Conference Presentation
Reference
Assessing the institutional setting and legal basis for addressing intersectoral issues in transboundary river basins
BRETHAUT, Christian, LIPPONEN, Annukka
Abstract
The Water-Energy-Land Use-Ecosystems Nexus Methodology for Transboundary Basins has been developed specifically for shared water bodies, to assess intersectoral linkages, trade-offs and benefits. It has been developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention) to assess a representative set of transboundary basins in the pan-European region and beyond as part of the Water Convention's Work Programme 2013-2015. A methodology for assessing the water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus in transboundary settings has been developed, including a governance component. These will develop and get refined upon application to different basins. The process has initiated an intersectoral dialogue in some basins to also look at the institutional framework and functioning of intersectoral governance. A broader understanding of benefits of transboundary coordination and cooperation and functioning of governance is expected to emerge.
BRETHAUT, Christian, LIPPONEN, Annukka. Assessing the institutional setting and legal basis for addressing intersectoral issues in transboundary river basins. In: International water &
energy conference : Preserving the flow of life, Lyon, 29-31 october, 2014
Available at:
http://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:41570
Disclaimer: layout of this document may differ from the published version.
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2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
Assessing the institutional setting and legal basis for addressing intersectoral issues in transboundary
river basins
Christian Bréthaut University of Geneva Team leader
christian.brethaut@unige.ch
Annukka Lipponen UNECE
Environmental affairs officer annukka.lipponen@unece.org
Context:
• The Water-Energy-Land Use-Ecosystems Nexus Methodology for Transboundary Basins has been developed specifically for shared water bodies, to assess intersectoral linkages, trade-offs and benefits.
• It has been developed under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Convention)
• It aims to assess a representative set of transboundary basins in the pan-European region and beyond as part of the Water
Convention’s Work Programme 2013-2015.
2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
The development of a dedicated methodology:
• A methodology for assessing the water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus in transboundary settings has been developed, including a governance component.
• These will develop and get refined upon application to different basins.
• The process has initiated an intersectoral dialogue in some basins to also look at the institutional framework and functioning of intersectoral governance.
• A broader understanding of benefits of transboundary coordination and cooperation and functioning of governance is expected to emerge.
Why is there a need to analyse institutions and governance structures?
Objectives:
• To gain a better understanding of the context in which sectors of activity operate
• To generate understanding of the regulatory capacities of the system
• To achieve a better understanding of a complex system, of its strengths and weaknesses at different scales of governance
2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
How does the methodology work?
• A methodology designed in order to guide analysts through different steps
• A step-by-step approach breaking down the complexity of the object of study
• Four main steps allowing a progressive and cumulative analysis
• The development of this methodology draws upon the work done in the research project GOUVRHONE
1.#Analysis#of#main#
uses#of#resources# 2.#Analysis#of#main#
regula4ons# 3.#Analysis#of#actors#
configura4on# 4.#Iden4fica4on#of#
specific#hot#spots#
Analysis(of(ins+tu+ons(framing(the(nexus:(a(four(steps(methodology(
A four steps methodology:
Step 1: Reflect on the identification of the main sectors of activity involved within the nexus ! refers to the overall technical nexus assessment
Step 2: Analyse the main regulations at the sectoral and intersectoral levels
Step 3: Analyse the configuration of actors
Step 4: Identify specific hot spots to analyse the main use rivalries between actors and to understand how tensions are regulated
2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
Scheme of institutions analysis
:!
Bien A
Service D Service C
Bien E Bien B
Service F
Droit de propriété formelle
PP 1 PP 2 PP 3
Politiques publiques
(PP) : droit public Système régulatif
(SR) : droit privé
Usagers Propriétaires
(1) (4)
Droits de disposition Droits
d’usage
(2) (3)
Arène locale de décision
R e s s . n a tu re ll e A c te u rs
RIRN
!
Bien A
Service D Service C
Bien E Bien B
Service F
Droit de propriété formelle
PP 1 PP 2 PP 3
Politiques publiques
(PP) : droit public Système régulatif
(SR) : droit privé
Usagers Propriétaires
(1) (4)
Droits de disposition Droits
d’usage
(2) (3)
Arène locale de décision
R e s s . n a tu re ll e A c te u rs
RIRN
!
Bien A
Service D Service C
Bien E Bien B
Service F
Droit de propriété formelle
PP 1 PP 2 PP 3
Politiques publiques
(PP) : droit public Système régulatif
(SR) : droit privé
Usagers Propriétaires
(1) (4)
Droits de disposition Droits
d’usage
(2) (3)
Arène locale de décision
R e s s . n a tu re ll e A c te u rs
RIRN
!
Bien A
Service D Service C
Bien E Bien B
Service F
Droit de propriété formelle
PP 1 PP 2 PP 3
Politiques publiques
(PP) : droit public Système régulatif
(SR) : droit privé
Usagers Propriétaires
(1) (4)
Droits de disposition Droits
d’usage
(2) (3)
Arène locale de décision
R e s s . n a tu re ll e A c te u rs
RIRN
U1#
U2#
U3#
U4#
#Hot$Spot$1$
Hot$Spot$2$
Extent&
&
&
Coherence&
&
&
Robustness&
&
&
Flexibility&
&
1 # #2 # ######3 # # # # #4#
…#
…#
…#
Analytical variables:
Extent
• To what extent do public policies regulate the different uses?
Coherence
• Is there any coherence between the different objectives intended by public policies / is there any coordination?
Robustness
• What is the capacity of the regulatory framework to effectively control the different uses?
Flexibility
• What is the room for manoeuver, which actors have in order to self-organise?
2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
Implementation of the methodology
:• Implementation through series of questions
• Answers allow to build an understanding of the nature of the nexus at the national and transboundary levels
Step 1: identification of the main resource uses within
the nexus
2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
Step 2: Identification of main regulations at the
sectoral and intersectoral levels
Step 3: description of the configuration of actors
2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
Step 4: Identification of hot spots
within the nexus
Next steps:
• Research-action methodology which needs inputs from experts and from the field
• Test :
• Alazani / Ganikh River basin
• Sava River basin
• Niger River basin
• Further testing and improvement of the methodology
• Feedbacks are welcome!
2014 Lyon International Conference “Water and Energy”
Key messages:
KEY LESSONS LEARNT:
• Governance set-ups are unique and solutions to a certain degree context- specific ! Still there are good lessons that can be learned from.
• Intersectoral representation in institutions of transboundary cooperation facilitates consideration of different uses and interests.
KEY MESSAGES FOR THE NEXUS:
• Transboundary cooperation is necessary to minimize negative intersectoral impacts from development.
• Institutions of transboundary cooperation like river basin commissions can play an important role.
• International frameworks like UNECE Water Convention provide guidance on applying good principles.
