

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Valuation: a big challenge Laborious and expensive Lack of monitoring and survey data Lack of deep knowlegde of the biophysical relation  Price based on asumptions political decisions cost of measures / opportunity costs

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Two assets Willingness to pay for « good » water (especially in Western Europe) Willingness of providers to implement better environmental practice (moral, social, market pressure)

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Water is special Public good Human right  How can valuation take it into account?  Cannot be left to the market

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Major obstacles Lack of legal framework Lack of spatial planning Lack of capacity in institutions Unclear property rights

UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes The way ahead Overcome traditional approach  political will + public awareness Sharing of good practice Increase link between research and practice Implementation Transboundary dimension?