Implementing the SDGs in Shared

Basins through Intl. Water LawStockholm, 24th August 2015

Prof Owen McIntyreSchool of Law

University College CorkNational University of Ireland

Linking Global Water Law & Sustainable Development

Themes

• Intl Water Law & Sustainable Dev– IWL: consensus re key rules and insts.;

uncertainty re values (relative weighting)

• SDGs & International Water Law– Political commitment & legal framework

• Implications for International Water Law– Relevance and legitimacy

• Effective implementation of IWL (RBOs)– Key role of RBOs / institutions– Crucial for realisation of SDGs

Relationship btn Intl Water Law and Sustainable Development

• Convergence in Intl. Water Law [RBOs]– Accepted (if normatively uncertain) concepts:

• Art. 5 UNWC: Equitable & Reasonable Utilisation– Art. 6 UNWC: factors re ERU (econ, social, env values)– ERU ‘operationalises’ sustainable development – Vital human needs / human rights-based approaches

• Art. 7 UNWC: Prevent Significant TB Harm– Due diligence obligation re State conduct – Protection & maintenance of ecosystems

• Art. 8 UNWC: General Duty of Cooperation– Arts. 8, 9, 11-19, 32-33 UNWC: procedural co-op– Central role of EIA and RBOs (Pulp Mills)

– Framework / process for articulation of VALUES

Convergence: Global Water Resources Instruments

  1997 UNWC 1992 Helsinki Convention

2008 ILC Draft Arts on TB Aquifers

Equitable Utilisation

Arts. 5,6 Art. 2.2(c) Arts. 4, 5

Duty of Prevention

Art. 7 Art. 2.1 Art. 6

Duty of Co-operation

Art. 8 Arts. 2.6, 9, 11 Art. 7, 16

Environ /Ecosystem

Arts. 20-3 Arts. 2.2, 3 Arts. 10, 11, 12

Prior Notification

Arts. 11-16 Art. 9.2(h), (j) Art. 15.1, 15.2

Consult/Negotiate

Art. 17 Art. 10 Art. 15.3

Exchange Information

Art. 8 Arts. 6, 9.2(c), 13 Art. 8

Dispute Settlement

Arts. 30-33 Art. 22, Annex IV Art. 15.3

Convergence: Case Study - SADC Region Water Conventions

Note: The OKACOM and LIMCOM Agreements are not analysed in detail as both Agreements are primarily concerned with institutional structure, powers and functions, rather than with setting down substantive and procedural obligations applicable to the parties.

  UNWC 2000 SADC Protocol

ORASECOM Agreement

Incomati-Maputo

ZAMCOMAgreement

Equitable Utilisation

Arts. 5,6 Art. 3(7)(8) Art. 7.2 Art. 3(b) Arts. 12, 13,14.1

Duty of Prevention

Art. 7 Art. 3(10) Art. 7.3 Art. 3(c) Art. 14.2, 4

Duty of Co-operation

Art. 8 Art. 3(5) Art. 7.1 Arts. 4,5,7 Art. 14.5

Environ /Ecosystem

Arts. 20-3 Art. 3, Art. 7.12-15 Arts. 6, 8 Art. 14.3

Prior Notification

Arts. 11-16

Art. 4 Art. 7.5-10 Art. 13 Art. 16

Consult /Negotiate

Art. 17 Art. 4 Art. 8.1 Art. 15(1) Art. 16.5

Exchange Information

Art. 8 Art. 3(6) Art. 7.4, 7.11 Art. 12 Art. 15

Dispute Settlement

Arts. 30-33

Art. 7 Art. 8.2-3 Art. 15 Arts. 20-21

SDGs and Intl. Water Law: Values Promoted under SDGs • Goal 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable

management of water and sanitation for all”– Target 6.3: By 2030 … reducing pollution, chemicals

– Target 6.4: By 2030 … water-use efficiency, sustainable withdrawals

– Target 6.5: By 2030 … IWRM at all levels, TB co-op

– Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes”

