Dr Seungho Lee UNESCAP Consultant October, 2014 Kathmandu, Nepal

Transcription

1 Dr Seungho Lee UNESCAP Consultant October, 2014 Kathmandu, Nepal

2 Introduction Water issues & challenges in the region Eco-efficient water infrastructure Enabling policy environment Implications for Nepal Conclusions

3 Purpose To suggest enabling policy environment to promote eco-efficient and integrated urban water management for sustainable urban development To consider implications for urban water management in Nepal Rationale Water shortage, water pollution, natural disasters, more acute than before in Asia and the Pacific Compounded risks culminated in urban areas Water infrastructure management needs a new approach centered on urban areas

4 Urbanization: 1.96 billion (46%) in the region living in urban areas by 2020, the portion, increasing up to 50% (additional 500 million) Inadequate access to water, spread of communicable diseases & shortages of adequate and affordable shelter Higher levels of urbanization, resulting in the need for an increase quantity of food, which leads to more intensive farming practices Green House Gases GHGs increase in the region: exacerbating climate change Since the 1990s, the world has reduced GHG emissions whereas the region s GHG has increased policies to reduce GHG necessary

5 Access to water & sanitation services By 2011, the population without access to safe drinking water, halved from the 1990 level success to meet the target 7.C of MDGs Progress towards the need for improve sanitation slow in the region less than 50% of the population without access to improve sanitation facilities, i.e. Cambodia 33%, India 35%, and Nepal 35% Water availability & use 2011, total renewable water resources in the region, 20,521 billion m 3, about 38% of the total world water availability The high level of freshwater withdrawal: large population, geographical size, intensive farming & other economic activities

6 Natural disasters Asia & the Pacific: the world s most disaster prone region & the most frequently occurring hazards, hydro-meteorological, i.e., Bangladesh, Japan, Indonesia & the Philippines UNDP: every dollar invested in preparedness saving US$7 in the aftermath of a disaster The need to increase resilience to water related disasters Increasing need for a genuine breakthrough Continuous economic growth without compromising a guarantee of ecological balances The need for introducing an innovative approach eco-efficient water infrastructure

7 Concept of eco-efficient water infrastructure Physical and non-physical infrastructure in the water sector for achieving an optimal level of water utilization and a less burden to limited water resources Balanced policies for tackling physical & non-physical challenges in the water sector Avoidance of overemphasis of physical infrastructure, and centrally planned water & wastewater systems Ecologically & economically efficient policies with accommodation of decentralization & communitybased approaches

8 Physical Infrastructure Dams, water supply & wastewater treatment facilities, aqueducts, sewers Non-Physical Infrastructure Laws, regulatory programs, government bureaus, civil society groups, stakeholder dialogues Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure An optimal level of water utilization and a less burden to limited water resources Source: UNESCAP (2011).

9 Integrated policy approaches for eco-efficient urban water management To avoid sector-based policy fragmentation & remove inefficiency in governance structures together with an adequate degree of integration of sectors & policies for urban areas To establish roadmap & strategies Policy approaches: political, institutional & financial issues with democratic decision-making & introduction of public private partnership schemes

10 Integrated Policy Approaches Political Willingness Legal, regulatory & administrative Settings Financial & economic practices Stakeholder participation Private sector involvement Eco-Efficient Water Infrastructure Political willingness Coordinating institution Feedback system Public awareness Eco-efficiency principle embedded in Basic Water Law and establish ment of relevant roadmap & strategies Financial incentives or levying penalties to companies depending on how eco-efficient they are Appropriate standards and conditions of eco-efficiency in the water sector Coordinating mechanism (institutions, regulations, programs) between ministries River basin management for ecological efficiency Rational water tariffs with provision of safety nets for the poor and the marginalized Promotion of water saving technology for eco-efficiency Principle of stakeholder participation embedded in Basic Water Law and other laws and regulations Institutional incentives for private players and improvement of service quality through private investment, advanced technology and management skills Adequate regulatory settings prepared prior to invitation of private players to ensure universal access to water & sanitation services for the poor and the marginalized

11 Roadmap to eco-sustainable water infrastructure in Indonesia Eco-sustainable water infrastructure in 2013: an integrated approach in water infrastructure development to achieve ecological & economic efficiency Working on establishment of the roadmap Roadmap to eco-efficient water infrastructure in the Philippines Established in February 2013: integration of EEWIn in development, consolidation, and operational phases of water management & use

