The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development: global challenges calling for global leadership
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The Rio+20 Summit and the emerging concept of a ‘green economy’
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Water in the green economy
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The way forward 10 Water in a Green Economy: A Statement by UN-Water for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012 (Rio+20 Summit) 15
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Content
Acronyms
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Acronyms
Acronyms
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
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FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
GLAAS
Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water
JMP
Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation
MDG
Millennium Development Goals
NGO
Non-governmental organization
OECD
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OSCE
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
SIWI
Stockholm International Water Institute
UNCSD
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
UNDESA
United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNECA
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
UNECE
Economic Commission for Europe
UNECLAC
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCAP
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
UNESCWA
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
UNICEF
United Nations Children's Fund
UNSGAB
UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation
UNW-DPAC
UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication
WHO
World Health Organization
WWAP
World Water Assessment Programme
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The motivation behind an international conference such as Rio+20 is abundantly clear. One out of five people in the world –1.4 billion– currently lives on US$1.25 or less a day and almost a billion go hungry every day. The world is facing major and overlapping global crises – the economic and financial crisis, accelerating environmental degradation, water scarcity and pollution, and emerging impacts of a changing climate. All of these challenges impede efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve an equitable society. Today we all recognise that the environmental crisis is intimately connected to the economy and society; any solution must simultaneously address development challenges and social exclusion. Similarly, no long-lasting economic gains or solutions to poverty can be achieved without the support of natural assets and the multiple services provided by healthy ecosystems. Global leadership and cooperation is critical for addressing these challenges which are in their very nature of a global scale. The Rio+20 Summit therefore represents a historic opportunity to define pathways to a safer, more equitable, cleaner, greener and more prosperous world for all.
Water on the Road to Rio
he United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) is one of the most important events in the UN agenda. The first conference or ‘Earth Summit’ in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 summoned representatives of almost all the nations of the world to create a shared vision for reconciling economic growth with environmental protection and building a more equal world. Sustainable development was officially launched into the mainstream. Several conferences later and twenty years on, governments and participants from around the globe will gather again in Rio de Janeiro on 4-6 June 2012 to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit.
UN Conference on Sustainable Development
The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development: global challenges calling for global leadership
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Water on the Road to Rio
The emerging concept of a green economy 4
The Rio+20 Summit and the emerging concept of a ‘green economy’ he Rio+20 Summit will bring together thousands of participants –including governments, NGOs and the private sector– to generate momentum towards sustainable development. The objectives of the conference are three-fold. First, the event aims secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development. To this end, there will be attendance at the highest level from Heads of States and Governments worldwide. Second, the conference will be an Rio+20 will be one of the most opportunity to stake stock of progress important global meetings on made towards previous internationally sustainable development in our time. agreed commitments, for example from At Rio, our vision must be clear: a susthe 1992 Rio Earth Summit and the 2002 tainable green economy that protects World Summit on Sustainable Developthe health of the environment while ment in Johannesburg. Lastly and imporsupporting achievement of the Mitantly, there will be a special focus on new llennium Development Goals through and emerging challenges. Above all, it is growth in income, decent work hoped that the conference will energise and poverty eradication. governments to adopt focused practical measures which secure the prosperity United Nations and well-being of its citizens, and protect Secretary-General the environment and natural resource Ban Ki-moon base upon which they depend.
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Rio+20 will focus on two themes: (1) how to build a green economy which delivers sustainable development and lifts people out of poverty; and (2) how to improve the institutional framework and international coordination for sustainable development. The emerging concept of the green economy has shaped much of the discussions in the preparation for Rio+20. The green economy is, simply put, the practical and operational framework that will serve to implement the three pillars of sustainable development (environmental, economic and
The roadmap to Rio+20 involves an extensive preparatory process led by the 11member Bureau of UN Ambassadors and supported by United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs (UNDESA). A series of formal meetings –already underway– enable governments and stakeholders to engage and contribute to the development of the conference.
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We all have a joint responsibility to progress to a different economic model. We must not miss this opportunity.
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Josefina Maestu, UN-Water Decade Programme on Advocacy and Communication
Of critical importance to the success of Rio+20 will be the way in which the needs and concerns of developing countries are addressed. A reoccurring and legitimate concern relates to the provision of support to enable these countries to advance towards a green economy and avoid the mistakes developed countries have made. The capacity of national governments to deal with adverse impacts of green economy adjustments (such as the loss of jobs in some sectors) vary greatly. There is need for a strong social component to accompany the transition to a green economy, which considers the impacts of adjustments on broader social outcomes such as access to education, health and basic services. There are also concerns about the introduction of new conditionalities that might restrict trade, financing and official development assistance. The principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ was enshrined as a cornerstone of sustainable development at the 1992 Rio Declaration and provides a framework for sharing fairly the costs of global environmental protection. Notably, developed countries must support the less developed countries in making the transition, through financing, technology transfer, and reforms to the global economic and financial structures.
Water on the Road to Rio
social). The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) define a green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. The green economy concept has already served an important purpose: acting as a catalyst and rallying individual, national and international actors to work together towards a common vision. While it is evident that ‘business-as-usual’ is not working, articulating the details of a green economy and identifying possible pathways to get there will be a major task for the Rio+20 Summit.
The emerging concept of a green economy
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
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Water on the Road to Rio Water in the green economy 6
Water in the green economy ater is one of the most pressing challenges facing society today. If we continue along the same path, experts predict that the amount of water needed by humans could exceed the amount available by as much as 40 percent by 2030. This reality would have devastating consequences for economies and the lives of people worldwide.
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Water is fundamental to the green economy because it is interwoven with so many sustainable development issues, such as health, food security, and poverty. In developing countries, access to water and sanitation services is a fundamental precondition for poverty reduction and economic progress. We need to rethink the future The multiple benefits of providing access we want, and one wito water and sanitation in terms of health, life expectancy, and the freeing of time for thout water cannot be envisaged education and economic activities, are well known. Caridad Canales, UNECLAC
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Water is the common thread that connects the three critical issues of food, energy and climate change. Sustaining economic growth is only possible if we recognise the limited capacity of ecosystems to supply the water needed for agriculture, industry, energy generation and the production of the many goods and services demanded by society. The green economy implies managing water in a way that catalyses social and economic development, whilst also safeguarding freshwater ecosystems and the services they provide. Water management must be improved in order to achieve food security, conserve ecosystems and reduce risks from water scarcity and pollution, natural disasters such as floods and droughts, and from climate change.
Addressing the water challenge requires the removal of barriers and the creation of institutional mechanisms to facilitate the transfer and adoption of technology, water conservation, improved irrigation methods, the promotion of water reuse and efficiency improvements. To reverse the degradation of freshwater ecosystems, improved gover-
Putting water on the Rio+20 agenda he need to improve the management of the world’s water resources has been underlined at previous international conferences on sustainable development. Both Earth Summits in Rio (1992) and Johannesburg (2002) called for actions to improve the way water is managed and used. Rio+20 presents a unique opportunity to boost commitment from governments to implement these actions. To this end, UN-Water has undertaken a global survey of 122 countries to take stock on the progress that has been made so far and to identify implementation gaps. A global status report on the ‘application on integrated approaches to the development, management and use of water resources’ will be delivered to Rio+20. Preliminary findings from the survey indicate that most governments have made progress with water sector reform; but that the implementation process which sees principles turned into policy, laws, strategies and plans is slow. Some countries have difficulty moving beyond the first political steps and targeted support is needed to help bring all countries up to speed.
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Momentum is building to highlight water as a priority issue for Rio+20, as governments and organisations dedicate activities and events to themes related to water and the green economy. In the preparatory process, Brazil has supported the idea of water being a key emerging issue to be addressed at the conference. As host of the event, Brazil has significant influence, and this voiced intention is an encouraging sign for those keen to see water feature prominently at Rio+20. At World Water Week 2011 in August this year in Stockholm, a joint statement was made and directed to the Rio+20 Summit. The Stockholm Statement declares that “water is the bloodstream of the green economy” and represents a consensus from the international water community, striving to place water firmly on the Rio+20 agenda. A number of specific targets are proposed for participants of the Rio+20 Summit, such as a “20% increase in water use efficiency in agriculture” and a “20% decrease in water pollution” by 2020. More general outcomes for Rio+20 are also proposed. For instance, the statement urges that “economic and social incentives are created to promote water use efficiency and protect freshwater ecosystems”, and for a commitment “to policy and institutional reforms that create an enabling environment for the coherent and integrated management of water, energy and food”. At the seventh ‘Environment for Europe’ Ministerial Conference in Astana, Kazakhstan on 21-23 September 2011, Ministers of the UNECE region gathered to discuss pathways for greening the economy and sustainable management of water and water-related ecosystems. Ministers made the declaration “save water, grow green!” and confirmed their com-
Water in the green economy
nance is needed which defines property rights, incorporates the full cost of water into decision making, and allocates water to the environment. There are many barriers to achieving a green economy, including lack of institutional capacity, information, and access to finance. A range of approaches for overcoming these barriers will be needed, from investments, capacity development, and structural reforms, to technology policies and incentive systems.
