Supporting Document. Assessment of Water SDG Proposals

Transcription

1 Supporting Document Assessment of Water SDG Proposals against Principles for SDGs

2 Assessment of Water SDG Proposals Against Principles for SDGs This document complements the report Catalyzing Water for Sustainable Development and Growth. Framing Water within the Post 2015 Agenda: Options and Considerations (Available from: It outlines the assessment of three clusters of water SDG proposals against four outcome-based and four attributebased principles, which SDGs should meet.

3 1 1.0 Summary Table as Presented in the Main Report Table 1. Assessment of clusters against the outcome-based and attribute-based principles Water as a Sector Water as an Enabler Water as a Supporter Outcome principles Poverty reduction Mixed >> Strong >>> Strongest >>>> Equity Mixed >> Strong >>> Strongest >>>> Sustainability Strong >>> Strong >>> Strongest >>>> Economic growth Weak > Strongest >>>> <<< Strong Attribute principles Universality Mixed >> Strong >>> Strongest >>>> Measurable and time bound <<<< Strongest <<< Strong <<< Strong External drivers Weak > Strongest >>>> <<< Strong Governance Mixed >> Strong >>> Strongest >>>> 3

4 2.0 Rationale for the assessment The sections below outline the rationale for the assessment by cluster and principles. The narratives of the respective clusters are summarized. 2.1 Water as a Sector This cluster of proposed goals builds on existing MDG and Rio+20 frameworks. It prioritizes WASH, water management and waste-water in the national and global development agenda. Focus on water is explicit, while connections to global development and poverty reduction aspirations remain implicit. Outcome principles 1. Poverty reduction: Lack of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the most demonstrative measures of poverty, and actions to improve access are clearly one critical action that contributes to reducing the multiple dimensions of poverty. Under Water as a Sector, the MDG drinking water and sanitation target has been progressed by embracing hygiene and by focusing on access in both home and public places. However, as stand-alone targets on WASH, proposals within Water as a Sector have not yet forged direct connections with higher-level development objectives around social well-being or contribution to a universal health goal (for example, reduction in diarrhoeal disease, maternal mortality or reduced health and time burden on women and girls) that are aspired outcomes of poverty reduction, the attainment of which frames WASH as one key action among others. Proposals on a water secure world, water management, and wastewater target the intermediate outcomes of benefits and risk reduction, but have not yet forged explicit alignments with people-centred poverty reduction. It is well known that strong water management will be required for poverty reduction. The fact that such alignments remain weak under Water as a Sector poses the risk of a continuing political disconnection between water development/management and poverty reduction, as has prevailed under the MDG framework for nearly 15 years. MIXED 2. Equity: The universal target for WASH removes any ambiguity about tackling inequalities by setting a future course that will overcome the past equity concerns (within-country, urban-rural, hard to reach, gender, marginal communities) that were instituted by a MDG target of halving the numbers without access. A potential risk of inequality remains in interim progression towards the ultimate universal target. Certain targets on water management aimed at all people similarly embrace equity, Christopher Herwig / UN Photo 4

5 2 although some proposals within Water as a Sector suggest per capita targets (e.g. on investments, growth and use) that could be achieved while widening inequalities. Water management is already strongly attuned to challenges of gender and intragenerational equity. However, with a close association between water and outcomes in food, agriculture and energy, Water as a Sector appears to continue to promulgate past trends of establishing direct access to water as an equity issue, rather than accommodating the widely established pattern of indirect access to the benefits of water (e.g. buying electricity or buying food produced by others). If equity is being framed by the water community as direct access and by the water-using communities as indirect access, then the seeds of major inefficiency in water use are being sown into equity and rights-based approaches. MIXED 3. Sustainability: The proposal of a water secure world for all reinforces the principle of sustainability. However, a target for water based on human needs (presuming this is wider than basic needs ) while respecting ecosystem requirements risks being unachievable. The present framing is suggestive that a water secure world for all can be achieved, tackling all needs by delivering food, energy, jobs and livelihoods and other uses for all and that all ecosystem requirements can be respected at the same time. Unless tradeoffs are accommodated and more pragmatic positions taken, there are risks of extending the simplistic and long-running environment versus development debate and of setting a target that is inherently unachievable at the outset. Thus, while the sustainability of satisfied needs and the environment are at the root of the principle, both risk being prejudiced by each other. 4. Economic growth: Economic growth has been proposed at the sub-target or indicator level among some proposals on water development, and the economic growth benefits of WASH have been evidenced strongly during the MDG framework. However, Kibae Park / UN Photo as with the outcome principle of reducing poverty, the highlevel framing of water s contribution to deliver economic growth remains largely hidden, and is left as implicit, at best. Concepts of use, productivity and efficiency are espoused as end points for water management. This leaves water s role, and the connections of these concepts, in supporting economic growth that is pro-poor and inclusive as unexplored. Consequently, it is suggestive that the high significance given by past and current National Growth and Poverty Reduction strategies to water s case and contribution to economic growth is someone else s agenda, and an emphasis that will continue to remain outside of the mainstream focus of the water community. WEAK 5

