The water security and energy nexus in Southeastern Europe

from a WWF perspective

Angela Klauschen, WWF Mediterranean

GWP CP Meeting - Stockholm, 3 September 2010

1. Some global facts on freshwater ecosystems

• “Freshwater ecosystems tend to have the highest proportion of species threatened with extinction.” [pg 19];

• “The use of two ecosystem services - capture fisheries and freshwater - is now well beyond levels that can be sustained even at current demands, much less future ones.” [pg 20].

UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, March 2005

Freshwater biodiversity

Water for energy

• Hydropower: the major threat

• Biofuels: 1 litre biofuel = 2500 litres of water

• Thermal power plants: more water is needed for cooling

• Solar energy: constrained by water for cooling

Fragmentation by dams

Over-abstraction and agriculture

• 54% diverted for human use of which:

• 70% agriculture

• 20% industry

• 10% urban use

Eradicating malnutrition by 2025, with current productivity, requires additional diversions “close to all the water withdrawals at present” (IMWI & SIWI).

WWF LPR 2002

2. WWF’s approach to water security

Water StewardshipPromoting Water Stewardship to Reduce Water

Footprint Impacts

Water SecurityPromoting Responsible Water Infrastructure and

Securing Sustainable Flows

Freshwater HabitatsProtecting & Managing

Representative Freshwater Habitats

Goal 2: Safeguarding representative freshwater habitats

Goal 1: Keeping rivers flowing

Vision: Securing water for people and nature

Advocating Good Water/River Basin Governance

Adapting to Climate Change

Mainstreaming Freshwater Ecosystem Services into Development Agenda (MDGs, food, energy)

WWF’s water security initiative

Drivers and threats:

WWF’s water security initiative

Strategic goal:• protect and/or restore environmental flows necessary to freshwater /estuarine ecosystems

• protect the freshwater species & human livelihoods that depend on these ecosystems

• maintain ecosystem connectivity

Objectives:• E-flows and connectivity protected or restored in key rivers or tributaries

• Policies developed and implemented in a significant number of countries to protect e-flows

• Key global or regional water management institutions adopt and implement standards and policies on e-flows

3. WWF’s work on water security in Southeastern Europe

Why do we work there?

Biodiversity Loss(State)

Threats(Pressure)

Root Causes(Drivers)

 •Changing hydrological and flow regimes

•Drying out of wetlands

•Fragmentation of river systems

•Loss of freshwater species

•Changing natural processes

• Water resources over-exploitation

• Water infrastructure development, water regulation

• Wetland reclamation for agriculture

• Industrial, domestic, agricultural pollution

 •Increased agricultural production for domestic markets•Industry and tourism development•Increased energy demand (nationally and internationally) •Lack or not enforced institutional setting for IRBM/IWRM•Insufficient systems of PAs

What are the main threats in SEE?

Why do we focus on hydropower?

• Hydropower = 43 % of region’s energy consumption (2004)

• Scarcity of conventional sources of energy (oil, coal & gas)

• Energy deficit: Consumption needs matched by imports

• Good hydropower potential (steep canyons, fast-flowing rivers, high precipitation levels under normal conditions)

• Low energy efficiency due to transmission losses , obsolete generation systems and distribution networks & solar and wind energy potential not yet explored

• Growing interest in exporting energy to neighbours & EU

• AND!!!: 32% of freswhater fishes in the Med are threatened by dams construction (IUCN, 2006)

Why do we focus on hydropower?

How do we respond?

Some key principles and directions:

- Taking on board the principles of the World Commission on Dams & IHA Sustainability Guidelines

- Promoting measures to enhance the sustainability of hydropower development:

1. Careful strategic planning that spares precious natural areas ( “no go rivers”)

2. Adequate design and operation of water infrastructure

3. Adoption of environmental standards at any level(e.g. ensuring environmental flows which limit impacts on nature)

WWF’s presence in the Southeastern Europe:

• Active in HR, BiH, MN, AL, SRB

• Dinaric Arc Initiative launched in 2005

• Freshwater programmes in 3 priority basins: Cetina basin (Livansko Polje), Neretva river (Upper part and Hutovo Blato), Moraca river/Lake Skadar

Where do we work?

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What have we achieved so far?

• Create momentum & raise the visibility on highly controversial projects (e.g. Moraca HPPs, MN)

• Strengthen ties with key players (e.g. EU, WB, IFC)

• Mapping key investors in our priority areas

• Develop dialogue and understanding with hydropower sector (EP, Statkraft, Verbund, etc.)

• Be recognised as an influential player

• Increase knowledge and promote good standards and practices (incl. new guidelines for sustainable hydropower > HSAF Protocol)

Thank you!

AKlauschen@wwfmedpo.orgwww.panda.org/mediterranean