Water on the Road to Rio
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
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Water in the green economy
Water on the Road to Rio
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
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mitment to improving water and environmental systems and policies, and to enhancing intersectoral and multilateral environmental cooperation. There was broad agreement to implement principles of integrated water resources management, an ecosystem approach and the integration of ecosystem values in economic accounting. With recognition of the need for increased investment in water, Ministers called for greater use of economic instruments, the provision of incentives for water efficiency and the generation of revenues to finance water services aiming at full cost recovery prices while making provision for vulnerable social groups. On 26 September 2011, the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB) released its official contribution to Rio+20, arguing that “there are many compelling reasons to take on water and sanitation challenges in Rio”. The Board contends that good management of water and sanitation is a precondition for sustainable development and urges for decisive objectives and targets on (a) access to safe drinking water and sanitation; (b) wastewater management; and (c) more productive water use in agriculture. The Preparatory Conference ‘Towards the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20): Water Cooperation Issues’, on 19-20 October, represented another important milestone on the Rio+20 roadmap. The conference was organised by the Government of Tajikistan in cooperation with UN-Water, the UNDP and OSCE offices in Dushanbe. Participants discussed current issues and challenges in water cooperation, identifying ways to strengthen cooperation and dialogue, demonstrating best practice, and showcasing effective approaches for the joint management of transboundary water resources. An output of the conference was a concept note for the thematic session on water cooperation of Rio+20 which highlighted the importance of ‘water cooperation for peace and security’, ‘water cooperation for sustainable development’, ‘water cooperation for poverty alleviation’, ‘water cooperation for environmental sustainability’, and ‘cooperation for universal water access’. The important issue of water policy reform was the focus of the OECD ‘Global Forum on Environment: Making Water Reform Happen’ which took place on 25-26 October. The forum sought to identify the challenges of designing and implementing water policy reforms and strategies to address them. There was ample opportunity for both developing and developed countries to share experiences about past and on-going water policy reforms and to identify key factors for success.
The Zaragoza Conference: ‘Water in the green economy in practice: towards Rio+20’ lthough the challenges related to water are unquestionably great, there have been many examples of successful sustainable water management which delivers the so-called ‘triple bottom’ benefits for economies, people and the environment. It is crucial to share these experiences and the UN-Water conference “Water and the Green Economy in Practice: Towards Rio+20” on 3-5 October in Zaragoza, Spain, provided an opportunity for such an exchange.
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The conference brought together stakeholders, representatives of regional and international organisations, journalists, and representatives of successful initiatives in water and the green economy from five continents to share lessons learnt from practical implementation experiences. The aim was to showcase projects, policies and initiatives that have successfully implemented the tools to generate economic, social and environmental benefits. A total of 34 cases were presented and discussed over the course of the three days. One major output from the conference was a toolbox to provide input to the Rio+20 conference, highlighting approaches for promoting water in the green economy and lessons learnt from implementation.
Water in the green economy
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The Zaragoza Conference identified four It’s up to us to identify the priority water-related issues where messages to get water on the change needs to take place in the transiRio+20 agenda. This conference is tion to a green economy: agriculture, inquite unique in that it is looking at dustry, cities and watersheds. Six tools specific case studies. Instead of just were proposed which can be used to faciltalking about concepts we are actually itate change and support the transition tolooking at how to implement wards a green economy: (1) economic the green economy. instruments; (2) green jobs; (3) cost recovery and financing; (4) investments in Zafar Adeel, biodiversity; (5) technology; and (6) water Chair of UN-Water planning. These tools can enable us to ‘do more with less’, overcome barriers, harness opportunities and change behaviours in order to achieve a green economy. The sessions of the conference were dedicated to the proposed tools, with an additional two sessions with a regional focus on Latin America and the Caribbean and Western Asia.
