Water statistics, accounts Water statistics, accounts and indicatorsand indicators
Jeremy WebbJeremy WebbAfrican Climate Policy Centre (ACPC), UNECAAfrican Climate Policy Centre (ACPC), UNECA
Part of the ClimDev-Africa ProgrammePart of the ClimDev-Africa Programme
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
IntroductionIntroduction Water definedWater defined Water and climate changeWater and climate change Organising water statistics, accounts and Organising water statistics, accounts and
indicatorsindicators• International Recommendations for Water International Recommendations for Water
StatisticsStatistics• System of Environmental and Economic System of Environmental and Economic
Accounts for Water (SEEA-W)Accounts for Water (SEEA-W)• ECA, UNSD, UNEP Water indicatorsECA, UNSD, UNEP Water indicators
The African Climate Policy Centre and the The African Climate Policy Centre and the ClimDev-Africa ProgrammeClimDev-Africa Programme
Summary and conclusionsSummary and conclusions
Why is water importantWhy is water important
A human can only live a few days at A human can only live a few days at maximum without watermaximum without water
Water is needed for sanitary purposesWater is needed for sanitary purposes Plants and animals need water to grow Plants and animals need water to grow
and surviveand survive Many industries need water for industrial Many industries need water for industrial
processes processes
Water definitionWater definition
Water is a colourless, tasteless and odourless chemical Water is a colourless, tasteless and odourless chemical substance composed of one oxygen atom and two substance composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms with the chemical formula Hhydrogen atoms with the chemical formula H22O. O.
In most cases water contains other dissolved chemicals In most cases water contains other dissolved chemicals that affect the colour, taste, odour, acidity and that affect the colour, taste, odour, acidity and conductivity of water. conductivity of water.
In water statistics, water refers to water and any In water statistics, water refers to water and any dissolved, suspended or other chemicals or materials dissolved, suspended or other chemicals or materials carried in the water (e.g. water includes saltwater and carried in the water (e.g. water includes saltwater and polluted water). polluted water).
WaterWater Water has a number of special properties that make it essential for life, Water has a number of special properties that make it essential for life,
sanitation, and many industrial processes. sanitation, and many industrial processes. Water is a super solvent as it can dissolve many other chemicals for Water is a super solvent as it can dissolve many other chemicals for
example salt, sugar and even stone. example salt, sugar and even stone. Because of this property water is essential for life on earth as all Because of this property water is essential for life on earth as all
organisms use water to transport chemicals within their bodies. organisms use water to transport chemicals within their bodies. Water is also used in many industrial processes to dissolve, transport or Water is also used in many industrial processes to dissolve, transport or
remove soluble chemicals, and in households water is used for hygiene remove soluble chemicals, and in households water is used for hygiene and sanitation as it can dissolve and remove waste and germs. and sanitation as it can dissolve and remove waste and germs.
Water has a high specific heat capacity which means water is able to Water has a high specific heat capacity which means water is able to absorb a lot more heat than most other chemicals. absorb a lot more heat than most other chemicals.
Water also has a high thermal conductivity meaning it can absorb and Water also has a high thermal conductivity meaning it can absorb and release heat very quickly, making water suitable for use as a coolant. release heat very quickly, making water suitable for use as a coolant.
WaterWater The abundance of water in the environment (mainly as salt water in The abundance of water in the environment (mainly as salt water in
seas and oceans) coupled with its high specific heat capacity and seas and oceans) coupled with its high specific heat capacity and high thermal conductivity means water is an essential component high thermal conductivity means water is an essential component for the regulation of energy and climate on earth. for the regulation of energy and climate on earth.
Water’s high specific heat capacity also makes water highly suitable Water’s high specific heat capacity also makes water highly suitable for transporting energy for example by steam. for transporting energy for example by steam.
Water has a high surface tension allowing it to move into soils, Water has a high surface tension allowing it to move into soils, roots, and through very small blood vessels in animals. roots, and through very small blood vessels in animals.
