Water resources management and REDD+ in East Africa

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1 article November 2011 Water resources management and REDD+ in East Africa By Kimbowa Richard, David M. Mwayafu and Harriet Smith KEY POINTS REDD+ programs can have a greater impact than reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. In forests which provide multiple services, such as in upper water catchments with unique biodiversity, the value of all the services could be significantly greater than the value of carbon alone. REDD+ could therefore contribute towards gradual restoration and sustainance of water flow in key catchment areas. To maximise this contribution; REDD+ should contribute to putting in place an incentive mechanism for communities to manage and monitor water catchments. This would increase understanding of the positive co-benefits for water management of better forest management in key catchment areas. A drinking water catchment within forested land at Mt Elgon, Uganda. These upper catchment areas provide examples of where REDD+ could also benefit water resource management. DISCLAIMER This paper is published by the REDD-net programme, supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). The views and recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funders or institutions involved in REDD-net. Research was carried out June November INTRODUCTION REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, including the role of conservation, sustainable forest management and enhancement of carbon stocks in developing countries. This mechanism is intended to provide payments to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from forests, and could support activities such as the conservation of existing forests, sustainable forest management and enhancing carbon stocks, which may include reforestation or afforestation activities. REDD+ should contribute to awareness creation and sensitization at community level on the need to protect water catchment areas, and the role of forests in doing this. This should involve farmers, farmer groups, schools, private enterprises etc REDD+ should contribute to the development of Payment for Ecosystem Services Schemes where agro-based and other businesses that depend on water catchments can contribute to sustenance of these resources. Lessons and experiences from past forest landscape restoration projects (for example the Ngitili system) need to be replicated at much greater scales, possibly as stand alone strategic options rather than being considered as pilot schemes under REDD+. Regular packaging and dissemination of available national information related to forests and catchment management (status reports, policy options and other potential interventions) is needed. Distribution of this information to politicians and decision makers as well as the general public, would raise awareness of the importance of resource allocation for better management of natural resources.

2 The emergence of REDD+ provides an opportunity on both the regional and national scale, to invest in long term sustainable forest management that not only contributes to mitigation of climate change through reduced deforestation and forest degradation in the region, but also provides an opportunity to complement regional and national strategies to address water issues. By integrating REDD+ strategies with country-level strategies and programmes for water management, REDD+ stands to supplement the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach. The likely option of catchment based forest conservation, reforestation and afforestation means that REDD+ can contribute to the enhancement of watershed ecosystem services relevant to current and future economic activities, and can contribute to averting the looming water stress in East Africa (Table 1). This article is based on the REDD-net paper REDD+ and other sectors in East Africa (Kimbowa R et. al, 2011) REDD+ provides an opportunity to contribute positively to water management in East Africa. East African countries face severe water constraints (EAC, 2000). Deforestation, forest degradation and poor agricultural practices are leading to reduced water retention periods, increased surface runoff and soil cover losses. This results in persistent occurrence of water-borne diseases (the main cause of morbidity in all the countries in the region) (EAC, 2000). In addition, conflicts over water are likely to escalate as the population level rises, while water stress and scarcity sets in (Table 1). REDD+ and Integrated Water Resources Management in East Africa Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is being used to improve governance of water and improve management of water resources in response to many climatic and other stresses facing East Africa and other parts of the world. East African Community (EAC) countries are at different stages of establishing policy and legal frameworks that provide for the concept of IWRM. For example, Rwanda and Burundi are behind others in terms of policy or legislative frameworks. Kenya has established the Water Act to promote IWRM and has designed policies and plans to implement it in selected river basin and catchment areas (EAC, 2000). By responding to changing social, economic and environmental needs or impacts, IWRM can gradually achieve better and sustainable water resources management, based on the perspectives of water users from the agriculture, domestic water supply, industry, hydropower and sewerage sectors (UNESCO et al., 2009). Forests provide environmental or ecosystem services which have economic value (cobenefits) including biodiversity and water regulation (WBI et al, 2011). REDD+ programs can therefore have greater impacts that only than reducing emissions and mitigating climate change. In forests providign a range of ecosystem services, say in upper water catchments with unique biodiversity, the value of all the services provided could be significantly greater than the TABLE 1: WATER STRESS AND SCARCITY Water availability per capita Plenty (More than 2,500 m3/yr) Vulnerable (1,700 2,500 m3/yr) Stress (1,000 1,700 m3/yr) Scarcity (Less than 1,000 m3/yr) Source: UNEP, Kenya Kenya Kenya value of carbon sequestration alone. However in order to maximize the multiple benefits of forests when implementing REDD+ programs, countries will need to identify potential synergies and trade-offs of benefit provision. REDD+ can contribute towards gradual restoration and / or sustaining water flow in key catchment areas through the conservation or restoration of forests which provide these services. Benefits from REDD+ activities in key catchments could include enhancement of eco-system services (water, biodiversity), securing employment (through sustained fisheries and water transport), and upholding the cultural services and values of forests. Table 2 below summarizes the proposed REDD+ strategies which aim to contribute to water security. From this table, it can be noted that REDD+ and water resources management priorities show close alignment in East Africa. However, coordination of this sector and related ones like agriculture needs to be strengthened through the IWRM approach. In addition, due the increasing demand for water and forest products, a multi-pronged approach to secure sustainable, catchment-based forest management (e.g. making use of successful experiences like the Ngitili system) will be crucial. This will need to involve improved governance structures, law enforcement, policy revision in light of the need to address the activities and issues raised by communities as part of the IWRM, as well as securing long-term funding for forest protection in key catchments. As the policy, legal and institutions to implement REDD+ interventions are being put in place, challenges are emerging. For example, there are challenges related to low budgetary allocations for holistic water governance and management (including management of water catchments that are vital for sustainable water resources management), as priority is given to urban and rural water supply (EAC, 2000) In addition, although some of the East African countries have good laws and policies, the lack of enforcement, implementation and monitoring have resulted in their ineffectiveness. Additionally, the lack of legislative and policy harmonization affects transboundary water resources management in East Africa. For example, lack of a harmonized policy on water abstraction for energy and irrigation water from Lake Victoria has contributed to unregulated water use resulting in the water drop since

