Groundwater Governance A Global Framework for Action

2012 - 2014

Andrea Merla

JORDAN DESERT

Groundwater Resources of the World

Groundwater is everywhere

GROUNDWATER represents 96% of Earth’s unfrozen freshwater

A CRITICAL RESOURCE

domestic

irrigationindustrial

53% average of total water abstractions in N. Africa and the Middle East

• 96% of all liquid freshwater on Earth

• supplies nearly ½ of all drinking water and 40% of irrigated areas in the world

• crucial buffer in water-stressed areas

• storage depletion, lowering water tables

• pollution, often irreversible

• decreasing recharge rates due to land use patterns, deforestation

Importance of groundwater:

Threats to groundwater:

Groundwater abstraction

it might have a significant role in sea level rise

Groundwater development stress indicator at country level

“In spite of the efforts being made across the planet to introduce some degree of management to the use of this invaluable resource, groundwater exploitation at the global level is, however, far from being sustainable. Groundwater resources are being rapidly degraded in terms of quality and quantity, and the opportunities that currently exist for the strategic expansion of groundwater use are being compromised, or simply remain unknown to stakeholders.”

from Synthesis Paper, Groundwater Governance Project 2013

HAITI

“The lack of adequate governance hinders the achievement of groundwater resources management goals such as resource sustainability, economic development, equitable access to benefits from water and conservation of ecosystems.”

from Synthesis Paper, Groundwater Governance Project 2013

It is for these reasons that the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has joined forces with the FAO, UNESCO, the IAH, the World Bank, and a multitude of scientists and water managers from across the globe, in the project

“Groundwater Governance A Global Framework for Action”

• BRING TO THE GLOBAL ATTENTION THE URGENT NEED FOR IMPROVED GOVERNANCE OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES AND CATALYZE ACTION

• IDENTIFY AND PROMOTE GLOBALLY VALID GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR MANAGING GROUNDWATER RESOURCES

objectives

Project process and milestones

1. Baseline

• Status of groundwater governance

2. Diagnostic

• Scientific and technical knowledge, regional and country experiences

4. A global Framework for Action (2014)

Policy and institutional guidelines, recommendations, best practices.

Phase 1. The baseline

agreement on the scientific and economic issues in relation to groundwater management, consensus on the scope for future action.

Outputs

• Case studies exemplifying various socio-economic, geologic and climatic conditions: India, Kenya, South Africa.

• 12 Thematic papers synthesizing the current knowledge and experience concerning key economic, policy, institutional, environmental and technical aspects of groundwater management, and address emerging issues and innovative approaches.

Thematic Papers• Groundwater Governance: Synthesis of Thematic Papers and Case Studies• No.1 – Trends in groundwater pollution; trends in loss of groundwater quality and

related aquifers services• No.2 - Conjunctive Use and Management of Groundwater and Surface Water • No.3 – Urban-rural tensions; opportunities for co-management• No.4 - Management of aquifer recharge / discharge processes and aquifer equilibrium

states• No.5 - Groundwater Policy and Governance• No.6 – Legal framework for sustainable groundwater governance• No.7 – Trends in local groundwater management institutions / user partnerships• No.8 - Social adoption of groundwater pumping technology and the development of

groundwater cultures: governance at the point of abstraction• No.9 – Macro-economic trends that influence demand for groundwater and related

aquifer services• No.10 - Governance of the subsurface and groundwater frontier• No.11 - Managing the Invisible - Understanding and Improving Groundwater Governance• No.12 - Groundwater and climate change adaptation http://www.groundwatergovernance.org/resources/thematic-papers/en/

Phase 2. A global groundwater diagnostic

build the technical basis for the visioning process and the Global Framework for Action

make the best scientific and technical knowledge accessible to policy and decision makers

Outputs

• 5 Regional Consultations to discuss specific challenges and priorities within the different regional contexts

• Private Sector Roundtable to explore opportunities for partnerships and information sharing

Regional consultationsFirst Regional Consultation - Latin America and the CaribbeanMontevideo, Uruguay - 18-20 April 2012

Second regional consultation: sub-Saharan AfricaNairobi, Kenya - 29-31 May 2012

Third regional consultation: Arab StatesAmman, Jordan - 8-10 October 2012

Fourth regional consultation: East and South Asia and the PacificShijiazhuang, China - 3-5 December 2012

Fifth regional consultation: UNECE Region The Hague, The Netherlands - 19-21 March 2013

A lot to read!

Thematic papers

Case studies

Regional diagnostics

Global diagnostic

Private sector roundtable: Public and Private Sector Cooperation

capture the views and interests of the private sector explore opportunities for partnerships and information sharing

The Hague, Netherlands21 March 2013

Groundwater Governance aims at ensuring full and long lasting use of groundwater resources and dependent ecosystem services

WATER SECURITY

Phase 3. A Vision for groundwater governance

Water security - SDGs

Vision Global Diagnostic

Global Framework for Action

Enabling Guiding Frameworks Principles

• Thematic Papers

• Case Studies• Synthesis

Paper• Regional

Consultations• Regional

Diagnostics

Where are we now

Groundwater governance can be qualified as “an overarching framework and set of guiding principles that determines and enables the sustainable management of groundwater resources and the use of aquifers”.

Enabling Frameworks: They refer to fundamental requirements for sound groundwater governance. They are generic, process oriented, and neutral: clear definition of responsibility and accountability; transparent data provision; stakeholder participation through social organization; etc.

Guiding Principles of Groundwater Management : A set of groundwater specific prerequisites and guidance considered essential for the achievement of the Vision:

• Recognize Aquifer Recharge Areas to be managed and protected through appropriate land use planning, and enhanced when needed (MAR).

• Conjunctive management of shallow groundwater systems with the

surface water resources with which they naturally interact

• Conjunctive management of all groundwater and surface water resources in basin/aquifer systems, small islands, and/or other physical/administrative jurisdictions

• Managing groundwater quantity and quality on an integrated basis (especially as regards the threat of resource salinization)

• How should the Vision be structured for maximum reach and impact?

• How closely should the Vision be linked with the Sustainable Development Goal process?

• Are there issues essential to a global groundwater Vision?

• What are the priority actions for the Framework?

Issues presently being debated within the core drafting team, and soon also within the Permanent Consultation Mechanism

Issues presently being debated within the core drafting team, and soon also within the Permanent Consultation Mechanism

• Approach to groundwater management both within and outside river-basin organizations

• Administration of subsurface space for construction and other uses (mainly in urban areas)

• Dealing with the use of non-renewable groundwater resources

• Handling transboundary aquifers and groundwater flow, as an opportunity for international collaboration and synergy

• Need for neutral repositories of subsurface information and groundwater resources

What is next

Framework for Action circulated

and discussed with PCM

Dissemination and Outreach Activities

• GEF Groundwater Conference

• Final Project Conference & Participation to WWF6 and other global events

Approval of Steering Committee

and of Advisory

Board

WATER SECURITY

ACTION BY COUNTRIES, INTERNATINAL

ORGANIZATIONS, DONORS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR

AND BY PROJECT PARTNERS

CATALYZED

EXPECTED OUTCOME

Recognition of the role of groundwater in the GEF International Waters Strategy for the GEF 6th Cycle

GEF Groundwater Portfolio of Regional Projects

Portfolio of REGIONALGROUNDWATER PROJECTS

• Small: 12 projects for an investment of around $35M

• Strategic: Addresses a variety of

situations and includes innovative aspects

• Most project are completed or nearing completion

Only one project under preparation (PPG)

Groundwater resources sustain life and livelihoods.

Let’s change the way we govern them and make sure that they last.

More Information at:www.groundwatergovernance.org

THANK YOU!

LAKE BAIKAL