"Learning from Best Practices in Water, Energy and Sustainable Agriculture"

Transcription

1 United Nations Office for Sustainable Development Expert Consultation on Knowledge and Capacity Needs for Sustainable Development in a Post Rio+20 Era 6-8 March 2013, Incheon, Republic of Korea "Learning from Best Practices in Water, Energy and Sustainable Agriculture" Jacques Prescott, Associate Professor, Chair on Eco-Advising, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi jacquesprescott@sympatico.ca

2 The nexus between water, food and energy is one of the most fundamental relationships and increasing challenges - for society. (TEEB, 2013)

3 Content The interface between water, energy and agriculture through the lens of sustainable agriculture practices: 1. Sustainable agriculture criteria 2. Strategy for scaling up food security and sustainable agriculture 3. Knowledge sharing and capacity development strategies 4. Challenges for KM and CD 5. Recommendations to governments and agencies

4 Sustainable agriculture criteria Land tenure is established Soil fertility is maintained and improved Water quality is enhanced Biodiversity is protected Farmers, farm workers, and all other actors in the agriculture supply chains earn livable incomes

5 Sustainable agriculture criteria Food is affordable and nutritious Business can be competitive and efficient The use of energy and the discharge of waste are within the capacity of the earth to absorb forever (Source:

6 2012 UN Global Compact Project Strategy for scaling up food security and sustainable agriculture Promoting sustainable sourcing Improve land and water management Improve the quality and access to nutritious food Facilitate access to technology Reducing commodity price volatility

7 Promoting energy efficiency Energy efficiency programs targeting agriculture and rural communities are needed to strengthen the water, food and energy nexus (e.g. rebates for energy-efficient farm equipment, online or on-farm audits, technical or financial support) This lead to increased rural economic development, food security, reduced dependence on foreign energy sources, and improved environmental quality. (Source:

8 KM and CD should specifically facilitate access to technology Promote the responsible use of genetically modified organisms Facilitate access to ICT applications that improve communication and information sharing, on-farm mechanized processing equipment, hermetic storage, drip irrigation, cover crops and green manure Improve distribution networks and provide realtime weather and market information to farmers

9 The example of FAO s Knowledge Forum Facilitation and Support for collaboration: Guidance and support for designing participatory events and online collaborative workspaces. Networks and Communities: Training, guidance and support to facilitate and strengthen FAO s thematic networks and communities. These networks and communities assist FAO staff at all levels to manage and use knowledge effectively.

10 FAO Knowledge Forum (ctnd) Share Fairs: Events that bring together FAO s partners and stakeholders to facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange. Shared space for internal networking: Knowledge Café, internal online community promoting exchange of ideas, practical knowhow and good practices.

11 FAO Knowledge Forum (ctnd) Training: FAO KS Team actively promotes knowledge sharing approaches by providing training, building awareness, and supporting the development of staff in these competencies. These are documented on the KS toolkit in collaboration with partner organizations.

12 Challenges for KM and CD Documenting and explaining the relations between water, food and energy Supporting the capability to mobilize resources, produce substantive outputs, establish partnerships, adapt to changing situations and harmonize concurrent actions. Promoting existing tools, resources and platforms Reaching smallholder farmers

13 Recommendations to governments and agencies 1. Invest in sustainable agricultural production infrastructure and energy efficiency particularly among smallholder farmers 2. Improve the quality and access to nutritional food 3. Protect and enhance the environment while improving agricultural productivity 4. Support technological innovation that is applicable and accessible to poor farmers 5. Reduce commodity price volatility 6. Encourage all businesses to make food security and sustainable agriculture a business priority

14 References TEEB, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands. UN Global Compact, Scaling up global food security and sustainable agriculture.