4. Accelerating actions towards target 6.6
In the context of the 2030 Agenda, SDG target 6.6 asks countries to protect and restore their water-related ecosystems so that they can continue to provide goods and services to
4.1. Advancing integrated water resources management to achieve good ecosystem management
society and allow plant and animal species to remain in their natural habitat. The target does
IWRM is one of the most effective means of
not quantify an intended physical area to be
ensuring the sustained provision of ecosystem
protected globally, nor does it specify a number
goods and services, as it specifically tackles the
of ecosystem types requiring protection. Given
challenge of balancing water needs for social
the complex and context-specific interactions
and economic purposes, without compromising
between ecosystems and the pressures that
the sustainability of vital ecosystems. IWRM
cause above-normal variations in ecosystem
involves a coordinated, multisectoral approach
extent, the scope and scale of their protection
to actions being taken with respect to laws,
varies considerably within and between
policies and plans, institutions and stakeholder
countries and must take into account localized
participation, management instruments and
contexts. As the data analysis within this report
financing.
has shown, some countries and subregional areas are experiencing significant changes in
For ecosystem management to be effective, it is
ecosystem extent, across ecosystem types.
important to establish laws, policies and plans
Countries are encouraged to assess the global
and ensure that there is adequate institutional
maps and regional trend charts, and access the
capacity (including human and financial
data available on the Freshwater Ecosystems
resources) to implement and enforce these at
Explorer to determine where specific ecosystem
various levels (national to basin). Cross-sector
changes are occurring in their country, and to act
coordination and stakeholder participation
on this information to halt ecosystem loss and
should also be effective (including the private
degradation where necessary.
sector) and there should be sufficient data and information-sharing and support systems for informed and inclusive decision-making, as well as sufficient funding, including innovative revenue funding and “valuing” of ecosystems and their role/function in order to tap into various
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PROGRESS ON FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS - 2021