12 Decentralization Side effects of centralized water & sanitation services: a lack of voices from local communities Sharing political, administrative, financial power with diverse stakeholders Decentralized wastewater management system: 1) public health management; 2) water & energy conservation; and 3) environmental protection

13 Vietnam A treatment process through the baffled septic tank with anaerobic filter, the most appropriate solution for wastewater treatment in the residential areas China Underground & individual household scale and anaerobic digesters promoted since the 1970s to deal with rural organic wastes Digesters producing biogas & fertilizers used as energy source and for agricultural production

14 Decentralized system Centralized system

15 New waters Water reuse & recycling: careful management of limited water resources, not interrupting the hydrological cycle with less impacts Rainwater harvesting: benefits of soil erosion prevention, water resources conservation, green infrastructure & groundwater management

16 South Korea Development of diverse water portfolio/diverse water supply sources with application of decentralization of water supply services Smart Water Grid introduced Water self-sufficiency in urban areas via diverse water sources, i.e. desalination plant, water reuse, rainwater harvesting, groundwater Smart Water Grid Promotion Law suggested, led by the Ministry of Land and Transport

17 Suppliers Customers Smart Water Grid in Korea Integration of ICT into water and wastewater service process Diverse Water Sources ICT Rainwater Reduction of supply cost Dam Surface Water Groundwater Telecom Tech Seawater Wastewater Analysis Preparedness for emergency Industrial Water Agricultural water Household water Sensors & meters Water saving

18 Stakeholder participation New ideas & information presented Identification of issues addressed A consensus building for effective implementation Key to success of eco-efficient water infrastructure: stakeholder engagement at the central & local levels, supported by institutional settings Guarantee of political legitimacy

19 Local community involvement in Thailand Local community involvement in decisionmaking & implementation with reference to ecosystem protection in Thailand Led by the Towards Ecological Recovery & Regional Alliance (TERRA) in Thailand in Ban Pah Chan village in the Ubonratchathani Province Local people encouraged to map & monitor river ecosystems in March 2011 A success of conducting an in-depth study on the ecosystems in the region Enhancement of eco-efficiency through an increase of fish catch & a rise of tourism industry

20 Community research in the Lower Mekong River Basin (TERRA 2012) (L) Mapping & the survey of the river ecosystem with village members, local NGOs and TERRA (regional NGO), Ban Nasai village, Ubon, Mar, 2011 (R) Local knowledge: River morphology, sub-ecosystem, land use in the river bank & etc.

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22 Eco-efficiency education Construction & operation of green schools at local communities (incl. greening existent schools) Empowerment of local residents in design, construction & operation of facilities Concept of eco-efficiency, understood through eco-efficient practices of facilities in schools A venue to educate the next generation for adopting the idea of and implementing projects on eco-efficient urban water management

23 Green school in Cebu, the Philippines To help sustain the environment & mitigate climate change effects through storm water management, temperature moderation, emission reduction & water conservation To bring in a healthy & productive society through enhancement of the users health, comfort, and productivity Economic benefits generated: 1) water & energy saving; 2) a decrease of operational management budget; and 3) a multiplier effect of cost reduction

24 Source: KORA (2013)

25 Incorporation of eco-efficiency & urban water management into the current system Essential to establish a roadmap and strategies in order to achieve eco-efficiency and integrated urban water management Such new initiatives reflected into the National Water Plan in Nepal Relevant institutions, organizations, and legal settings prepared Lessons learned from other Asian countries Continuous partnership with UNESCAP

26 Integrated approach Eco-efficiency education Integrated Eco-efficient urban water management Decentralization Stakeholder Participation New Waters

27 The need to adopt eco-efficiency for water infrastructure in the region The complexity of water issues: shortage, pollution, floods & ecosystem damage Compounded risks prompted by climate change Implications for Nepal Roadmap & strategies: signpost for future path Institutional & legal settings essential Step-by-step through pilot projects Enabling policy environment Integrated approach, decentralization, new waters, stakeholder participation & eco-efficiency education Urgency to adopt policy measures for sustainable urban development in the region