TEMPLATE TO PROVIDE PROJECT INFORMATION To be, please, filled in by the projects that participate in the ‘Comparison of drought solutions’ during the 1st pan-EU Drought Dialogue Forum, 30-31 October 2012, Cyprus. Project Factsheet (max 2 pp) Project Name: Halting Desertification in the Jucar River Basin (HALT-JÚCAR-DES) Instrument: EC DG Environment (Halting Desertification in Europe 2011, Preparatory Action on development of prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe) Total Cost: 196.834,00€ EC Contribution: 147.625,00€ Start Date: 21/12/2011 Duration: 12 months Consortium: The Coordinating entity is the Spanish Consulting environmental firm Evaluación de Recursos Naturales, S.A. (EVREN), and the main partner is the EuroMediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector (EMWIS/SEMIDE) based in France. In addition, the Spanish Júcar River Basin Authority (CHJ) acts as a collaborating entity to ensure the coherence of data compilation and assessment. Project Coordinator: Javier Obartí Evaluación de Recursos Naturales, S.A. (EVREN) jobarti@evren.es Project Websites: http://www.evren.es/halt-jucar/; http://www.emwis.net/initiatives/desert-jucar Keywords: water scarcity; drought; desertification; water savings; socioeconomic assessment; environmental and climatic data; water accounts; SEEA-W; ECRINS THE CHALLENGE The purpose of this pilot project is to assess the feasibility of setting water accounts (balances) per month, and determine how the results can contribute to halting desertification in the Jucar River Basin (east of Spain), by detecting desertification risks in the basin, proposing saving measures, and advert decision makers to take the appropriate measures. It is important to highlight that the selected basin has a drought management plan implemented since 2007, a river basin management plan since 1998 and is in the process of updating this last one in accordance to the EU Water Framework Directive. PROJECT OBJECTIVES Compile and assess data (flows, precipitation, evapotranspiration, climatic aspects, groundwater levels, demands etc.) and adapt them to the European Catchment and Rivers Network System (ECRINS) developed by the EEA; as well as to the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water (SEEA-W). Propose a methodology for the management of data and their integration in the aforementioned systems. Obtain updated water accounts and detect desertification risks in the basin. Assess results and transmit them to managers and stakeholders through a participative process. Establish a series of recommendations for feasible water savings options and management measures targets. Transfer and disseminate results to EU and non-EU Mediterranean countries. METHODOLOGY The works of this action are divided in 6 main activities: 1. Establishment of background and context. 2. Collection of data and contacts with administrations and other partners. 3. Use of ECRINS and SEEA-W with local data. 4. Assessment and recommendations. 5. Meetings and deliverables. 6. Dissemination and capacity building. EXPECTED RESULTS Through this action it is intended to share with the European water community the possibility of obtaining detailed water accounts that can contribute to obtain a better knowledge on the European river basins status. In addition, it will develop an assessment and identification of water saving and management measures that can contribute to halting desertification in the basin, through a sustainable water use in harmony with the environmental needs. This exercise will in turn contribute to the political process “A Blueprint to safeguard Europe’s Waters”. PROJECT PARTNERS Spanish environmental consulting firm Evaluación de Recursos Naturales, S.A. (EVREN), Spain: http://www.evren.es Euro-Mediterranean Information System on know-how in the Water sector, France: http://www.emwis.net The Júcar River Basin Authority (CHJ), Spain: http://www.chj.es