3 TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF LINKS BETWEEN NATIONAL WATER OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES AND PROPOSED REDD+ STRATEGIES National water objectives Proposed REDD+ Strategies What else should be included for REDD+ to more effectively contribute to water sector objectives? Kenya National Vision, Objective: Protect five water towers (Mt. Kenya, Aberdares, Mau, Cherangani and Mt. Elgon) Strategies: Improved forest sector governance, promote sustainable management and forest conservation. National Water Policy, 2002 Objective: To develop a comprehensive framework for sustainable development and management of the water resources and putting in place an effective legal and institutional framework for its implementation. National Forest Policy, 1998 Strategy: Establishment of new catchment forest reserves for watershed management in critical watershed areas. Uganda National Water Policy, 1999 Objectives: Integrate sustainable management and development of water resources, secure and provide resources for all present and future needs and to promote the development of water supply for agricultural production, to modernize the sector and mitigate climate effects on rain fed agriculture. Forest Policy, 2001 Policy Statement 8: on watershed management and soil conservation. National Agricultural Sector Development Strategy and Investment Plan s, 2010/ /15 (sub-programme 1.4 for Sustainable land management) Strategies: Watershed management, rehabilitate degraded catchment sites. Improve forest sector governance that will promote sustainable management and conservation of the five key forest ecosystems Support an ambitious water catchment protection program that will ensure sustainable water flows to support agriculture and other key sectors. [GoK (2010). pp35] Recognizes the importance of forest landscape restoration - a process for re-establishing ecological integrity and enhancing human wellbeing in deforested or degraded landscapes through natural regeneration, assisted natural regeneration, enrichment planting, plantations, agroforestry and various soil and water conservation techniques. For example, the Ngitili system (a successful forest landscape restoration of agro-pastoral communities in Shinyanga Region) could be scaled up as part the strategic options for water catchment areas and maintenance of forest cover in critical highland catchment areas. [URT (2010a). pp5 URT (2010b). pp 24-25] Lacks a specific strategy and potential areas of intervention on watershed management and soil conservation, although there are existing challenges in this area. [GoU, (2011). pp87-90] Contribute to cross-sectoral coordination involving forestry, wildlife, agriculture, water resources, private sector, energy, mineral development, tourism to avoid conflicts and duplication of efforts. Provide incentives to Community Forest Associations and Forest User Groups to manage and monitor forests with key water catchments Encourage / scale up payment for ecosystem services by businesses like commercial tea estates, sugar factories and floriculture farms which would provide another source of income for forest conservation. Encourage / scale up payment for ecosystem services by businesses like the commercial tea estates, sugar factories and floriculture farms. Provide incentives to Local Area Conservation Networks including Village Natural Resource Committees, Village Groups and user groups to manage and monitor water catchments Increase public awareness campaigns on good land use practices (soil and water conservation, agroforestry practices etc) Deliberately linking the enhancement of forest carbon stocks (forest conservation, afforestation and reafforestation) to maintenance of more forests for watershed management throughout the country. For example based on the Ngitili experiences and lessons learnt. Promote the rehabilitation of degraded forests in water catchment areas and bare hills through private, community and farm forestry initiatives. Develop and promote guidelines on the management of riverside forests. Enforce regulations to the provisions of the National Environment Statute (1995), the Water Statute (1995) and others, relating to watershed management, soil conservation and the protection of riverbanks and lakeshores. Develop and promote awareness, educational and community mobilization programmes to promote good integrated land use practices in hilly areas, and protect watersheds from degradation. Improve forest governance issues and enhance forest carbon stocks, having the potential to contribute to national watershed management strategies 3