Water has many other physical and chemical properties. Water has many other physical and chemical properties. Information on these properties is available from the internet and Information on these properties is available from the internet and other sourcesother sources
Freshwater vs saltwaterFreshwater vs saltwater The distinction between freshwater and saltwater is an important The distinction between freshwater and saltwater is an important
consideration in water statistics. consideration in water statistics. The International Glossary of Hydrology defines freshwater as The International Glossary of Hydrology defines freshwater as
naturally occurring water having a low concentration of salts, or naturally occurring water having a low concentration of salts, or generally accepted as suitable for abstraction and treatment to generally accepted as suitable for abstraction and treatment to produce potable water. (ISO/6107). produce potable water. (ISO/6107).
However, an international standard for the definition of fresh water However, an international standard for the definition of fresh water in terms of the salt content (e.g. in parts per million, grams per litre in terms of the salt content (e.g. in parts per million, grams per litre or electrolytic conductivity) is not available although there is a or electrolytic conductivity) is not available although there is a considerable body of practice (e.g. engineering, agricultural and considerable body of practice (e.g. engineering, agricultural and other practices). other practices).
Different countries have different definitions regarding salinity. Different countries have different definitions regarding salinity. • For example the definition of freshwater in the USA and Canada is water For example the definition of freshwater in the USA and Canada is water
with a concentration of salt of less than 1,000 parts per million, while in with a concentration of salt of less than 1,000 parts per million, while in Australia it is water with a salt concentration of less than 500 parts per Australia it is water with a salt concentration of less than 500 parts per millionmillion UNESCO-IHE, Freshwater UNESCO-IHE, Freshwater http://www.cig.ensmp.fr/~hubert/glu/HINDEN.HTM
Source: Maartin de Wit and Jacek Stankiewicz www.scienceexpress.org/2March2006/Page1/10.1126/science1119929
African climate change water scenarios:African climate change water scenarios:there is a lot of uncertaintythere is a lot of uncertainty
Small changes in temperature will see average river flows and water availability increase by 10-40% in some regions, while in others there will be a decrease of 10-30%
Changes in surface water supply across Africa with Predicted Climate ChangeWill there be increases or
decreases in available water?
Potential ET Actual ET Runoff
10 models show likely decrease of runoff while 7 shows like increase of runoff
Example: Blue Nile GCM downscaling
Precipitation
There is a need to monitor water resources along with water availability, access and use across Africa
The SEEA and supporting suite of The SEEA and supporting suite of publicationspublications
Data
Data Quality Assessment Frameworks
Metadata and documentation (e.g. SDMX)
ISIC, CPC, Asset Classification, Class. of Environmental Activities, Class. of Physical Flows etc
Input frameworks
Cross functional frameworks
SEEA
e.g. IRWS
Other water statistics
Compilation Material
SEEA-W
Energy balances
e.g. IRES
Compilation Material
SEEA-E
Output frameworks
Systems frameworks
Intermediate frameworks
Water statistics and accountsWater statistics and accounts SEEA-WSEEA-W
• The SEEA-W was developed by UNSD and the Water The SEEA-W was developed by UNSD and the Water Subgroup of the London Group on Environmental Subgroup of the London Group on Environmental AccountsAccounts
• The SEEA-W was adopted as an Interim International The SEEA-W was adopted as an Interim International Statistical Standard at the 38Statistical Standard at the 38thth Session of the UN Session of the UN Statistical Commission, 2007Statistical Commission, 2007
IRWSIRWS• The IRWS was developed by an Expert Group on Water The IRWS was developed by an Expert Group on Water
StatisticsStatistics• Part 1 of the IRWS was adopted as international Part 1 of the IRWS was adopted as international
recommendations at the 41recommendations at the 41stst Session of the UN Session of the UN Statistical Commission, 2010Statistical Commission, 2010
• Part 2 of the IRWS was endorsed as supplementary Part 2 of the IRWS was endorsed as supplementary guidance at the same Statistical Commissionguidance at the same Statistical Commission
Water statistics and accounts: Water statistics and accounts: recommendations and standardsrecommendations and standards
International Recommendations for Water International Recommendations for Water Statistics (IRWS)Statistics (IRWS)• Classifies water data items (i.e. water Classifies water data items (i.e. water
variables)variables)• Shows the link between these data items and:Shows the link between these data items and:
the standard tables of the SEEA-Wthe standard tables of the SEEA-W international water indicatorsinternational water indicators
System of Environmental and Economic System of Environmental and Economic Accounts for Water (SEEA-W)Accounts for Water (SEEA-W)• Provides a framework for organising water Provides a framework for organising water
statisticsstatistics• Uses a systems approach and classifies data in Uses a systems approach and classifies data in
terms of stocks and flowsterms of stocks and flows
Water AccountsWater Accounts
Economy
Exports
Evapo-transpiration
Other Industries(incl. Agriculture)
Imports
Abstraction
Sea
Atmosphere
Collection ofprecipitation
Households
Abs
trac
tion
Water collection,treatment and supply
Inland Water Resource System
Surface water(reservoirs, lakes, rivers,snow, ice and glaciers)
Soil water
Groundwater
upstreambasins and
aquifersoutside
the territoryof reference
Natural transfers(e.g. infiltration,seepage, etc.)