Water on the Road to Rio
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
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The way forward
The way forward
The way forward
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he months ahead leading up Rio+20 will see an extraordinary level of engagement from governments and citizens worldwide committed to tacking the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges. The task for the global water community is to ensure that water is recognised and addressed as a fundamental building block for achieving a green economy. To this end, the Zaragoza Conference was an important step.
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For Rio+20, we need to think about solutions to bring forward actions in developing and developed countries. We are really hoping that all stakeholders can join together to work on these solutions and achieve these targets.
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Karin Krchnack, World Water Council
Events in the water diary key event in the calendar for water is the Bonn2011 Conference: ‘‘The water, energy and food security nexus – solutions for the green economy” on 16-18 November 2011 and organised by the Government of Germany. This event aims to tackle the complex interconnections between water, agriculture and energy, taking a nexus perspective on the three dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social, ecological). Franz Marré (Government of Germany), in his opening speech at the Zaragoza conference, explained that the Bonn2011 Conference will bring together not just water people, but people from all other water-using sectors to develop integrated and coherent solutions.
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Moving closer to Rio+20, the 6th World Water Forum on 12-17 March 2012 will be a critical event for articulating concrete targets and solutions for water and the green economy. Water and green growth is a thematic priority for the Forum and will be focused on five specific targets. The first of these targets is to propose a framework for action on water in green growth, in support of the MDGs and implementation of Rio+20 agreements that addresses local, na-
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
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Think beyond the borders of your sector! What are the unintended consequences of your behaviour for other water users?
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Franz Marré, Head of Division for Water, Energy and Urban Development, Government of Germany
tional and regional levels. The World Water Council are working closely with the Korean Government to develop policy options and mid- and long-term roadmaps for presentation at the Forum and to ensure that water features highly on the international agenda for the green economy. The other targets for water and green growth relate to boosting investment and innovation; sustainable financing; ecosystem valuation; and green accounting and data improvement.
Date
Place
7 March 2011
New York, United UN-Water and States of America UNSGAB
20 March 2011
Cape Town, South Africa
21-27 Stockholm, August 2011 Sweden
Organisers
Title
Focus
Official Side Event at the First identification of key challenges 2nd UNCSD 2012 Prep Com (warming up)
Korean World Water Day 2011: Government and Side Event ‘Water and World Water green growth’ Council with OECD
Presentation of national approaches and approaches from different international organisations on water and green growth
SIWI
World Water Week 2011:
Political debate
UN-Water Round Tables
Analysis of key issues and strategies for water and green growth
Rio+20 day Stakeholder dialogue
Preparation for the World Water Forum
Discussion on beyond 2015 in the stakeholder dialogue
21-23 Astana, September Kazakhstan 2011
UNECE
The Seventh Ministerial Themes of conference: Sustainable Conference ‘Environment management of water and waterfor Europe’ related ecosystems; and Greening the “Save water, grow green!” economy: mainstreaming the environment into economic development www.unece.org/env/efe/As Focus on specific challenges and best tana/welcome.html practices in Europe on water and the green economy
3-4 October Zaragoza, Spain 2011
UNW-DPAC
Water in the green economy in practice: towards Rio+20
Examples of the use of specific tools to promote water and the green economy
www.un.org/waterforlifede Creation of a water toolbox to provide cade/green_economy_2011 input to Rio+20
The way forward
Past and future events in the roadmap to Rio+20 specifically related to water
The way forward
On 22 March 2012, World Water Day will draw international attention on the relationship between water and food security. Agriculture is a key issue for the green economy as it accounts for 37% of employment, 34% of land use, 70% of water use and up to 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, globally. Agricultural production will have to increase to achieve food security for a growing population, whilst using fewer natural resources and reducing poverty through improved rural livelihoods. The event will be coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on behalf of UN-Water members and partners.
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Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
Date
Place
Organisers
Title
Focus
19-20 October 2011
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Government of Tajikistan, UNDESA
Towards the UN conference on sustainable development (Rio+20): water cooperation issues
Current issues and challenges in water cooperation, to be included in the programme of the thematic session on water cooperation in the framework of the Rio+20 conference
25-26 October 2011
Paris, France
OECD
ECD Global Forum on Environment: making water reform happen
Challenges and success factors for designing and implementing water policy reforms
www.oecd.org/document/5 7/0,3746,en_2649_33713_4 7429177_1_1_1_1,00.html 16-18 November 2011
Bonn, Germany
German Government
Bonn2011 Conference ‘The Approaches which address the water, energy and food interconnection between water, security nexus: solutions agriculture and energy for the green economy’ www.water-energyfood.org/
The way forward
The way forward
12-17 March Marseille, France France and World 6th World Water Forum ‘Time for Solutions’ 2012 Water Council
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Steps for achieving specific targets for water and the green economy
www.worldwaterforum6.org 22 March 2012
To be confirmed
FAO on behalf of UN-Water
World Water Day
4-6 June 2012
Rio, Brazil
UNDESA
United Nations Conference Final presentation of proposals on on Sustainable objectives beyond 2015 Development: Rio+20 Presentation of UN-Water report on www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/ monitoring progress in Water Resources Management
Water and food security
The future of the MDGs n important topic up for discussion at Rio+20 is the future of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Ever since their inception, the eight MDGs have catalysed and directed international development efforts. The year 2015 will likely be met with some successes and some failures. The target to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water is on track for being achieved globally, but the sanitation target lags slowly behind. There is as yet no global framework looking beyond 2015 and the question of ‘what next’ bears on the future of the sustainable development agenda.
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Initial discussions led by the WHO and UNICEF on post-2015 monitoring of drinking water and sanitation indicate broad agreement that further goals, targets and indicators are still necessary. One possible outcome is the conversion of the water and sanitation targets into a goal of universal coverage for both. There is support for new global targets but which are better linked to national level targets and accompanied by continued assessment of the enabling environment (e.g. policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, human resource base, financial flows) to identify bottlenecks in implementation. A key message to Rio+20 is that water and sanitation targets should reflect the General
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
Assembly Resolution 64/292 which declared these services as a human right. The human rights concept of progressive realisation should be realised through rolling five-year interim targets allowing for ongoing monitoring and revision.
Rio+20 and the formal preparatory process here a number of meetings in the formal preparatory process for Rio+20 which may provide the opportunity for water to be discussed, particularly as an ‘emerging issue’.
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Place
Organisers
Title
September – December 2011
Various
UNESCAP, UNECA, UNECE, UNECLAC, UNESCWA
Regional preparatory meetings
UNDESA
Deadline for providing input to the working document, the ‘zero draft’, which will form the basis of the outcome document of Rio+20
1 November 2011
15-16 December 2011
New York, United States of America
UN Secretariat/UNDESA 2nd Intersessional Meeting of UNCSD
16-18 January 2012 New York, United States of America
UN Secretariat/UNDESA Meeting to discuss Zero Draft Document
13-17 February 2012 New York, United States of America
UN Secretariat/UNDESA First informal negotiating week on Zero Draft
5-7 March 2012
New York, United States of America
UN Secretariat/UNDESA 3rd Intersessional Meeting of UNCSD
19-23 March 2012
New York, United States of America
UN Secretariat/UNDESA 2nd informal negotiating week on Zero Draft
30 April – 4 May 2012 New York, United States of America
UN Secretariat/UNDESA 3rd informal negotiating week on Zero Draft
30 May – 1 June 2012 Rio, Brazil
UNDESA
3rd Preparatory Committee Meeting of UNCSD
4-5 June 2012
UNDESA
Earth Summit 2012 Rio+20
Rio, Brazil
The major outcome of the Rio+20 Summit will be a ‘focused political document’ on the objectives and two themes of the conference. This as yet vaguely defined output will be the subject of intense discussion and negotiations in the months to come, and of course during the conference itself. At the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee in March 2011, the conference Bureau issued an invitation to all stakeholders to provide comments and input for a draft working document – the Zero Draft – which will form the basis for the outcome document of the conference. This Zero Draft will be compiled by the Bureau of the UNCSD Preparatory Committee based on the contributions from stakeholders and Member States and presented in January 2012 when a three-day meeting will be convened to discuss the contents. From February to May, there will be another three separate weeks of informal negotiating on the Zero Draft, before the conference itself.
