Bringing Ecosystems to the Forefront of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Discussion
IUCN/IWA/UNEP Side Event at Nexus 2014 Conference, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
March 5, 2014
Carla FriedrichAssociate Programme Officer
United Nations Environment ProgrammeRegional Office for North America
Already water is a scarce resource in many places. GEO-4 estimates that by 2025 two-thirds of the global population will be living in areas experiencing water stress.
Agriculture is already the biggest user of freshwater resources; expanding and intensifying bioenergy production could add to existing pressures. As the integrity of water systems declines, they are less able to provide fundamental ecosystem services such as the provision of clean water, natural filtration services, natural habitat for fisheries etc.
Global challenges such as climate change, population growth, change in living standards and energy demand will further impact the world’s water supplies.
Why Nexus?
The Nexus: Emphasis Within Different Organizations
‘Ecosystems,’ ‘Risk Reduction,’ and ‘Sustainability’ are missing from the dialogue
The Nexus According to UNEP
Sustainable Livelihoods & Green Growth
Figure 2 - UNEP
Figure 1
An Ecosystem Services Emphasis
Supporting a wide range of ecosystem services for long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits
Source: M.Otto
Agricultural waste and residues and food
waste for bioenergy
Agricultural waste and residues to rebuild soil
Energy
Food
Water
Land
Water for Energy production:
-extraction, mining, refining and residue
disposal of fossil fuels-plant cooling-hydropower
-bioenergy feedstock production
Water for Food production:
-biomass for food and fodder production
(irrigation and rainfed)-food processing
Energy for Access to Water:
-water pumping and distribution
- water treatment- sea water desalination
Energy for Food Security:
- irrigation- fertilizer production- agricultural machinery- food preservation and
processing- transport- cooking
Ener
gy –
Foo
d Sy
stem
s and
Inte
grat
ed P
lann
ing
Integrated Water Resource M
anagement
Agro-Ecological Zoning
UNEP’s Role: GovernanceInvolving relevant sectors in dialogues
Convincing policy makers to apply a system of economic and environmental accounting, including valuation of natural capital
Assisting in the development of policy and management tools
Putting ecosystems at the center of the water-energy-food Nexus
Examples of Relevant UNEP ActivitiesLandcapes for People, Food and Nature Initiative
(with EcoAgriculture, FAO, WRI, CI, and other partners)
Incorporation of ecosystems regulatory services in decision support systems (with IWMI) Zambezi and Nile GEF floods and droughts project in the Mekong and Volta
Integrating water and energy activities in the green economyWastewater and sanitation resource recovery and energy reuseWork on biomass optimization using land and water (with FAO and
IUCN -- exploring options for a platform that engages various production and end use sectors, governments and civil society)
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes, such as valuation efforts in the Mekong and trans-boundary basin plans in Okavango
Flagship project on Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (with UNDP, IUCN and BMU)
The Bioenergy and Water Nexus
Ecosystems for Water and Food Security
Avoiding future famines: Strengthening the ecological foundation of food security through sustainable food systems
The Environmental Food Crisis: The Environment's role in averting future food crisis
Recent publications
Next StepsPromote science to address knowledge gaps
Develop and promote a toolbox
Policy support and capacity building
Further engage in the dialogue
Creating a common vision: The Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus
International Conference on
Sustainability in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus19-20 May 2014 in Bonn, Germany
Complementary to IUCN/IWA Nexus dialogues on water infrastructures
Main topics Tools for the sustainable implementation of the Nexus approach Governance and management of the Nexus Considering the Environment and Livelihoods Implementing the Nexus at Various Scales
http://wef-conference.gwsp.org
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