science policy

1. Session 10: The Science Policy Interface
Discussion
Looking ahead – building on 20
years of GEF investments in IW to
strengthen the science-policy
interface
Jakob Granit
International Waters Panel Member, GEF
Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)
Centre Director Stockholm Environment
Institute (SEI)

2. GEF 5 IW goal
“…the promotion of collective management for
transboundary water systems and subsequent
implementation of the full range of policy, legal,
and institutional reforms and investments
contributing to sustainable use and
maintenance of ecosystem services.”

3. Issues related to the provision of IW regional & global
public goods
• 80% of the world’s
population is exposed to
“high levels of threat to
human water security”
• Human impact on marine
ecosystems - ”virtually no
marine area is unaffected”
• Dead zones in coastal
oceans have spread
exponentially since the
1960s (Diaz & Rosenberg, 2008)
(Robert J. Diaz & Rutger Rosenberg, 2008)
Vörösmarty et.al., 2010
Halpern et al, 2008

4. Policy, governance, collective action
“Failures and poor performance in ecosystem
management lie primarily in the realm of
governance, not in science knowledge”
Quote: Stephen Olsen, 2012

5. From a “Government World”
National
Governments
Private SectorCivil Society
Social
Contract
Negotiations

6. To a “Governance World”
Political
System
Government
Economic
System
Business
Social
System
Community-Based
Organizations
Environmental System

7. To a Network-Centric World
NGO
CSO
CSO
Business
Business
Business
Gvt.
Gvt.
Gvt. IGO IGO

8. Parallel globalization and regionalization trends
Economic mass is highly concentrated in regions/markets that are integrated
Based on WDR 2009, World Bank

9. Outcomes/benefits from cooperation matter
to riparian states - driver for collective action
• Water security: “the provision of an acceptable
quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods,
ecosystems and production” (Grey and Sadoff 2007)
• Energy security: ”the uninterrupted physical
availability [of energy] at a price which is affordable,
while respecting environment concerns” (IEA 2011)
• Food Security “when all people at all times have
access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a
healthy and active life”
(World Food Summit 1996, WHO)
• Ecosystem goods and services underpin the
generation of these outcomes/benefits (Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment 2005)
Food
EnergyWater
NEXUS

10. Conclusion: Increase the role of social sciences in GEF
interventions to support policy choice for collective action
1. IW management principles & tools have been promoted universally by
the IW community – are they effective today?
– The political, economical and social context is rapidly changing at all levels
– E.g. link to spatial planning processes at national and regional levels
2. Can an outcome driven approach promote political will & generate
incentives to support collective action?
– Food, energy, water for industry & WSS, including flood & drought management,
job creation
– Complement the ecosystem approach
3. Should IW water governance and management link more strongly to
the emerging broader regional political and economic frameworks and
institutions?
– Trade, share, compensate for benefits generated and ecosystem goods and
services in a market
– Scientific work on options to reduce risks and barriers to cooperation
– Avoid free riding at all costs