The way forward
Date
The way forward
Key events and dates in the formal process ahead
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Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
Ultimately, the real success of Rio+20 will not be measured by the length of negotiations, the number of heads of states attending, the bold declarations made or even the final outcome document, but by the renewed commitment and practical steps taken by countries to shift to a greener economic model.
The role of UN-Water on the road to Rio and beyond s a coordinating inter-agency mechanism, UN-Water has a significant role to play in the Rio+20 process and the developments that follow. First, UN-Water will support the transition to a green economy by identifying practical solutions and scaleup opportunities. The water toolbox derived from the Zaragoza Conference is an example of such an effort.
The way forward
The way forward
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Second, UN-Water and its member agenTogether with our partners in cies have a number of monitoring mechathe water community, UN-Wanisms that can be instrumental in ter is in a position to express a collecmonitoring performance against committive view on how water can plug into ments and targets agreed upon at the the green economy. We can help by Rio+20 Summit. The UN World Water Asidentifying messages, advocating them sessment Programme (WWAP) and Global and translating them into policy Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation guidance. and Drinking Water (GLAAS), FAO’s global information system of water and agriculZafar Adeel, Chair of UN-Water ture AQUASTAT, and the UN-System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water (SEEA-Water) are prime examples of tools which could be utilised to assess the implementation of green economy policies, ensuring that governments live up to their commitments.
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Third, UN-Water has a critical role to play in supporting the capacity development of developing and transition countries, facilitating knowledge generation and technology transfer. Lastly, UN-Water can distil, advocate and disseminate messages and guidance on water and the green economy, acting as a communications channel between the global water community, policymakers and the general public. UN-Water has prepared a statement of recommendations to participants of the Rio+20 Summit. The statement highlights the importance of sustainable water management and the sustainable provision of adequate drinking water and sanitation services for successfully achieving a green economy. It emphasises the importance of targeting the poorest to help lift them out of poverty and realise their human right to basic water and sanitation services. The statement calls for effective water management to help adapt to the impacts of climate change. Water policy and institutional reform is urged, in order to promote water use efficiency, protect freshwater ecosystems and achieve water, energy and food security. Increasing the water resilience and sustainability of cities is identified as a priority area, as is agriculture where there is a need to increase efficiencies along the whole food supply chain from water use through to reducing food wastage.
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Key Messages from UN-Water 1. Success of green economy depends on sustainable management of water resources and on safe and sustainable provisioning of water supply and adequate sanitation services. Population growth, expanding cities and accelerating economic activity increase the demand for energy and food, and create additional pressures on our limited water and land resources as well as the supporting ecosystems. The lack of integration of water in the development agenda and minimal investments in water are putting a serious brake on social and economic development in emerging economies1 while adversely impacting the most vulnerable groups and our environment. This places water and therefore also energy and food security at risk, increases public health costs, constrains economic development, slows down poverty eradication, and could also lead to social and geopolitical tensions while causing irreversible environmental damage. 2. The integrated approach to water resources management, as defined in Agenda 21, remains relevant and must be central in strategies towards a green economy. In a recent global survey carried out by UN-Water as a contribution to the Rio+20 Summit, 80% of countries reported that they have embarked on reforms to improve the enabling environment for water resources management based on application of integrated approaches. This has already led to better water resources management practices and
1. www.wsp.org/wsp/content/economic-impacts-sanitation www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/economic/en/
Water in a Green Economy
his statement reflects a collective opinion of the UN-Water Members and comprises recommendations to the participants of the UNCSD 2012 as well as a list of potential actions in support of green economic approaches.
