In the context of crisis and change: Governing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Arab Region

Transcription

1 In the context of crisis and change: Governing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Arab Region Wednesday, 13, May 2015 Amani Alfarra, PhD Water Resource Officer Land and Water Division of FAO

2 Why a Nexus approach? It s about balancing different resource user goals and interests while maintaining the integrity of ecosystems.

3 CROSS-SECTORAL AND THEMATIC APPROACHES Water-Energy-Food Nexus? FAO Approaches & Frameworks SECTORAL APPROACHES Crops Livestock Forestry Fisheries Aquaculture Save and Grow: Sustainable Crop Production Intensification Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture (EAA) Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Energy-Smart Food for People and Climate (ESF) Sustainable diets Resilient livelihoods Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and FAO-Adapt Coping with water scarcity Global Soil Partnership (GSP) Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Landscape initiative (in development)

4 Synergies and Conflicts among Agricultural Sub-Sectors

5 What is sustainable agriculture? The conceptual framework

6 The Five Principles of Sustainable Agriculture

7 Drivers Water-Energy-Food Nexus? FAO approach and tools Different, often competing social, economic and environmental goals and interests related to: Food Goals and interests Water Energy Population growth and mobility Diversifying and changing diets Cultural and societal beliefs and behaviours Evidence Managing the Nexus Stakeholder Dialogue Response Options Scenario Development Governance Sectoral policies, vested interests International and regional trade, markets and prices Industrial development Drivers Technology and innovation Agricultural Transformation Urbanisation Resource base Climate Change Land Wate r Energy Capital Labour

8 Water Stress in the Mediterranean Basin

9 Water withdrawal per sector in the Arab countries A diagram of the water withdrawal per sector in the Arab countries (Abdel-Dayem and McDonnell, 2012)

10 Regional Water Scarcity Initiative in the Near East and North Africa Major drivers Population growth (+ consumption patterns) Climate change Political instability Per capita freshwater availability Has decreased by 2/3 over last 40 years Is expected to decrease up to 50% further by 2050

11 Regional Water Scarcity Initiative in the Near East and North Africa 1. Strategic planning & policies 2. Strengthening/reforming governance at all levels 3. Improving water management efficiency & productivity in major agricultural systems and in the food chain 4. Managing the water supply through reuse and recycling of unconventional waters 5. Climate change adaptation 6. Building sustainability, with focus on groundwater, pollution and soil salinity 7. Benchmarking, monitoring and reporting on water use efficiency and productivity.

12 Demographic trends Arab Region According to the UN is expected to reach 646 million inhabitants by 2050, while urbanization will continue at an accelerated pace and reach 68 per cent in 2050 as illustrated in Figure 1 (UN-HABITAT, 2012; UNDESA, 2011). growing population exerts pressure on natural resources, agricultural land, contributes to environmental degradation, raises demand for food and shelter which encourages the conversion of forest land for agricultural and residential uses (Ahmad et al., 2005). It is estimated that water withdrawal and food production will be doubling in the Arab Region (FAO, 2006).

13 Energy NENA region Energy received by each square meter of land equals 1 2 barrels of oil per year Middle East receives 3,000-3,500 hours of sunshine per year, with more than 5.0 kw/m2 of solar energy per day. The solar potential is huge. Renewable sources to energy production in the MENA region - decreasing carbon emissions - encouraging socio-economic development for sustainable wealth

14 Volume MCM Jordan in the context of WEF Nexus In 2010, water demand exceeded water supply by roughly 200%. 10 out of the 12 groundwater aquifers are over-exploited Agriculture is the largest water consumer with 56% of the water use in Jordan in Surface Water Budget 2013 (Million M 3 ) Rainfall Evaporati Runoff Recharge on 2013(MCM) Long term In 2010, 24 operational wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) were operational in Jordan, treating 110 MCM of water, of which 97 MCM/year are treated by the main WWTP (As Samra) which runs on a 25-year BOT contract. Its expansion by 45 MCM/y has been committed for 2015.

15 Challenges in Water sector High population growth (2.5%/year) and large refugee influxes (Regional political instability). By 2030, water demand will double and reach 1,550 MCM, 650 MCM more than currently funded supply. Limited energy sources available for water projects and Jordan is highly dependent on foreign energy sources (96% of energy comes from imported oil and gas ). The impact of climate change will lead to precipitation variability and an increase of summer temperatures. The Water Authority of Jordan is the largest electricity user in the country (18% of the national energy consumption).

16 Water-Agriculture-Energy(green) As-Samra WWTP The WWTP receives 80% of its electricity needs through the combination of hydraulic turbines and gas turbines powered by digestion biogas. The remaining 20% comes from the national grid Characteristic: Provides a state of the art of wastewater treatment. Replaces an overloaded waste stabilization pond treatment system. Produces an effluent with a quality meeting the Jordanian Standards. Allows safe reuse of treated water for agriculture. Eliminates offensive odors in the surrounding area. Will develop the production of compost and fodder from the digested sludge. Use the biogas produced in the sludge digesters to generate thermal and electrical power. Use the hydraulic potential energy at the inlet and outlet of the plant to produce electricity.

17 Syrian Refugee - Jordan Over 70 % of Syrian refugees in Jordan live amongst host communities, with the rest accommodated in the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Mafraq Governorate and Mreijeb Al Fhoud Camp in Zarqa Governorate Each refugee is estimated to cost the government JD424.7 per year in water and wastewater expenses, according to a new report prepared by the ministry to measure the impact of Jordan s hosting of Syrian refugees on its water resources and wastewater infrastructure The expected 1.2 million Syrian refugees will certainly increase pressure on the environment and the limited water resources as well as concerns about the aquifers and groundwater level

18 Syrian Refugee and the International Response to Syria crisis Response is now shifting from humanitarian relief to longer-term, development-focused response. Jordan Response Plan for the Syria Crisis was the National Resilience Plan It is attempt to mitigate the impacts of the crisis as well as to build back more resilient livelihood systems. Nexus thinking can help identify synergies as, for example, in the Zaatari Camp in Jordan. Renewable energy capacities are being developed to power two planned wells to access the groundwater resources on which the camp is situated. To what extent do national development strategies need to be adjusted to deal with the extra strains the Syria crisis has put on resources, and more importantly, how the needs of the increasing number of refugees can be met in the long-term MWI & UNICEF launches cost efficient WWTU in Za atari refugee camp, March It comprises two independently operated units which work in tandem. The combined daily treatment capacity of the two units is approximately 3,500 metric tons

19 What sort of Nexus questions? What are the implications of policies and planning across sectors? What sorts of investments are needed to support the synergetic use of resources across sectors? How can we effectively manage demand, so that fewer resources are wasted?

20 Cross-Sectoral Work in Practice Awareness raising is spreading Knowledge base expanding Analytic tools being developed Increasing evidence of engagement across sectors, particularly private sector? Policy formulation still predominantly sector based? Planning systems mainly fragmented

21 Adopting a pragmatic approach Across sectors Transparent and effective allocation mechanisms Management of trade-offs Enhancement of synergies Within sectors Resources use efficiency increased productivity of resources Reduction of wastes and losses

22 Thank you!