Water Scarce Ecosystems
A UNCCD Policy Framework
Contents of Presentation
Introductory Background:
Anthropogenic activity  Water Scarcity
Impacts of Water Scarcity
Water Cycle and the 3 Conventions: CCC, CBD, CCD
Making the Case:
No universal instrument to target water scarcity
Examples of current activities
Drivers behind UNCCD’s motivation
Calling for Action:
UNCCD and its leadership
Developing a Policy Framework
The Water Scarcity Policy Framework Process
The right to Water
Weaknesses in the analysis
Introductory Background:
Anthropogenic actions put additional
pressure to Water Scarcity
Water is an inextricable part of life
Despite its natural abundance, the amount of
water available for actual use is limited by its
distribution and quality:
Water Scarcity is,
‘…the long-term imbalance resulting from
increased demand for water exceeding the
available supply…’
Anthropogenic pressures have reduced water
supply!
Intro II:
Water Scarcity results in Environmental
and Social Impacts
 Environmental Impacts:
 Land degradation
 Epidemics
 Social Impacts:
 Forced migration
 Armed conflicts
 Poverty
Intro III:
Water Cycle as central element of feedback
reinforcing cycles
Water Scarcity is closely linked to
Climate Change phenomena, Land
Degradation and Biodiversity Loss.
Water Cycle is at the heart of the 3
Conventions
UNFCCC
CBD
UNCCD
Making the Case:
There is No universal instrument of
Targets / Plans to address Water Scarcity
To date, there is NOT a universal
instrument to address Water Scarcity
The responsibility to manage water
efficiently and equitably STILL
DEPENDS on individual countries +
respected basin agreements
Making the Case II:
Examples of Current Activities indirectly
addressing Water Scarcity
UNFCCC – Current discussions on Post-Kyoto
2012 could be an opportunity
UNHCR currently does not favor a refugee
status of ‘climate displaced people’ – however
this type of migration represents a cost resulting
from water scarcity
…etc
Making the Case III:
Drivers behind UNCCD’s action plan
 Article 2 of the UNCCD
 Article 4 of the UNCCD
 The 10 YSP does not formally refer to water.
 All documents elaborated during IYDD (2006) quoted
the relationship between UNCCDD and Water as also
said in COP8
 Populations are fully dependant on rain-fed
agriculture
 Caring to mitigate the effects of drought
Calling for Action:
UNCCD Leadership Intervention and
Policy Coherence
Water Scarcity is a Universal Problem
UNCCD cannot be the unique player in solving
the issue of global water scarcity
But …Land Degradation and Water Scarcity
cannot have full success without UNCCD
UNCCD is well positioned to take leadership
role in bringing negotiations to forefront
Developing a Policy Framework
Addressing Water Scarcity requires:
International Policy Coordination
 A policy is a line of argument rationalizing the course of
action of government intervention
Processes / Developments for Water Scarcity
Policies:
(a)Creating Common Values and Priorities
(b)Promoting Cooperation between Nation States
(c) Coordination process and institutions
(d) Knowledge Transfer/Education/Capacity
building
(e)Funding
(f) Public relations and awareness building
The UNCCD Water Scarcity Policy
Framework
AIM : To develop a multi-lateral agreement
at global scale creating synergies
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS [A]
(a) To Create Common Values and Priorities:
Sensitizing individuals
Bring issues of water scarcity to the attention of
the International Community
Network/Establish and seek formal relations
with CBD, UNFCCC and UN Water.
The UNCCD Water Scarcity
Policy Framework II
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS [B]
(b) Promoting Cooperation between Nation
States:
Identify and realise an inventory of all relevant
existing local/watershed regional initiatives
Survey, analyse information on integrated water
scarcity adaptation (e.g. NAPs/NAPAs) in order
to establish new synergies from national and
international sources
The UNCCD Water Scarcity
Policy Framework III
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS [C]:
(c) Coordination Process and Institutions:
Promote Dialogue for an internationally
agreed definition + indicator of ‘Water
Scarcity’ that will enable:
Common Understanding
Address Quantifiable and legally binding
targets at global level
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS [D]:
(d) Knowledge/Transfer Education and
Capacity Building:
The UNCCD Water Scarcity
Policy Framework IV
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS [E]:
(e) Funding:
Concentrate funds in most vulnerable areas
The UNCCD Water Scarcity
Policy Framework V
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS [F]
(f) Public relations and awareness building:
Strengthen support from international partners
At G8 or G20 Summits
Enhance formal relations with UNCCD + UN Water
Enhance formal relations with CBD and UNFCCC
‘’ ‘’ ‘’ with NGOs
The right to water
 Linking water as a food source (right to food) and water as a
common good (right to water) is essential for the sustainable
development of all living species.
 The universal right to water is already partially recognized as
implicit part of universal human rights, by an adjustment to
food and health rights, particularly with specific references to
women and children.
 The United Nations bodies dealing with Human Rights, as well
as laws at national and local level, recognized the right to
water as an implicit content of some other human rights.
 The right to water is taken into account in a large number of
international conferences, documents, declarations or in other
legal and political instruments. Yet it is recognized by less
than 10 national Constitutions under different perspectives, as
well as “by law” in a lot of other Countries.
 The right to water could be implemented at watershed level.
Shortcomings in the Policy Framework
Analysis/Proposals
Global Policy Frameworks, should ideally have
strong political wills and enforcement (or selfenforcement) mechanisms to enable a long term
sustainable and cooperative policy.
(A self-enforcing mechanism is one which promises a reward for countries participating
and credibly threatens to punish those who don’t join.)
Possible water scarce indicators such as ‘soil
moisture’ or the ‘Water Exploitation Index’ still
need to be further considered as good baselines.
The report has not considered the significant impact
that women’s roles can have in mitigating water
scarcity, especially in most vulnerable regions.
THANK YOU 