4 How can REDD+ better contribute to water sector objectives at the country and regional levels? From the above analysis and discussion, the following recommendations are put forward for REDD+ to better contribute to water resources management in East Africa: REDD+ should contribute to putting in place an incentivized mechanism for communities and community groups to manage and monitor water catchments to increase understanding of the positive co-benefits for water management of better forest management in key catchment areas. REDD+ should contribute to awareness creation and sensitization at community level on the need to protect water catchment areas, and the important role of forests in this. These activities should involve farmers, farmer groups, schools, private enterprises etc Lessons and experiences from past forest landscape restoration projects (for example the Ngitili system) need to be taken up at a much larger scale, possibly as stand alone strategic options, rather than being considered as pilot schemes under REDD+. Regular packaging and dissemination of available national information (e.g., inventories, maps, policy options, research) on forest and water resources to policy and decision-makers and the general public is needed to influence governments to prioritize the necessary investments and sustained actions. One of the reasons for poor budget prioritization of sustainable forest and other natural resources management in East Africa is due to lack of regular information flow (status reports, policy options and other potential interventions) to politicians and decision makers, and to the general public. This would enable them to better influence decisions and resource allocation for better management of the dwindling natural resources. REDD+ should contribute to the development of Payment for Ecosystem Service Schemes where agro-based and other businesses that depend on water catchments can contribute to sustenance of these resources. For example the downstream users could pay for conservation efforts upstream in river or lake catchments. 4

5 REFERENCES CITED AND FURTHER READING EAC (2000). East African Community Environment: accessed October 2011 EAC (2002).The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community signed on 30th November, GoK (2010). Revised REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal Kenya forestcarbonpartnership.org/files/documents/pdf/oct2010/revised%20rpp%20for%20kenya.pdf accessed June 2011 GoU (1999). National Water Policy, Ministry of Water and Environment GoU (2001). Uganda Forestry Policy, Ministry of Water, Lands and the Environment GoU (2010). National Agricultural Sector Development Strategy and Investment Plan 2010/ /15 GoU (2011). REDD Readiness Preparation Proposal for Uganda Submitted to the Forest Carbon Partnership Fundhttp://www. forestcarbonpartnership.org/fcp/sites/forestcarbonpartnership.org/files/documents/pdf/jun2011/uganda%20revised%20 RPP%20May%2031%2C%20%202011_0.pdf accessed on June Kimbowa R, Mwayafu M.D., & Kairu G. (2011). Analytical Paper: REDD+ and other sectors in East Africa. A publication of REDD-net UNEP (2008). Vital water graphics. An overview of the state of the world s fresh and marine waters 2ndEdition 2008: accessed July 16, UNESCO et.al, (2009). IWRM Guidelines at River basin level Part 2-1. The guidelines for IWRM Coordination URT (1998). National Forestry Policy, Dar es Salaam URT (2002). National Water policy, Ministry of Water and Livestock URT (2010a). National draft Strategy for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+): REDD Initiative: accessed June 10, 2011 URT (2010b). Final draft Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP), June 15, Forest Carbon Partnership Facility: PDF/Jun2010/-Revised_R-PP_main_document_V pdf accessed October 2011 WBI et al, (2011). Estimating the opportunity costs of REDD+. A training manual Version 1.3. Chapter 8 - Co-benefits of Water and biodiversity. Published in conjunction with ASB, CGIAR, Forest Carbon Partnership Facility and Carbon Forest Assist. ABOUT REDD-NET REDD-net is an international knowledge forum for southern civil society organizations through which they can access information about efforts to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, share their own experiences and help to build pro-poor REDD projects and policies. REDD-net is a partnership between the Overseas Development Institute, Centro Agrononómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), RECOFTC The Center for People and Forests and Uganda Coalition for Sustainable Development. REDD-net is funded by Norad. For more information about the programme contact Kristy Graham at ODI (k.graham@odi.org.uk). For further information on REDD-net East Africa please contact David Mwayafu (dmwayafu@ugandacoalition.or.ug) FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT REDD-NET VISIT: