adVaNcINg INtegrated water resoUrces maNagemeNt ImPLemeNtatIoN

2. How to interpret the results

IWRM survey and reporting process: Countries report on the indicator every three to four years. Most countries undergo comprehensive, multistakeholder processes to complete the survey, which are vital to working towards the target (Annex III). Thirty-three survey questions cover the four main dimensions of IWRM:7 (1) Enabling Environment (laws, policies and plans); (2) Institutions and Participation; (3) Management Instruments; and (4) Financing. Each question is scored on a scale of zero to 100, guided by specific threshold descriptions. Calculating the indicator score: Question scores in each dimension are averaged to give four dimension scores, which are then averaged to give the indicator score.

IWRM implementation levels: Six implementation levels have been defined, from “very low” to “very high”, with general interpretations and score thresholds given below.

Table 2.1. IWRM implementation levels and their interpretation

Level Score range General interpretation for overall score, and dimension scores

Very low 0–10 Development of elements of IWRM has generally not begun or has stalled.

Low 11–30 Implementation of elements of IWRM has generally begun, but with limited uptake across the country, and potentially low engagement of stakeholder groups.

Mediumlow 31–50 Elements of IWRM are generally institutionalized, implementation is under way.

Mediumhigh 51–70 Capacity to implement elements of IWRM is generally adequate, and elements are generally being implemented under long-term programmes. High 71–90 IWRM plan and programme objectives are generally met, and geographic coverage and stakeholder engagement is generally good.

Very high 91–100

The vast majority of IWRM elements are fully implemented, with objectives consistently achieved, and plans and programmes periodically assessed and revised.

7 See Annex I for a survey summary. The full survey is available at http://iwrmdataportal.unepdhi.org.

Data coverage: This report is based on data from 186 UN Member States (96 per cent of countries; see Figure 3.3).8 Of these, 172 countries have data for both 2017 and 2020, allowing for analysis of progress towards the target.

Calculating progress: Progress levels are defined as “limited”, “moderate” and “substantial”, based on the ratio of actual rate of progress to required rate of progress to reach the target.9 While two data points cannot provide a statistically strong trend projection, and IWRM implementation is not a linear process, the data at least gives an approximation of the rate of implementation. For most countries, the data-collection process in 2020 has been more comprehensive than in 2017. For a few countries, this may have resulted in significant changes in score, which are more likely to be a result of this more robust process, rather than significant progress or regression. Global target: In line with target 6.5, the global, the aspirational target for indicator 6.5.1 is to reach a “very high” level of implementation of IWRM, or an average score of 91–100, by 2030. Countries may also set their own national targets, though none have officially done so (see Box 2).

Data quality: Scores for each question are ideally consolidated in country-led, multi-stakeholder processes. For each of the 33 questions, countries also provide the “status description” and “way forward”. The reporting processes add to the transparency and confidence in results, and the completed surveys can be used as simple diagnostic tools to determine the main challenges and opportunities in each country, as well as outlining next steps towards the target.10 For recommendations on how countries can progress from reporting to action planning, see chapter 6.

Tai O, Hong Kong by Keith Hardy on Unsplash

8 In 2017, 173 countries reported. In 2020, 158 countries submitted updates, 13 reported for the first time, and 14 reused their baseline (totalling 185 country reports for 2020). Argentina reported in 2017 and chose not to resubmit its baseline, as it was still working on its update at the time of writing. As such,186 countries have reported across 2017 and 2020. Only seven countries have not submitted a report in either 2017 or 2020. 9 This methodology is based on United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) methodology. For more information, see http://iwrmdataportal. unepdhi.org. 10 Country surveys are available at http://iwrmdataportal.unepdhi.org/countrydatabase.