6 Attribute principles 1. Universality: A global WASH goal secures the intent of universal coverage. With its emphasis on direct provision of basic services, Water as a Sector is suggestive of a continuation of a development assistance-type modality, particularly in less developed countries. However, there is as yet no universal commitment to support the proposed WASH goals, in the absence of the prior inter-governmental agreement that proved influential to the MDG target. The continuing primacy of water management to national and river basin scales can be seen as a barrier to the principle of universality, by not invoking responsibilities of other countries in the trade and value chain relations that may otherwise have implicated a wider notion of universality. MIXED 2. Measurable and time bound: WASH proposals have a strong methodological underpinning by JMP and others, building on MDG experiences, especially for drinking water and hygiene, with high probability of MDG status providing a baseline for future targets. The WASH proposals are equally strong on the principle of being timebound, with both interim and end-period targets. Without significant further definition, the measurability of a water secure world remains questionable, and any starting baseline is likely to be retrospective, given that no system of metrics is yet in place. It is likely that both water management and wastewater proposals will have to be founded on an array of several lowerlevel indicators rather than a single unifying measure, and again significant work will be needed before a retrospective baseline can be set, again with no system of metrics yet in place. Proposals on wastewater are not yet time-bound. EST 3. External drivers: Proposals in Water as a Sector are water-centric and largely introspective within the water domain, and the overall approach John Isaac / UN Photo thus not conducive to the principle of external drivers. Water as a Sector is largely oriented at actions within the water sector, and is not evidentially unlocking the political economy of incentives and disincentives around water. WEAK 4. Governance: Water as a Sector proposals are not currently strong on the accompanying governance, policy, delivery and financing frameworks. Goals have strong ownership by UN under the SDG framework, with opportunities to build from strong participation and stakeholder processes, and to build on progress already made on established water policy principles under Rio and JPOI, and from IWRM processes. MIXED 6

7 2 2.2 Water as an Enabler This cluster situates water as a contributor and enabler of overarching development and poverty reduction. Water on its own is less explicit; its role in unlocking mutually supportive development and growth potentials of productive sectors, social well-being and human capital is in focus. It builds on prevailing agendas of many LDCs. has tended to be outside of traditional GDP-based economic measures. Water as an Enabler is likely to introduce new challenges around equity, for example the water implications of the right to food, or other rights. Understanding of values and benefits from water, and the equity of access to values and benefits along value-chains, will need to become a basic starting point for equity discussions that mature from the current narrower focus on equity of access to water itself. Outcome principles 1. Poverty reduction: By connecting water to Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategies, this cluster is explicitly connected to people-centred outcomes of poverty reduction, thus overcoming the long-standing constraint within the MDGs of water being disconnected from development. Water as an Enabler accommodates nexus thinking at two levels. The development nexus provides both the mutuality of poverty-reducing outcomes from water (incomes from irrigated agriculture can self-finance household sanitation) and establishes the dependence of poverty-reducing outcomes on different actions beyond water alone (hydropower generation is only a poverty reducing outcome if distribution services are in place and electricity prices are affordable). The technical nexus provides the opportunity for synergistic actions, for example multi-purpose dams or energy requirements in drinking water supplies. The nexus is invoked by this cluster, while avoiding the risk of placing the nexus as the outcome target (because it is disconnected terminologically speaking from people-centred outcomes, and would thus perpetuate a past problem associated with IWRM). 3. Sustainability: National Growth and Poverty Strategies have been founded on under national and regional circumstances the triple pillars of economy, society and environment (in line with national strategies on sustainable development). Perhaps unashamedly, such strategies focus on unlocking growth for poverty reduction under current opportunities, and as has been proven in developed economies, not all short- and medium-term opportunities prove sustainable in the long-run, as the development status of countries evolves. Water as an Enabler introduces stronger emphasis on the green economy, and notions of value chain apply equally to ecosystem services. 4. Economic growth: Water as an Enabler forges explicit two-way connections from water to poverty reduction through economic growth, through developing water to unlock both rates and equity of economic growth (including through value chains) as well as building the case for returns from growth (government and households investments) into water. EST 2. Equity: The principle of equity is implied within Water as an Enabler by the emphasis on growth that is both pro-poor and inclusive, while facing the long-standing challenge that the bottom billion 7

