Moving to implementation of SDG 6 (water and sanitation) in Australia

Transcription

1 Moving to implementation of SDG 6 (water and sanitation) in Australia Dr Nina Lansbury Hall Environmental Health Unit, School of Public Health The University of Queensland n.hall2@uq.edu.au UQ Water Forum, July

2 My key messages today: SDGs provide ambition to 2030 (including for water) SDG intentions are not new; instead, a fresh frame SDGs applicable to all signatory countries (including Australia) SDGs x 17 need to be considered as an interlinked set SDGs require translation from goals to on-ground implementation UQ has established a reputation for translating the SDGs 2

3 Themes to be covered today 1. Quick overview of the SDGs- including SDG6 2. How to consider then action the SDGs 3. Relevance and implementation of SDG6 in the Australian water sector 4. UQ s activity on the SDGs 3

4 1. Quick overview of the SDGs- including SDG6 4

5 From Millennium to Sustainable Development Goals We recognize that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. We are committed to achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions economic, social and environmental in a balanced and integrated manner. We will also build upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals and seek to address their unfinished business. UN "Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development." New York: United Nations. 5

6 The UN Sustainable Development Goals (2015) The 2030 Agenda helps Australia in advocating for a strong focus on economic growth and development in the Indo Pacific region, and in promoting investment priorities including gender equality, governance and strengthening tax systems. It is also well aligned with Australia s foreign, security and trade interests especially in promoting regional stability, security and economic prosperity. issues/global development agenda/pages/global developmentagenda.aspx (2017) 6

7 2. How to consider then action the SDGs 7

8 Implementation of the SDGs Target 6.3: Reduce untreated wastewater; increase recycle and reuse Indicators for SDG6.3: % safely treated wastewater & % good water quality in waterways 8

9 Avoiding a silo-based approach

10 and adopting an interlinked approach Influences all Influences all Ma jor Mediu m Minor

11 SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Action targets: 6.1 safe and affordable drinking water 6.2 sanitation and hygiene for all 6.3 water quality 6.4 water-use efficiency 6.5 integrated water resources management 6.6 water-related ecosystems Implementation targets: 6.a cooperation and capacity-building 6.b participation of local communities 11

12 Graphing the influences of the SDG 6 targets Targets of outcomes Target 6.5 (Implement integrated water resources management) Influences all Targets of implementation 6a International cooperation and capacity development Target 6.4 (Increase water use efficiency; water scarcity) Target 6.6 (Protect & restore water related ecosystems) Influences all 6b Local participation Target 6.3 (Improve water quality) Target 6.2 (Access to adequate & equitable sanitation & hygiene) Target 6.1 (Universal & equitable access to drinking water) Major Medium Minor

13 3. Relevance and implementation of SDG6 in the Australian water sector 13

14 From lofty goals to on-ground actions 14

15 Reasons for Australian water industry to consider SDGs AWA s Water Security for all Australians : Recognises population growth and climate change threaten future water security; need to develop resilience WSAA: For water utilities, the SDGs broaden the way many of us have traditionally viewed sustainability from environmental stewardship to now also include economic prosperity and social inclusion Melbourne Water: SDGs are a helpful frame to influence policy and politics; for water industry to be involved in decision-making DFAT: Need to maintain environmental flows during droughts 15

16 Efforts by Australian business regarding SDGs Water industry signatories: - Melbourne Water - Yarra Valley Water (Global Compact Network Australia 2016) 16

17 Advice on operationalising SDG 6 in Australia Melbourne Water (Thwaites 2016): Set appropriate targets for national settings Backcast SDG outcomes from 2030, then plan forwards IWA (Bos, lves et al. 2016): Translate targets and indicators into a clear terminology for providers and regulators of water and sanitation services to enable application into dayto-day operations without ambiguity. WSAA (McCafferty, 2016): The SDGs imply shifting our focus from minimising negative impacts to the deliberate generation of positive benefits. Integrate SDG6 targets into existing frameworks on similar aims (see next slide) 17

18 Advice on operationalising SDGs in Australia (cont d) Implement SDGs by integrating into existing frameworks with similar aims: All industries: Global Reporting Initiative- with indicators linked to SDGs (GRI 2016) UN Global Compact Water sector: IWA Manual of the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation for Practitioners (2016); IWA Principles for Water Wise Cities (2016); The CEO Water Mandate (2007; updated 2011) 18

19 4. UQ s activity on the SDGs Role for researchers: - Translate from research to policy relevance - Identify baseline starting point - Provide evidence base - Suggest new ways of thinking (eg systems approach) - Adapt indicators for local context 19

20 UQ Policy Discussion Papers on SDG 6 Available from water Dr Nina Hall, Sustainable Water Program Manager, The University of Queensland, Australia: n.hall2@uq.edu.au 20

21 UN Sustainable Development Goal Research underway at UQ 2016: 3 SDG discussion papers published (2016) UQ webinar for AWA (2016) on implementation of SDGs in water industry UQ as member of Sustainable Development Solutions Network Australia 2017: UQ Micromasters MOOC Science and Practice of Sustainable Development GCI WaterAid project examining the status of water, sanitation and hygiene in remote Aboriginal communities UQ and IWC input to scope Federal Government s $10mill research fund, Water for Women UQ workshop with the Indonesian Science Agency (LIPI) on mapping the SDGs SDG Lab funding has endorsed a lab from UQ (Arch Ray Maher) UQ presenting on SDG panel at OzWater

22 Summary: SDGs have three levels (goal, target, indicator); SDG 6 (water and sanitation): IWRM overarching influence; drinking water key outcome SDG 6 relevant for implementation in Australia UQ established as a leader on translating SDGs 22

23 Any questions? Or contributions to add to this topic? Thank you! Dr Nina Hall Environmental Health Unit UQ School of Public Health 23