Removal of water from ecosystems – a dangerous trend

Removal of water from ecosystems – a dangerous trend

Article Type: Feature From: Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Volume 22, Issue 3

The removal of water from ecosystems and changes to patterns and timings of river flows represents one of the major global threats to nature, a highlighted in a report by the WWF.

Based on a global survey, the report reviews progress made by governments in developing policies to protect and restore environmental flows. It identifies the conversion of policies into on-the-ground implementation as the predominant global challenge to be faced by environmental flows policy, and presents a series of recommendations for advancing the implementation of environmental flows.

Among the recommendations produced, the following are worthy mentioning:

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  undertake a phased approach to implementation;

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  do not exceed available capacity, while building capacity from the onset of policy development;

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  limit allowable water abstraction and flow alteration as soon as possible;

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  develop a clear statement of objectives for environmental flows policy based on an inclusive, transparent and well-communicated process;

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  develop a clear institutional framework, including independent oversight;

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  create sustainable financing mechanisms, in particular financial resources where reallocation of water is required;

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  conduct proof-of-concept pilot projects; and

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  allow flexibility for implementation methods, while setting a clear deadline and goals for implementation.

The report can be seen at: www.wwf.org.uk/research_centre/?4395/The-Implementation-challenge