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5.3. Government – initiate and collaborate!
With the Water Framework Directive (EU-WFD), the European Union has consistent
and sustainable water legislation. However, the German government
has to face the fact that the products consumed in Germany are often produced
with resources that originate from countries and basins around the world with
high water-related risks. This connection both presents a business case for the
German economy as well as a call to action to be a responsible country.
Outside of the German government’s jurisdiction, water risk is often shared
between partner governments and German companies. These governments often
fail to establish a link between business risks and issues such as land deals,
trade policy, and regulatory failure. Out-of-date or poorly enforced public policy
in these countries and weak water management institutions often increases
water-related risks for everyone - including those at the end of the line who
profit economically from these countries.
To become a good water stewards, the German government should:
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Engage with governments (also beyond development aid) in selected
high water risk countries and river basins that are important to German
trade and consumption and develop a deeper understanding of the economic
importance of water in local river basins. Support the development and
implementation of meaningful catchment management plans. Make sure
to include all relevant stakeholders of the economy, civil society (including
indigenous people), and NGOs. Ensure that traditional knowledge is integrated
into management solutions.
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Collaborate with key businesses on shared risk and collective action
linked to water basins at risk that are important to the German economy.
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Deliver on Germany’s international commitment as a Party to
the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and ensure that the
Aichi Targets that particularly address water risks are met by 2020:
- sustainable production and consumption (Target 4),
- sustainable management in agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry
(Target 7),
- pollution (Target 8),
- ecosystem services (Target 14),
- ecosystem resilience (Target 15).
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Introduce water risk analysis and water stewardship targets into
the core processes addressed by the German Resource Efficiency Programme
(ProgRess) in order to ensure the responsible and efficient use of natural
resources related to the German economy.
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Develop mandatory sustainable water criteria related to sourcing
in countries with high water-related risks. Engage with companies in this
process in order to better interpret and understand what companies are
doing and thinking. This will ultimately also benefit companies themselves.
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Introduce the same criteria to public procurement processes.
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