UN-Water Statement for Rio+20
Water in a Green Economy: A Statement by UN-Water for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012 (Rio+20 Summit)
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UN-Water Statement for Rio+20
Water in a Green Economy
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
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demonstrated important social and economic benefits. To better inform pertinent policy and decision-making by governments and external support agencies, a regular global reporting mechanism should be established for water resources management that would assess progress and share information. 3. The highest priority must be given to the ‘bottom billion’ people while addressing inequities in access to water, which are closely linked to energy security as well as food security. These people live in slums and impoverished rural areas without access to safe drinking water supply, adequate sanitation services, or adequate food and energy services. Addressing their water challenges and helping them out of extreme poverty must receive the highest priority and trigger action at all levels for a successful green economy. This is important from a humanitarian standpoint and for promotion of economic growth and social stability. 4. Effective management of water variability, ecosystem changes and the resulting impacts on livelihoods in a changing climate scenario are central to a climate-resilient green economy. The water cycle is primarily accelerated by climate change, thereby increasing the number of extreme weather events and resulting in more floods and droughts. Adaptation measures that include effective and robust water management can boost green economy approaches and minimize impacts on livelihoods. 5. Universal coverage of water supply and sanitation services must be a central development goal in the post-2015 period. UN-Water urges national governments to set realistic intermediate targets and goals. The framework for achieving the ultimate goal will need to accommodate both development targets and human rights targets at all levels, in line with the notion of access to water and sanitation services as a human right as stated in the UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292. Continued assessment and analysis of the enabling environment (policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, human resource base and financial flows) will allow the identification of critical bottlenecks. 6. There must also be a commitment to build the foundation for a water resource efficient green economy. Over 70% of freshwater resources are utilized for agricultural production. Therefore, we must help farmers increase water efficiency in agriculture – more nutrition and crop per drop. Similarly, all stakeholders are urged to reduce water losses and waste from field to fork, thus increasing the total food supply-chain efficiency. National governments should also commit to increase water efficiency in energy production – more Kilowatts per drop. 7. There is a need for increased water resilience and sustainability of cities, keeping in view the global challenges and urbanization trends. For the first time in human history, more people live in cities than in rural areas – a trend that will continue unabated throughout this century. Much unplanned urban growth has taken place in peri-urban areas and in slums, where the absence of adequate water supply and sanitation services threatens the quality of life of its inhabitants. 8. Water challenges are a global concern and international action and cooperation at all level are required to accommodate them within the green economy. As recognised by the UN General Assembly Resolution 65/154 on the International Year of Water Coop-
Water on the Road to Rio+20 and the way forward
Key Actions by UN-Water 1. UN-Water can offer solid public policy recommendations and powerful solutions for monitoring progress against key development targets. Existing methodologies and tools can be used for measuring progress against a new model of human and economic development that captures and promotes improvements in human well-being across the world. As the world leaders at the Rio+20 Summit undertake commitments and identify related baseline indicators, UN-Water can play an instrumental role in monitoring these indicators. Existing UN-Water monitoring mechanisms such as the WWAP and the GLAAS, UN-Water affiliated mechanisms, such as the WHO/UNICEF JMP, are effective tools that can be further strengthened and improved to provide relevant outputs. 2. UN-Water will continue to play a major role in identifying practical solutions that demonstrate success of green-economy policy choices, and facilitate their scaling up. UN-Water has produced a toolbox that contains synthesized lessons learnt from implementation of green economy approaches and success stories identified in the public and private sectors. Ongoing work is further focused on identifying scaling up opportunities and challenges under different developmental and geographical contexts. 3. In support of green economy, UN-Water will continue its focus on capacity development, including enhancing knowledge generation, facilitating transfer of appropriate technologies and reinforcing cooperation among national governments. UN-Water can effectively contribute to meeting the water-related capacity needs of developing countries and of countries in transition. Capacity development together with innovation and investments in green development offers numerous opportunities including the creation of green jobs, which is one of the fundamental elements of a green economy. 4. UN-Water is an effective medium for consolidating and advocating water-related green economy messages and providing communication channels for their dissemination. Through its success in utilizing the World Water Day platform to communicate with the general public and policy-makers, UN-Water has demonstrated that it can consolidate a body of information, identify strong messages across the United Nations system and deliver them with high impact to relevant audiences. The convening power of the United Nations would allow for successful advocacy of green economy approaches, disseminating success stories and presenting underlying policy messages.
UN-Water Statement for Rio+20
9. Green economies can only be achieved if they are supported by green societies. Achieving sustainable development calls for enabling policies that take into account not only economic but also water-related scientific, social, educational and environmental considerations. This will foster “green societies� that promote a culture of sustainability together with a shift in behaviour and lifestyles, which would lead to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Water in a Green Economy
eration 2013, there is an urgent need to develop appropriate water management frameworks and knowledge sharing networks for sound cooperation.
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