The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) works globally to change how water is understood, valued and managed. This week for the Coalition of Partners (COP) meeting in Dubai they issues a checklist for water wise governments. Many of these recommendations reflect policy positions of the Water Forum.
The Institute highlights that research suggests that climate action that does not take water into consideration will ultimately be futile because without a reliable access to freshwater the transformations needed to reach not zero will not be possible. SIWI says a holistic approach is necessary to manage water resources and how this can be achieved is outlined in their checklist.
The checklist includes:
Nationally Determined Contributions to Climate Change, national adaptation plans, vulnerability assessments, monitoring and evaluation systems must be addressed through a water-wise lens. This includes accounting for present and future freshwater availability and impacts in climate mitigation planning and action as well as adaptation measures.
Bridge institutional silos and harmonise policies and planning to ensure holistic management approaches and their implementation in a catchment-based approach from source to sea. This will simultaneously address climate, disaster risk reduction, environmental protection and biodiversity.
Improve the availability and accessibility of information and knowledge about climate impacts on specific water systems for improved decision-making.
Ensure investments in the protection, conservation and restoration of water systems and water-related ecosystems.
Improve the coordination of national and local policies with SMART targets and sub-targets across cross-sectoral challenges that impact land, freshwater, coastal, marine ecosystems.
Recognise that many national commitments are implemented through local institutions and community efforts and these should be accounted for and incorporated into national processes.
Ensure that sufficient human and financial means are available for the operationalisation of such policies on the ground and that local level institutions and communities are empowered to pursue the necessary water action that increases climate resilience through protection, sustainable management and restoration of natural resources.
Secure the inclusion in water decisions of women, youths and underrepresented populations, particularly those vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Ensure climate-resilient water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services to provide safe, inclusive and dignified access for all.
Support platforms that drive collective action and establish partnerships with support and expertise drawn from state and non-state actor networks.
Recognise that sound water resources management and service provision are pre-requisites for the achievement of local and global frameworks and initiatives and invest in them accordingly.
From the Stockholm International Water Institute
Checklist for water-wise governments | SIWI – Leading expert in water governance