Sea
Inflows
downstreambasins and
aquifersoutside
the territoryof reference
Outflows
Pre
cipi
tatio
n
Eva
po-
tra
nspi
ratio
n
Sewerage
Rest ofthe WorldEconomy Rest of
the WorldEconomy
Re
turn
s
Ret
urn
s
Ret
urn
s
Linking flows with stocksLinking flows with stocks
Opening stocks
Closing stocks
+ stocks
- stocks
Human activities+ Returns
Flows
Natural processes+ Precipitation+ Inflows
Human activities- Abstraction
Natural processes- Evapotranspiration- Outflows
Physical water assets: Standard Table XIIPhysical water assets: Standard Table XIIphysical units
EA.131 Surface water
EA.132 Groundwater
EA.133 Soil
water TotalEA.1311
ReservoirsEA.1312
LakesEA.1313 Rivers
EA.1314 Snow, Ice
and Glaciers
Opening Stocks
Increases in stocks
Returns from the economy
Precipitation
Inflows
from upstream territories
from other resources in t territory
Decreases in stocks
Abstraction
of which Sustainable use
Evaporation/Actual evapotranspiration
Outflows
to downstream territories
to the sea
to other resources in the territory
Other changes in volume
Closing Stocks
Evaporation
TranspirationPrecipitation
(dew, mist, rain, sleet, hail, snow)
Groundwater(aquifers)
Surface water(rivers, lakes, glaciers)
Sea/ocean
Infiltration
Evaporation
Soilwater
Basic concepts and Basic concepts and definitionsdefinitions
Economic activity/Households
UseUse
From the From the environment environment (abstraction)(abstraction)
From From another another economic economic unitunit
Supply
To the To the environment environment (returns)(returns)
To another To another economic economic unitunit
EvapotranspirationEvapotranspiration
ConsumptionConsumption
ConsumptionConsumption
Physical water use: Standard Table IPhysical water use: Standard Table I
Physical units
Industries (by ISIC categories)
Ho
use
ho
lds
Re
st of th
e
wo
rld
To
tal
1-3
5-33, 41-43 35 36 37
38,39, 45-99
Total
From the environment
U1 - Total abstraction (=a.1+a.2= b.1+b.2):
a.1- Abstraction for own use
a.2- Abstraction for distribution
b.1- From water resources:
Surface water
Groundwater
Soil water
b.2- From other sources
Collection of precipitation
Abstraction from the sea
Within the economy
U2 - Use of water received from other economic units
U=U1+U2 - Total use of water
Includes green waterIncludes green water
AgricultureAgriculture
ServicesServicesWater supplyWater supplyEnergyEnergy
Mining and manufactureMining and manufacture
SewerageSewerage
Physical water supply: Standard Table IIPhysical water supply: Standard Table IIPhysical units
Industries (by ISIC categories)
Households
Rest of the world
Total 1-3
5-33, 41-43 35 36 37
38,39, 45-99
Total
Within the economy
S1 - Supply of water to other economic units
of which: Reused water
Wastewater to sewerage
To the environment
S2 - Total returns (= d.1+d.2)
d.1- To water resources
Surface water
Groundwater
Soil water
d.2- To other sources (e.g. Sea water)
S - Total supply of water (= S1+S2)
Consumption (U - S)
Hybrid water use: Standard Table VIHybrid water use: Standard Table VI
Physical and monetary units
Intermediate consumption of industries (by ISIC categories) Actual final consumption
Capital formation
Exports
Total uses at purchaser’s price1-3
5-33, 41-43
35
36 37
38,39, 45-99
Total industry
Households
Government
Total
of which: Hydro
Final consumpt
ion expenditu
res
Social
transfers in
kind from
Governme
nt and
NPISHs Total
Total intermediate consumption and use (monetary units)
of which: Natural water (CPC 1800)
Sewerage services (CPC 941)
Total value added (monetary units)
Total use of water (physical units)
U1 - Total Abstraction
of which: a.1- Abstraction for own use
U2 - Use of water received from other economic units
SEEAWSEEAW The system defines what The system defines what
should be accounted forshould be accounted for By using the SEEAW:By using the SEEAW:
• Any gaps are obviousAny gaps are obvious• Water data is integrated Water data is integrated
with economic datawith economic data• Water data can by used Water data can by used
with economic data and with economic data and employment data for:employment data for:
integrated water integrated water management purposesmanagement purposes
policy analysispolicy analysis policy monitoringpolicy monitoring otherother
Individual environment statistics or Individual environment statistics or indicatorsindicators
Often developed to Often developed to address individual address individual issues or questionsissues or questions
Often not easy to Often not easy to relate to other relate to other issuesissues
Often not able to Often not able to be integrated with be integrated with economic statisticseconomic statistics
Difficult to be sure Difficult to be sure all relevant all relevant information is information is includedincluded
Environmental AccountsEnvironmental Accounts
Help to make sense Help to make sense of the entire pictureof the entire picture
Water statistics, accounts and Water statistics, accounts and audiencesaudiences
Amount of datae.g. data regarding water resources, water supply and
sanitation, or economic activities and water
Information pyramid
Increasin
g ag
greg
ation
of
info
rmatio
n
e.g. Decision makers, and the general public, managers analysts
and researchers
e.g. Managers, analysts and researchers
e.g. Researchers and others conducting detailed
analytical research
Audiences
Macro data
Micro d
ata
Water statisticse.g. basic aggregates at the data item level, time series
Water accounts
Other statistical compilations
Water indicators
IndicatorsIndicatorsIndicators are:Indicators are: used to synthesise and present complex used to synthesise and present complex
informationinformation a means of summarizing, simplifying and a means of summarizing, simplifying and
communicating information to:communicating information to: decision makers, decision makers, policy analysts, policy analysts, researchers, researchers, the business community the business community the general public. the general public.
used to make comparisons, e.g.:used to make comparisons, e.g.:• over time over time • between areas - countries, river basins or provinces between areas - countries, river basins or provinces • between industries between industries
used to identify and monitor factors that lead to used to identify and monitor factors that lead to the better management e.g. of water resourcesthe better management e.g. of water resources
IndicatorsIndicators
Water resources, availability, access etc
Data collection
Data capture and compilation
Data productse.g. water indicators, tables, balances and
accounts
Action or inaction
Indicators
Statistics and other
information
Indicators flag problems
Other more detailed water statistics are required to analyze and understand the problem
Water accessibilityWater accessibility
Proportion of population using an improved drinking water source [MDG]
MDG/ CSD/NEPAD/Other
% of population connected to public water supply
NEPAD/Other
Source: the core list of environment indicators – ECA, UNSD, UNEP following ECOWAS
Water quantityWater quantity
Proportion of total water resources used [MDG]
MDG/ CSD/NEPAD/Other
Ratio of external renewable water resources to total renewable water resources
Other
Total annual renewable water resources per capita
NEPAD/Other
Change in surface water discharge NEPAD
Annual groundwater recharge NEPAD/Other
Source: the core list of environment indicators – ECA, UNSD, UNEP following ECOWAS
Water quality (pollution)Water quality (pollution)Emissions of organic water pollutants (BOD) total/per worker
NEPAD/Other
Biochemical oxygen demand in water bodies [CSD] CSD/NEPAD/Other
Chemical oxygen demand in water bodies Other
Average annual concentration of total phosphorus in lakes and rivers
NEPAD/Other
Average annual concentration of total dissolved solids/sediment flux in lakes and rivers
NEPAD/Other
Average annual concentration of total nitrogen in lakes and rivers
NEPAD/Other
Average annual concentration of dissolved oxygen in lakes and rivers
NEPAD/Other
Presence of faecal coliforms in freshwater [CSD] CSD/Other
Source: the core list of environment indicators – ECA, UNSD, UNEP following ECOWAS
Water usageWater usage
Total annual water use per capita NEPAD/Other
% of (change in amount/volume) freshwater used for domestic use, irrigation, industry
NEPAD/Other
Water use intensity by economic activity [CSD]
CSD/Other
Source: the core list of environment indicators – ECA, UNSD, UNEP following ECOWAS