• Cross-cutting goal: G1: Hunger; G2: Poverty; G3: Health; G4: Education; G5: Gender Equality; G7: Energy; G15: Ecosystems (ERU)

SDGs & IWL: Shared Values

• Focus: Water and Sanitation for All:– HRW & San CESCR GC15; VHNs UNWC Art 10

• Focus: Sustainable Water Use:– Sust utilisation UNWC Art 5; Efficiency UNWC Art 6

• Focus: Ecosystems Protection:– Env flows; ecosystem services / benefit-sharing

• Focus: Participatory Water Governance:– Procedural HRW & San reqs; EIA; Customary / IPs

• Focus: Transboundary Water Co-op:– Gen duty to co-op UNWC Art 8; HRW & San GC15

SDGs and Intl. Water Law

• IWL provides est. legal and inst. framework to support realisation of (non-binding) SDGs

• SDGs represent political commitment re values• SDGs provide catalyst for continued dev of

IWL norms, procedures, insts.(treaty & custom)– 2 Work Streams: UNSG (global & nat. stakeholder

consultations); OWG (rev. 30 UN States & NGOs)

• SDGs to be adopted by UNGA Resolution– implementation, monitoring compliance, etc.

• Implementation of IWL crucial to SDGs - RBOs

OptionsEarly cooperative engagementMulti-step approachScope of notification to correspond to ESIA scopeOne State responsible for notificationOpen process: options for modification considered

Elements for Implementation

Thematic Policy Areas

Notification and Consultation Mechanisms

Basin Management Plans

Standards for Environmental and Social Protection

Equitable and Reasonable Utilisation

International Water Law

Prevention of Significant Harm

Duty to Cooperate

Harmonisation of TWM aspects

Information and Data sharing mechanisms

FactorsStrategic planning processInvolvement of senior RBO officialIFI involvementLink process to existing legal obligationsShared State interests in project

OptionsExisting national / IFI standards Benchmarking to intl.StandardsProcedural standards most importantBona fide stakeholdersEnvironmental Action Plans & Resettlement Action PlansEnvironmental Flows

FactorsSocial equityRBO mandate

OptionsClarify Purpose(s)Primary / Secondary DataDecision Support SystemsSimpler Data-Sharing Solutions – e-mail contactSustainability of SystemsRegional Body / RBO CoordinationInter-sectoral / Inter- organisational Data-Sharing(Regional) Validation PlatformSensitive Information

FactorsEpistemic CommunityProcedures / ProtocolsExternal Support / Adequate ResourcesDesignated People/Tasks

OptionsTransboundary Diagnostic AnalysisUnderstand Process DriversStructured Inter-State CommunicationStrategic Action ProgrammeLink to Other SectorsRealistic Investment PlanDecision Support SystemsExisting African Models

FactorsComplex, lengthy and expensive planning processesIWRM Planning ProcessHigh Quality DataCommon InterestsPolitical CircumstancesPrivate SectorStakeholder Participation

OptionsInformal HarmonisationNational Water PolicyREC Regional Water PolicyCoherence between REC and National Water PolicyContinental Bodies AMCOW/ANBOOther Harmonised Sectors – Trade/EnergyClarify Aims & Extent – SubsidiarityGeneral Approaches – IWRM

FactorsRegional Framework AgreementsDiverse MotivationsEpistemic CommunityPolitical Will

Initial Implementation Framework for River Basin Organisations

Conclusions

• SDGs – universal (political) commitment of States to progressive values inherent in core rules of IWL

• SDGs – incorporate concerns / views of broad range of actors (incl. non-State, etc.) and constituencies

• IWL provides essential legal and institutional framework for realisation of SDGs in shared basins

• SDGs – enhance relevance and legitimacy of IWL• SDGs – potential for “transformational” effect on

interpretation and continuing development of IWL• Effective implementation of IWL (by RBOs) crucial to

realisation of SDGs