1. Conservation of ecosystems
services and water security
Gabriela Grau
Senior Network Officer
1

2. content
1. Ecosystems within the GWP framework
2. Ecosystems and WS – some key challenges
3. Important basic considerations for GWP’s strategic
engagement around this theme
4. Why focusing on ecosystem services?
5. Types of programme components – strategic focus
and expected results
6. Key allies and initiatives we plan to work with
7. Roadmap…
2

3. Ecosystems within GWP’s institutional framework
Rio 92 (GWPO) Rio+10 (IWRM target) Rio+20 (IWRM re-ratified)
GWPO Statutes: Article 2, (2) The objective of the Network is to develop
and promote the principles of integrated water resources management…
IWRM: “is a process which promotes the coordinated development
and management of water, land and related resources in order to
maximise economic and social welfare in an equitable manner
without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems and
the environment”
3

4. Ecosystems within GWP’s institutional framework
Our Vision: A water secure world
Water security: “the availability of an acceptable quantity and
quality of water for health, livelihoods, ecosystems and production,
coupled with an acceptable level of water-related risk to people,
environments and economies”
4

5. Ecosystems and WS – some key challenges
• climate change  ability to deliver services & < resilient.
• progressive degradation  UN MEA “the degradation of
ecosystem services could grow significantly worse during
the first half of the century and is a barrier to achieving
MDGs and could be for SDGs also”
• Limited recognition of sust. use of ecosystems at the heart of
WRM and sust. dev.
• Poor water governance
• Demographic growth & increased demand of water
5

6. 6
ENERGY
FOODFOOD
URBAN
WATERS
INDUSTRY
Ecosystems and WS – some key challenges

7. Important basic considerations for GWP’s
strategic engagement on this theme
1. Preservation vs conservation
2. No focus on any particular ecosystem  services
3. Avoid overlaps and duplication
4. Develop synergies and cooperation
5. Not fragmentation BUT strengthening our focus on
ecosystems as an essential element of IWRM
processes that is at the core of water security.
7

8. Why focusing on ecosystem services for WS?
The IWRM definition…
Source: GWP (2000). TEC Background Paper # 4.

9. • Enabling
environment
• Institutional
roles
• Management
instruments
WATER SECURITY
Cross-sectoral integration
Decision makers and social change actors (education, finance, health, foreign affairs...)
 Water in quantity & quality for all users
 Resilience to climate change effects
 Human and economic development for all: health, livelihoods and access to the basics
for a good life, social peace, national prosperity...
Water
for
people
Water
for
food
Water
for
energy
Water
for
nature
Water
for
other
uses
WS=ENDIWRM=MEAN
Why focusing on ecosystem services for WS?
“Evolution” of IWRM concept…

10. Why focusing on ecosystem services for WS?
What are “ecosystem services”…

11. • Enabling
environment
• Institutional
roles
• Management
instruments
WATER SECURITY
Cross-sectoral integration
Decision makers and social change actors (education, finance, health, foreign affairs...)
 Water in quantity & quality for all users
 Resilience to climate change effects
 Human and economic development for all: health, livelihoods and
access to the basics for a good life, social peace, national prosperity...
Water
for
people
Water
for
food
Water
for
energy
Water
for
nature
Water
for
other
uses
WS=ENDIWRM=MEAN
Why focusing on ecosystem services for WS?
Secure water for all sectoral needs
Conservationofecosystemservices
”Natureforwater”
Provisioning/Regulating/Cultural/Supporting

12. 12
Types of programme components
GWP Goals Outcome Challenges
Goal 1:
Catalyse
change in
policy and
practise
1. The GWP network actively and effectively approaches politicians, legislators
and key relevant actors to advocate and promote due consideration to the
conservation of ecosystem services as an essential element of water
security.
2. The R/CWP have managed to engage and influence politicians, legislators,
and relevant actors to incorporate the ecosystems dimension in formal and
non-formal agreements that have been developed with key partners.
Goal 2:
Generate and
communicate
knowledge
1. Key global/regional/national knowledge partners join efforts to promote the
generation and dissemination of information on the social and
economic value of ecosystems services and water security.
2. Global/regional/national partner organisations support the development of
capacities of key stakeholders to enable the integration of ecosystems as
an essential aspect to achieve water security.
3. Increased capacity of key governmental actors to support the promotion
and establishment of payments for environmental services as a means
to support the conservation of ecosystem services.
Goal 3:
Strengthen
the
partnerships
1. The Network’s capacity to understand and effectively advocate for the
conservation of ecosystem services is strengthened.

13. We are not starting afresh...
CWPs experience
KM
• GWPO  BP#9 (2003, Water Mgt and Ecosystems) and PP#3
(2012, Water in Green Economy)
• RWP publications (CACENA; CEE; CAM, SAM, WAF...)
• IWRM ToolBox
13

14. Some activities planned for 2014-2016
1. Support the dev. and dissemination of key documents  advocacy
• TEC - the role of ecosystems in water security and sust. dev.
• “Andean Amazon, water for life and life for waters” - focus on ES
• The economic case for floods and droughts mitigation.
• The economic cost of inaction - contribution of ecosystems mgt to
generate resilience and sust. dev.
• Establishment of water funds for ecosystem services conservation.
2. Enhance the ToolBox  increased visibility of the role of ecosystem
services in IWRM processes and the improvement of water security.
3. Present GWP successful initiatives related to ecosystems and water
security in strategic events/fora.
4. Build alliances with at least three international organisations working
on ecosystem services.
14

15. 15
Key allies and initiatives
• UNEP - Ecosystem Management Programme
• UNDP - Biodiversity and Ecosystems Global Framework 12-20
• World Wide Fund for Nature (several GWP Partners)
• RAMSAR Convention -TEEB
• CGIAR
• Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) - knowledge/science for policy
dev
• International Rivers Foundation (IRF)
• Ecosystem Services Partnership
• The Nature Conservancy
• IUCN (GWP Partner)
• OECD – the cost of inaction…

16. 16
Thank you!

17. 17