Water borne diseases (bilharzias, Water borne diseases (bilharzias, river blindness, sleeping sickness, river blindness, sleeping sickness,
etc)etc)
Incidence of water borne diseases
NEPAD/Other
Source: the core list of environment indicators – ECA, UNSD, UNEP following ECOWAS
Water management issuesWater management issues
Developed national & river basin IWRM plans
NEPAD
Wastewater treatment [CSD] CSD/Other
% of population connected to wastewater collecting system
Other
Volume of treated wastewater for domestic use
Other
Amount/volume of disposal of wastewater into wetlands
NEPAD
% of treated waste water produced from wetlands
NEPAD
Source: the core list of environment indicators – ECA, UNSD, UNEP following ECOWAS
Water availabilityWater availability
Urban water supply from dams NEPAD
Abstraction from boreholes for domestic use in rural/urban settings (per capita yield)
NEPAD
Source: the core list of environment indicators – ECA, UNSD, UNEP following ECOWAS
African Climate Policy CentreAfrican Climate Policy CentreOur goal:Our goal: Making development more sustainable and managing Making development more sustainable and managing
associated climate risks, for the benefit of the majority of associated climate risks, for the benefit of the majority of AfricansAfricans
What we do:What we do: Undertake activities that inform decision making at Undertake activities that inform decision making at
various levels on how do achieve thisvarious levels on how do achieve this
The African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) is:The African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) is: Based at UNECA in Addis AbabaBased at UNECA in Addis Ababa Part of the Climate for Development of Africa programme Part of the Climate for Development of Africa programme
(ClimDev-Africa)(ClimDev-Africa)
ClimDev-Africa ProgrammeClimDev-Africa Programme
Meetings of the Chief Executives of the AUC, ECA and AfDB
Meetings of the Chief Executives of the AUC, ECA and AfDB
Programme Steering Committee (PSC)(AUC, UNECA, AfDB and others)
Programme Steering Committee (PSC)(AUC, UNECA, AfDB and others)
African Climate Policy Centre
(ACPC)
African Climate Policy Centre
(ACPC)
ClimDev-Africa
Special Fund(CDSF)
ClimDev-Africa
Special Fund(CDSF)
Regional / sub-regional levelRECs/SROs, Regional/Sub-Regional Climate Institutions, RBOs, Research Institutions
Regional / sub-regional levelRECs/SROs, Regional/Sub-Regional Climate Institutions, RBOs, Research Institutions
Technical Advisory Panel
Technical Advisory Panel
National levelNMHSs, Sectoral Actors (public
sector, private sector, civil society)
National levelNMHSs, Sectoral Actors (public
sector, private sector, civil society)
Climate Change and Desertification Unit
(CCDU)
Climate Change and Desertification Unit
(CCDU)Stakeholder forums
e.g. Climate Change and Dev. Conf. & other forums/platforms
Stakeholder forums
e.g. Climate Change and Dev. Conf. & other forums/platforms
Work programmeWork programme
The ACPC has three broad areas of The ACPC has three broad areas of activity: activity:
1.1. Knowledge generation, sharing and Knowledge generation, sharing and networkingnetworking
2.2. Advocacy and consensus buildingAdvocacy and consensus building
3.3. Advisory services and technical Advisory services and technical cooperationcooperation
Knowledge generation…Knowledge generation…The ACPC is addressing:The ACPC is addressing: African challenges and opportunities for climate finance, including: African challenges and opportunities for climate finance, including:
• Fast Start FinanceFast Start Finance• The Green Climate FundThe Green Climate Fund• Long Term FinancingLong Term Financing
Mitigation in the context of Africa, including:Mitigation in the context of Africa, including:• the development of national or sub-regional strategies on low carbon economy the development of national or sub-regional strategies on low carbon economy
Adaptation, including: Adaptation, including: • the implementation of AMCEN sub-regional and national adaptation strategiesthe implementation of AMCEN sub-regional and national adaptation strategies• the creation of an adaptation and vulnerability knowledge base, the creation of an adaptation and vulnerability knowledge base, • an assessment of the economics of climate adaptation in Africa (AdaptCost)an assessment of the economics of climate adaptation in Africa (AdaptCost)
