Applying the Ecosystem Approach through IWRM- River Basin case study

1. Applying the Ecosystem Approach through IWRM- River Basin case study Hillary M Masundire Chair, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (outgoing) Department of Biological Sciences University of Botswana masundh@mopipi.ub.bw

2. What is IWRM? • A systematic process for the sustainable development, allocation and monitoring of water resource use in the context of social, economic and environmental objectives • A participatory planning and implementation process based on sound science, that brings stakeholders together to determine how to meet long-term needs for water and coastal resources while maintaining essential ecological services and economic benefits • Derives from the Dublin principles • Principles of IWRM

3. What is the Ecosystem Approach? • a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way • Aims at achieving the 3 objectives of the CBD – sustainable use, conservation & equitable sharing of benefits • Guided by 12 Principles

4. Some Principles of IWRM • Seem to variable but include • IWRM must be applied at catchment/ basin/watershed level • Integrate water and environmental management • A systems approach • Full stakeholder participation • Capacity building at all levels • Full-cost pricing alongside targeted subsidies • Central government to create and maintain an environment • Adopt best existing technology & practices • Equitable allocation of water resources • Water is an economic good • Strengthen the role of women in water management

5. Principles of the Ecosystem Approach • Objective setting – people’s choice • Decentralise management to lowest appropriate level • Ecosystems are inter-connected • Consider economic issues – avoid perverse incentives • Focus on ability of ecosystems to provide desired services • Ecosystems have limits to what they can provide

6. Principles of the ecosystem approach 7. Manage at appropriate spatial and temporal scale 8. Set long-term objectives to be achieved by appropriate short-term actions 9. Change in ecosystems is inevitable 10. Balance conservation and use of biodiversity 11. Consider all forms of knowledge including IK 12. Consider all stakeholders

7. just a few challenges? • Who is society? Who decides? • Who are ALL stakeholders? • What is appropriate devolvement of authority? • What is appropriate scale in space and time? • What ecosystem services to focus on – for who?

8. Southern African river basins (SARDC)

9. Why the Ecosystem Approach? • Provides a broad framework – for planning and implementing ALL development at all levels • IWRM is watercentric – a holistic approach with a focus on water • – a process, • Ecosystem approach on ALL sectors • An overarching strategy

10. Economic Social Social Economic Bio-physical environment Environment The artificial paradigm

11. The ideal “reality” Economic Social

12. Criticisms/shortcomings • Too academic – too theoretical • No guidance on how to apply practically • Is it necessary to apply all 12? • Where has it been used? • Where has it worked? • Gives too much power to local resources users? • Too much focus of nature? • Too much focus on economic issues? • Reduces the power of the nation-state? • Lack of understanding of ecosystem science: structure and functioning of ecosystems

13. operationally • Central governments need to know, understand and use the Ecosystem Approach as a planning and analytical tool for ALL sectors • IWRM should be applied within the framework of the Ecosystem Approach • Ecosystem approach provides policy framework, IWRM provides implementation process

14. In conclusion • The Ecosystem Approach offers an enabling framework for planning and implementing development in all sectors • IWRM can be a good example of how to apply the Ecosystem Approach • There is urgent need to develop capacity to mainstream the Ecosystem Approach • There is urgent need for specialised trainers and innovative training in this area. • Whatever we do – we should • Think ecosystem – Function ecosystem • Think locally, act globally? Act locally, think globally?

15. Capacity development & awareness • For Heads of States: 30 – 60 minutes presentations at summits • For Ministers: 30 – 60 minutes presentations at regional ministerial meetings • Breakfast seminars at up market hotels- including captains of industry & commerce • Build up from raising awareness to building understanding e.g. “we should capture every drop of rain that falls within our borders” “ My duty is to supply water to the people, I have nothing to do with ecosystems”

16. finally • “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds” • “If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure”