AIVC April 2021 Policy Recommendation

DEPARTMENT OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ALSA INTERNATIONAL BOARD 2020/2021

ALSA INTERNATIONAL VIDEO CONFERENCE

AIVC APRIL 2021

POLICY RECOMMENDATION

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN ASIA: RIGHTS TO CLEAN WATER ACCESS

A P R I L

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During the Industrial Revolutions, the growth of industries especially in Asia evidently leads to the rise of waste that subsequently pollutes clean water. Aside from the fact that clean water accessibility and availability in Asia is highly vulnerable to increasing threats and challenges brought by the industrialisation, it also occurs from the constant and rapid growing population and urbanisation. Furthermore, a data from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund stated that the Asia-Pacific region faces the challenge of having 369 million people without access to basic sanitation services and 165 million people lacking access to basic drinking water. The access to clean water is a human right which everyone is entitled to, and in addition to that, the United Nations General Assembly also explicitly recognized the human rights to water and sanitation and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential to the realisation of all human rights. However, that is yet to be reflected as shown by the issues and lack of access to clean water that is going on in Asia.

The rapid economic development that is currently happening in Asia can pose as both an advantage and a threat. According to The ASEAN Post, as Asia keeps developing economically, urbanisation has resulted in degradation and depletion of natural resources, including water and related ecosystem services. Many rivers are highly polluted with domestic, industrial and agricultural waste, causing the water quality to reach unsafe levels. In Manila, Philippines, hazardous, nonrecyclable objects such as plastic bottles and rubber slippers, amongst others are commonly found floating on the Marilao river. Toxic industrial waste products are dumped into the river each day while household garbage is discarded into the Marilao river in huge quantities as well. Based on the Advanced Study of Sustainability’s Policy Brief report, pollution levels in Metro Manila’s rivers are so high that “they could be considered open sewers.”

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According to official statistics, only 20 - 30 percent of the city’s households are connected to a sewerage system. The remaining 70 percent of households have septic tanks, which in many cases leak human waste into underground aquifers.

In Indonesia, another headlining river in the region is the Citrus that flows through the Indonesian province of West Java.

The Citrus River is an important resource which aids in agriculture, water supply, industry, fishery, and production of electricity. However, it is now filled with tonnes of domestic and industrial waste and mercury levels in the river is 100 times more than the legal amount. In the Asia-Pacific, twothirds of the countries are already water-insecure. Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam, and India, for example, are facing water shortages that are quickly reaching critical levels.

This diminishing supply coupled with inefficient usage and widespread pollution of water in these countries are leading to serious health concerns, loss of livelihoods, and irregular migration. Water pollution becomes unmanageable when water infrastructure and sanitation services cannot keep up with rapid urbanisation and population growth. Human waste, industrial pollutants, and raw sewage are often discharged in natural waters without adequate treatment which in turn negatively affects the well-being of city dwellers.

With the concern of access to clean water in Asia, the question of how human rights is translated into binding laws which protects the environment and especially access to clean water rises. Not only that, the question of what can be done in an effort to enforce those laws on a practical level through developments is also something to be discussed. It is undoubted that water is an important aspect of people’s lives and well-being. Protecting access to clean water will serve as a way to protect the environment for the future and continuity of people’s lives.

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RECOMMENDATIONS R E C O 1. There should be institutional arrangements that can speed up the availability of clean water access in terms of quantity M and quality.

2. Facilities to become a leading institution in the field of M clean water with qualified leaders should be provided.

3. Inventory of institutions at the central level that can act as the authority for the national water supply system should be E provided as there are too many parties involved in the drinking water sector which are not supported by strong N leadership in sector management.

4. Apart from regulations, institutions, and technology, D changes in people’s behavior on how they see water are essential. Water is the ‘source of life,’ it is not only for the humans, but the animals and plans. Hence we have to A educate young generations to be more aware of saving water and the importance of proper water management.

T 5. Governments are recommended to increase their investment in infrastructure that provides access to clean water, giving I priority to far-flung areas that do not have any clean water facilities yet.

6. Governments are recommended to strengthens existing O

Based on the concerns elaborated and taking into account the importance of clean water access, delegates of AIVC April 2021 which was executed on April, 17th 2021 recommended the followings as a response to the issue of clean water access:

policies that regulate industries that indirect impacts on water pollution.

have

direct

and/or

N S

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R E C O M M E N D A T I O

N S

7. Public and private institutions are encouraged to develop sustainable information, education, and communication campaign on water security, safety, and sustainability.

10.Governments are recommended to establish and enforces local policies that are in support of the Dublin Principles.

9. Governments are recommended to continue maintaining and strengthening the Environmental Impact Assessment policy as well as any other environment permits while planning to create new investments or businesses.

10.Governments are recommended to collaborate with corporations to ensure that the companies have fulfilled their corporate social responsibilities.

11.Governments are recommended to issue policies towards the companies to focus on their CSR programs in the environment sector, especially in terms of environmental preservation and wastewater management.

12.Governments are recommended to provide funding opportunities for scientists and private partnerships to conduct research on more sustainable ways to ensure water security and sustainability. Scientist's effort on developing a variety of modern technologies, such as agriculture irrigation technology, wastewater management technology, and water infiltration technology should be supported in order to help the government on solving the water crisis (water access and water pollution) issues.

13.NGOs could handle this issue by helping countries in Asia to cope with the water crisis. NGOs could contribute by giving guidance and socialization in order to educate people regarding the importance of clean water, water preservation, and sanitation, as to encourages the whole community to be able to protect their water environment properly.

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SIGNATORIES Signed by, Carmelie Clara Martin of Universitas Jember, Indonesia Lovisia Eva Karensa of Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia Fathya Neysa Oktavia of Universitas Jenderal Soedirman from, Indonesia Kenny J. Bayudan of University of Asia and the Pacific, The Philippines

April 17th 2021

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AIVC APRIL 2021

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN ASIA: RIGHTS TO CLEAN WATER ACCESS A P R I L

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