Technology transfer, including:Technology transfer, including:• a technology transfer needs assessment that maps out models of technology transfer a technology transfer needs assessment that maps out models of technology transfer
for Africa for Africa
Its website, including:Its website, including:• the development of a knowledge management platform to:the development of a knowledge management platform to:
support climate policy discussions support climate policy discussions act as a hub for climate change and policy communitiesact as a hub for climate change and policy communities
Advocacy…Advocacy…
The ACPC will:The ACPC will: Hold a Climate Change and Development Hold a Climate Change and Development
Conference to:Conference to:• enhance awareness on climate change in Africaenhance awareness on climate change in Africa
Prepare for, and participate in, the Conference of Prepare for, and participate in, the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Climate Change 17 Parties to the Convention on Climate Change 17 (COP17) with the aim of ensuring:(COP17) with the aim of ensuring:• Africa's key concerns in climate change are brought to Africa's key concerns in climate change are brought to
the fore the fore
Develop a communications strategy to ensure:Develop a communications strategy to ensure:• Climate and development information is targeted and Climate and development information is targeted and
makes it to all relevant audiences makes it to all relevant audiences
Capacity mobilisation…Capacity mobilisation…
The ACPC will:The ACPC will: Evaluate and enhance climate information Evaluate and enhance climate information
systems across Africa, such as:systems across Africa, such as:• hydrological and meteorological data hydrological and meteorological data
and information systemsand information systems
Strengthen Measurement, Reporting and Strengthen Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems across AfricaVerification (MRV) systems across Africa
Establish a fellowship programmeEstablish a fellowship programme
SummarySummary For water indicators, accounts and statistics, there For water indicators, accounts and statistics, there
are international statistical standards, are international statistical standards, recommendations and guidance availablerecommendations and guidance available• The SEEA-W applies a systems approach to organising The SEEA-W applies a systems approach to organising
water statistics including monetary datawater statistics including monetary data• The IRWS provides:The IRWS provides:
a list of data items with codes and definitionsa list of data items with codes and definitions formulas for calculation water indicators formulas for calculation water indicators the link to the SEEA-W standard tables and the data itemsthe link to the SEEA-W standard tables and the data items
ECOWAS along with NEPAD, the ACS, UNSD and ECOWAS along with NEPAD, the ACS, UNSD and UNEP have proposed a set of water indicatorsUNEP have proposed a set of water indicators
Indicators flag issues, more detailed data and Indicators flag issues, more detailed data and information are required to analyse and understand information are required to analyse and understand these issuesthese issues
Improvements in basic data coupled with the IRWS, Improvements in basic data coupled with the IRWS, SEEA-W and indicator frameworks afford the SEEA-W and indicator frameworks afford the opportunity to better understand and monitor wateropportunity to better understand and monitor water
Thank youThank you Contact: Contact:
• Jeremy WebbJeremy Webb [email protected]
UNSDUNSD• Environmental AccountingEnvironmental Accounting
[email protected]• Environment StatisticsEnvironment Statistics
For more information on water statistics, accounts and For more information on water statistics, accounts and indicators please see:indicators please see:• The IRWSThe IRWS
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/irws/ http://unstats.un.org/unsd/statcom/doc10/BG-WaterStats.pdf
• The SEEA-WThe SEEA-W http://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/seeaw.asp