Transcript UNEP-UNECE cooperation in a changing world on water, climate

UNEP-UNECE cooperation in a
changing world on water, climate
change and security related issues
Panel 2: UNECE Acting on Climate: Water, Forestry and Timber
UNECE 63rd Session, Palais des Nations, Geneva
31 March 2009
J.C. Bouvier
Director and Regional Representative
UNEP Regional Office for Europe
Presentation overview
• Illustration of some global challenges
• The perspective of UN Reform and
international environmental governance for the
ECE region
• Concrete examples of joint UNEP-UNECE
work in the ECE region: Environment for
Europe process, Transport & Energy, Forestry
and Timber, Environmental Performance
Reviews, Environment and Security (ENVSEC)
activities
Water Stress
Physical water scarcity (water resources development is approaching or has exceeded
sustainable limits). More than 75% of river flows are withdrawn for agriculture, industry, and
domestic purposes.
Approaching physical water scarcity. More than 60% of river flows are withdrawn. These
basins will experience physical water scarcity in the near future.
Source: Comprehensive assessment of water management in Agriculture, International Water Management Institute 2007
1 – Low
2 – Medium
3 – High
Risk of Permafrost Thawing in the ECE region
Permafrost thawing: Economic damage and risk to infrastructure
Enhanced cooperation between UN
organisations
• Ongoing international environmental governance debates in
New York (UNGA 2008) and Nairobi (last UNEP GC
Ministerial debate on IEG: help or hindrance? February 2009)
and the CSD WG (Mexico, Switzerland) recommended action
at regional level
• Meanwhile Geneva demonstrated a range of experiences of
UNEP and UNECE working together on several
environmental issues i.e. facilitating implementation of
UNECE conventions, assessments (EPR) & monitoring
• Joint efforts towards ‘Green Economy’ between UNECE and
UNEP
• An annual joint review – enhanced as of 2009 to broaden its
scope
• UNECE leadership in RCM and interaction with RDT key to
success. UNEP committed.
Some concrete examples of UNECE-UNEP
collaboration
• Environment for Europe Ministerial process started
in Dobris 1991, latest Belgrade 2007. Support to
UNECE as Secretariat and specific UNEP tasks (i.e.
SCP, PEBLDS)
• Environmental performance reviews: Uzbekistan
(2009), previously in Azerbaijan, Yugoslavia,
Tajikistan
• Also with WHO: Transport, Health and Environment
Pan-European Programme (THE PEP)
• Energy Efficiency 21 Project with UNEPGEF: to
promote the formation of a market for energy
efficiency and foster financing for energy efficiency
investments in the EECCA
• Caspian Environment Programme: Transboundary
EIA protocol (with ESPOO Convention)
• ENVSEC activities within ECE region: Dniester,
Danube delta & the Upper Pripyat
The Danube delta: to split the channels,
or to find common value?
The Dniester: Pollution, floods, hydro-power,
politics and cooperation
Climate Change in Eastern Europe
Environment & Security Initiative 2009
• One direct consequence of climate change is
increasing floods. Floods in summer of 2008
devastated parts of Ukraine and Moldova (material
damage, destroyed infrastructure, flooded houses,
dislocated populations).
• There are indications that this will continue,
especially with the background of illegal logging in
Carpathian forests that otherwise could be natural
adaptation mechanisms.
Climate change in Central Asia
Environment & Security Initiative 2009
• With climate change and melting glaciers in the
mountains, water flow will be less stable and in
the end less abundant.
• Up-to-date information about what will happen
to the region's water resources is needed.
• Better institutions to manage water allocation,
energy and agricultural use of water;
understanding of humanitarian consequences
(natural disasters, ‘agri-failures’, migration, local
tensions and possible unrest).
Thank you!
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