8 Kibae Park / UN Photo Attribute principles 1. Universality: Water as an Enabler offers strong prospects for a new level of universality through global water issues. It supports universality in that it a) allows countries to frame outcomes in light of national circumstances ( north, MICs, LDCs, fragile states) and growth aspirations, b) includes freedom for specific targets and indicators within an overall measurable goal, i.e. it allows for Common but Differentiated Responsibility, c) accommodates both physically scarce and economically scarce regions, and therefore differentiates opportunities for water s contribution within societies in different country situations, and d) widens responsibility to global and regional from simply national and river basins, because of global incentives and disincentives around the drivers of water (political economy), trade and global goods e.g. climate, and footprints. This opening of water development, management, responsibilities, and efficiency opportunities to scales beyond the river basin would introduce a new level of universality. 2. Measurable and time bound: Water as an Enabler provides an opportunity to connect to regular GDP reporting, providing the experience of measuring water s contribution to GDP (as already expressed in some national reporting systems) and of measuring the impact of shocks/setbacks on GDP. This offers the prospect of drawing on a long-standing baseline and regular, embedded national reporting systems. The role of water in different value chains will need a stronger foundation of quantification, but should lend 8

9 2 itself to standard monitoring mechanisms. At present, economic growth targets are not time-bound. However, National Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategies are typically incremental steps towards attainment of National Visions set for attainment by 2020, 2025 or External drivers: Water as an Enabler frames water as one contribution to economic, social and environmental goals, is exposed to the incentives and disincentives and political economy factors that lie beyond the water domain, and thus is aligned with the principle of sensitivity to external drivers. EST 4. Governance: Water as an Enabler offers prospects to move on from the traditional donor/recipient model, especially with the majority of poor people being in MICs, and given that improvements in WASH coverage under the MDG timeframe have been closely associated with gain in economic growth. This implies a strong shift in MIC ownership and accountability. The stronger association of water with other productive sectors argues for an evolution of water governance that sees water as one contribution towards other outcomes, and the governance and political economies of the water-using sectors. Trade, commerce and value-chain relations suggest a different set of stakeholders, including beyond the river basin boundaries that have traditionally been the upper ceiling on water stakeholders. This cluster runs strongly with the southern grain and by tying into National Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategies it is more aligned with national planning and public expenditure frameworks than any newly introduced proposal would be. 2.3 Water as a Supporter This cluster represents a far more universal agenda, prioritizing an overarching governance and accountability thrust. Water is not explicit; the cross-cutting nature of water is acknowledged. This cluster may bring the global orientations of development upon the water agenda, but does not give reason for a specific water goal. Outcome principles 1. Poverty reduction: The total eradication of extreme poverty is central to the recommendations of proposals within Water as a Supporter. EST 2. Equity: The equity principle is established by the leaving no one behind transformation, suggested by proposals within Water as a Supporter, and targets will only be considered achieved if they are met for all relevant income and social groups. Other proposals suggest goals that would merit near-zero targets, thus slightly weaker on equity. EST 3. Sustainability: The principle of sustainability is strong within Water as a Supporter, and proposals put sustainable development at the core of their agenda. EST 4. Economic growth: Water as a Supporter recognises the importance of economic growth to poverty reduction, and seeks quantum change to strengthen and diversify economies for jobs and livelihoods. 9

10 Attribute principles 1. Universality: Proposals within Water as a Supporter are strong in having prepared a universal agenda, and takes a global approach on the basis of everyone accepting their share of responsibility. EST 2. Measurable and time bound: Targets within Water as a Supporter are typically time bound to 2030, but demand a data revolution to improve the quality of statistics and information available to citizens. Measurability is seen as a key determinant of the validity of proposed goals, targets and indicators. 3. External drivers: Water as a Supporter seeks to overcome the past lack of integration of economic, social and environmental aspects which have been characteristic of the water domain - avoiding separate and isolated actions. It is thus strong on addressing external drivers. 4. Governance: Proposals within Water as a Supporter strongly emphasise responsive, accountable and legitimate public institutions, with shared responsibility of all, and new ways of working within the international community. EST Ky Chung / UN Photo 10

11 The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health is a member of the United Nations University family of organizations. It is the UN Think Tank on Water created by the UNU Governing Council in The mission of the institute is to contribute to efforts to resolve pressing regional and global water challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its Member States, and their people, through targeted research, capacity development, knowledge enhancement and transfer, and public outreach. It is hosted by the Government of Canada and McMaster University. The United Nations Office for Sustainable Development was established in 2011 to support governments in implementing international agreements on sustainable development. The Office is managed by the Division for Sustainable Development (DSD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), and supported by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Environment, Yonsei University and the City of Incheon. The Stockholm Environment Institute is an independent international research institute established in 1989 by the Swedish Government. Its goal is to bring about change for sustainable development by bridging science and policy. The institute has been engaged in environment and development issues at local, national, regional and global policy levels for more than 20 years and has established a reputation for rigorous and objective scientific analysis in the field of environment and development.

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