Water in the Green Economy - Global Water Partnership

PERSPECTIVES PAPERhas for many years supported countries to adopt anIWRM approach. The approach is increasingly seen asa pillar of green growth. A fragmented approach willnot lead to green growth. For example, when awatershed is deforested, it is the value of the timberand the cost to harvest that timber that is generallyaccounted for in the economic analysis and price, notthe clean water no longer being produced by thewatershed or the carbon no longer being sequesteredby the trees (UNEP, 2011b). Water security cannot beachieved without a more enlightened green growthapproach to economic development. Water securityand green growth are synergistic and mutuallyreinforcing.to the sustainable management and use of ecosystemsas the ‘green infrastructure’ which supports economicgrowth and food and water security, includingprotection from floods and droughts.Rethinking water storage holistically is essential,whether through small-scale solutions such asrainwater harvesting and natural storage, or largescalemanagement of reservoirs, storm-water systemsand aquifers. We can seek solutions in time-honouredtraditional ways of safeguarding water as a preciousresource and at the same time utilise the latesttechnologies of remote sensing and geospatialmapping to better understand the water system.Box 5: Synergies between water security and green growthCharacteristics of green growth• More effective use of natural resources in economicgrowth• Valuing eco-systems• Inter-generational economic policies• Increased use of renewable sources of energy• Protection of vital assets from climate relateddisasters• Reduce waste of resources – and financeCharacteristics of water security• Ensure enough water for social and economicdevelopment• Ensure adequate water for maintaining eco-systems• Sustainable water availability for future generations• Balance the intrinsic value of water with its uses forhuman survival and welfare• Harness productive power of water• Minimise the destructive power of water• Maintain water quality and avoid pollution anddegradationIWRM is now well accepted in principle but it takestime and skill to apply it in practice as it requiresconsiderable coordination and information sharingamong multiple sectors and different layers ofauthority. Administrations are still structuredprincipally by economic sectors (as are InternationalFinancial Institutions) whereas water, as a naturalresource, impacts on and is impacted by these sectorsbut often has no institutional home. Water resourcesare thus easily exploited and polluted by users due toits weak management and/or regulation.Managing water better can provide ‘no regrets’opportunities and solutions to support green growthand build resilience to climate change. The profligateuse of water is common in many countries and this iscoupled with low rates of innovation and investmentin water worldwide. Fortunately, there is tremendousscope for adaptation. This applies to all economicsectors including energy, industry, and agriculture, andRecycling and reusing both domestic and industrialwastewater multiplies the volume of water availablefor human use, and treating waste can produceenergy. Agriculture is a key sector where future waterproductivity gains are essential to achieve greengrowth. Since agriculture uses the lion’s share ofwater in many countries (as much as 90% in some),these shifts will have benefits across other sectors –be it environment, energy, domestic waterconsumption, industry, and flood protection.There is a risk that political attention and funding willbe targeted entirely at climate mitigation related toenergy issues while neglecting water or other naturalresources. Of course, in many developing countriesadaptation is the prime issue and building resilienceto climate change is closely linked to achieving watersecurity. (AMCOW & GWP, 2012)8